The Banfield Foundation, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to pet welfare, supports access to veterinary care for all pets, regardless of their owners’ financial capabilities. Through its Community Care Grants, the foundation empowers nonprofit organizations that operate on-site, mobile, or pop-up clinics to deliver medical services to owned pets. These efforts aim to ensure that vulnerable pet owners can access affordable veterinary care, promoting the long-term health and stability of animals in their homes.
Community Care Grants are intended to cover direct medical costs, such as medications, drugs, vaccines, and medical supplies. While all forms of veterinary care for owned pets are considered, the foundation gives priority to programs offering free or low-cost preventive and wellness services, as well as treatment for minor conditions like infections. In-kind donations, including medications or vaccines, may also be provided depending on program fit and cost-effectiveness. However, the program explicitly excludes coverage for care of adoptable or feral animals, livestock, or wildlife, and does not support voucher programs or services delivered through for-profit veterinary practices.
Funds cannot be used for wages, staff time, equipment, marketing, overhead, routine spay/neuter services, or pet food. The program must not be designed to generate revenue for the applicant organization. Additionally, organizations may only receive one grant per 12-month cycle, and no more than two consecutive years of funding. After a mandatory one-year break (gap year), organizations may reapply, unless they have only received Disaster Relief Grant funding, which is exempt from this rule.
Grants are reviewed and awarded on a quarterly basis, with submission deadlines on the last day of January, April, July, and October. Applicants are notified of decisions the following month. All applying organizations must either have veterinary professionals on staff or in a formal volunteer/contracting relationship. Organizations that have not yet operated a clinic but are prepared to do so are also encouraged to apply. For inquiries, applicants may contact the foundation via email at Grants@Banfieldfoundation.org.
Prioritize free or low-cost preventive and wellness care for owned pets; avoid submitting proposals for for-profit or revenue-generating models.
