The foundation concentrates its giving almost exclusively on animal welfare and the human–animal bond, evidenced by a single large grant to an organization focused on companion animal well-being and shelter system reform. Its support appears strategic and substantial, aimed at systemic improvements in how communities care for companion animals and the people who care for them. The foundation favors capacity-building and programmatic efforts that advance best practices and equity in animal services.
A defining thread in The Duffield Family Foundation Dba Maddie's Fund's grantmaking is the scale of its support for Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity, including a $1,466,000 grant in 2026 for 2023 Vision: Human and Animal Well-Being. That pattern points to a funder using large grants to back systems-level work in animal welfare rather than one-off direct service only. The foundation also made a $1,195,541 grant to the University of Tennessee for Establishing AlignCare, alongside a $935,000 grant to Cornell University for Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program, Years 20 - 24 Continuation Grant. Across those awards, the foundation supports companion animal welfare, shelter medicine, access to care, and the human-animal bond through multi-year programs, research, education, and partnerships. Its portfolio also includes smaller program support, such as grants tied to leadership development and community collaboration, showing a mix of flagship institutional funding and targeted operational or event-based support. The recent grants table suggests a strong preference for initiatives that can be sustained, expanded, or embedded in existing animal welfare systems.
In pet health equity and access to care, the foundation gave $1,195,541 to the University of Tennessee for Establishing AlignCare, and later $704,983 for AlignCare's 5-Year Strategic Plan Through 2029. In shelter medicine, it supported Cornell University with $935,000 for Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program, Years 20 - 24 Continuation Grant, reinforcing an education-and-research model. The foundation also funds community-based animal services: Austin Pets Alive received $625,000 for Human Animal Support Services and $572,500 for Community Conversations Steering Committee 2024-25. Another strand is public-facing adoption work, reflected in grants such as $531,383 to The Humane Society of the United States for Ad Council Campaign - Year 13.
Typical grant size sits at $3,000 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent grants list also shows several seven-figure awards to long-running institutional partners. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity, University of Tennessee, Cornell University, Austin Pets Alive, and Best Friends Animal Society, which points to sustained funding rather than isolated awards. The foundation does not make program-related investments. It also funds individuals through some active grant programs, and at least one community grant giveaway accepts unsolicited participation.
$11M
$277.6M
$17.2M
$18.3M
Most grants fall between $3K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
About 16% of grants go to recipients in OR.
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.
Highly concentrated giving: a single large grant representing 100% of reported giving, indicating preference for sizable, focused investments rather than many small grants. Support appears directed toward programmatic or systemic change within the animal welfare field.
Notable grantees: Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE)
Grantmaking is national, and every grant in the recipient-country distribution went to U.S. organizations. California recipients appear repeatedly in the recent grants list, including San Francisco SPCA, UC Davis Foundation, Regents of the University of California, Inquiring Systems Inc, Journey You Own, and Berkeley Humane. Other frequently appearing cities include Knoxville, Ithaca, Baltimore, Austin, and Washington, DC. The foundation gives in its HQ state, California, but the recipient base extends well beyond it, with notable concentration outside the state in Tennessee, Maryland, Texas, New York, and the District of Columbia.
Its grantmaking centers on companion animal welfare, shelter medicine, access to veterinary care, the human-animal bond, and equity in animal services. Recent grants show support for shelter reform, pet health equity, adoption support, and leadership development in animal welfare organizations.
Yes. Recent awards include $1,466,000 to Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity, $1,195,541 to the University of Tennessee, and $935,000 to Cornell University. Several partners appear in multiple years, which indicates sustained funding relationships.
Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity, University of Tennessee, Cornell University, Austin Pets Alive, and Best Friends Animal Society all appear more than once in the recent grants list. That pattern suggests ongoing partnerships rather than isolated one-time awards.
Yes. Active programs include Maddie's Pet Adoption Days Grant Payouts and the Foster Express Challenge. Recent grants also include payments tied to adoption events, such as support for participating shelters and rescue groups through Maddie's Pet Adoption Days.
