The Sewall Foundation’s support for animal well-being is rooted in the interests of its founder and our recognition that the health and well-being of animals, people and environment are inextricably linked. A just, healthy, and sustainable Maine requires that all life is recognized for its inherent value. We will fund organizations working to reduce barriers to equitable pet ownership, keep pets with their owners, and humanely control pet populations. The focus of this funding is on cats and dogs.

2025 available funding: $1,515,000

Program Contact: Amie Hutchison, Community Partner

Photo courtesy of Midcoast Humane


Priorities

Our focus is on supporting organizations and efforts that are working on at least one of the following:

  • Provide humane sheltering and rehoming services primarily for cats and dogs (animal shelters)

  • Provide supports to keep pets with their owners (animal shelters or social service agencies)

  • Provide access to affordable veterinary care

  • Advocacy and field building

  • Humanely controlling pet population

We will prioritize organizations that:

  • Are under-resourced and serve under-resourced communities

  • Provide (or seek to) community supports designed to keep animals in homes and out of shelters (e.g. access to affordable neutering services, pet food pantries, veterinary assistance programs, training and humane-education, crisis management assistance such as temporary sheltering)

  • Work collaboratively to meet animal and community needs


Grantmaking

2025 Available Funding: $1,515,000

Generally, grant funding levels in this program area are:

  • Animal Shelters: $10,000 to $50,000 per year

    • 1–3-year proposals will be considered

  • Field Building $25,000 to $75,000 per year

    • 1–5-year proposals will be considered

  • Social Services: $10,000 to $50,000 per year

    • 1–3-year proposals will be considered

  • Pet Population Control: $10,000 to $50,000 per year

    • 1–3-year proposals will be considered


2025 Application Information

We have listened to and learned from our partners in the field over the years of funding in this sector. With the adoption of the Sewall approach in 2024 we have further refined our priorities to focus on companion animals and the intersection of human and companion animal well-being.

Beginning in 2025, applications for Animal Welfare grants will shift to an early spring cycleApplications are due by February 13, at 5pm. Grant decisions will be announced by the end of April, 2025.

2025 Animal Welfare Grants Fact Sheet

We recommend reviewing the 2025 Sewall Grant Application Guide prior to starting an application, which includes guidelines, instructions, application questions and a description of attachments. For your reference, a word document of the application questions can be found here.

If this is your first time applying to the Sewall Foundation, we recommend following our Creating an Account Guide for step by step instructions.

Click on the button to start a new application, or return to an in-progress application.


Grantee Story

We’re pleased to present this series of articles on our inspiring grant partners.

Central Aroostook Humane Society of Presque Isle received a $200,000 Animal Welfare grant in 2023 for a much-needed new shelter. Read to learn about the upgrades planned for the site, and how the community has rallied to support the fundraising efforts.