Animal Welfare Capacity Building Grants

Animal Welfare Capacity Building Grants is sponsored by Elmina B. Sewall Foundation. Supports Maine-based animal welfare organizations in enhancing their capacity to improve the quality of life and care for companion animals.

Animal Welfare — Elmina B. Sewall Foundation 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. 2026 available funding: $320,000 A substantial portion of the Animal Welfare Program Area budget was dedicated to multi-year commitments in 2025.

Our flexibility for new funding in 2026 is limited. As a result, grants will be offered by invitation only. We may invite new applications, including from organizations not currently funded, or work with existing partners to amend their current grants.

Program Contact: animalwelfare@sewallfoundation.

org Photo courtesy of Midcoast Humane 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 2026 Available Funding: $320,000 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 1–4-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 2026 Application Information Applications were due by February 25, at 5pm.

Grant decisions will be announced by early May, 2026. Because of the limited funding available this year, our grantmaking will be by invitation only. We may invite new applications, including from organizations not currently funded, or work with existing partners to amend their current grants.

We’re pleased to present this series of articles on our inspiring grant partners . Spirits Place of St. Albans received its first Sewall grant in 2017, soon after its inception, to help Founder and Executive Director Lee Palmer write the initial business plan.

Since then, we’ve provided six additional Animal Welfare grants to Spirits Place for a total of $439,000. This post showcases the organization’s extraordinary commitment to caring for Maine’s unwanted cats. 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.