Yes. The foundation's profile indicates it funds individuals, and one active program, Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie Grant Giveaways, states that it gives away up to $10,000 in grants each month to participants joining the calls.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Duffield Family Foundation Dba Maddie'S Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Participation in Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie; specific selection criteria are not detailed in the scraped content.
Deadline: Monthly giveaways on weekly Community Conversations calls; no fixed deadline stated.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMPANIONS AND ANIMALS FOR REFORM AND EQUITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $1,466,000 | 2026 | 2023 VISION: HUMAN AND ANIMAL WELL-BEING |
| SAN FRANCISCO SPCA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,158,767 | 2026 | 2022 - 2025 COMET PROGRAM |
| UC DAVIS FOUNDATION | DAVIS, CA | $1,137,345 | 2026 | BEHAVIORAL EUTHANASIA STUDY |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $935,000 | 2026 | MADDIE'S SHELTER MEDICINE PROGRAM, YEARS 20 - 24 CONTINUATION GRANT |
| HUMANE RESCUE ALLIANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $878,993 | 2026 | COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS STEERING COMMITTEE 2024-25 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON | MADISON, WI | $827,014 | 2026 | MADDIE'S CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY | KANAB, UT | $750,000 | 2026 | 2022 - 2025 SHELTER EMBED PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | KNOXVILLE, TN | $704,983 | 2026 | ALIGNCARE'S 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN THROUGH 2029 |
| INQUIRING SYSTEMS INC | SANTA ROSA, CA | $625,000 | 2026 | MADDIE'S UNIVERSITY ONLINE COURSE DEVELOPMENT - DEEP DIVE MODULES |
| AUSTIN PETS ALIVE | AUSTIN, TX | $572,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS STEERING COMMITTEE 2024-25 |
| JOYBOUND PEOPLE & PETS | WALNUT CREEK, CA | $405,000 | 2026 | 2024 BRING YOUR DOG TO WORKDAY |
| OPEN DOOR VETERINARY COLLECTIVE | GRAND RAPIDS, OH | $403,103 | 2026 | 2025 - 2027 MADDIE'S MILLION PET CHALLENGE |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION | GAINESVILLE, FL | $335,090 | 2026 | MADDIE'S MILLION PET CHALLENGE |
| ALIGNCARE HEALTH INC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $330,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS - OCTOBER 2024 - MONTHLY WINNER |
| TEAM SHELTER USA LLC | CORAL SPRINGS, FL | $310,000 | 2026 | 2025 MADDIE'S MILLION PET CHALLENGE |
| NATIONAL ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL ASSOCIATION | LINDSBORG, KS | $260,000 | 2026 | 2024 - 2026 OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| BROTHER WOLF ANIMAL RESCUE | ASHEVILLE, NC | $250,000 | 2026 | 2024 HURRICANE RELIEF GRANT |
| KENT ANIMAL SHELTER | CALVERTON, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| FRIENDS OF OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES | OAKLAND, CA | $203,610 | 2026 | COMMUNITY CLINICS |
| PROJECT STREET VET | ENCINITAS, CA | $150,000 | 2026 | STRATEGIC PLANNING CONSULTANT - YEAR 2 & 3 |
| JVR SHELTER STRATEGIES LLC | BELMONT, CA | $141,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CASE STUDY |
| THE PAW MISSION INC | YUCAIPA, CA | $120,000 | 2026 | 2024 - 2025 CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| HUMANE WORLD FOR ANIMALS | WASHINGTON, DC | $90,460 | 2026 | 2025 ANIMAL CARE EXPO SPONSORSHIP |
| ASSOCIATION OF SHELTER VETERINARIANS | APEX, NC | $80,000 | 2026 | DENTAL CARE PLANNING GRANT |
| THE INNER PUP | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $79,488 | 2026 | 2025 COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR FOR PEOPLE & PETS SPONSORSHIP |
| THE ASSOCIATION FOR ANIMAL WELFARE ADVANCEMENT | SURPRISE, AZ | $76,000 | 2026 | 2024 FALL CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS |
| NATIVES IN VETMED | FORT COLLINS, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | 2025 CONFERENCE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE EXPERIENCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| MULTICULTURAL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION | SILVERDALE, WA | $68,108 | 2026 | OPEN ACCESS FEES |
| UNDERDOG PET RESCUE | MONONA, WI | $65,000 | 2026 | ULTRASOUND MACHINE |
| LUCKY DOG ANIMAL RESCUE | ARLINGTON, VA | $62,000 | 2026 | 2025 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR RURAL ORGANIZATIONS |
| OPERATION KINDNESS | CARROLLTON, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | 2025 TEXAS UNITES CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS |
| NATIONAL KITTEN COLLEGE | ARLINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | MADDIE'S UNIVERSITY ONLINE COURSE DEVELOPMENT (SERIES) - KITTEN COLLEGE |
| PASCO COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS | LAND O LAKES, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | 2024 HURRICANE RELIEF GRANT |
| HOUSING EQUITY & ADVOCACY RESOURCE TEAM | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | 2024 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY | ASHEVILLE, NC | $50,000 | 2026 | 2024 HURRICANE RELIEF GRANT |
| MY DOG IS MY HOME | RIDGEWOOD, NY | $46,000 | 2026 | 2025 CO-SHELTERING CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS |
| GOOD SHEPHERD HUMANE SOCIETY | EUREKA SPRINGS, AR | $45,000 | 2026 | 30TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS |
| LOVE FOR ANIMALS INC | EAST POINT, GA | $32,000 | 2026 | 30TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS |
| VETERINARY CARE ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT | ROCHESTER, MI | $31,074 | 2026 | PET HEALTH INSURANCE RESEARCH |
| BERKELEY HUMANE | BERKELEY, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | 2024 BARK AND MEOW AROUND THE BLOCK ADOPT-A-THON AND STREET FAIR |
| EVERY DOG BEHAVIOR TRAINING | AUSTIN, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | 30TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS |
| FREE DOG TRAINERS | ROHNERT PARK, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | 30TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS |
| NAGI FOUNDATION | QUEEN CREEK, AZ | $30,000 | 2026 | 30TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS |
| ATLANTA DOG MOM FULL HEARTS | ATLANTA, GA | $30,000 | 2026 | 30TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS |
| LOVING PAWS INC | VAN NUYS, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | 30TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS |
| WISCONSIN FOUNDATION AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION | MADISON, WI | $30,000 | 2026 | FELINE H5N1 OUTBREAK RESPONSE |
| ALLIANCE FOR CONTRACEPTION IN CATS & DOGS | PORTLAND, OR | $25,000 | 2026 | 2025 - 2027 OPERATIONS |
| PENFED FOUNDATION | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | 2025 CHAMPIONS TO THE RESCUE |
| FURRY FRIENDS ADOPTION CLINIC & RANCH | JUPITER, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | 2024 HURRICANE RELIEF GRANT |
| AWESIINYAG ARE LOVED | RED LAKE, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS STEERING COMMITTEE 2024-25 |
COMPANIONS AND ANIMALS FOR REFORM AND EQUITY
$1,466,0002023 VISION: HUMAN AND ANIMAL WELL-BEING
SAN FRANCISCO SPCA
$1,158,7672022 - 2025 COMET PROGRAM
UC DAVIS FOUNDATION
$1,137,345BEHAVIORAL EUTHANASIA STUDY
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
$935,000MADDIE'S SHELTER MEDICINE PROGRAM, YEARS 20 - 24 CONTINUATION GRANT
HUMANE RESCUE ALLIANCE
$878,993COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS STEERING COMMITTEE 2024-25
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
$827,014MADDIE'S CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR
BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY
