Mission
The primary mission of the Laura J. Niles Foundation is to encourage and support efforts to improve the lives of animals. The Foundation seeks to benefit animals in general, and dogs in particular, by supporting research, training, and adoption programs and projects. Programs which enhance the human-animal bond are viewed with favor.
Primary Program Interests
Guiding Principles and Considerations
While this list is not exhaustive, requests that have little to do with these areas are only occasionally considered.
The primary mission of the Laura J. Niles Foundation is to encourage and support efforts to improve the lives of animals. The Foundation seeks to benefit animals in general, and dogs in particular, by supporting research, training, and adoption programs and projects. Programs which enhance the human-animal bond are viewed with favor.
Primary Program Interests
- Animals - The Foundation is seeking ways to benefit animals, particularly dogs, and is especially interested in programs that help animals and people, simultaneously. The Foundation is targeting areas that include animal medical research, animal protection, adoption, search & rescue, assistance dogs, equine therapy and similar areas of endeavor. Currently, the Foundation does not consider spay/neuter programs to be a priority, given the limited funds which are available.
- Education - a secondary area of focus for the Foundation is the education of economically disadvantaged youth. This program area includes primary, secondary and higher education.
Guiding Principles and Considerations
- The goal of the Foundation's Board is to pursue a deliberate and proactive course of "strategic philanthropy"
- Favors programs addressing long-term solutions to the causes of problems, as distinguished from programs that simply treat the symptoms.
- Added emphasis on programs and organizations that address the intersection of its various interests.
- Encourages pilot initiatives that test new program models.
- Particular interest in organizations that promote collaborative efforts among groups and organizations.
- Qualities sought by the Foundation in its grantee organizations are: effective and dynamic personnel; passionate leadership; a bias against bureaucracy; prudent managements & governance practices; and commitment to results and overall assessment of program impact.
While this list is not exhaustive, requests that have little to do with these areas are only occasionally considered.