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Thomas E Quade Foundation Inc. is a private corporation based in PASADENA, MD. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2011. The principal officer is Kara Trigger. It holds total assets of $2.5M. Annual income is reported at $1.4M. Total assets have grown from $2K in 2011 to $2.5M in 2023. The foundation is governed by 1 officer or trustee. Tax records are available from 2020 to 2023. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maryland, Pasadena MD and National. According to available records, Thomas E Quade Foundation Inc. has made 12 grants totaling $300K, with a median grant of $25K. Annual giving has grown from $100K in 2021 to $200K in 2022. The foundation has supported 4 unique organizations. Grant recipients are concentrated in Maryland. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
## Approach Strategy
The Thomas E. Quade Foundation is a Pasadena, Maryland private foundation with a highly focused mission: providing cash grants exclusively to no-kill animal shelters. Founded in honor of Thomas E. Quade, the foundation seeks shelters that demonstrate not just the no-kill standard but also management efficiency, cleanliness, animal well-being, and most importantly — a devotion to loving care.
The foundation does extensive research including physical site visits before awarding grants, meaning this is not a paper-only process. They are actively invested in quality — they want to know the culture of the shelter, not just the statistics. The 2026 grant application is open and accepting submissions via email.
The no-kill requirement (90%+ placement rate) and the ban on government-funded shelters means this is targeted at community-based, privately operated animal rescue organizations that survive on donations and grant funding. These are exactly the organizations that most struggle to access major philanthropic support.
For qualified no-kill shelters, the Thomas E. Quade Foundation is one of the few dedicated grantmakers specifically for this cause segment.
## Funding Patterns
## Peer Comparison
No-kill shelter funders are a specialized category:
What distinguishes Quade: (1) exclusively focused on no-kill shelters with a quality-of-care emphasis beyond just the no-kill statistic; (2) physical site visits mean the foundation deeply invests in each finalist relationship; (3) the ban on government-funded shelters targets purely community and private organizations; (4) smaller scale enables personalized relationship and genuine founder-level engagement with grantees.
## Recent Activity
## Application Tips
2026 Grant Application is OPEN. This is one of the few dedicated no-kill shelter funders with an active, accessible application.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility - Are you a 501(c)(3) organization? (Required) - Are you current with federal AND state taxes? (Required) - Is your shelter no-kill by national standards (90%+ placement rate)? (Required) - Are you NOT government-funded? (Required — no county or municipal shelters)
Step 2: Download and Complete Application - Visit: thomasequadefoundation.org/grant-application - Download the 2026 Grant Application PDF - Complete all sections thoroughly
Step 3: Submit via Email - Email completed application to: cspurgeon@thomasequadefoundation.org - No deadline specified on website — apply promptly while application period is open
Step 4: If Selected as Finalist - Be prepared for a site visit and photos (they want to see your actual facility) - Have 2 years of tax returns ready - Be prepared to disclose all officer salaries - Have your 501(c)(3) documentation readily available
What Makes a Strong Application: - Excellent placement rate (above the 90% minimum — higher is better) - Evidence of management efficiency (cost per animal, volunteer management, donation record) - Clear cleanliness standards and practices - Documentation of staff devotion to animal care and wellbeing - Stories and photos of animals placed in loving homes
Contact: cspurgeon@thomasequadefoundation.org | thomasequadefoundation.org
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No specific application information is available for this foundation. Check the 990-PF filings below for application guidelines, or visit the foundation's website if listed above.
Annual cash grants to qualified no-kill animal shelters. Requirements: 501(c)(3) status, current with federal and state taxes, no-kill status (90%+ animal placement rate by national standards), not government funded. 2026 application open. Finalists must allow site visit and photos, provide 2 years of tax returns, officer salaries, and 501(c)(3) paperwork. Apply by downloading application at thomasequadefoundation.org and emailing to cspurgeon@thomasequadefoundation.org.
## Funding Patterns - Asset Base: ~$2.46 million (EIN 80-0666398, Pasadena MD) - Focus: Cash grants to no-kill animal shelters exclusively - Eligibility: 501(c)(3), current on taxes, no-kill (90%+ placement), NOT government-funded - Application: 2026 application open — download PDF and email to cspurgeon@thomasequadefoundation.org - Selection Process: Extensive research including physical site visits to finalist shelters - Grant Sizes: Not disclosed; likely range from $5,000-$25,000 based on as.
Thomas E Quade Foundation Inc. has distributed a total of $300K across 12 grants. The median grant size is $25K, with an average of $25K. Individual grants have ranged from $25K to $25K.
## Approach Strategy The Thomas E. Quade Foundation is a Pasadena, Maryland private foundation with a highly focused mission: providing cash grants exclusively to no-kill animal shelters. Founded in honor of Thomas E. Quade, the foundation seeks shelters that demonstrate not just the no-kill standard but also management efficiency, cleanliness, animal well-being, and most importantly — a devotion to loving care.
Thomas E Quade Foundation Inc. is headquartered in PASADENA, MD. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maryland, Pasadena MD, National.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kara Trigger | PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$295K
Total Assets
$2.5M
Fair Market Value
$2.5M
Net Worth
$2.5M
Grants Paid
$150K
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
$25K
Distribution Amount
$117K
Total: N/A
Total Grants
12
Total Giving
$300K
Average Grant
$25K
Median Grant
$25K
Unique Recipients
4
Most Common Grant
$25K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leashes EndSENIOR ANIMAL RESCUE THAT ARE NOT ADOPTABLE | Rockville, MD | $25K | 2021 |
| Baltimore Humane SocietyCARE AND HUMANE TREATMENT OF COMPANION ANIMALS | Reisterstown, MD | $25K | 2022 |
| Baltimore Barcs Animal RescueANIMAL SHELTER AND ADOPTION CENTER | Brooklyn, MD | $25K | 2022 |
| Senior Dog Santuary Of MarylandCARE FOR SENIOR DOGS THAT ARE NOT ADOPTABLE | Severn, MD | $25K | 2021 |