The Animal Relief Foundation Trust focuses on animal welfare in the Midwest, providing unrestricted general operating support primarily to local humane societies, animal rescues, and equine therapy programs. Grants are modest but targeted toward grassroots organizations that care for companion animals and horses, often in smaller or rural communities. The foundation appears mission-driven toward direct animal care and sheltering rather than large national initiatives.
Relatively concentrated, modest-sized general operating grants across a small portfolio (8 grants totaling ~$100k). Mostly one-off awards with at least one repeat grantee, favoring grassroots, regionally focused animal welfare organizations rather than large national players.
Animal Relief Foundation Trust’s recent giving centers on general operating support for animal welfare groups in Iowa and nearby Midwestern communities. Its largest listed grant is $18,315 to Des Moines County Humane Society in Burlington, followed by $16,000 to Humane Society of North Central Iowa in Fort Dodge, showing a pattern of practical support for local shelters and rescue organizations rather than restricted project funding. The foundation also backs equine-related work, including Healing Hearts With Horses in Runnells and Hooves & Paws Rescue of the Heartland in Glenwood, alongside humane societies and rescue groups serving smaller cities and rural areas. Several recipients appear more than once across the grant record, which suggests repeated support for organizations that fit the trust’s mission. Iowa Equine Rescue And in Cedar Rapids received grants in both 2023 and 2024, and Noah’s Ark Foundation Inc in Fairfield appears in multiple years as well. The grant list also includes organizations in Burlington, Ottumwa, Nashua, Coralville, and Washington, indicating a regional pattern built around community-based animal care, sheltering, and rehabilitation.
The trust gives most often to humane societies and animal shelters. In Iowa, it supported Des Moines County Humane Society in Burlington with $18,315 for general operating costs and Washington County Humane Society in Washington with $10,575 for general operating support in 2023. A second thread is rescue work for companion animals. It gave $12,050 to Hero's Haven Animal Rescue in Coralville in 2025, and the same organization also received $3,000 in 2023 for a project-related grant. Equine rescue and therapy is another visible focus. Healing Hearts With Horses in Runnells received $10,600 in 2023 and $5,988 in 2024, while Hooves & Paws Rescue of the Heartland in Glenwood received $11,702 in 2024 and $5,884 in 2025. The foundation also funds organizations such as C & W's Rustic Hollow Shelter Inc in Nashua and Iowa Humane Alliance in Cedar Rapids, both through general operating support.
Typical grants are small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $2,175, the median is $3,250, and the 75th percentile is $8,604. The recent record shows repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years, including Des Moines County Humane Society, Iowa Equine Rescue And, Noah’s Ark Foundation Inc, Healing Hearts With Horses, Hooves & Paws Rescue of the Heartland, and Heartland Humane Society Ltd. Grants are generally unrestricted or general operating, with one listed project-related grant in the recent sample. The trust is not a funder of individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$92K
$1.5M
$131K
$121K
Most grants fall between $2K and $9K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$9K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in IA.
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Notable grantees: Des Moines County Humane Society, Humane Society of North Central Iowa, Hero's Haven Animal Rescue, Hooves & Paws Rescue of the Heartland, Healing Hearts with Horses
Grantmaking is concentrated in Iowa, which accounts for the largest share of recipient locations in the recent list. City-level activity is spread across Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Ottumwa, Glenwood, Washington, Fairfield, Fort Dodge, Nashua, Runnells, Iowa City, and Muscatine. Every listed recent grant goes to a U.S. recipient, and none go to Wisconsin recipients despite the headquarters being in Milwaukee.
It supports humane societies, animal rescues, and equine-related organizations. Recent grants include general operating support for county and regional humane societies, companion-animal rescue groups, and horse rescue or equine-assisted therapy programs in Iowa communities such as Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and Runnells.
Yes. The recent grant list is dominated by general operating awards. Examples include grants to Des Moines County Humane Society, Humane Society of North Central Iowa, and Healing Hearts With Horses, along with other unrestricted support for shelters and rescues.
Iowa is the top recipient state by grant count. The recent grants include recipients in Burlington, Coralville, Cedar Rapids, Ottumwa, Glenwood, Washington, Fairfield, Fort Dodge, Nashua, Runnells, Iowa City, and Muscatine.
Several recipients appear in multiple years, showing recurring support. Examples in the recent record include Iowa Equine Rescue And in Cedar Rapids, Noah’s Ark Foundation Inc in Fairfield, Healing Hearts With Horses in Runnells, and Hooves & Paws Rescue of the Heartland in Glenwood.
