The Candis J Stern Charitable Foundation is strongly focused on animal welfare, providing unrestricted/general operating support to a broad mix of local humane societies, rescue groups, sanctuaries, and wildlife conservation organizations. Grants are typically mid-sized and practical—intended to sustain operations rather than fund capital projects—and the foundation supports both domestic companion-animal causes (rescue, spay/neuter, shelters) and select wildlife and specialty animal programs (raptor, equine, international elephant conservation).
Concentrated, mission-focused giving: many mid-sized (roughly $15k–$37k) general operating grants, a mix of repeat funding to several grantees and one-off grants to many organizations, geographically dispersed across the U.S. with occasional international conservation gifts.
Candis J Stern Charitable Foundation’s giving is defined by general operating support for animal welfare groups, with grants repeatedly sized to keep shelters, rescues, sanctuaries, and conservation organizations functioning. The foundation’s recent awards show a clear preference for practical, unrestricted support rather than project-specific or capital funding. In 2024, it backed Pet Helpers in Round Rock, Texas, and Starelief and Pet Assistance Inc in Stamford, Connecticut, each with $22,000 for general operating needs. The same year also included support for Brown Dog Foundation in Carlsbad, California, Harleys Hope Foundation in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and The Pet Fund in Sacramento, California, all at the same level. Beyond companion-animal work, the foundation also funds wildlife and specialty animal efforts. Defenders of Wildlife in Washington, DC received support, as did The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA I in Laguna Hills, California. Its portfolio also includes equine and service-animal organizations, which fits a broader pattern of sustaining the operating capacity of groups working across rescue, rehabilitation, placement, and conservation.
Within companion-animal rescue, the foundation supports operating budgets rather than discrete projects. It gave $20,000 to Dona Ana County Humane Society in Las Cruces, New Mexico in 2023 and $17,000 to the same organization in 2024, both for general operating needs. It also provided $15,000 to Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary in Las Cruces in both 2023 and 2024, showing continued support for that organization’s work. The foundation also backs animal advocacy and legal protection. Animal Legal Defense Fund in Cotati, California received $15,000 for general operating support, and Animal Protection of New Mexico in Santa Fe received $15,000 under the unrestricted category. A third area is specialty animal care and placement: Paws With a Cause in Wayland, Michigan received $15,000 for general operating support, and Raptor Education Group Inc in Antigo, Wisconsin received the same amount for general operating support.
Grant sizes cluster tightly around mid-sized awards. The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile, while many recent grants sit at $15,000 or $22,000. The foundation shows repeat support for some recipients across years, including Dona Ana County Humane Society, Humane Society of Huron Valley, Animal Protection of New Mexico, and Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary. The pattern points to ongoing operating support rather than one-off project funding. Candis J Stern Charitable Foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$522K
$5.9M
$791K
$581K
Most grants fall between $10K and $15K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in NM.
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Notable grantees: Dona Ana County Humane Society, Animal Companions, Humane Society of Huron Valley, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA, Paws With A Cause
Giving is national, with all listed recent grants going to US recipients. The top state by grant count is DC, while only 2% of grants go to recipients in Ohio, the foundation’s headquarters state. Recent recipients are spread across many cities, including Las Cruces, New Mexico; Washington, DC; Sacramento, California; and Ann Arbor, Michigan. The concentration is broader than one region, but New Mexico appears repeatedly through multiple organizations in Las Cruces, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque.
It supports animal welfare organizations across several categories: humane societies and rescue shelters, spay/neuter programs, wildlife conservation and rehabilitation, equine sanctuaries, and assistance or service-animal organizations. The recent grants list also shows legal advocacy and animal protection groups among its recipients.
The grant-size profile is centered on mid-sized operating awards. The 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $15,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. Recent grants also include $17,000, $20,000, and $22,000 awards.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Dona Ana County Humane Society, Humane Society of Huron Valley, Animal Protection of New Mexico, and Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing operating support rather than single one-time gifts.
