The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Incorporated
Michelson Found Animals Foundation (Found Animals) is an LA-based animal welfare nonprofit that runs programs such as spay/neuter initiatives, the Better Neighbor Project, Michelson Prize & Grants, and strategic grantmaking to keep pets and people together. The site provides program descriptions, impact reporting, and ways to engage.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A mission-aligned animal welfare organization—especially California-based spay/neuter clinics, pet rescue groups, or pet-inclusive housing projects—with proven outcomes and local partnerships.
Good Fit
- • Programs focused on spay/neuter, surrender prevention, or community pet care.
- • Established operations or partnerships in California, especially Los Angeles-area initiatives.
- • Demonstrated track record and measurable impact rather than an early-stage concept.
- • Existing relationships or referrals into regional animal-welfare funder networks.
Geography
Grantmaking is heavily California-focused—about 73% of dollars went to CA in the latest year—yet recipients span roughly 17 states, showing regional concentration with some multi-state reach.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded dozens of independent organizations in the latest year (66 grants to 63 distinct recipients) and added many new grantees (40), indicating a broad and diverse recipient set despite monetary concentration in a few large awards.
New Applicants
The website and application text state the grants program is invitation-only, which reduces open-entry likelihood, but observed behavior shows frequent new grantees (40 new recipients in the latest year), so new entrants can appear to join—likely via outreach, referrals, or program visibility rather than an open application portal.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