The grant-size distribution is modest: the 25th percentile is $2,175, the median is $3,250, and the 75th percentile is $8,604. Recent awards include both smaller operating grants and larger gifts such as $18,315 to Des Moines County Humane Society.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEOPLE FOR PETS | SPENCER, IA | $7,808 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEALING HEARTS WITH HORSES | RUNNELLS, IA | $7,808 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOOVES & PAWS RESCUE OF THE HEARTLAND | GLENWOOD, IA | $7,808 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DES MOINES COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | BURLINGTON, IA | $7,808 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| IOWA EQUINE RESCUE AND | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $7,808 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEARTLAND HUMANE SOCIETY | CORVALLIS, OR | $7,808 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WASHINGTON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, IA | $7,808 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| C & W'S RUSTIC HOLLOW SHELTER INC | NASHUA, IA | $7,808 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NOAH'S ARK FOUNDATION INC | FAIRFIELD, IA | $7,808 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| IOWA HUMANE ALLIANCE | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $3,610 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HERO'S HAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE | CORALVILLE, IA | $3,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JOHNSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | CROWLEY, TX | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FOR PETS SAKE INC | MUSCATINE, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SAFE HAVEN OF IOWA COUNTY | WILLIAMSBURG, IA | $2,070 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ANIMAL LIFELINE OF IOWA INC | DES MOINES, IA | $1,800 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF NORTH CENTRAL IOWA | FORT DODGE, IA | $16,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HERO'S HAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE | CORALVILLE, IA | $12,050 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEARTLAND HUMANE SOCIETY LTD | OTTUMWA, IA | $10,200 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NOAH'S ARK FOUNDATION INC | FAIRFIELD, IA | $8,580 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DES MOINES COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | BURLINGTON, IA | $6,632 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOOVES & PAWS RESCUE OF THE HEARTLAND | GLENWOOD, IA | $5,884 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| C & W'S RUSTIC HOLLOW SHELTER INC | NASHUA, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| IOWA HUMANE ALLIANCE | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $4,025 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WASHINGTON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, IA | $2,700 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FOR PETS SAKE INC | MUSCATINE, IA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SAFE HAVEN OF IOWA COUNTY | WILLIAMSBURG, IA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $1,935 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JOHNSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | IOWA CITY, IA | $1,899 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ANIMAL LIFELINE OF IOWA INC | DES MOINES, IA | $1,422 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DES MOINES COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | BURLINGTON, IA | $18,315 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOOVES & PAWS RESCUE OF THE HEARTLAND IN | GLENWOOD, IA | $11,702 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| C & W'S RUSTIC HOLLOW SHELTER INC | NASHUA, IA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| IOWA EQUINE RESCUE AND | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $9,765 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NOAH'S ARK FOUNDATION INC | FAIRFIELD, IA | $7,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEALING HEARTS WITH HORSES | RUNNELLS, IA | $5,988 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEARTLAND HUMANE SOCIETY LTD | OTTUMWA, IA | $4,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEROS HAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE | CORALVILLE, IA | $3,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| IOWA HUMANE ALLIANCE | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JOHNSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | IOWA CITY, IA | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FOR PETS SAKE INC | MUSCATINE, IA | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF IOWA INCORPORATE | DES MOINES, IA | $2,200 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SAFE HAVEN OF IOWA COUNTY | WILLIAMSBURG, IA | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PEOPLE FOR PETS | SPENCER, IA | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ANIMAL LIFELINE OF IOWA INC | DES MOINES, IA | $1,275 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEALING HEARTS WITH HORSES | RUNNELLS, IA | $10,600 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WASHINGTON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, IA | $10,575 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DES MOINES COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | BURLINGTON, IA | $10,200 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| IOWA EQUINE RESCUE AND | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $8,675 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NOAH'S ARK FOUNDATION INC | FAIRFIELD, IA | $7,150 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
PEOPLE FOR PETS
$7,808GENERAL OPERATING
HEALING HEARTS WITH HORSES
$7,808GENERAL OPERATING
HOOVES & PAWS RESCUE OF THE HEARTLAND
$7,808GENERAL OPERATING
DES MOINES COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$7,808GENERAL OPERATING
IOWA EQUINE RESCUE AND
$7,808GENERAL OPERATING
HEARTLAND HUMANE SOCIETY
$7,808GENERAL OPERATING
WASHINGTON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$7,808GENERAL OPERATING
C & W'S RUSTIC HOLLOW SHELTER INC
$7,808GENERAL OPERATING
NOAH'S ARK FOUNDATION INC
$7,808GENERAL OPERATING
HERO'S HAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE
$3,500GENERAL OPERATING
JOHNSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$3,000GENERAL OPERATING
FOR PETS SAKE INC
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
SAFE HAVEN OF IOWA COUNTY
$2,070GENERAL OPERATING
ANIMAL LIFELINE OF IOWA INC
$1,800GENERAL OPERATING
HUMANE SOCIETY OF NORTH CENTRAL IOWA
$16,000GENERAL OPERATING
HERO'S HAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE
$12,050GENERAL OPERATING
HEARTLAND HUMANE SOCIETY LTD
$10,200GENERAL OPERATING
NOAH'S ARK FOUNDATION INC
$8,580GENERAL OPERATING
DES MOINES COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$6,632GENERAL OPERATING
HOOVES & PAWS RESCUE OF THE HEARTLAND
$5,884GENERAL OPERATING
C & W'S RUSTIC HOLLOW SHELTER INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
WASHINGTON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$2,700GENERAL OPERATING
FOR PETS SAKE INC
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
SAFE HAVEN OF IOWA COUNTY
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING
JOHNSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$1,899GENERAL OPERATING
ANIMAL LIFELINE OF IOWA INC
$1,422GENERAL OPERATING
DES MOINES COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$18,315GENERAL OPERATING
HOOVES & PAWS RESCUE OF THE HEARTLAND IN
$11,702GENERAL OPERATING
C & W'S RUSTIC HOLLOW SHELTER INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
IOWA EQUINE RESCUE AND
$9,765GENERAL OPERATING
NOAH'S ARK FOUNDATION INC
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING
HEALING HEARTS WITH HORSES
$5,988GENERAL OPERATING
HEARTLAND HUMANE SOCIETY LTD
$4,500GENERAL OPERATING
HEROS HAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE
$3,500GENERAL OPERATING
JOHNSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$3,000GENERAL OPERATING
FOR PETS SAKE INC
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
SAFE HAVEN OF IOWA COUNTY
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING
PEOPLE FOR PETS
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING
ANIMAL LIFELINE OF IOWA INC
$1,275GENERAL OPERATING
HEALING HEARTS WITH HORSES
$10,600GENERAL OPERATING
WASHINGTON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$10,575GENERAL OPERATING
DES MOINES COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$10,200GENERAL OPERATING
IOWA EQUINE RESCUE AND
$8,675GENERAL OPERATING
NOAH'S ARK FOUNDATION INC
$7,150GENERAL OPERATING