The DSCW Kennedy Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on animal welfare with a clear emphasis on large mammals, funding organizations that provide direct care and rehabilitation rather than broad policy work. Its giving is highly targeted and sizable, supporting hands-on rescue, sanctuary, and husbandry operations for marine mammals and elephants. The foundation appears to prefer sustaining a small number of mission-aligned groups through significant awards and repeat grants.
Dscw Kennedy Foundation’s giving is shaped by hands-on animal welfare work for large mammals and other wildlife, with major awards going to organizations that rescue, rehabilitate, shelter, and care for animals directly. Its largest recent grants went to Marine Mammal Care Center for protecting marine mammals and their ocean home, and to Elephant Aid International for supporting the best possible care for elephant residents. Those two relationships recur across multiple years, suggesting a sustained commitment rather than one-off support. The foundation also backs horse and wild-horse rescue, sea turtle rehabilitation, bird rescue, and sanctuary operations. Recent awards include support for Colorado Horse Rescue, The Cloud Foundation, Wild Animal Sanctuary, and Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehab. Smaller grants reach equine-assisted psychotherapy and companion-animal organizations as well, including Reins of Hope, Gentle Barn, and Paw Parent Inc. Across the recent grants list, the pattern is consistent: project-specific support for direct animal care, habitat protection, rescue operations, and facility needs. The foundation’s portfolio stays focused on organizations serving animals in immediate need rather than broad advocacy campaigns.
Marine mammal rescue is a clear priority. In 2025, the foundation gave $286,695 to Marine Mammal Care Center to help protect marine mammals and their ocean home, after a $515,000 grant in 2024 for the same purpose. That repeated support points to a sustained interest in coastal rescue and rehabilitation work. Elephant care is another central theme. Elephant Aid International received $141,534 in 2025 and $410,000 in 2024, both described as support for the best possible care for its elephant residents. The language emphasizes long-term husbandry and resident care. The foundation also funds horse welfare and sanctuary work. Colorado Horse Rescue received $50,000 in 2024 and $25,000 in 2025 to save horses from uncertain fate at local livestock auction, while The Cloud Foundation received $25,000 in both 2023 and 2024 to protect America’s wild horses and burros on public lands.
Typical grants cluster tightly around the middle of the range: p25 is $15,000, the median is $25,000, and p75 is $25,000. That means most awards in the recent list land at $25,000, with occasional larger commitments at $50,000 and above. The foundation also shows repeat support for the same organizations across multiple years, including Marine Mammal Care Center, Elephant Aid International, Colorado Horse Rescue, Wild Animal Sanctuary, Reins of Hope, Ocean Defenders, and The Cloud Foundation. It is a private foundation with annual grants of $2,278,229 and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$723K
$25.5M
$869K
$913K
Most grants fall between $15K and $25K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Highly concentrated: very few (4) grants totaling ~$1.35M, split between two repeat grantees; large, targeted gifts focused on operational support for direct-care animal welfare organizations.
Notable grantees: Marine Mammal Care Center, Elephant Aid International
Grant recipients are entirely U.S.-based, and the foundation gives most often to organizations in Ohio by grant count, though many of the named grantees are in California, Colorado, and Georgia. California recipients in the recent list include San Pedro, Fairfield, Huntington Beach, Ojai, Santa Clarita, and Lancaster. Other recurring recipient locations include Keenesburg and Longmont in Colorado, Attapulgus in Georgia, and Hot Springs in South Dakota. The country distribution shows 41 grants in the United States and no non-U.S. recipients.
Its recent grants focus on direct animal care and rehabilitation for marine mammals, elephants, horses, wild horses and burros, sea turtles, birds, and companion animals. The grant descriptions emphasize rescue, husbandry, sanctuary support, and facility or equipment needs rather than broad policy work.
The typical award is $25,000. The recent grant list shows a p25 of $15,000, a median of $25,000, and a p75 of $25,000, so most grants cluster at $25,000 with a smaller number of larger awards.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Marine Mammal Care Center, Elephant Aid International, Colorado Horse Rescue, Wild Animal Sanctuary, Reins of Hope, Ocean Defenders, and The Cloud Foundation. That indicates repeat support rather than one-time grants only.
By recipient location, the grants are all within the United States. California recipients appear frequently, with cities including San Pedro, Fairfield, Huntington Beach, Ojai, Santa Clarita, and Lancaster. The dataset also shows repeated grants in Colorado, Georgia, and other U.S. states.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARINE MAMMAL CARE CENTER | SAN PEDRO, CA | $286,695 | 2025 | TO HELP PROTECT MARINE MAMMALS AND THEIR OCEAN HOME. |
| ELEPHANT AID INTERNATIONAL | ATTAPULGUS, GA | $141,534 | 2025 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE FOR THEIR ELEPHANT RESIDENTS. |
| CHASING HORSES WILD HORSE ADVOCATES | MEDORA, ND | $50,000 | 2025 | TO HELP SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATION |
| INTERNATIONAL BIRD RESCUE | FAIRFIELD, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO HELP SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATION |
| HORSE HAVEN OF TENNESSEE INC | LENOIR CITY, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | TO HELP SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATION |
| THE WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KEENESBURG, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FEED AND CARE FOR THE ANIMALS AT THE SANCTUARY. |
| JACKSON HOLE THERAPEUTIC RIDING | TETON VILLAGE, WY | $25,000 | 2025 | TO HELP SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATION |
| COLORADO HORSE RESCUE | LONGMONT, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | TO HELP SAVE HORSES FROM UNCERTAIN FATE AT LOCAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION. |
| KAREN BEASLEY SEA TURTLE RESCUE & REHAB | SURF CITY, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | TO HELP RESCUE AND REHABILITATE SEA TURTLES. |
| LOS ANGELES GUINEA PIG RESCUE | CHATSWORTH, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND ONGOING RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF CALCIFIED BULLA IN GUINEA PIGS. |
| PAW PARENT INC | LANCASTER, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO HELP SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATION |
| MARINE MAMMAL CARE CENTER | SAN PEDRO, CA | $515,000 | 2024 | TO HELP PROTECT MARINE MAMMALS AND THEIR OCEAN HOME. |
| ELEPHANT AID INTERNATIONAL | ATTAPULGUS, GA | $410,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE FOR THEIR ELEPHANT RESIDENTS. |
| INSTITUTE OF RANGE & AMERICAN MUSTANG | HOT SPRINGS, SD | $50,000 | 2024 | TO SAVE THE LIVES OF A MUSTANG FAMILY GROUP FROM AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE AND OFFER THEM A SECOND CHANCE. |
| WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KEENESBURG, CO | $50,000 | 2024 | TO HELP FEED AND CARE FOR THE ANIMALS AT THE SANCTUARY. |
| CO HORSE RESCUE | LONGMONT, CO | $50,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SAVE HORSES FROM UNCERTAIN FATE AT LOCAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION. |
| OCEAN DEFENDERS | HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE CLEANUP CREWS GOING FROM DEBRIS SITE TO DEBRIS SITE. |
| WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KEENESBURG, CO | $25,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE REFUGE DRONE |
| THE CLOUD FOUNDATION | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $25,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR WORK TO PROTECT AMERICA'S WILD HORSES AND BURROS ON PUBLIC LANDS. |
| REINS OF HOPE | OJAI, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO HELP PROVIDE EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY (EAP) FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL, VETERANS, AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS AT NO-COST. |
| INSTITUTE OF RANGE & AMERICAN MUSTANG | HOT SPRINGS, SD | $25,000 | 2024 | TO HELP ADVANCE ANIMAL WELFARE BY OFFERING FREEDOM FROM WEATHER BY PROVIDING SHELTER AND A RESTING PLACE OUT OF THE SUN, WIND AND SNOW. |
| COLORADO HORSE RESCUE | LONGMONT, CO | $25,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SAVE HORSES FROM UNCERTAIN FATE AT LOCAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION. |
| ELEPHANT AID INTERNATIONAL | ATTAPULGUS, GA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE FOR THEIR ELEPHANT RESIDENTS. |
