The May and Bill Allison Foundation concentrates its giving on animal rescue and care, primarily funding local Santa Barbara-area animal welfare and wildlife rehabilitation groups as well as breed-specific rescues. They also support programs that train or rescue dogs for public safety and disaster response. The foundation favors hands-on rescue, rehabilitation, feeding, and medical care rather than broad policy or advocacy work.
The May and Bill Allison Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated support for Santa Barbara-area animal rescue groups, with multiple grants to Spark Rescue Santa Barbara for rescue and care of animals at risk. Across the latest filings, the foundation also backed wildlife rehabilitation, cat rescue, spay and neuter clinics, and rescue work for dogs, horses, and special-needs domestic animals. That mix points to a hands-on animal welfare funder rather than a broad animal-policy grantmaker. Its grant list shows steady support for local organizations that provide direct care. Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network received multiple awards for rescue and care of wildlife, while Resqcats was funded for the rescue, care, and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens. Other awards went to groups serving rescued dogs, horses, and animals in need of medical treatment, feeding, or rehabilitation. The pattern is centered on operating support for practical services, especially in Santa Barbara County and nearby California communities. The foundation’s work also reaches canine disaster-response training through the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, which reflects a narrower public-safety niche within its animal focus. Overall, the portfolio is organized around direct animal care, local service delivery, and rehabilitation.
A clear theme in the foundation’s portfolio is wildlife rescue and habitat work. Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network received grants of $35,000 in 2023, $30,000 in 2024, and $25,000 in 2025 for rescue and care of wildlife. Santa Barbara Audubon Society was funded in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for education, conservation, and restoration of habitat. Another cluster is cat welfare. Resqcats received $20,000 in 2023, $20,000 in 2024, and $20,000 in 2025 for rescue, care, and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens. Asap received $15,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for care and feeding of rescued cats in Santa Barbara County. The foundation also supports preventive and clinical services. CARE for Paws received $20,000 in 2023 and 2024 for spay and neuter clinics, and Santa Barbara Humane Society received $15,000 in 2025 for medical diagnosis and treatment of animals.
Typical grant sizes cluster in a narrow range: the 25th percentile is $15,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $25,000. That points to consistent mid-sized awards rather than very large outliers. The foundation gave $716,377 in annual grants and has $6,453,372 in assets. The pattern is also recurring. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Spark Rescue Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, Doberman Pinscher Rescue, National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, CARE for Paws, Resqcats, Santa Barbara Audubon Society, Asap, Kims Nurturing Nest, and Saffyre Sanctuary. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$220K
$7.1M
$93K
$307K
Most grants fall between $15K and $25K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$25K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, relatively small number of grants with repeat funding to a handful of organizations; funding is primarily program operational support (rescue, care, feeding, medical) and leans heavily toward local/regional beneficiaries.
Notable grantees: Spark Rescue Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, Doberman Pinscher Rescue, National Disaster Search Dog Foundation
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in California, with 97% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Santa Barbara is the most common city in the list, including recipients such as Spark Rescue Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, Resqcats, Santa Barbara Audubon Society, Asap, and both Santa Barbara Humane Society and Humane Society entries. Other California recipients include Goleta, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Buellton, Danville, and Sylmar. All recorded grants went to U.S. organizations.
Its recent grants focus on direct animal care: rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, rescue and adoption of cats, care for rescued dogs, spay and neuter clinics, medical diagnosis and treatment, and rescue or rehabilitation of horses and other domestic animals in need.
The grant-size distribution is centered in the mid-teens to mid-twenties: the 25th percentile is $15,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $25,000. Several awards match those levels exactly.
The grant list shown is entirely U.S.-based, and 97% of grants went to recipients in California. Recent recipients are concentrated in Santa Barbara and nearby California cities such as Goleta, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Buellton, Danville, and Sylmar.
