AKC Humane Fund
AKC Humane Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes grants, scholarships, and awards supporting canine welfare, domestic violence shelters accepting pets, breed rescue organizations, veterinary care access, and animal-science education, operating under license from the American Kennel Club.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What AKC Humane Fund does
AKC Humane Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that channels donor contributions into grants, scholarships, and recognition programs targeting canine welfare and the human–dog bond. Its portfolio comprises four core program areas: domestic violence shelter grants enabling survivors to bring pets; rescue grants to nonprofit canine rescue groups and AKC parent breed clubs; scholarships for students in veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, and related animal-care fields; and the annual Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE Awards) public recognition program. The fund also references the AKC Library—one of the world's largest dog-focused reference collections—maintained by the American Kennel Club.
The organization operates with a small staff (11–50 employees) from the American Kennel Club's 101 Park Avenue, New York offices under a trademark license, drawing on AKC's brand credibility, breed club network, and AKC Productions for the ACE Awards television special. It does not develop proprietary technology; grant/scholarship applications, donations (including cryptocurrency), and donor communications are facilitated through standard web platforms, with payment processing handled by Blackbaud. Marketing and outreach run through its website, email lists, and social channels (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube), supplemented by earned media and a made-for-TV ACE Awards special.
Revenue is generated entirely from contributions across three streams: individual donations (one-time, recurring, or crypto via Blackbaud, plus mail), corporate and organizational giving (founding memberships, sponsorships), and legacy/planned giving (bequests, life insurance, stock, retirement assets). The organization is governed by a board of directors including a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and additional directors, and is U.S.-only by Terms of Use. In February 2026, the fund expanded its mission to include direct financial support for low-income pet owners facing veterinary emergencies, distributing initial funding through partner veterinary charities (Banfield Foundation, BluePearl Cares, VCA Charities).
AKC Humane Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AKC Humane Fund
- Legal name
- AKC Humane Fund Inc.
- Website
- https://akchumanefund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AKC Humane Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes grants, scholarships, and awards supporting canine welfare, domestic violence shelters accepting pets, breed rescue organizations, veterinary care access, and animal-science education, operating under license from the American Kennel Club.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AKC Humane Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animal Welfare Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK)
Keywords
Where AKC Humane Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AKC Humane Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Others, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute one-time or recurring gifts via the organization's website using an online payment processor (Blackbaud). Donors may also give by mail (check) or cryptocurrency.
- Corporate and Organizational Giving: The organization solicits corporate partners, breed clubs, and other organizations for programmatic and financial support, including founding membership programs, corporate sponsorships, and legacy/estate gifts.
- Legacy and Planned Giving: The organization accepts planned gifts including bequests by will or trust, life insurance policy donations, gifts of stock, gifts of art, and retirement plan assets, allowing donors to make enduring contributions.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
AKC Humane Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The AKC Humane Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides financial grants to domestic violence shelters that accept pets, nonprofit canine rescue organizations, and AKC breed clubs to cover veterinary care and operational costs. It also awards scholarships to students pursuing veterinary and animal-related education, administers the annual Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE Awards), and supports the AKC Library, one of the world's largest dog-focused reference archives. All programs are funded by individual donations, corporate contributions, and planned/legacy gifts.
Product overview
AKC Humane Fund is a 501c3 nonprofit organization offering a unified portfolio of programs centered on canine welfare and responsible pet ownership. The core offerings include: a Grants Program providing financial assistance to domestic violence shelters, rescue organizations, and veterinary care providers; a Scholarships Program featuring the John D. Spurling Scholarship, George Ward Scholarship, and Kennel Club of Philadelphia Penn Vet Scholarship for students in animal-related fields; the Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE Awards) recognizing outstanding dogs across six categories; and the AKC Library, a reference archive devoted to dogs. Supporting programs include Individual Giving, Corporate Donor, Legacy Giving, Memorial and Honor Gifts, and Breed Club Support. The organization also recently expanded to provide direct financial support for low-income pet owners facing veterinary emergencies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Domestic Violence Shelter Grants Financial grants provided to not-for-profit domestic violence shelters so they can build or maintain on-site kennels and pet-friendly facilities, allowing abuse survivors to seek refuge without abandoning their pets.
- Canine Rescue Grants Grants for non-profit rescue organizations and AKC parent breed clubs engaged in breed-specific rescue efforts, covering veterinary care, spay/neuter services, and operational supplies needed to rehabilitate and rehome dogs.
- Veterinary Care Financial Assistance Program Grants distributed through partner veterinary charitable organizations (Banfield Foundation, BluePearl Cares, VCA Charities) to help income-qualified families access emergency and specialty veterinary care for their pets.
- John D. Spurling Scholarship Annual scholarship awarding five scholarships per year (totaling $10,000) as tuition assistance to full-time students at accredited institutions pursuing veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, animal care, animal behavior, grooming, training, or related fields that advance responsible pet ownership.
- George Ward Scholarship Scholarship fund providing financial assistance to apprentice handlers enrolled in the AKC Register Handler Program Apprentices for post-secondary academic and professional enrichment.
- Kennel Club of Philadelphia Penn Vet Scholarship Scholarship designed to support students attending the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary program, awarded in partnership with the Kennel Club of Philadelphia.
- Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE Awards) Annual awards program honoring working and companion dogs for outstanding contributions across six categories: Uniformed Service K-9, Exemplary Companion, Search and Rescue (Human Detection and Disaster Response), Therapy Dog, Service Dog, and Teams. Winners are highlighted in a made-for-TV special produced by AKC Productions.
