Grants & Programs
The Animal Field-of-Interest Funds supports the protection, direct care and humane treatment of animals from low-income families in Kalamazoo County.
When a donor establishes a Field-of-Interest (FOI) Fund at Kalamazoo Community Foundation, they focus their gift on issues and causes they care about the most. At the Community Foundation, we support the donor's interests and uphold the donor's intent for the fund. With this type of fund, the gift remains flexible to meet community needs in a donor's interest area.
The Animal FOI Funds are comprised of three separate funds: John B. and Shirley M. Myers Fund for Animals, Lowell and Nellie Freeman Fund for Protection and Humane Treatment of Animals, and Marian C. Clark Animal Welfare Fund. The funds were established to address:
- Protection, humane care and treatment of animals
- Training for therapy companions for individuals with disabilities
- Provide food for companion pets of seniors
- Temporary housing and shelter for companion pets of residents in domestic assault shelter programs
- Spay/neuter sterilization
- Veterinarian costs associated with direct care of dogs and cats
Annually, Kalamazoo Community Foundation requests proposals that support animal programs and projects in Kalamazoo County. Requests that support low-income individuals and neighborhoods will be prioritized. The Animal FOI Funds excludes support for administrative costs.
Request For Proposal Process
- Monday, March 28: Letter of Inquiry for Animal FOI is due (Download an LOI Word Document as your worksheet)
- Animal FOI Committee will convene within a week after the LOI deadline to review proposals and grant awards will be announced shortly after
Projects We Have Funded Previously:
- Animal's Best Friend Fund, Inc. | Kalamazoo County Free Neutering Project
- Animal Rescue Project
- Kalamazoo County Humane Society | Kalamazoo County Humane Society
- Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue | Kitten Season 2020 Spay/Neuter Project
- Leader Dogs for the Blind | Guide Dog and Mobility Programs for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Milestone Senior Services | Pet Food Bank in Kalamazoo
- Ministry with Community | Pet Supplies for Pet Owners Experiencing Homelessness and Poverty
- SPCA of Southwest MI | SPCA Program Progression
- Animal Rescue Project
- Animals Best Friend Fund, Inc.
- Kalamazoo County Humane Society | Project Health
- Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue | Kitten Season 2020/Neuter Project
- Leader Dogs for the Blind | Guide Dog and Mobility Programs for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- SPCA of Southwest Michigan | Emergency Funding (COVID-19)
- Animal's Best Friend Fund, Inc. | Kalamazoo Co. Free Neutering Project
- Leader Dogs for the Blind | Guide Dog and Mobility Programs for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- SPCA of Southwest Michigan | SPCA Program progression
- YWCA of Kalamazoo | YWCA Families and Pets
- Animal's Best Friend Inc. Fund | Pet Overpopulation Prevention in Low-Income Neighborhoods
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of SWMI | Support for Spay and Neuter Assistance
- Leader Dogs for the Blind | Guide Dog and Mobility Programs in Kalamazoo County for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Learn More
To learn more about the fund and grantmaking process, please contact Kari Benjamin at 269.381.4416 or send her an email.