| REINS OF HOPE | OJAI, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | TO HELP PROVIDE EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY (EAP) FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL, VETERANS, AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS AT NO-COST. |
| PAW PARENT INC | LANCASTER, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR MISSION TO SAVE MORE ANIMALS. |
| WILDLIFE HAVEN | CRESTINE, OH | $15,000 | 2024 | TO HELP THEIR FUTURE PLANS FOR NEW FOX PEN THAT WILL GIVE MORE SECURE HOUSING AND MORE ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES. |
| GENTLE BARN | SANTA CLARITA, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT ITS MISSION OF TEACHING PEOPLE KINDNESS AND COMPASSION TO ANIMALS, EACH OTHER AND OUR PLANET. |
| CATALINA ISLAND HUMANE SOCIETY | AVALON, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE PROGRAM FOR ISLAND CATS, PET ADOPTIONS, FERAL CAT COLONY MONITORING, COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL SEMINARS AND MORE. |
| KAREN BEASLEY TURTLE RESCUE | SURF CITY, NC | $10,000 | 2024 | TO HELP RESCUE AND REHABILITATE SEA TURTLES. |
| LA GUINEA PIG RESCUE | CHATSWORTH, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO HELP FUND ONGOING RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF CALCIFIED BULLA IN GUINEA PIGS. |
| FREEDOM RIDE RESCUE | VENTURA, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO HELP REHABILITATE, PROVIDE MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL TRAINING IN DOGS. |
| WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KEENESBURG, CO | $25,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE REFUGE DRONE |
| THE CLOUD FOUNDATION | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $25,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR WORK TO PROTECT AMERICA'S WILD HORSES AND BURROS ON PUBLIC LANDS. |
| ELEPHANT AID INTERNATIONAL | ATTAPULGUS, GA | $25,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE FOR THEIR ELEPHANT RESIDENTS. |
| OCEAN DEFENDERS | HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA | $25,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE CLEANUP CREWS GOING FROM DEBRIS SITE TO DEBRIS SITE. |
| COLORADO HORSE RESCUE | LONGMONT, CO | $25,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SAVE HORSES FROM UNCERTAIN FATE AT LOCAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION. |
| REINS OF HOPE | OJAI, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | TO HELP PROVIDE EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY (EAP) FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL, VETERANS, AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS AT NO-COST. |
| PAW PARENT INC | LANCASTER, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR MISSION TO SAVE MORE ANIMALS. |
| GENTLE BARN | SANTA CLARITA, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT ITS MISSION OF TEACHING PEOPLE KINDNESS AND COMPASSION TO ANIMALS, EACH OTHER AND OUR PLANET. |
| WILDLIFE HAVEN | CRESTINE, OH | $15,000 | 2023 | TO HELP THEIR FUTURE PLANS FOR NEW FOX PEN THAT WILL GIVE MORE SECURE HOUSING AND MORE ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES. |
| CATALINA ISLAND HUMANE SOCIETY | AVALON, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE PROGRAM FOR ISLAND CATS, PET ADOPTIONS, FERAL CAT COLONY MONITORING, COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL SEMINARS AND MORE. |
TO HELP PROTECT MARINE MAMMALS AND THEIR OCEAN HOME.
ELEPHANT AID INTERNATIONAL
$141,534TO HELP SUPPORT THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE FOR THEIR ELEPHANT RESIDENTS.
CHASING HORSES WILD HORSE ADVOCATES
$50,000TO HELP SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATION
HORSE HAVEN OF TENNESSEE INC
$50,000TO HELP SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATION
THE WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY
TO HELP FEED AND CARE FOR THE ANIMALS AT THE SANCTUARY.
TO HELP SAVE HORSES FROM UNCERTAIN FATE AT LOCAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION.
KAREN BEASLEY SEA TURTLE RESCUE & REHAB
$25,000TO HELP RESCUE AND REHABILITATE SEA TURTLES.
LOS ANGELES GUINEA PIG RESCUE
$10,000TO HELP FUND ONGOING RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF CALCIFIED BULLA IN GUINEA PIGS.
PAW PARENT INC
$10,000TO HELP SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATION
TO HELP PROTECT MARINE MAMMALS AND THEIR OCEAN HOME.