- AKC Library One of the world's largest libraries devoted to dogs, maintained by the American Kennel Club. Serves as a reference collection and archive on dogs and the human-canine relationship, open to the public.
- Donation Portal Online platform enabling donors to make one-time or recurring monetary donations via credit card and cryptocurrency to support AKC Humane Fund programs, processed through the Blackbaud payment platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $2 million in total grants and scholarships distributed
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use AKC Humane Fund
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
AKC Humane Fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AKC Humane Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Banfield FoundationcoreBanfield Foundation is a veterinary charitable organization receiving $25,000 in first-round funding from the AKC Humane Fund as part of its expanded mission to support low-income pet owners facing life-threatening veterinary emergencies. The foundation helps income-qualified families access emergency and specialty veterinary care.
- BluePearl CarescoreBluePearl Cares is a veterinary charitable organization receiving $25,000 in first-round funding from the AKC Humane Fund to help income-qualified families access emergency and specialty veterinary care.
- VCA CharitiescoreVCA Charities is a veterinary charitable organization receiving $25,000 in first-round funding from the AKC Humane Fund to support income-qualified pet owners in accessing emergency and specialty veterinary care.
- AKC Canine Health FoundationminorThe AKC Canine Health Foundation is referenced as a related organization involved in pet welfare, rescue, and health efforts, within the broader AKC family of canine-focused nonprofits supported by the AKC Humane Fund's rescue grant program.
- AKC Rescue NetworkminorThe AKC Rescue Network is referenced as a related AKC-affiliated organization involved in canine rescue efforts, aligned with the AKC Humane Fund's mission to support rescue organizations and breed clubs engaged in rescue activities.
- American Kennel ClubcoreThe AKC Humane Fund operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliated with and headquartered at the American Kennel Club. It operates under license to use the AKC® and American Kennel Club® trademarks. The AKC provides administrative infrastructure (offices, staff), promotional reach through its network of breed clubs and dog enthusiasts, and the AKC Productions team creates the ACE Awards television special.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
AKC Humane Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PetSmart Charities: The largest U.S. funder of animal welfare, issuing grants to shelters, rescues, and pet welfare programs nationwide. Highly comparable as a corporate-affiliated nonprofit grantmaker focused on companion animal welfare.
- Doris Day Animal Foundation: A national grantmaking foundation funding animal welfare organizations, with programs in shelter grants, veterinary care, and rescue support. Direct peer in nonprofit animal welfare grantmaking.
- Maddie's Fund: A family foundation providing grants to advance the welfare of dogs and cats, with emphasis on adoption, veterinary care, and shelter innovation. Closely comparable grantmaking model and canine/feline welfare mission.
- VCA Charities: The charitable arm of VCA Animal Hospitals providing grants for veterinary care, animal welfare research, and pet support programs. Direct peer in veterinary care grantmaking and a current AKC Humane Fund partner.
- Banfield Foundation: A veterinary-affiliated 501(c)(3) providing grants and pet welfare support, including emergency veterinary care funding for low-income pet owners. Direct peer in veterinary care grantmaking and a current AKC Humane Fund partner.
- Petfinder Foundation: Provides grants and support to shelters and rescue groups for adoption-related programs and operational needs. Direct peer in rescue grantmaking for companion animals.
- Pedigree Foundation: A corporate-affiliated 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping dogs in need find loving homes through grants to shelters and rescue organizations. Direct peer in canine welfare grantmaking with a corporate brand affiliation analogous to AKC's relationship.
Broad incumbents
- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): The largest U.S. animal protection organization, with broad programs in shelter support, rescue, advocacy, and disaster response. Comparable as a major incumbent in the animal welfare grantmaking and advocacy space.
- ASPCA: A large national animal welfare organization funding shelters, providing grants, and running nationwide programs across multiple species. Comparable as a major incumbent in companion animal welfare grantmaking.
- American Humane: A long-established national animal welfare organization advocating for humane treatment and operating programs across rescue, military, and farm animal welfare. Comparable as a broader, more established animal welfare grantmaker and advocate.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AKC Humane Fund social profiles
Digital presenceAKC Humane Fund compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
AKC Humane Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AKC Humane Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
AKC Humane Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AKC Humane Fund M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AKC Humane Fund
What does AKC Humane Fund do?
The AKC Humane Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides financial grants to domestic violence shelters that accept pets, nonprofit canine rescue organizations, and AKC breed clubs to cover veterinary care and operational costs. It also awards scholarships to students pursuing veterinary and animal-related education, administers the annual Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE Awards), and supports the AKC Library, one of the world's largest dog-focused reference archives. All programs are funded by individual donations, corporate contributions, and planned/legacy gifts.
Is AKC Humane Fund a public or private company?
AKC Humane Fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AKC Humane Fund founded?
AKC Humane Fund was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AKC Humane Fund based?
AKC Humane Fund is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does AKC Humane Fund make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate and Organizational Giving and legacy and Planned Giving.
Who are AKC Humane Fund's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PetSmart Charities, Doris Day Animal Foundation, Maddie's Fund, VCA Charities, Banfield Foundation, Petfinder Foundation and Pedigree Foundation. Broad incumbents are The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), ASPCA and American Humane.
Does AKC Humane Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for AKC Humane Fund.
What industry is AKC Humane Fund in?
AKC Humane Fund's product category is Animal Welfare Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAEALAC, Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations, with a secondary code of BPAGAIAJ, Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare). Its NAICS code is 8132 and its SIC code is 8600.