$750,0002022 - 2025 SHELTER EMBED PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
$704,983ALIGNCARE'S 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN THROUGH 2029
INQUIRING SYSTEMS INC
$625,000MADDIE'S UNIVERSITY ONLINE COURSE DEVELOPMENT - DEEP DIVE MODULES
AUSTIN PETS ALIVE
$572,500COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS STEERING COMMITTEE 2024-25
JOYBOUND PEOPLE & PETS
$405,0002024 BRING YOUR DOG TO WORKDAY
OPEN DOOR VETERINARY COLLECTIVE
$403,1032025 - 2027 MADDIE'S MILLION PET CHALLENGE
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION
$335,090MADDIE'S MILLION PET CHALLENGE
ALIGNCARE HEALTH INC
$330,000COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS - OCTOBER 2024 - MONTHLY WINNER
TEAM SHELTER USA LLC
$310,0002025 MADDIE'S MILLION PET CHALLENGE
NATIONAL ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL ASSOCIATION
$260,0002024 - 2026 OPERATIONS SUPPORT
BROTHER WOLF ANIMAL RESCUE
$250,0002024 HURRICANE RELIEF GRANT
KENT ANIMAL SHELTER
$250,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
FRIENDS OF OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES
$203,610COMMUNITY CLINICS
PROJECT STREET VET
$150,000STRATEGIC PLANNING CONSULTANT - YEAR 2 & 3
JVR SHELTER STRATEGIES LLC
$141,000COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CASE STUDY
THE PAW MISSION INC
$120,0002024 - 2025 CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
HUMANE WORLD FOR ANIMALS
$90,4602025 ANIMAL CARE EXPO SPONSORSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF SHELTER VETERINARIANS
$80,000DENTAL CARE PLANNING GRANT
THE INNER PUP
$79,4882025 COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR FOR PEOPLE & PETS SPONSORSHIP
THE ASSOCIATION FOR ANIMAL WELFARE ADVANCEMENT
$76,0002024 FALL CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS
NATIVES IN VETMED
$75,0002025 CONFERENCE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE EXPERIENCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
MULTICULTURAL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
$68,108OPEN ACCESS FEES
UNDERDOG PET RESCUE
$65,000ULTRASOUND MACHINE
LUCKY DOG ANIMAL RESCUE
$62,0002025 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR RURAL ORGANIZATIONS
OPERATION KINDNESS
$50,0002025 TEXAS UNITES CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS
NATIONAL KITTEN COLLEGE
$50,000MADDIE'S UNIVERSITY ONLINE COURSE DEVELOPMENT (SERIES) - KITTEN COLLEGE
PASCO COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
$50,0002024 HURRICANE RELIEF GRANT
HOUSING EQUITY & ADVOCACY RESOURCE TEAM
$50,0002024 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY
$50,0002024 HURRICANE RELIEF GRANT
MY DOG IS MY HOME
$46,0002025 CO-SHELTERING CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS
GOOD SHEPHERD HUMANE SOCIETY
$45,00030TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS
LOVE FOR ANIMALS INC
$32,00030TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS
VETERINARY CARE ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT
$31,074PET HEALTH INSURANCE RESEARCH
BERKELEY HUMANE
$30,0002024 BARK AND MEOW AROUND THE BLOCK ADOPT-A-THON AND STREET FAIR
EVERY DOG BEHAVIOR TRAINING
$30,00030TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS
FREE DOG TRAINERS
$30,00030TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS
NAGI FOUNDATION
$30,00030TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS
ATLANTA DOG MOM FULL HEARTS
$30,00030TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS
LOVING PAWS INC
$30,00030TH ANNIVERSARY HERO AWARDS
WISCONSIN FOUNDATION AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
$30,000FELINE H5N1 OUTBREAK RESPONSE
ALLIANCE FOR CONTRACEPTION IN CATS & DOGS
$25,0002025 - 2027 OPERATIONS
PENFED FOUNDATION
$25,0002025 CHAMPIONS TO THE RESCUE
FURRY FRIENDS ADOPTION CLINIC & RANCH
$25,0002024 HURRICANE RELIEF GRANT
AWESIINYAG ARE LOVED
$20,000COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS STEERING COMMITTEE 2024-25