Animal Welfare Funding and Philanthropy

Strategic philanthropy for animal welfare can maximize impact by directing resources to the most effective and underfunded areas.

Key Facts

Animal welfare receives approximately $300 million in US philanthropic funding annually
Farm animal welfare receives less than 1% of all animal charity donations despite affecting 99% of animals
GiveWell and Animal Charity Evaluators provide evidence-based recommendations for welfare giving
The Open Philanthropy Project has directed over $100 million to animal welfare since 2013
Wild animal welfare is one of the most underfunded areas relative to the scale of potential impact

Welfare Considerations

Strategic animal welfare philanthropy can multiply the impact of charitable giving by directing resources to the areas of greatest need and highest tractability. The mismatch between where animal suffering occurs — overwhelmingly in farm animal production — and where charitable giving goes — overwhelmingly to companion animal welfare — represents a significant inefficiency in welfare spending. Evidence-based giving in animal welfare, guided by organizations like Animal Charity Evaluators, can identify high-impact giving opportunities that others are underfunding.

What You Can Do

Consider evidence-based giving recommendations from Animal Charity Evaluators
Diversify animal welfare giving to include underrepresented areas like farm and wild animal welfare
Support advocacy organizations with demonstrated track records of market and policy change
Donate to welfare science research that identifies cost-effective interventions
Share information about strategic welfare philanthropy with other donors