American Humane: Grants for Animals and Wildlife
/OVERVIEW: American Humane awards grants to organizations supporting the wellbeing of dogs, cats and equines. Grantmaking is national in scope.
IP TAKE: American Humane makes modest-sized grants to a broad range of animal rescues and shelters. In 2020, it launched its Feed the Hungry COVID-19 Fund to help shelters accommodate an influx of animals who were abandoned during the crisis. Other grant programs include Second Chance Grants, which supports organizations that rescue homeless or abused animals, and the Meacham Foundation Memorial Grants, which support the physical or capital expansion or improvement of organizations that support the welfare of shelter animals.
American Humane accepts applications for each of its grant programs, but runs separate applications systems for each. Application materials are linked to each program page. Applications for Meacham Grants are due on April 30 and October 31 of each year.
PROFILE: A group of local humane society representatives from around the country founded American Humane on October 9, 1877. According to its website, the organization is committed to “promoting the welfare and safety of animals and strengthening the bond between animals and people.” Its grantmaking and awards programs “support and facilitate efforts to rescue, shelter, and care for animals in need—whether homeless, injured, or abused—and those harnessing the remarkable powers of the human-animal bond.” Its current funding programs include the Feed the Hungry COVID-19 Fund, Second Chance Grants and the Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant. It also runs the American Human Hero Dog Award, which is awarded annually to one outstanding canine hero and his or her owner, and the Hero Veterinarian and Veterinary Nurse Awards, which go to veterinary professionals whose work and dedication embody the values of American Humane.
American Humane’s Feed the Hungry COVID-19 Fund, its newest grantmaking program, was established in 2020, when thousands of household pets were abandoned in response to the COVID-19 crisis and shelters became overwhelmed. As of 2021, the organization continues to accept applications on an ongoing basis through a short online application form. Past grantees include the Humane Society of St. Lucie County, Oklahoma City’s Pet Food Pantry and Home Dog LA.
Second Chance Grants offer “financial assistance to help offset the costs of rescuing animals who are homeless or victims of human cruelty.” Because of overwhelming demand, these grants are awarded “only in select cases of animal abuse or neglect.” A short application is embedded in the program’s webpage, linked above. Past grantees include Maryland’s Pet Care Trust, the Humane Society of Louisiana and Paws and Effect of Des Moines, Iowa.
Established in 1969, the American Humane’s Meacham Foundation Memorial Grants provides “assistance to agencies for shelter expansion or improvements.” Grants support projects including the purchase of veterinary equipment, renovation, capital campaigns and “equipment that positively impacts the welfare of animals in shelters.” Grants are awarded in amounts up to $4,000, and grantees applying for funding of construction projects must either own the property of the shelter or hold a long-term lease. Applications for Meacham grants are due on April 30 and October 31 of each year. Past grantees include Carolina Canines for Service, Louisiana’s Purrs of Hope Rescue and Main Line Deputy Dog, Inc. of Pennsylvania.
American Humane has made between $75,00 and $250,00 in grants a year over the past several years. Its grants range from $5,000 to $100,000, with more than half of all grants awarded in amounts less than $10,000. Most of American Humane’s grantees are small- to medium-sized organizations working with cats, dogs and equines. Grantmaking is national in scope. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the the organization’s grants and awards page.
Application materials for each grantmaking program are linked to individual program pages. General inquiries may be addressed to the organization’s staff via email or telephone at (800) 227-4645.
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