The Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation concentrates almost exclusively on animal welfare, channeling the majority of its funding through the Doris Day Animal Foundation to support spay/neuter, rescue, and veterinary care initiatives. Grants are targeted at organizations that provide direct animal medical services and lifesaving programs, with an emphasis on sustaining emergency medical funds and population-control efforts. The foundation appears mission-focused rather than geographically broad, supporting both a central donor-advised vehicle (Doris Day Animal Foundation) and direct grantees like local humane societies.
The Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by animal welfare, with much of it routed through the Doris Day Animal Foundation in Los Angeles for animal welfare programs, spaying and neutering, rescue, and related care. That central pattern appears alongside direct support for organizations delivering veterinary treatment and population-control services, showing a funder that combines intermediary grantmaking with targeted operating support. Recent grants include Pasadena Humane in Pasadena, California, for veterinary care through its Miracle Medical Fund, and the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha, Nebraska, for animal care through its Duffy Day program. The foundation also backs specialized animal-health work, including genetic research to help solve cat diseases through EveryCat Health Foundation and marine mammal rescue care through Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Its portfolio extends beyond companion-animal services to wildlife recovery and senior horse care, indicating a narrow but varied animal-focused agenda. The foundation’s named recipients also show repeated support for veterinary education and shelter medicine training. Grants to university and professional veterinary organizations are structured as scholarship endowments, with preference for students studying shelter medicine, connecting workforce development to the broader animal-care mission.
A core strand of the Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation’s funding supports veterinary education tied to shelter medicine. The University of Arizona Foundation in Tucson received $104,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2025 for a scholarship endowment for veterinary medicine, with preference for students studying shelter medicine. Texas A&M Foundation in College Station received $104,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2024 for the same purpose, and Colorado State University Foundation in Fort Collins received $100,000 in 2025. The foundation also backs direct care for animals in shelters and rescues. Idaho Humane Society in Boise received $100,000 in 2024 to support veterinary care of shelter animals, while Ventana Wildlife Society in Monterey received $100,000 in 2025 for veterinary care of shelter animals and vaccinations for the California condor. Disease and species-specific work appears as well. EveryCat Health Foundation in Wyckoff received $100,000 in both 2024 and 2025 to support genetic research to help solve cat diseases, and Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach received $100,000 in 2025 for medical care for marine mammal rescues.
$1.3M
$26.6M
$1.8M
$1.5M
Most grants fall between $100K and $101K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$100K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$101K
About 7% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Highly concentrated giving: a small number of large grants, primarily routed through the Doris Day Animal Foundation with occasional direct gifts to local humane societies; repeat funding to the same intermediary suggests multi-year or sustained support for animal-welfare service delivery.
Notable grantees: Doris Day Animal Foundation, Pasadena Humane, Various animal welfare organizations funded via the Doris Day Animal Foundation
Recent grants cluster tightly around $100,000: the median and 25th percentile are both $100,000, and the 75th percentile is $101,000. The largest recent grant in the list is $307,000 to Doris Day Animal Foundation in 2024. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Doris Day Animal Foundation, Pasadena Humane, EveryCat Health Foundation, University of Arizona Foundation, Texas A&M Foundation, Ventana Wildlife Society, Nebraska Humane Society, and Lifesavers. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing program support rather than one-off awards. The foundation is an operating grantmaker with no program-related investments listed, and it also funds individuals. The recent grants list shows no application language or open-call process.
The foundation gives nationally, but California receives the most grants. Among named recipients, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Davis, Laguna Beach, Monterey, Caliente, and Boise all appear in the recent list, with California organizations showing up repeatedly. Nebraska accounts for 6% of grants in the HQ state of Nebraska, including Omaha-based Nebraska Humane Society. Outside California and Nebraska, recent grants also land in Tucson, College Station, Wyckoff, Schaumburg, Ames, Gainesville, Fort Collins, and Caliente, and all listed recipients are in the United States.
Its recent grants focus on animal welfare, especially spay/neuter, rescue, veterinary care, and shelter-animal support. The list also includes wildlife recovery work for the California condor, marine mammal rescue, senior horse care, and genetic research into cat diseases.