Yes. Multiple organizations appear in more than one year, including Spark Rescue Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, Doberman Pinscher Rescue, National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, CARE for Paws, Resqcats, Santa Barbara Audubon Society, Asap, Kims Nurturing Nest, and Saffyre Sanctuary.
Yes. The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for rescuing dogs who are then trained for search and rescue, showing an ongoing interest in canine disaster-response training.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark Rescue Santa Barbara | Goleta, CA | $41,000 | 2026 | Rescue and care of animals at risk |
| Doberman Pincher Rescue | Fillmore, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | Care and feeding of rescued dogs |
| National Disaster Search Dog Foundation | Santa Paula, CA | $23,000 | 2026 | Rescuing dogs who in turn are trained for search and rescue |
| Santa Barbara Audubon Society | Santa Barbara, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | Education, conservation and restoration of habitat |
| Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network | Santa Barbara, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | Rescue and care of wildlife |
| RESQCATS | Santa Barbara, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | Rescue, care and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens |
| CARE 4 Paws | Santa Barbara, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | Spay and neuter clinics |
| Kims Nurturing Nest | Danville, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | Care for any abused, neglected, special needs, or homeless domestic or farm animal in need |
| Santa Barbara Humane Society | Santa Barbara, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | Medical diagnosis and treatment of animals |
| ASAP | Santa Barbara, CA | $13,000 | 2026 | Care and feeding of rescued cats in Santa Barbara County |
| The Horse Project | Towson, MD | $8,000 | 2026 | Care of horses eligible for adoption |
| Spark Rescue Santa Barbara | Goleta, CA | $40,290 | 2025 | Rescue and care of animals at risk |
| National Disaster Search Dog Foundation | Santa Paula, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | Rescuing dogs who in turn are trained for search and rescue |
| Doberman Pincher Rescue | Fillmore, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | Care and feeding of rescued dogs |
| Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network | Santa Barbara, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | Rescue and care of wildlife |
| RESQCATS | Santa Barbara, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | Rescue, care and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens |
| Santa Barbara Audubon Society | Santa Barbara, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | Education, conservation and restoration of habitat |
| CARE 4 Paws | Santa Barbara, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | Spay and neuter clinics |
| Kims Nurturing Nest | Danville, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | Care for any abused, neglected, special needs, or homeless domestic or farm animal in need |
| ASAP | Santa Barbara, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | Care and feeding of rescued cats in Santa Barbara County |
| Santa Barbara Humane Society | Santa Barbara, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | Medical diagnosis and treatment of animals |
| The Horse Project | Towson, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | Care of horses eligible for adoption |
| Spark Rescue Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | $49,520 | 2024 | Rescue and care of animals at risk |
| Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network | Santa Barbara, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | Rescue and care of wildlife |
| Doberman Pinscher Rescue | Fillmore, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | Care and feeding of rescued dogs |
| National Disaster Search Dog Foundation | Santa Paula, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | Rescuing dogs who in turn are trained for search and rescue |
| CARE for Paws | Buellton, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | Spay and neuter clinics |
| RESQCATS | Santa Barbara, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | Rescue, care and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens |
| Santa Barbara Audubon Society | Santa Barbara, CA | $17,000 | 2024 | Education, conservation and restoration of habitat |
| ASAP | Santa Barbara, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | Care and feeding of rescued cats in Santa Barbara County |