The geographic scope is national, and the top state by grant count is DC. Ohio, the headquarters state, accounts for 2% of grants. Recent awards also landed in cities such as Las Cruces, Sacramento, Ann Arbor, Washington, and Stamford.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPAY AND NEUTER ACTION PROGRAM | LAS CRUCES, NM | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRANKIES FRIENDS | MT PLEASANT, SC | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND | COTATI, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ANIMAL PROTECTION OF NEW MEXICO INC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KEENESBURG, CO | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTER FOR HUMANE ECONOMY INC | BETHESDA, MD | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DONA ANA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | LAS CRUCES, NM | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ONEIDA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | RHINELANDER, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PETS FOR PATRIOTS INC | LONG BEACH, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RAPTOR EDUCATION GROUP INC | ANTIGO, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SHELTER ANIMAL DONATIONS | FENTON, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY | ANN ARBOR, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WORKING DOGS FOR CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | MISSOULA, MT | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALLEY CAT ALLIES | BETHESDA, MD | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WILD INSTINCTS INC | RHINELANDER, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FACE FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DHARMAHORSE | LAS CRUCES, NM | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ACTION PROGRAMS FOR ANIMALS | LAS CRUCES, NM | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WINGS OF RESCUE | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FAITHFUL FRIENDS INC | NEW CASTLE, DE | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SAFE HAVEN ANIMAL SANCTUARY | LAS CRUCES, NM | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SPIRIT ANIMAL SANCTUARY INC | BOONVILLE, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RANCHO COASTAL HUMANE SOCIETY | ENCINITAS, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GIRAFFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | ORLANDO, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE LOON PROJECT | ORANGE, CA | $12,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SHARK | MALIBU, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION | BARABOO, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MUTTVILLE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CARE FOR WILD | CAMARILLO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST USA | LAGUNA HILLS, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SHADOW CATS RESCUE | ROUND ROCK, TX | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TURTLE RESCUE LEAGUE | SOUTHBRIDGE, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEAVENLY PAWS OF MICHIGAN | ROCHESTER HILLS, MI | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LOON RESCUE INC | TOMAHAWK, WI | $7,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY | KANAB, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DONA ANA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | LAS CRUCES, NM | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SPAY AND NEUTER ACTION PROGRAM | LAS CRUCES, NM | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY | HOHENWALD, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DHARMAHORSE | LAS CRUCES, NM | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SKYDOG RANCH AND SANCTUARY | MALIBU, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ACTION PROGRAMS FOR ANIMALS | LAS CRUCES, NM | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CATS MEOW RESOURCE ADOPTION CENTER | LAS CRUCES, NM | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND | COTATI, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY INC | TUCSON, AZ | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY | ANN ARBOR, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMUNITY FDN OF SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO | LAS CRUCES, NM | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CARE FOR WILD | CAMARILLO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST USA | LAGUNA HILLS, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
SPAY AND NEUTER ACTION PROGRAM
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRANKIES FRIENDS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
GENERAL OPERATING
ONEIDA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
PETS FOR PATRIOTS INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
RAPTOR EDUCATION GROUP INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
SHELTER ANIMAL DONATIONS
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
WILD INSTINCTS INC
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
FACE FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
DHARMAHORSE
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
SAFE HAVEN ANIMAL SANCTUARY
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
SPIRIT ANIMAL SANCTUARY INC
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
GIRAFFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE LOON PROJECT
$12,000GENERAL OPERATING
SHARK
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
CARE FOR WILD
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
SHADOW CATS RESCUE
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING
TURTLE RESCUE LEAGUE
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING
HEAVENLY PAWS OF MICHIGAN
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING
LOON RESCUE INC
$7,000GENERAL OPERATING
SPAY AND NEUTER ACTION PROGRAM
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
DHARMAHORSE
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
SKYDOG RANCH AND SANCTUARY
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
CATS MEOW RESOURCE ADOPTION CENTER
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
COMMUNITY FDN OF SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
CARE FOR WILD
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST USA
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING