The John and Wendy Neu Foundation concentrates its giving on animal protection and companion animal rescue, coastal and marine conservation in the NY–NJ region, and selective support for democracy/legal reform and civic leadership. Grants are directed to a mix of national advocacy organizations and local environmental and animal-welfare nonprofits, suggesting interest in both policy advocacy and on-the-ground services. The foundation favors sizable gifts to a small number of organizations and shows repeat support to priority partners.
The John and Wendy Neu Foundation has made animal rights advocacy its largest recent commitment, including a $700,000 grant in 2025 and a $500,000 grant in 2024 to Peta to establish and protect the rights of all animals. That same emphasis on animals appears in its support for Companion Animal Placement, which received $302,000 in 2025 and $300,000 in 2024 to rescue and place homeless companion animals in loving homes. The foundation also backs policy and litigation work through groups such as the Brennan Center for Justice, which received $400,000 in 2025 to reform, revitalize, and support the laws and help fight democracy and justice. Alongside those national commitments, the foundation funds regional environmental and animal-welfare organizations in the New York–New Jersey area, suggesting a grantmaking approach that combines advocacy, direct service, and conservation. Its recent awards range from large five- and six-figure gifts to smaller local grants, with repeat support appearing for several organizations across multiple years.
Animal rights and companion-animal rescue are central to the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2025, it gave $700,000 to Peta to establish and protect the rights of all animals, and it also supported Liberty Humane Society with $20,000 to give animals in need a chance at a lifelong living home. The foundation also funds wildlife care: The Wild Bird Fund received $20,000 in 2025 to provide medical care and rehabilitate distressed wildlife animals, after a $15,000 grant in 2024 for the same purpose. Environmental work is another thread. Nynj Baykeeper received $140,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2025 to conserve and restore the Hudson Raritan estuary, while Hackensack Riverkeeper received $15,000 in 2025 to help agencies identify sources of pollution. It also backed Conservation Law Foundation with $90,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for New England environmental protection.
Typical grant sizes are moderate to sizable: the p25 is $6,250, the median is $22,500, and the p75 is $130,000. The pattern shows repeat support to several recipients across 2024 and 2025, with some organizations receiving back-to-back awards in similar amounts. The foundation appears to make grant decisions through a private foundation structure rather than an individual-giving or program-related investment model, and the funding is primarily charitable grants rather than individual aid. Recent awards include both operating-style support and project-specific language, including board staffing, legal reform, animal rescue, and conservation work.
$4M
$1.5M
$2.1M
$2.4M
Most grants fall between $6K and $130K, with a median of $23K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$23K
75th Percentile
$130K
About 28% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small set of repeat grantees — a mix of national advocacy organizations and regional service/conservation groups; grants tend to be large single or repeat awards rather than many small gifts.
Notable grantees: PETA, Companion Animal Placement, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), NY/NJ Baykeeper, Brennan Center for Justice
The foundation gives most often in New York, and 28% of its grants go to recipients in New Jersey. Recent recipients are concentrated in New York City, with additional grants to Newark-area and Hudson River–adjacent organizations such as Jersey City, Hackensack, Weehawken, Keyport, and Englewood. Outside the New York–New Jersey corridor, the foundation also funded organizations in Norfolk, Arlington, Boston, San Pedro, and Eastham. All recent grants in the dataset went to U.S. recipients.
Its grants go to animal-rights and companion-animal groups, wildlife rehabilitation organizations, environmental and estuary conservation groups, and democracy and legal reform organizations. Recent examples include Peta, Companion Animal Placement, The Wild Bird Fund, Nynj Baykeeper, Hackensack Riverkeeper, and the Brennan Center for Justice.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Peta, Companion Animal Placement, Natural Resources Defense Council, Nynj Baykeeper, Conservation Law Foundation, Animal Haven, PBS NewsHour, The Wild Bird Fund, and Dogs and Cats of Antigua.
The reported distribution is p25 at $6,250, median at $22,500, and p75 at $130,000. That points to a mix of smaller local grants and larger six-figure gifts.
New York is the top state by grant count, and New Jersey recipients make up 28% of its grants. The recent list includes many organizations in New York City, plus recipients in Jersey City, Hackensack, Weehawken, Keyport, and Englewood.
