Annual Grants

Annual Grants

Our annual grants are designed to help Colorado animal welfare organizations support the care of companion animals across our state. Categories for this grant include:

GENERAL OPERATING

  • Unrestricted grants are designed to support ongoing staff, program, and facility costs 

    • Please note: General Operating requests are only considered for organizations that have an established funding relationship with AAF

ANIMAL POPULATION PROGRAMS

  • Spay-neuter, access to care, behavior, in-state animal transfers, and similar programs to help manage pet animal populations across Colorado are examples of past application requests

ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY PROGRAMS

  • Staff and Board training, equipment and repairs, technology needs, and fundraising capacity assistance are examples of past application requests

  • ✔️ Designated 501 (c)(3) non-profit, fiscal sponsor or government entity 

    ✔️ Located in Colorado and primarily serving animals already in Colorado

    ✔️ Proposal aligns with the mission of AAF

    ✔️ Demonstrate a commitment to collaboration, community responsibility, and non-divisive language 

    ✔️ Recent PACFA license and statistics for organizations requiring a license through the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act

    ✔️ All organizations must be reporting data to Shelter Animals Count or the Equine Welfare Data Collective, if applicable

  • ╳ Organizations outside of Colorado 

    ╳ Organizations that primarily import animals into Colorado 

    ╳ Endowments

    ╳ Individuals or individual pets

    ╳ Medical or scientific research

    ╳ Debt retirement 

  • September 1, 2025; Grant Cycle Open

    September 30, 2025, 5pm MDT; Application Deadline

    All applications must be received by the deadline for funding consideration, no exceptions.

Application Timeline

  • September 1

    Portal application opens and applications are accepted through the online portal.

  • September 30

    5pm MDT: Application deadline. All applications must be received by the deadline for funding consideration, no exceptions.

  • Mid-December

    Applicants will be notified of their status by mid-December.

  • December 31

    Funds will be delivered to grantees by December 31.

Additional Information and Resources

  • "Animal Welfare in Colorado is about collaboration and joint effort, not about acrimonious work. AAF is a leader in this." ​

    Community Partner