Animal Assistance Foundation

What Animal Assistance Foundation does

Animal Assistance Foundation (AAF) is a private nonprofit grantmaking foundation founded in 1974 by Louise Harrison and headquartered at 165 S Union Blvd, Suite 670, Lakewood, Colorado. The organization is dedicated to advancing the welfare of companion animals in Colorado through community investment, collaboration, and leadership, and has operated continuously for approximately 50 years.

AAF's core offering is a portfolio of grant programs distributed to animal welfare organizations operating within Colorado. The foundation administers three primary grant vehicles: Annual Grants for ongoing operational support, Capital Grants for facility and infrastructure expenditures, and Responsive Grants for emerging needs and opportunities. AAF also maintains a dedicated Support Colorado Shelters & Rescues program. In 2024 alone, the foundation funded more than 60 animal welfare programs across the state, spanning private nonprofit shelters, municipal and government animal control facilities, equine rescue, and community spay/neuter services.

AAF's business model is that of a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, funded by donations and philanthropic contributions from individuals, corporations, and other philanthropists. As a grantmaker rather than a service provider, AAF does not sell products or charge fees; pricing is not applicable. The foundation is staffed by a small team (1-10 employees) and operates with a community-led go-to-market approach, identifying and cultivating partner organizations throughout Colorado rather than running competitive procurement processes.

Name

Animal Assistance Foundation

Legal name

Animal Assistance Foundation

Website

https://aaf-fd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Grantmaking Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)

Keywords

• Animal welfare grants
• Nonprofit foundation
• Grantmaking programs
• Companion animal care
• Animal shelter funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Lakewood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, AAF receives donations and contributions from individuals, corporations, and other philanthropists to fund its grantmaking activities supporting Colorado animal welfare organizations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Animal Assistance Foundation provides grant funding to animal welfare organizations across Colorado through structured grant programs including Annual Grants for ongoing operations, Capital Grants for facility and equipment needs, and Responsive Grants for emerging needs. It also operates a dedicated Support Colorado Pets initiative for shelters and rescues, funded by donations from individuals, corporations, and other philanthropists.

Product overview

Animal Assistance Foundation operates as a grantmaking foundation offering a portfolio of grant programs to support companion animal welfare in Colorado. The organization provides multiple grant types including Annual Grants for ongoing operational support, Capital Grants for facility and equipment needs, and Responsive Grants for emerging opportunities. Additionally, AAF offers dedicated support programs for Colorado shelters and rescues. The foundation positions itself as a collaborative partner to animal welfare organizations rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Grants Recurring annual grant funding provided to animal welfare organizations in Colorado to support ongoing operations and programs. Intended for pet animal shelters, rescue organizations, and professional animal care and control organizations.
• Capital Grants Grants specifically for capital expenditures such as facility improvements, equipment, or infrastructure projects at animal welfare organizations in Colorado.
• Responsive Grants Flexible grants designed to respond to emerging needs and opportunities in animal welfare across Colorado, including emergency and disaster response.
• Support Colorado Pets (Shelters & Rescues) Dedicated support program providing funding and resources to Colorado animal shelters and rescue organizations through the Animal Assistance Foundation's grantmaking initiatives.

Quantifiable outcome

• Funded 60+ animal welfare programs across Colorado in 2024

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Humane Society of Boulder ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAF provides ongoing grant funding and support to Humane Society of Boulder Valley, a major animal shelter in Boulder, Colorado. The organization is highlighted as a community partner that benefits from AAF's support and community reach across Colorado shelters.
• Humane Society of the Pikes Peak RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAF supports the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region through grant funding that enables the organization to offer second chances to pets. The partnership is cited as critical to the organization's ability to serve animals in the Pikes Peak region.
• Dogster's Spay & Neuter Program (D-SNiP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAF provides funding support to D-SNiP's spay and neuter program, which serves the community by reducing pet overpopulation through accessible surgical services.
• Teller County Regional Animal SheltercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAF is a major supporter of TCRAS, providing funding throughout the year through multiple grant programs. AAF is described as part of the wonderful community that helps TCRAS care for animals of Teller County and beyond.
• Mountain Valley Horse RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAF provides ongoing funding support to Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, which describes the funding as critical for making decisions about capacity and animal intakes throughout the year.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a broad animal welfare incumbent operating shelters, grantmaking, advocacy, and public awareness programs nationally. Comparable to AAF as a major animal welfare funder, but with a much more expansive operational footprint covering direct animal care, advocacy, and disaster response.
• PetSmart Charities: PetSmart Charities is one of the largest national animal welfare grantmaking organizations, funding shelter, adoption, and pet welfare programs across the U.S. It is comparable to AAF as a directly analogous grantmaking foundation, but at a much larger national scale and broader scope.
• Best Friends Animal Society: Best Friends Animal Society operates a national no-kill animal welfare network, funding and directly running shelters and rescue programs. Comparable to AAF in grantmaking and shelter partnerships, but with a national scope and direct operational involvement in shelter management.
• Humane Society of the United States: HSUS is a national animal welfare organization providing grants, advocacy, and direct services across the U.S. It overlaps with AAF in funding companion animal welfare programs, but operates at significantly larger scale with policy and lobbying functions beyond AAF's scope.

Direct peers

• Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation): Petco Love is a nonprofit foundation that funds animal welfare organizations through grants and partnerships nationwide. Comparable to AAF in grantmaking model and animal welfare focus, with broader national scope and direct corporate sponsor backing.
• Doris Day Animal Foundation: Doris Day Animal Foundation is a national grantmaking animal welfare foundation funding shelters, rescue organizations, and related programs. It is a direct peer to AAF in foundation structure, grantmaking focus, and animal welfare mission, with a smaller scale and celebrity-founder identity.
• Animal Welfare Institute: The Animal Welfare Institute is a nonprofit that makes grants and conducts advocacy for animal welfare, including companion animals. It is comparable to AAF as a grantmaking nonprofit focused on animal welfare, though its mission is broader and includes wildlife and farm animals.
• Maddie's Fund: Maddie's Fund is a national family foundation dedicated to animal welfare, providing grants to shelters, rescue groups, and community programs with a focus on no-kill outcomes. It is a direct peer to AAF in mission, funding structure, and grantmaking approach, but operates nationally with a much larger endowment.
• Pedigree Foundation: Pedigree Foundation is a corporate-affiliated nonprofit that funds shelter and dog welfare programs through grants and adoption initiatives nationwide. Comparable to AAF as a grantmaking foundation for animal welfare, with a dog-specific focus and corporate backing.
• Greater Good Charities: Greater Good Charities is a nonprofit that funds animal welfare, humanitarian, and environmental programs through grants and direct program delivery. It is a direct peer to AAF in funding animal welfare initiatives, with a broader international scope and additional mission areas.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/animal-assistance-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Animal Assistance Foundation