TO HELP SUPPORT THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE FOR THEIR ELEPHANT RESIDENTS.
INSTITUTE OF RANGE & AMERICAN MUSTANG
$50,000TO SAVE THE LIVES OF A MUSTANG FAMILY GROUP FROM AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE AND OFFER THEM A SECOND CHANCE.
TO HELP FEED AND CARE FOR THE ANIMALS AT THE SANCTUARY.
TO HELP SAVE HORSES FROM UNCERTAIN FATE AT LOCAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION.
OCEAN DEFENDERS
$25,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE CLEANUP CREWS GOING FROM DEBRIS SITE TO DEBRIS SITE.
WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY
$25,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE REFUGE DRONE
THE CLOUD FOUNDATION
$25,000TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR WORK TO PROTECT AMERICA'S WILD HORSES AND BURROS ON PUBLIC LANDS.
REINS OF HOPE
$25,000TO HELP PROVIDE EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY (EAP) FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL, VETERANS, AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS AT NO-COST.
INSTITUTE OF RANGE & AMERICAN MUSTANG
$25,000TO HELP ADVANCE ANIMAL WELFARE BY OFFERING FREEDOM FROM WEATHER BY PROVIDING SHELTER AND A RESTING PLACE OUT OF THE SUN, WIND AND SNOW.
TO HELP SAVE HORSES FROM UNCERTAIN FATE AT LOCAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION.
TO HELP SUPPORT THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE FOR THEIR ELEPHANT RESIDENTS.
REINS OF HOPE
$15,000TO HELP PROVIDE EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY (EAP) FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL, VETERANS, AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS AT NO-COST.
PAW PARENT INC
$15,000TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR MISSION TO SAVE MORE ANIMALS.
WILDLIFE HAVEN
$15,000TO HELP THEIR FUTURE PLANS FOR NEW FOX PEN THAT WILL GIVE MORE SECURE HOUSING AND MORE ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
TO HELP SUPPORT ITS MISSION OF TEACHING PEOPLE KINDNESS AND COMPASSION TO ANIMALS, EACH OTHER AND OUR PLANET.
CATALINA ISLAND HUMANE SOCIETY
$15,000TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE PROGRAM FOR ISLAND CATS, PET ADOPTIONS, FERAL CAT COLONY MONITORING, COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL SEMINARS AND MORE.
KAREN BEASLEY TURTLE RESCUE
$10,000TO HELP RESCUE AND REHABILITATE SEA TURTLES.
LA GUINEA PIG RESCUE
$10,000TO HELP FUND ONGOING RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF CALCIFIED BULLA IN GUINEA PIGS.
FREEDOM RIDE RESCUE
$10,000TO HELP REHABILITATE, PROVIDE MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL TRAINING IN DOGS.
WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY
$25,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE REFUGE DRONE
THE CLOUD FOUNDATION
$25,000TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR WORK TO PROTECT AMERICA'S WILD HORSES AND BURROS ON PUBLIC LANDS.
TO HELP SUPPORT THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE FOR THEIR ELEPHANT RESIDENTS.
OCEAN DEFENDERS
$25,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE CLEANUP CREWS GOING FROM DEBRIS SITE TO DEBRIS SITE.
TO HELP SAVE HORSES FROM UNCERTAIN FATE AT LOCAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION.
REINS OF HOPE
$15,000TO HELP PROVIDE EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY (EAP) FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL, VETERANS, AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS AT NO-COST.
PAW PARENT INC
$15,000TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR MISSION TO SAVE MORE ANIMALS.
TO HELP SUPPORT ITS MISSION OF TEACHING PEOPLE KINDNESS AND COMPASSION TO ANIMALS, EACH OTHER AND OUR PLANET.
WILDLIFE HAVEN
$15,000TO HELP THEIR FUTURE PLANS FOR NEW FOX PEN THAT WILL GIVE MORE SECURE HOUSING AND MORE ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
CATALINA ISLAND HUMANE SOCIETY
$15,000TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE PROGRAM FOR ISLAND CATS, PET ADOPTIONS, FERAL CAT COLONY MONITORING, COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL SEMINARS AND MORE.