The data shows support for animal rights advocacy, companion animal rescue and rehoming, wildlife medical care and rehabilitation, coastal and estuary conservation, pollution-source identification, and democracy and justice reform.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PETA | NORFOLK, VA | $700,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO ESTABLISH AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL ANIMALS |
| BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE | NEW YORK, NY | $400,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO REFORM,REVITALIZE, AND SUPPORT THE LAWS AND TO HELP FIGHT DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE |
| COMPANION ANIMAL PLACEMENT | WEEHAWKEN, NJ | $302,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO HELP RESCUE AND PLACE HOMELESS COMPANION ANIMALS IN LOVING HOMES |
| ALTASEA AT THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES | SAN PEDRO, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL (NRDC) | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| PBS NEWSHOUR (WETA) | ARLINGTON, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO PROVIDE STAFFING OF QUARTERLY BOARD MEETINGS, ANNUAL BOARD MEETINGS, AND ORIENTATION OF NEW TRUSTEES |
| NYNJ BAYKEEPER | KEYPORT, NJ | $100,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO HELP CONSERVE AND RESTORE THE HUDSON RARITAN ESTUARY |
| CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $90,000 | 2025 | CLF PROTECTS NEW ENGLAND'S ENVIRONMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PEOPLE |
| ANIMAL HAVEN | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO PROVIDE HOMES AND ABANDONED CATS AND DOGS THROUGHOUT THE TRI-STATE AREA |
| THE WILD BIRD FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | TO PROVE MEDICAL CARE AND REHABILITATE DISTRESSED WILDLIFE ANIMALS |
| LIBERTY HUMANE SOCIETY | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY OF COMPASSION AND RESPECT AND PROVIDE ANIMALS IN NEED WITH A CHANCE AT A LIFE LONG LIVING HOME |
| HACKENSACK RIVERKEEPER | HACKENSACK, NJ | $15,000 | 2025 | TO HELP LOCAL, STATE,AND FEDERAL AGENCIES IDENTIFY SOURCES OF POLLUTION |
| DOGS AND CATS OF ANTIGUA | EASTHAM, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| NJ PBS | ENGLEWOOD, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| DEMOCRACY NOW | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO PRODUCE A DAILY, GLOBAL,INDEPENDENT NEWS HOUR |
| SKYLANDS | WANTAGE, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| NYNJ BAYKEEPER | KEYPORT, NJ | $250 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO MITIGATE COSTS FOR UPCOMING KPIP EVENT |
| PETA | NORFOLK, VA | $500,000 | 2024 | DONATION TO ESTABLISH AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL ANIMALS |
| COMPANION ANIMAL PLACEMENT | WEEHAWKEN, NJ | $300,000 | 2024 | DONATION TO HELP RESCUE AND PLACE HOMELESS COMPANION ANIMALS IN LOVING HOMES |
| NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL (NRDC) | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2024 | DONATION TO PROVIDE STAFFING OF QUARTERLY BOARD MEETINGS, ANNUAL BOARD MEETINGS, AND ORIENTATION OF NEW TRUSTEES |
| NYNJ BAYKEEPER | KEYPORT, NJ | $140,000 | 2024 | DONATION TO HELP CONSERVE AND RESTORE THE HUDSON RARITAN ESTUARY |
| PBS NEWSHOUR (WETA) | ARLINGTON, VA | $100,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $90,000 | 2024 | CLF PROTECTS NEW ENGLAND'S ENVIRONMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PEOPLE |
| ANIMAL HAVEN | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2024 | DONATION TO PROVIDE HOMES AND ABANDONED CATS AND DOGS THROUGHOUT THE TRI-STATE AREA |
| WOMEN IN NEED INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE FOUNDATION | FARMINGDALE, NY | $20,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| THE WILD BIRD FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | TO PROVE MEDICAL CARE AND REHABILITATE DISTRESSED WILDLIFE ANIMALS |
