Animal Grantmakers is commemorating a quarter century of catalyzing protections for animals of all types in its recent report: Animal Philanthropy in the United States. Authored by Andrew D. Rowan, D.Phil., a founding member of Animal Grantmakers and past chief scientific officer of Humane World for Animals, the report examines the drivers leading to Animal Grantmakers’ formation in 2000, chronicles the association’s activities and achievements, and paints an optimistic picture of the future of animal philanthropy in the U.S.

“Animal Grantmakers’ 25th anniversary report reflects upon a journey marked by collaborative purpose, transformative growth, and a shared vision of animal welfare in America,” said Dr. Rowan. “It also serves as a testament to the persistence of individuals and foundations dedicated to animal protection, and highlights the significant impact of collective action in making the world a better place for animals.”

Creating a community of animal funders has been an important outcome of Animal Grantmakers, which registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2017 to facilitate support for and expansion of animal grantmaking. Providing an active focus for the recruitment of philanthropists to support animal welfare has corresponded with substantial growth in the subsector. Per the report, in 2000, 42 American foundations were identified that collectively distributed $35,229,422 in grants for animal protection projects. In 2022, 73 foundations were identified that distributed $274,834,281 in animal grants, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in foundation philanthropy in the 21st century.

The report also discusses the growth in animal protection in the U.S. since the 1860s. Citing The Quality of Mercy by Bernard Unti, another Animal Grantmakers member, it describes how the early development of the movement was part of a more extensive set of post-Civil War reforms; and, while early advocates were successful in stigmatizing individual acts of animal cruelty and ensuring that such conduct became punishable under the law, they were largely ineffective in passing meaningful reforms in the agricultural, institutional, and industrial use of animals due to the increasing power of special interests. The report notes that the first U.S. animal protection organizations were established in the third quarter of the 19th century and highlights three influential founders: Henry Bergh; George Angell; and Caroline Earle White.

It then discusses the movement’s renaissance in the 1960s and 1970s, especially after the publication of Peter Singer’s “Animal Liberation” essay in the New York Review of Books (April 5, 1973). Compared to the early ‘70s, when 13 million dogs and cats were euthanized every year, fewer than one million dogs and cats are euthanized in the nation’s shelters today. Furthermore, the number of laboratory animals used in major industrial nations has fallen by 50 to 70 percent since 1975. Although outcomes for farmed animals and wildlife are more concerning, there have been gains for both groups, and the overall landscape for animal welfare is markedly more positive today than in 1973.

Giving USA, the nation’s leading report on charitable giving, began tracking contributions specifically for “environment-animals” in 1987. Between then and 2021, Giving USA data illustrate total giving to the category grew from $2 billion (inflation-adjusted) to $16.1 billion, or from 1.02 percent to 3.37 percent of overall philanthropy. Although significant, Giving USA falls short of reporting on giving to animals alone.

“Animal Philanthropy in the United States, a new resource available on the Animal Grantmakers website, addresses the need for animal-specific giving information long absent from traditional philanthropy reporting,” noted Bethany Heins, Animal Grantmakers’ board president and shelter collaborative director with Best Friends Animal Society. “Although complex, the report was able to identify how many organizations focus on animal protection versus wildlife conservation versus environmental protection by analyzing available datasets.”

Using the IRS’ classification scheme, Cause IQ data (downloaded in May 2024) permitted comparison of the relative sizes of the three main categories of animal and environmental organizations in America in 2019:

  • Animal protection (organizations engaged with domestic animals, per the IRS) – $8.7 billion raised by 35,134 organizations
  • Wildlife conservation – $8.1 billion raised by 14,518 organizations
  • Environmental protection – $18.8 billion raised by 19,371 organizations

The report also provides estimates of annual expenditures (for equines, revenue is provided) for the other key animal philanthropy subsectors:

  • Farmed animals – over $160 million (per Farmed Animal Funders’ 2021 report)
  • Equines – around $70 million (per a download of GuideStar data, compiled from IRS Form 990 filings, for the 741 D20 organizations in 2021 that had “horse” or “equine” in their names)
  • Laboratory animals – the three leading antivivisection organizations spend around $10 million yearly on laboratory animal issues, with total expenditures estimated at under $60 million

U.S. expenditures on animal protection have grown from $2.8 billion in 2006 to $7.4 billion in 2022, a 260 percent increase in 16 years. Such growth underscores the movement’s increasing sophistication and impact in the 21st century. Although resources for animal protection have grown much faster than inflation, the report points out there are considerable differences in animal protection income from state to state. In 2016, for example, animal protection income per capita ranged from $3.00 in Utah, where most philanthropy is funneled through the Mormon Church, to $35.03 in Washington, D.C., where animal organizations also raise funds from Maryland and Virginia (per capita income for all states can be found in the report).

The report also includes 2023 data from Best Friends, also an Animal Grantmakers member, illustrating the relationship between state shelter intake per 1,000 people and the number of shelters per 100,000 people in each state. Unsurprisingly, states with more shelters also have higher total shelter intake (additional data can be found in the report).

Looking ahead, Animal Grantmakers, which today includes members in Canada and Europe, is in a unique position to raise awareness about the expansion of animal protection, make the case for its significance as a societal priority, and attract more philanthropic funding for animals.

Are you a donor interested in supporting animal welfare or becoming more effective in your animal giving? Animal Grantmakers invites you to join philanthropy’s leading affinity group for animal funders.