Deadline: 03-Apr-2026
The Edgard & Cooper Foundation invites applications from registered non-profit organisations worldwide for projects that improve the lives of dogs and cats through ethical, science-based, and locally relevant interventions. The foundation offers grants of up to €200,000 for initiatives focused on animal welfare, education, disease prevention, veterinary care, advocacy, and legal protection, with priority given to projects outside Western Europe.
What is the Edgard & Cooper Foundation Grant Program?
The Edgard & Cooper Foundation Grant Program is a global funding opportunity for non-profit organisations working to improve the wellbeing, protection, and rights of dogs and cats.
The foundation supports impactful, ethical, and science-based projects that reduce suffering, improve care, strengthen public understanding, and promote long-term legal and social change for companion animals.
Grant Overview
Key Details
- Grant Name: Edgard & Cooper Foundation Grant Program
- Funding Amount: Up to €200,000
- Eligible Applicants: Registered non-profit organisations or equivalent entities
- Focus Animals: Dogs and cats only
- Geographic Focus: Global, with priority for projects outside Western Europe
- Budget Currency: Euro (€) only
- Funding Decision Timeline: Mid-June 2026
- Results Announcement: By end of June 2026
Foundation Priorities
The foundation focuses on three core priorities that guide all funding decisions.
1. Stop the Avoidable Suffering of Dogs and Cats
Projects may include:
- Disease prevention
- Rabies control
- Veterinary care
- Shelter or clinic infrastructure
- Rescue and treatment systems
- Emergency or preventive animal welfare services
2. Help People Understand the Needs of Dogs and Cats
The foundation supports education and capacity-building efforts that improve how people care for companion animals.
Examples include:
- Community awareness campaigns
- Humane education initiatives
- Training for caregivers, shelters, or local organisations
- Capacity building for animal welfare workers
- Public behaviour change programs
3. Champion the Legal Rights of Dogs and Cats
The foundation also supports advocacy and legal reform that strengthens the protection of dogs and cats.
Examples include:
- Animal welfare advocacy
- Policy engagement
- Legal awareness campaigns
- Law reform initiatives
- Enforcement support for animal protection standards
What Types of Projects Are Eligible?
Eligible projects must be specifically dedicated to dogs and cats and clearly aligned with the foundation’s mission.
Strong Project Characteristics
A competitive project should:
- Focus directly on dogs and/or cats
- Be led by a registered non-profit organisation
- Align with one or more of the three foundation priorities
- Use science-based and ethical protocols
- Address local community needs
- Show potential for long-term impact
- Include clear objectives and measurable KPIs
- Present a realistic budget and timeline
Examples of Eligible Projects
- Rabies vaccination and prevention programs
- Veterinary outreach or mobile clinic services
- Sterilisation and population management initiatives
- Shelter or rescue infrastructure improvements
- Humane education campaigns for communities or schools
- Training for local animal welfare teams
- Advocacy campaigns for stronger animal welfare laws
- Policy reform efforts related to dog and cat protection
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, organisations must:
- Be a registered non-profit organisation or equivalent legal entity
- Run projects specifically focused on dogs and cats
- Propose work that aligns with the foundation’s priorities
- Demonstrate clear objectives, KPIs, budget, and timeline
- Follow ethical and science-based methods
- Show relevance to local needs and sustainable impact
Geographic Priority
- Applications are accepted worldwide
- The foundation gives strong priority to projects outside Western Europe
Who is Not Eligible?
You may be ineligible if:
- You are not a registered non-profit
- Your project is not specifically dedicated to dogs and cats
- Your proposal lacks clear objectives or measurable outcomes
- Your budget is incomplete or not submitted in euros
- Your project does not follow ethical or science-based protocols
- Your proposal lacks sustainability or local relevance
Funding Information
Maximum Grant Amount
- Applicants may request up to €200,000
Budget Requirements
- All budgets must be submitted in euros (€)
- Every activity must be linked to a specific budget line
- Expenses must be clearly broken down
- Budget submission is mandatory
Budgeting Tips from the Foundation
Applicants are encouraged to categorise spending into:
- Preventative work
- Proactive work
- Reactive work
Important Note
Submitting a budget does not guarantee full funding. Organisations are encouraged to diversify funding sources rather than relying only on this grant.
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Application Guide
1. Confirm Organisational Eligibility
Before applying, make sure your organisation:
- Is legally registered as a non-profit or equivalent
- Has a project specifically focused on dogs and/or cats
- Can implement the project ethically and effectively
2. Design a Strong Project
Your project should clearly explain:
- The problem affecting dogs or cats
- Why the issue matters in the local context
- Which of the foundation’s three priorities it addresses
- What activities will be carried out
- What measurable change the project will create
3. Prepare a Clear Results Framework
Applicants should define:
- Objectives
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Data collection methods
- Expected outcomes
- Milestones and timeline
4. Build a Detailed Activity-Based Budget
Your budget should:
- Be submitted in euros
- Link each activity to a clear cost line
- Break down costs in detail
- Show realistic, justified expenses
- If possible, separate costs into preventative, proactive, and reactive categories
5. Strengthen the Application with Supporting Documents
Strong applications may include:
- Theory of Change
- Financial documents
- Relevant policies or governance documents
- Monitoring or evaluation frameworks
- Organisational background materials
6. Be Ready for Transparent Communication
Before applying, ensure your organisation can clearly explain:
- The project purpose
- The implementation strategy
- The expected outcomes
- Why the project is ethical, evidence-based, and sustainable
Review and Selection Process
After submission, applications go through a structured review process.
Stages of Review
- Eligibility screening
- Detailed assessment
- Shortlisting
- Request for additional information or follow-up discussion (if shortlisted)
- Final Board decision
Timeline
- Final funding decisions: Mid-June 2026
- Results communicated: By the end of June 2026
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common issues:
- Submitting a project not exclusively focused on dogs and cats
- Failing to align with one of the three foundation priorities
- Providing vague goals without measurable KPIs
- Submitting an incomplete or weak budget
- Not linking activities to specific budget lines
- Ignoring local relevance or long-term sustainability
- Relying only on this grant as the sole funding source
- Failing to explain ethical and science-based methods
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Keep the project highly specific and focused on dogs/cats
- Show clear local need and community relevance
- Use measurable KPIs and realistic timelines
- Present a well-structured activity-based budget
- Demonstrate ethical, evidence-based practice
- Include a Theory of Change if available
- Highlight how the project creates sustainable long-term impact
- If applying from outside Western Europe, clearly show the local context and need
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for the Edgard & Cooper Foundation Grant Program?
Only registered non-profit organisations or equivalent legal entities can apply.
2. What types of animals does the foundation support?
The foundation supports projects focused specifically on dogs and cats.
3. What is the maximum grant amount?
Applicants can request up to €200,000.
4. Are projects from all countries eligible?
Yes, applications are open globally, but the foundation gives strong priority to projects outside Western Europe.
5. What should be included in the budget?
The budget must be in euros, include a detailed activity-based breakdown, and link each activity to a specific budget line.
6. Are KPIs required?
Yes. Applicants should provide clear objectives, measurable KPIs, and appropriate data collection methods.
7. When will results be announced?
Final decisions will be made in mid-June 2026, and results will be communicated by the end of June 2026.
Conclusion
The Edgard & Cooper Foundation Grant Program is a valuable funding opportunity for non-profits working to improve the lives of dogs and cats through ethical, science-based, and sustainable projects. With grants of up to €200,000, it is especially relevant for organisations delivering strong local impact in animal welfare, education, veterinary care, advocacy, and legal reform.
For more information, visit Edgard & Cooper Foundation.
