The Parks Foundation currently ONLY considers applications for Project Grants

The Foundation does NOT make capital grants (grants associated with major construction, remodeling, or expansion projects at shelters and other facilities), or general operating grants (i.e., grants to cover fixed or basic costs of administration; or rent or mortgage payments).

Please note that grants will NOT be awarded to improve animal health, provide for spay/neuter assistance, save endangered species, rehabilitate wildlife, conserve/protect wild animal populations, or to support political candidates. Municipalities and municipal agencies are not eligible for grants. While the Parks Foundation encourages spay/neuter and efforts to improve animal health, the Foundation has not need funded to generally support these types of programs, nor does it focus on wildlife or endangered species.

The Parks Foundation makes awards, usually not more than $10,000 per annum, to support projects, research, and other activities calculated to advance the welfare of animals. The application should describe the need for the project (e.g., how will the status of animals be improved), outline its basic protocols, and discuss its feasibility, the likely chance of its success, and the methods by which it will be evaluated. The applicant organization should provide a projected annual budget and time for completion, and list other entities that have been approached for financial support, and the stage these applications have reached. The qualifications of the project director should also be provided. Proposals will be judged by a number of criteria, including originality, potential impact on animal welfare, the number of animals affected, the project’s time frame, and feasibility, the track record of the applicant, the need for the program or data, the public accountability of the organization, and the likelihood of achieving other sources of funding.

Successful applications include:

a) Evidence that the organization or applicant is making a concerted effort to assess the effectiveness of programs;
b) Evidence that the organization has been striving in substantial ways to reduce animal pain, stress, and suffering, and to improve animal welfare.

In recent years successful applicants have received project grants to support adoption programs; enrichment initiatives; animal rescue training; research and data websites; equipment purchase or small-scale repairs or renovations tied to specific program initiatives; canine behavior training; public awareness campaigns; humane education; campaign plans; law enforcement training; small-scale facility additions; cage purchases; conference and festivals; curriculum development; staff training and education; anti-cruelty hotlines; animal welfare certification initiatives; psychology and social psychology research concerning cruelty and kindness; habitat enhancement; and disaster response and recovery activities. 

Other areas of potential interest to the Parks Foundation grants committee including the development of alternatives in education; the development of best practices in companion animal care and services; application of the “Three R’s” approach (refinement, replacement, and reduction of animal use to reduce animal pain or suffering) in laboratory, agricultural, and other sectors; methods and strategies of population control; predator protection; the prevention of animal cruelty through social or other interventions; promoting knowledge and awareness of the science, philosophy, and ethics of animal welfare and animal rights; research and survey work concerning public attitudes and behaviors; and animal welfare publishing.