| DOROT FOUNDATION | PROVIDENCE, RI | $10,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| DOGS AND CATS OF ANTIGUA | EASTHAM, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| TOUGH WARRIOR PRINCESSES | AMESBURY, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| NJ PBS | ENGLEWOOD, NJ | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| KELLER S CAUSE INC | PORT DEPOSIT, MD | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| TWISTED CATS INC | KEARNY, NJ | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| CLINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT | CLINTON, NJ | $1,000 | 2024 | DONATION TO MITGATE THE IMPACT OF HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS ON LIFE, PROPERTY, AND ENVIORNMENT |
PETA
$700,000DONATION TO ESTABLISH AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL ANIMALS
BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE
$400,000DONATION TO REFORM,REVITALIZE, AND SUPPORT THE LAWS AND TO HELP FIGHT DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE
COMPANION ANIMAL PLACEMENT
$302,000DONATION TO HELP RESCUE AND PLACE HOMELESS COMPANION ANIMALS IN LOVING HOMES
ALTASEA AT THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES
$250,000CHARITABLE
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL (NRDC)
$200,000CHARITABLE
PBS NEWSHOUR (WETA)
$100,000CHARITABLE
TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
$100,000DONATION TO PROVIDE STAFFING OF QUARTERLY BOARD MEETINGS, ANNUAL BOARD MEETINGS, AND ORIENTATION OF NEW TRUSTEES
NYNJ BAYKEEPER
$100,000DONATION TO HELP CONSERVE AND RESTORE THE HUDSON RARITAN ESTUARY
CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION
$90,000CLF PROTECTS NEW ENGLAND'S ENVIRONMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PEOPLE
ANIMAL HAVEN
$50,000DONATION TO PROVIDE HOMES AND ABANDONED CATS AND DOGS THROUGHOUT THE TRI-STATE AREA
THE WILD BIRD FUND
$20,000TO PROVE MEDICAL CARE AND REHABILITATE DISTRESSED WILDLIFE ANIMALS
LIBERTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$20,000COMMUNITY OF COMPASSION AND RESPECT AND PROVIDE ANIMALS IN NEED WITH A CHANCE AT A LIFE LONG LIVING HOME
HACKENSACK RIVERKEEPER
$15,000TO HELP LOCAL, STATE,AND FEDERAL AGENCIES IDENTIFY SOURCES OF POLLUTION
DOGS AND CATS OF ANTIGUA
$10,000CHARITABLE
NJ PBS
$10,000CHARITABLE
DEMOCRACY NOW
$10,000DONATION TO PRODUCE A DAILY, GLOBAL,INDEPENDENT NEWS HOUR
SKYLANDS
$10,000CHARITABLE
NYNJ BAYKEEPER
$250CONTRIBUTION TO MITIGATE COSTS FOR UPCOMING KPIP EVENT
PETA
$500,000DONATION TO ESTABLISH AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL ANIMALS
COMPANION ANIMAL PLACEMENT
$300,000DONATION TO HELP RESCUE AND PLACE HOMELESS COMPANION ANIMALS IN LOVING HOMES
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL (NRDC)
$200,000CHARITABLE
TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
$150,000DONATION TO PROVIDE STAFFING OF QUARTERLY BOARD MEETINGS, ANNUAL BOARD MEETINGS, AND ORIENTATION OF NEW TRUSTEES
NYNJ BAYKEEPER
$140,000DONATION TO HELP CONSERVE AND RESTORE THE HUDSON RARITAN ESTUARY
PBS NEWSHOUR (WETA)
$100,000CHARITABLE
CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION
$90,000CLF PROTECTS NEW ENGLAND'S ENVIRONMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PEOPLE
ANIMAL HAVEN
$70,000DONATION TO PROVIDE HOMES AND ABANDONED CATS AND DOGS THROUGHOUT THE TRI-STATE AREA
WOMEN IN NEED INC
$25,000CHARITABLE
GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE FOUNDATION
$20,000CHARITABLE
THE WILD BIRD FUND
$15,000TO PROVE MEDICAL CARE AND REHABILITATE DISTRESSED WILDLIFE ANIMALS
DOROT FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITABLE
DOGS AND CATS OF ANTIGUA
$10,000CHARITABLE
TOUGH WARRIOR PRINCESSES
$5,000CHARITABLE
NJ PBS
$5,000CHARITABLE
KELLER S CAUSE INC
$5,000CHARITABLE
TWISTED CATS INC
$5,000CHARITABLE
CLINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
$1,000DONATION TO MITGATE THE IMPACT OF HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS ON LIFE, PROPERTY, AND ENVIORNMENT