About
Maddie's Fund is a family foundation established in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield in honor of their Miniature Schnauzer, Maddie. Based in Pleasanton, California, the foundation is the fulfillment of a promise the Duffields made to their dog: if they ever had money, they would use it to help companion animals and the people who love them. The foundation has awarded over $301.3 million in grants to advance animal welfare across the United States. Legally, Maddie's Fund operates as The Duffield Family Foundation.
Mission
The Maddie's Fund mission is to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals. The foundation says it is committed to keeping pets and people together, creating a safety net of care for animals in need, and operating within a culture of inclusiveness and humility.
What they do
- Awards grants to animal well-being organizations, with over $287 million granted to such organizations to date per its fact sheet
- Funds community collaborations and programs that increase live outcomes for shelter animals
- Pioneered funding for shelter medicine education and helped establish foster care as a standard across the U.S.
- Drives innovation in access to veterinary care, including funding research led by Dr. Michael Blackwell at the University of Tennessee on pet health equity
- Provides the animal welfare industry with a national voice, learning resources (Maddie's University, webcasts, self-paced courses), and networking through Maddie's Pet Forum
- Partnered with the Ad Council and the Humane Society of the United States on national public-service advertising promoting shelter pet adoption, which evolved in 2021 into the Pets and People Together campaign
- Funded Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE), a nonprofit addressing bias within animal well-being
History
Maddie was a Miniature Schnauzer who lived from April 26, 1986 to March 13, 1997. While playing with her one evening, Dave and Cheryl Duffield promised that if they ever had money, they would use it to help companion animals and their people. After successfully launching several technology companies, they made good on that promise, founding Maddie's Fund in 1994. Per the foundation, the Duffields have given more of their personal wealth to animal welfare than any other individuals. Maddie's Fund is part of The Duffield Foundation family, which also includes Liberty Dogs and the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation.
Scale and impact
The foundation has awarded over $301.3 million in grants toward increased community collaborations and live outcomes, pioneering shelter medicine education, establishing foster care as a standard across the U.S., and driving innovation in access to care.
Financials
Per ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (IRS filings for The Duffield Family Foundation, EIN 94-3362163, fiscal year ending June 2025), the foundation reported revenue of $17,231,773, expenses of $18,289,043, and total assets of $277,555,479, with revenue primarily from dividends and asset sales.
Governance
Per the most recent IRS filing on ProPublica, Amy D. Zeifang serves as Chairman, Mary Ippoliti-Smith as Executive Leader, and Valerie Stoltenberg as VP Finance. The foundation is headquartered at 6150 Stoneridge Mall Road, Suite 125, Pleasanton, CA 94588.