Funding and field-building for farmed animal advocacy
Trust-based grants • Strategic partnership • Capacity building • Research • Movement connections
Who We Are
Stray Dog Institute is a private operating foundation that supports farmed animal advocacy organizations working to reduce, reform, and replace the use of animals in the food system.
We pair flexible grants ($2,500–$25,000) with capacity building, research resources, and strategic connections, especially for nonprofits in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
We work to cultivate a powerful and inclusive global movement for a food system based on plants and alternative proteins. Our allies encourage plant-forward eating, oppose industrial animal agriculture, and advance alternatives to animal-based food systems.
Our Five Areas of Work
Trust-Based Grantmaking
We provide flexible, often multi-year support through general operating grants, and pair funding with thought partnership, resources, and connections that help our grantee partners thrive.
Connection and Coordination
We foster collaboration through convenings, working groups, and direct introductions—building trust, alignment, and collective strength across the global movement.
Capacity-Building
We strengthen the movement by supporting organizational development, leadership, internal systems, and responsible adoption of tools like AI—helping advocates grow their impact and sustainability.
Research
We fund and produce research, data, and analysis that guide strategy and promote fieldwide learning, including initiatives like State of the Movement and other public-interest reports.
Expanding Reach and Narrative Power
We support communications, campaigns, and storytelling efforts that grow the movement’s visibility, reach broader audiences, and elevate diverse voices and inclusive narratives.
Curious about how we support the movement?
Support Beyond the Check
Organizations need flexible, dependable resources to plan and adapt. We work to be a funder that provides fuel without friction.
What this means:
Nearly all grants are unrestricted general operating support
Thought partnership on strategy, proposals, and organizational challenges
Over half of our grants have multi-year intentions
Connections to funders, experts, and collaborative opportunities
Low administrative burden, simple reporting
Subject-matter expertise in food systems, alternative proteins, AI for nonprofits, and more
We practice trust-based philanthropy, partnering with grantees as collaborators and peers. We're mindful of power dynamics and committed to ongoing learning as a majority-white, Global North-based organization.
Our Grants
Who We Support
You might be a good fit if your nonprofit:
Focuses on farmed animals, plant-based food systems, or alternative proteins (not companion animals, wildlife, or direct animal care)
Works to reduce, reform, or replace animals in food production
Works on movement-building, engaging businesses to shift toward sustainable food systems, government-focused interventions, and/or public initiatives that expand awareness and engagement
Seeks general operating support between $2,500–$25,000
Values collaborative learning and trust-based partnership
Priority Regions:
Latin America and the Caribbean
Sub-Saharan Africa
Eastern and South-Eastern Asia
Northern Africa and Western Asia
Central and Southern Asia
We also support work globally in Northern America, Europe, and Oceania.
How It Works • Our Grant Process
Grant Structure
Nearly all unrestricted. Most are annual, with 50% receiving multi-year intentions after the first year of partnership.
Timeline
Grant decisions 2–3 times per year, with disbursement typically in Q4.
Grant Amounts
Typically $2,500–25,000. First-year grants are usually $2,500 and may increase in subsequent years.
Getting Started
Introduce Yourself
Share your work through our short form. It's not a formal application – just helps us learn about your organization. If you're a potential fit, we'll reach out (sometimes months or years later)
Meet at a Conference
Attending the same event? Request a meeting via email or conference app. We receive many requests and appreciate your patience with scheduling.
Our Research
State of the Movement
Stray Dog Institute's State of the Movement is our flagship farmed animal movement research initiative, revealing how resources are allocated across the global movement.
Conducted everey two to three years, the Survey tracks resource allocation by region, animal, intervention, and intended outcome – fostering shared understanding and informing strategic decisions across hundreds of organizations worldwide.