CFT has awarded $600,000 to North Texas nonprofits committed to advancing animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. As part of its 2025 animal community grant cycle, CFT awarded $550,000 to 13 organizations. An additional $50,000 supported a matching fund during CFT’s North Texas Gives to Animals campaign in May—a community-driven fundraiser that raised over $682,000 to support animals across the region.
CFT’s new grant awards support more than a dozen local nonprofits working to keep pets with their families, reduce financial barriers to care, and strengthen community-based animal support systems. The 13 nonprofit grantees include: The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, Brother Bill’s Helping Hand; CHEW Animal Clinic; Dallas Pets Alive!; Don’t Forget to Feed Me Pet Food Bank, Inc.; The Family Place; Meals on Wheels Inc. of Tarrant County; Meals on Wheels Senior Services; Operation Kindness; Spay Neuter Network; SPCA of Texas; Texas Coalition for Animal Protection; and Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation.
“These organizations and their leaders demonstrate deep compassion, not only for animals, but for the people who love and care for them,” said Robert Kent, chief philanthropy officer at Communities Foundation of Texas. “Whether they’re leading spay and neuter initiatives, providing pet food to owners in need, or making sure every companion animal is vaccinated and microchipped, these nonprofits are helping keep pets and their families healthy, safe, and together, and are a powerful reflection of CFT’s mission to build thriving communities for all.”
Recognizing the need for improved animal welfare and expanded pet care services in North Texas, Communities Foundation of Texas regularly supports organizations working to improve the lives of animals in the region. Aligned with National Pet Month in May, CFT recently hosted the North Texas Gives to Animals online giving campaign via the NorthTexasGivingDay.org platform. From May 15 – May 31, North Texans were encouraged to give to any of 300+ participating animal-focused nonprofits.
At the campaign’s end, 3,478 people gave $682,000+ to support local animal-focused organizations.
Thanks to generous individuals and CFT’s sponsors — 100% of online gifts went directly to nonprofits, with no transaction or technology fees. Passionate animal rescue advocate and CFT fundholder, Gigi Gartner, served as presenting sponsor of the effort, contributing $100,000 to support the campaign, including matching funds that drove more people to give knowing their dollars would be doubled.
Through its North Texas Gives to Animals campaign and 2025 animal community grant cycle, CFT is helping advance a wide range of animal-focused initiatives, including:
- Distribution of pet supplies, veterinary care, and training in under-resourced communities
- Temporary pet care for individuals and families experiencing crisis
- Spay and neuter programs aimed at reducing stray and feral animal populations
- Care and preservation of North Texas wildlife (via North Texas Gives to Animals participating nonprofits)
The following is a full list of CFT’s 2025 animal grantees, information on award amounts, and what CFT’s funding will support
The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center – $40,000: Funding supports on-site kennel services at the Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, which also provides daily pet care and basic veterinary services for pets of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Brother Bill’s Helping Hand – $20,000: Funding will help drive Brother Bill’s animal care clinics, which offer spay & neuter surgeries, vaccinations and microchipping for pets. Brother Bill’s grocery program also distributes pet food.
CHEW Animal Clinic – $50,000: Funding will go to CHEW’s Compassion Fund – which helps pet families pay for advanced diagnostics, life-saving surgeries and intensive veterinary care.
Dallas Pets Alive! (DPA) – $50,000: Funding supports DPA’s Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender – PASS Program, which prevents unnecessary surrenders by providing pet owners with the support they need to keep their animals at home.
Don’t Forget to Feed Me Pet Food Bank, Inc. – $50,000: Funding is directed toward Don’t Forget to Feed Me’s work supplying pet food to local agencies in support of pet owners while educating the public about pet food insecurity. By providing pet food to those in need, Don’t Forget to Feed Me offers an alternative to surrendering a family pet.
The Family Place – $40,000: Funding supports The Family Place’s animal shelter, so survivors of domestic abuse don’t have to leave their pets behind when seeking safety and support. The Family Place offers temporary boarding, veterinary care, and an on-site kennel tech who can care for a client’s animals.
Meals on Wheels Inc. of Tarrant County – $50,000: Funding will go toward Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County’s Companion Pet Program, which provides nutritional pet food to clients. The organization also offers grooming and veterinary services for the pets of homebound seniors and disabled individuals.
Meals on Wheels Senior Services – $30,000: Funding supports the Jim & Lisa Parrish Ani-meal’s Program. Ani-meals provides monthly pet food deliveries and basic veterinary care to seniors and disabled residents in Rockwall County.
Operation Kindness – $50,000: Funding will help drive Operation Kindness’ work to provide spay & neuter services and veterinary care. Operation Kindness also oversees a large-scale pet food pantry and monthly wellness clinics.
Spay Neuter Network – $50,000: Funding goes to Spay Neuter Network’s efforts to ensure every pet owner has access to spay & neuter services and preventive care for their pets. The organization also offers resources to help families address behavioral challenges—helping them to keep their pets at home versus surrendering them to shelters.
SPCA of Texas – $50,000: Funding will support the SPCA’s work to provide every animal with exceptional care and loving homes. Through targeted outreach in South Dallas communities, the SPCA provides pet families with pet food, low-cost spay and neuter services, wellness care, and crisis boarding.
Texas Coalition for Animal Protection – $50,000: Funding will go toward helping Texas Coalition for Animal Protection provide free spay & neuter surgeries and rabies vaccinations. Services are targeted for pets in high-intake ZIP codes within Fort Worth.
Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation – $20,000: Funding will support the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation’s partnership with Meals on Wheels to provide full veterinary care, preventive medications, and basic medical support for the pets of seniors and individuals with disabilities.
A similar grant cycle in 2023 also supported several nonprofits supporting the lives of animals and those who care for them. You can read about 2023’s animal grantees on CFT’s website here.