The recent grant distribution is tightly centered on $100,000 awards. The p25 is $100,000, the median is $100,000, and the p75 is $101,000.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple recent years, including Doris Day Animal Foundation, Pasadena Humane, EveryCat Health Foundation, University of Arizona Foundation, Texas A&M Foundation, Ventana Wildlife Society, Nebraska Humane Society, and Lifesavers.
Its geographic scope is national, and the recipient list is entirely U.S.-based. California receives the most grants, while Nebraska accounts for 6% of grants in the HQ state. Recent recipients also include organizations in Arizona, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Iowa, Florida, Colorado, and Idaho.
Yes. It has given scholarship endowment grants for veterinary medicine with preference for students studying shelter medicine, including support for the University of Arizona Foundation, Texas A&M Foundation, American Veterinary Medical Foundation, Iowa State University Foundation, University of Florida Foundation, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and Colorado State University Foundation.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $298,362 | 2025 | THE DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION HAS THE STRAIGHT FORWARD MISSION OF HELPING ANIMALS AND THOSE WHO LOVE THEM. DDAF PROVIDES FUNDING TO OTHER 501(C)(3) ENTITIES FOR ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, SPAYING AND NEUTERING, AND ANIMAL RESCUE. |
| PASADENA HUMANE | PASADENA, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT VETERINARY CARE THROUGH THEIR MIRACLE MEDICAL FUND. |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FORT COLLINS, CO | $100,000 | 2025 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $100,000 | 2025 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| PACIFIC MARINE MAMMAL CENTER | LAGUNA BEACH, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GRANT GIVEN TO PROVIDE MEDIAL CARE FOR THE MARINE MAMMAL RESCUES. |
| EVERYCAT HEALTH FOUNDATION | WYCKOFF, NJ | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENETIC RESEARCH TO HELP SOLVE CAT DISEASES. |
| AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL FOUNDATION | SCHAUMBURG, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| UC DAVIS SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE | DAVIS, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| VENTANA WILDLIFE SOCIETY | MONTEREY, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT VETERINARY CARE OF SHELTER ANIMALS, AND VACCINATIONS FOR THE CALIFORNIA CONDOR. |
| NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY | OMAHA, NE | $80,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ANIMAL CARE THROUGH THEIR DUFFY DAY PROGRAM. |
| LIFESAVERS | CALIENTE, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | GRANT GIVEN FOR HAY PURCHASE TO SUPPORT THE SENIOR HORSE PROGRAM. |
| DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $307,000 | 2024 | THE DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION HAS THE STRAIGHT FORWARD MISSION OF HELPING ANIMALS AND THOSE WHO LOVE THEM. DDAF PROVIDES FUNDING TO OTHER 501(C)(3) ENTITIES FOR ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, SPAYING AND NEUTERING, AND ANIMAL RESCUE. |
| IDAHO HUMANE SOCIETY | BOISE, ID | $100,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT VETERINARY CARE OF SHELTER ANIMALS. |
| UC DAVIS SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE | DAVIS, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $100,000 | 2024 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION | GAINESVILLE, FL | $100,000 | 2024 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT ANIMAL CARE THROUGH THEIR DUFFY DAY PROGRAM. |
| AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL FOUNDATION | SCHAUMBURG, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $100,000 | 2024 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | AMES, IA | $100,000 | 2024 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| EVERYCAT HEALTH FOUNDATION | WYCKOFF, NJ | $100,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT GENETIC RESEARCH TO HELP SOLVE CAT DISEASES. |
| PASADENA HUMANE | PASADENA, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT VETERINARY CARE THROUGH THEIR MIRACLE MEDICAL FUND. |
| DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $229,490 | 2023 | THE DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION HAS THE STRAIGHT FORWARD MISSION OF HELPING ANIMALS AND THOSE WHO LOVE THEM. DDAF PROVIDES FUNDING TO OTHER 501(C)(3) ENTITIES FOR ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, SPAYING AND NEUTERING, AND ANIMAL RESCUE. |
| TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $104,000 | 2023 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $104,000 | 2023 | GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE. |
| VENTANA WILDLIFE SOCIETY | MONTEREY, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | GRANT GIVEN TO CREATE AN ORIGINAL WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARY IN HONOR OF MS. DAY AND TERRY MELCHER TO FOCUS ON THE CONDOR RECOVERY EFFORTS TO DATE AND THE PARTNERSHIPS NEEDED TO MAKE RECOVERY A SUCCESS. |
| LIFESAVERS | CALIENTE, CA | $75,000 | 2023 | GRANT GIVEN FOR HAY PURCHASE AND HORSE TRAINING - MISSION IS TO PROVIDE LIFE LONG SHELTER AND CARE FOR UNADOPTABLE HORSES AND DONKEYS. IF ADOPTABLE, TO PROVIDE A SOLID FOUNDATION OF TRAINING TO CREATE LIFE-LONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE HORSES NEW ADOPTERS. |
DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION
$298,362THE DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION HAS THE STRAIGHT FORWARD MISSION OF HELPING ANIMALS AND THOSE WHO LOVE THEM. DDAF PROVIDES FUNDING TO OTHER 501(C)(3) ENTITIES FOR ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, SPAYING AND NEUTERING, AND ANIMAL RESCUE.
PASADENA HUMANE
$150,000TO SUPPORT VETERINARY CARE THROUGH THEIR MIRACLE MEDICAL FUND.
GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION
$100,000GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
GRANT GIVEN TO PROVIDE MEDIAL CARE FOR THE MARINE MAMMAL RESCUES.
TO SUPPORT GENETIC RESEARCH TO HELP SOLVE CAT DISEASES.
GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
UC DAVIS SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
$100,000GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
TO SUPPORT VETERINARY CARE OF SHELTER ANIMALS, AND VACCINATIONS FOR THE CALIFORNIA CONDOR.
NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY
$80,000TO SUPPORT ANIMAL CARE THROUGH THEIR DUFFY DAY PROGRAM.
DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION
$307,000THE DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION HAS THE STRAIGHT FORWARD MISSION OF HELPING ANIMALS AND THOSE WHO LOVE THEM. DDAF PROVIDES FUNDING TO OTHER 501(C)(3) ENTITIES FOR ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, SPAYING AND NEUTERING, AND ANIMAL RESCUE.
UC DAVIS SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
$100,000GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION
$100,000GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY
$100,000TO SUPPORT ANIMAL CARE THROUGH THEIR DUFFY DAY PROGRAM.
GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION
$100,000GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$100,000GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
TO SUPPORT GENETIC RESEARCH TO HELP SOLVE CAT DISEASES.
PASADENA HUMANE
$100,000TO SUPPORT VETERINARY CARE THROUGH THEIR MIRACLE MEDICAL FUND.
DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION
$229,490THE DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION HAS THE STRAIGHT FORWARD MISSION OF HELPING ANIMALS AND THOSE WHO LOVE THEM. DDAF PROVIDES FUNDING TO OTHER 501(C)(3) ENTITIES FOR ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, SPAYING AND NEUTERING, AND ANIMAL RESCUE.
GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION
$104,000GRANT GIVEN TO FUND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE - PREFERENCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS STUDYING SHELTER MEDICINE.
GRANT GIVEN TO CREATE AN ORIGINAL WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARY IN HONOR OF MS. DAY AND TERRY MELCHER TO FOCUS ON THE CONDOR RECOVERY EFFORTS TO DATE AND THE PARTNERSHIPS NEEDED TO MAKE RECOVERY A SUCCESS.
GRANT GIVEN FOR HAY PURCHASE AND HORSE TRAINING - MISSION IS TO PROVIDE LIFE LONG SHELTER AND CARE FOR UNADOPTABLE HORSES AND DONKEYS. IF ADOPTABLE, TO PROVIDE A SOLID FOUNDATION OF TRAINING TO CREATE LIFE-LONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE HORSES NEW ADOPTERS.