| Kims Nurturing Nest | Danville, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | Care for any abused, neglected, special needs, or homeless domestic or farm animal in need |
| Saffyre Sanctuary | Sylmar, CA | $11,000 | 2024 | Rescue and rehabilitation for abandoned, abused or neglected horses |
| Spark Rescue Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | $50,000 | 2023 | Rescue and care of animals at risk |
| Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network | Santa Barbara, CA | $35,000 | 2023 | Rescue and care of wildlife |
| Doberman Pinscher Rescue | Fillmore, CA | $30,000 | 2023 | Care and feeding of rescued dogs |
| CARE for Paws | Buellton, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | Spay and neuter clinics |
| RESQCATS | Santa Barbara, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | Rescue, care and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens |
| National Disaster Search Dog Foundation | Santa Paula, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | Rescuing dogs who in turn are trained for search and rescue |
| Kims Nurturing Nest | Danville, CA | $17,567 | 2023 | Care for any abused, neglected, special needs, or homeless domestic or farm animal in need |
| Santa Barbara Audubon Society | Santa Barbara, CA | $17,000 | 2023 | Education, conservation and restoration of habitat |
| Humane Society | Santa Barbara, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | Medical diagnosis and treatment of animals |
| Saffyre Sanctuary | Sylmar, CA | $11,000 | 2023 | Rescue and rehabilitation for abandoned, abused or neglected horses |
| Heaven on Earth Society for Animals | North Hollywood, CA | $10,500 | 2023 | Rescue and care of homeless cats |
| Santa Barbara Botanic Garden | Santat Barbara, CA | $7,500 | 2023 | Education and conservation of California native habitats for the health and well-being of animals |
Spark Rescue Santa Barbara
$41,000Rescue and care of animals at risk
Doberman Pincher Rescue
$30,000Care and feeding of rescued dogs
Rescuing dogs who in turn are trained for search and rescue
Education, conservation and restoration of habitat
RESQCATS
$20,000Rescue, care and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens
CARE 4 Paws
$15,000Spay and neuter clinics
Kims Nurturing Nest
$15,000Care for any abused, neglected, special needs, or homeless domestic or farm animal in need
Santa Barbara Humane Society
$15,000Medical diagnosis and treatment of animals
ASAP
$13,000Care and feeding of rescued cats in Santa Barbara County
The Horse Project
$8,000Care of horses eligible for adoption
Spark Rescue Santa Barbara
$40,290Rescue and care of animals at risk
Rescuing dogs who in turn are trained for search and rescue
Doberman Pincher Rescue
$25,000Care and feeding of rescued dogs
RESQCATS
$20,000Rescue, care and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens
Education, conservation and restoration of habitat
CARE 4 Paws
$20,000Spay and neuter clinics
Kims Nurturing Nest
$15,000Care for any abused, neglected, special needs, or homeless domestic or farm animal in need
ASAP
$15,000Care and feeding of rescued cats in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara Humane Society
$15,000Medical diagnosis and treatment of animals
The Horse Project
$10,000Care of horses eligible for adoption
Spark Rescue Santa Barbara
$49,520Rescue and care of animals at risk
Doberman Pinscher Rescue
$30,000Care and feeding of rescued dogs
Rescuing dogs who in turn are trained for search and rescue
CARE for Paws
$20,000Spay and neuter clinics
RESQCATS
$20,000Rescue, care and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens
Education, conservation and restoration of habitat
ASAP
$15,000Care and feeding of rescued cats in Santa Barbara County
Kims Nurturing Nest
$15,000Care for any abused, neglected, special needs, or homeless domestic or farm animal in need
Saffyre Sanctuary
$11,000Rescue and rehabilitation for abandoned, abused or neglected horses
Spark Rescue Santa Barbara
$50,000Rescue and care of animals at risk
Doberman Pinscher Rescue
$30,000Care and feeding of rescued dogs
CARE for Paws
$20,000Spay and neuter clinics
RESQCATS
$20,000Rescue, care and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens
Rescuing dogs who in turn are trained for search and rescue
Kims Nurturing Nest
$17,567Care for any abused, neglected, special needs, or homeless domestic or farm animal in need
Education, conservation and restoration of habitat
Humane Society
$15,000Medical diagnosis and treatment of animals
Saffyre Sanctuary
$11,000Rescue and rehabilitation for abandoned, abused or neglected horses
Heaven on Earth Society for Animals
$10,500Rescue and care of homeless cats
Education and conservation of California native habitats for the health and well-being of animals