Cold Noses Foundation: grants for animal welfare organisations in Europe (window 1-31 January 2027)
Verified by the editorial team 25 October 2026
Added to the catalogue Added to the catalogue from the 20 October GetGrant export, terms verified on the Cold Noses Foundation guidelines and FAQ pages
Summary
The US volunteer-run Cold Noses Foundation gives grants to non-profit organisations helping homeless and neglected animals with annual income up to USD 200,000. The average grant is USD 2,000 to 5,000. Applications from Europe are accepted only from 1 to 31 January 2027.
About the call
Cold Noses Foundation is a small Massachusetts foundation run by volunteers. It funds specific projects in three areas: domestic pets, wildlife and farm animals. It supports humane treatment of animals, finding homes, alternatives to euthanasia, veterinary care for needy families and organisations, and humane education. Priority goes to projects in places of critical need, especially those pulling animals from shelters that euthanise.
Applications are accepted by region once a year: for Europe and Australia the window is open from 1 to 31 January, with decisions by 28 February. The region is determined by where the animals are, not where the organisation is registered. The applicant's income in the last fiscal year must not exceed USD 200,000 (in-kind gifts excluded). The average grant is USD 2,000-5,000, and since April 2026 the foundation has suspended spay and neuter applications.
For Ukrainian shelters and animal welfare NGOs this is an accessible source for veterinary care, medicines and evacuating animals from high-risk areas, including frontline communities. The application should show the demographics of the area, the number of animals helped and a detailed budget in US dollars; awards are sent by cheque or wire, so bank fees should be included in the budget.
Who can apply
- Non-profit organisations helping homeless and neglected animals
- Organisations with income up to USD 200,000 in the last fiscal year (in-kind gifts excluded)
- Organisations outside the US as 501(c)(3) equivalents, decided by the foundation case by case
- For the Europe window - projects where the animals are located in Europe
Who cannot apply
- Individuals
- Private charities or foundations as defined by the donor
- Religious and political organisations, and organisations whose primary purpose is to influence legislation
- Organisations with income over USD 200,000
- Organisations connected with Cuba, Iran, Sudan or Syria
What the funds are for
- Veterinary care, medicines and supplies
- Pulling animals from shelters that euthanise and other lethal situations
- Finding homes and non-lethal alternatives to euthanasia
- Veterinary care for needy families and humane education
- Projects for domestic pets, wildlife and farm animals
What is not funded
- Spay, neuter and TNR - suspended since April 2026
- Vague requests without a specific project, or several projects in one application
- Applications submitted outside the window for their region
Documents required
Forms and templates are on the call page
- Online application on the foundation platform (Grant Interface) under medical care
- Detailed project budget in US dollars with an estimate of the number of animals helped
- Last year's financial statements: profit and loss, balance sheet, statement of cash flows
- Description of the demographics and urgency of need in the project area
How to apply
- 1Check eligibility on the foundation guidelines page and read the FAQ
- 2Submit the online application on the Grant Interface platform from 1 to 31 January 2027 (Europe window)
- 3If requested, take part in an online interview or a visit by board members
- 4Expect a decision by 28 February 2027; if awarded, report expenses with receipts
Timeline
Questions and answers
- Can a Ukrainian animal shelter apply to Cold Noses Foundation?
- Yes, if it is a non-profit with annual income up to USD 200,000 and the animals are in Ukraine - it then applies in the Europe window of 1-31 January 2027. The foundation decides 501(c)(3) equivalence case by case.
- Does Cold Noses Foundation fund spay and neuter projects?
- Not at the moment: spay, neuter and TNR applications have been suspended since April 2026, and the foundation may reopen them in 2027. Medical care, supplies and education projects are accepted now.
Change history
- Added: Added to the catalogue from the 20 October GetGrant export, terms verified on the Cold Noses Foundation guidelines and FAQ pages
