Michigan Animal Welfare Grants

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Lansing area that focus on education, youth and family support, animal welfare, and environmental initiatives.

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust's grant program aims to enhance the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. This mission aligns with the foundation's core belief in supporting innovative projects that go beyond basic care, providing long-term benefits for animals today and in the future. The trust focuses on helping organizations deliver an enhanced quality of life for homeless and abused companion animals. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include homeless and abused companion animals, native wildlife, and owned companion animals in under-resourced urban/rural areas or those owned by socially vulnerable populations. Impact goals include increasing successful adoptions, improving staff and volunteer care delivery, promoting humane education, enhancing access to medical care, and controlling pet and feral animal populations through spay/neuter initiatives. The program prioritizes several key areas: animal adoption, behavior training, and fostering; continuing education and training for staff and volunteers; humane and wildlife education; medical care, rehabilitation, and wellness care for animals; pet and feral animal population control through spay/neuter; equipment directly benefiting animals; and other animal care initiatives that celebrate the human-animal bond. Preferred projects include non-capital means of expanding shelter capacity, opportunities for staff and volunteer development, school and community programs addressing humane care, and assistance for owned pets from under-resourced households. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased successful adoptions, improved delivery of care by staff and volunteers, enhanced community understanding of animal welfare, better access to medical care for vulnerable animal populations, and a reduction in unwanted pet populations. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on supporting initiatives that lead to a high quality of life for individual animals and significant improvements for large numbers of animals. Their theory of change is that by funding innovative projects and supporting eligible organizations, they can foster better humane care, improve animal well-being, and address critical issues such as overpopulation and lack of access to care, ultimately creating a more compassionate environment for animals.

The Nahikian Family Foundation provides grant funding to support initiatives that promote mental health, healing, and independent living. Its mission centers on enhancing quality of life through programs that foster emotional well-being, physical recovery, and humane connections between people and animals. The foundation supports work in the areas of **environment and animals**, **health**, and **human services**, with a particular interest in projects that tangibly improve the lives of vulnerable or underserved populations. While the foundation accepts proposals from across the United States, it places strong geographic emphasis on **Alabama, Florida, Michigan, and South Carolina**—the home states of Nahikian family members. Within these regions, preference is often given to **capital projects**, such as facility improvements or expansions that enhance an organization’s capacity to deliver direct services. Funding decisions prioritize projects that embody compassion, sustainability, and practical impact, aligning with the foundation’s focus on long-term community well-being. The foundation supports a range of beneficiaries, including **children, service and assistance dogs, and companion animals**. This reflects its holistic approach to healing and independence—recognizing the vital role animals can play in emotional recovery and in improving the quality of life for individuals facing physical or mental health challenges. Programs that link therapeutic interventions with animal care or environmental stewardship are especially well-aligned with the foundation’s interests. To be eligible, applicants must be **IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations**. All applications must be submitted through the foundation’s **online grant application portal**, though an alternative accessible version is available for users requiring assistive technology. The foundation’s process emphasizes accessibility and inclusion, ensuring all qualified applicants have the opportunity to apply. Though specific grant sizes and durations are not published, the Nahikian Family Foundation typically prioritizes projects with clear, measurable outcomes and a strong potential for lasting benefit. Through its giving, the foundation continues to advance its vision of communities where individuals—human and animal alike—can heal, grow, and thrive with dignity and independence.

This program provides financial support to small nonprofit organizations with annual budgets under $200,000 to enhance their operations and community programs.

This funding opportunity supports a variety of equine-related projects in Michigan, including marketing, research, and aftercare programs, aimed at enhancing the state's horse racing industry and overall equine activities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in Bay County, Michigan, to support a variety of community-enhancing projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and recreation.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Lansing area for community-focused programs in education, youth and family services, animal welfare, and environmental initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports registered animal shelters in Michigan to enhance sterilization, adoption, and public education programs for dogs and cats, while ensuring compliance with state animal welfare laws.