Request for Proposals: Supporting Animal Welfare Through Strategic Funding (India)

The Animal Welfare Funding Circle provides funding to Indian non-profit organisations working to improve the welfare of farmed, community, working, and laboratory animals. Grants support evidence-based, high-impact initiatives, including advocacy, research, education, capacity building, and technology solutions, with one-time or multi-year funding of up to ₹75 lakhs or 50% of annual operating expenses.

Overview

The Animal Welfare Funding Circle is a collaborative donor initiative designed to strengthen India’s animal welfare ecosystem. By pooling resources and streamlining grant processes, the programme ensures efficient, transparent, and strategic support for organisations committed to reducing animal suffering.

Key Objectives

• Reduce animal suffering through evidence-based projects

• Support scalable, high-impact initiatives

• Encourage innovation and experimentation in animal welfare

• Promote collaboration across funders and non-profits

Funding Details

• Grant Size: Up to ₹75 lakhs or 50% of an organisation’s annual operating expenses

• Grant Type: One-time or multi-year funding

• Duration: Flexible, with multi-year proposals encouraged

• Focus Areas:

  • Farmed animals

  • Community and working animals

  • Laboratory animals

Eligible Projects

• Policy Advocacy: Initiatives that influence animal welfare legislation or regulations

• Research: Evidence generation for improved welfare practices

• Education and Awareness: Public campaigns and educational programmes

• Capacity Building: Training for organisations, communities, or practitioners

• Technology-driven Solutions: Innovative tools or platforms to improve welfare

Who is Eligible?

• Registered non-profit organisations in India

• Organisations actively working in farmed, community, working, or laboratory animal welfare

• Projects must be implemented within India

• Organisations must demonstrate capacity to manage grants effectively and deliver measurable impact

How to Apply

1. Prepare a Proposal: Include organisational background, project objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and budget.

2. Submit Application: Applications are assessed for alignment with funding objectives, potential impact, and organisational capacity.

3. Review Process: The Funding Circle evaluates proposals based on evidence-based approaches, scalability, and sustainability.

4. Grant Award: Selected organisations receive funding with monitoring and reporting expectations.

5. Implementation: Execute projects with a focus on measurable animal welfare improvements.

6. Reporting and Evaluation: Submit periodic updates and final reports to demonstrate outcomes and lessons learned.

Tips for Applicants

• Highlight measurable impact and scalability

• Demonstrate how your project addresses root causes of animal suffering

• Provide a clear, realistic budget aligned with organisational capacity

• Emphasise innovation or unique approaches in animal welfare

• Include strategies for sustainability and collaboration

FAQ

1. Can multi-year projects be funded?
Yes, the Funding Circle accepts proposals for multi-year initiatives.

2. What types of animals are supported?
Farmed animals, community and working animals, and laboratory animals within India.

3. What is the maximum funding available?
Up to ₹75 lakhs or 50% of an organisation’s annual operating expenses.

4. Are both new and established organisations eligible?
Yes, the programme supports organisations of varying sizes and capacities.

5. Can the funding be used for administrative costs?
Partially, proportional to organisational capacity; focus should remain on direct project impact.

6. Are collaborations or partnerships encouraged?
Yes, the programme values collaborative and networked approaches to maximise impact.

7. How are projects monitored?
Grantees submit progress reports and a final evaluation demonstrating measurable outcomes.

Conclusion

The Animal Welfare Funding Circle is a strategic opportunity for Indian non-profits to scale high-impact animal welfare initiatives, innovate solutions, and collaborate with like-minded organisations and funders. By supporting projects that are evidence-based, scalable, and focused on systemic change, the programme aims to create meaningful, lasting improvements in animal welfare across India.