Please note: Grant applications are by invitation only. The Ana Maria Weidner Foundation does not currently accept any unsolicited applications for funding.
Our Priority Areas
The Foundation is dedicated to providing immediate relief to animals in need, supporting advocacy and education to change hearts and minds, and funding strategic and capacity building programs to enable systemic change for animals. This is the framework that guides our giving.
As of 2026, our priorities include supporting the past grant recipients of Ana’s foundation, identifying new funding opportunities in our priority areas of interest, and learning as much as possible to ensure that our grantmaking has the impact that Ana would have desired.
The types of work we support
We anticipate that future priority areas will include some or all of the following:
Dog rescue and adoption
Spay/neuter and veterinary services
Diet change and vegan advocacy
Wildlife rehabilitation and protection
Animal law development
Bird rescue and sanctuary
Keeping cats indoors
Burro rescue and sanctuary
Marine mammal protection
Habitat preservation
Emergency and disaster relief for animals
Bird breeding laws and policies
Other areas yet to be developed
What is Not Our Focus?
The Ana Maria Weidner Foundation values a wide range of approaches, and we are grateful to see other funders investing in areas we do not currently prioritize.
In keeping with Ana’s wishes, we do not fund organizations or individuals that train or use animals for individual physical support (such as seeing eye dogs and physical assistance dogs) or organizations that trap, neuter, and release (“TNR”) cats. We also do not provide grants to animal zoos, animal circuses, or for the purpose of hunting or trapping.
We do not support medical, psychological, behavioral or other research and testing that uses animals, organizations that explicitly encourage or support animal agriculture, or any form of entertainment that uses animals.
Our Funding Process
We partner with organizations by balancing rigor and trust.
Grant applications are by invitation only. The Foundation identifies potential applicants by researching and engaging with diverse organizations and individuals year-round.
The Foundation invites select applicants to apply for funding. Once invited, grantees begin a multi-step application process.
Depending on the amount being requested, our history with the applicant, and the nature of the work being funded, we may request detailed financial information, ask to interview program staff, visit facilities, or conduct other due diligence as needed.
The Foundation strives to process applications, make decisions, and transmit funds in a timely manner.
Help us get to know you
If you have not received funding from the Foundation in the past three years, then the best way to make us aware of your work is to complete our introduction form.