William A. Harrison Jr. Foundation Grants

Funding Animal Welfare

The William A. Harrison Jr. Foundation makes cash grants to animal welfare organizations around Virginia. In Furbish Thrift, the Foundation built a sustainable revenue stream through retail sales of goods donated by the community. Profits from Furbish Thrift are reinvested in the animal welfare community through grants and our programs. Since we began, we have distributed almost a half million dollars to animal welfare organizations.

ANNUAL COMPETITIVE GRANTS

The William A. Harrison Jr. Foundation makes cash grants to animal welfare organizations around Virginia. Our competitive grant cycle is held annually in January.

We recently concluded our annual grant allocations for 2026. Every proposal shared challenges organizations face as they work to save lives. We funded 16 proposals for a total of $62,500.

We funded a number of Southwest Virginia groups in 2026 due to one common factor: lack of financial resources for veterinary care. One proposal shared a visit to the nearest vet was a 150- mile round trip. This compounded the problem of not being able to afford vet services in the first place.

DISCRETIONARY GRANTS

Several times throughout the year we make discretionary grants. These grants made in response to recommendations by our board members in line with our grantmaking priorities.

FURBISH THRIFT STORE BENEFITS

Furbish Thrift is a thriving, dynamic community hub. Store benefits are held about 6 times each year and highlight an organization for a weekend. We donate a percentage of sales to the beneficiary organization and promote them on our platforms helping increase visibility and support.

Grantmaking Priorities

  • Programs that provide for the rescue or welfare of domestic, farm or wild animals
  • Programs that help seniors keep their pets
  • Programs that address the needs of pet owners with socio economic challenges
  • Trap Neuter Return programs for feral cats;
  • Public outreach, advocacy and educational program expenses; and/or,
  • Organizations providing support to smaller, local animal rescue or assistance organizations.

Things we do not fund

  • Veterinary expenses beyond spay/neuter, vaccinations and basic wellness
  • Individual requests

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity in good standing with the IRS;
  • Applicants must be an animal welfare organization, and
  • Applicants must be incorporated and operating in the state of Virginia.

GRANT RECIPIENTS

Area Rehabbers Klub (ARK)
Atlantic Outreach Group
AWARE
Beagles and Bentleys
Beau’s Bridge Club
Belmont Community Outreach
Blessing Warriors
Cat Adoption and Rescue Efforts, Inc.
Cats Cradle of Greater Richmond
Central Virginia Regional Rescue
City Kitty Project/Lost Dog Foundation
Chickahominy Wildlife
Dexter’s Cat Rescue
Elegius Mini Equine Sanctuary
Fancy Cats and Dogs Rescue Team
Friends of Russell County Animals
Goochland Community Cats
Goochland Pet Lovers
Hanover Community Cats
Henrico Humane
Highland County Humane Society, Inc.
Houlagans Rest
Just4 Paws
Leashes of Valor
Liberation Church
Lionhearts (Kincheloe)
Loving Acres
Madison Community Cats, Inc.
Martinsville City Animal Shelter
Maymont
Morgan’s Mutts
Operation Catnip of Richmond
Orange County Humane Society of Virginia, Inc.
Paws Unleash Potential ~ Reading Pups
Petersburg Animal Welfare Society
Prevent-A-Litter (PAL)
Richmond Animal Care and Control
Foundation
Richmond Animal League (RAL)
Richardsons Rescue
Richmond Ruff House
Richmond Wildlife Center
RVA Goats & Honey
Salem’s Light
Sanctuary Rescue
Smittys Cat Rescue
SPCA of Pittsylvania County
Street Dog Coalition
St. Mark’s Pantry
The Animal Defense League of Washington County, Inc.
The Community Cat Alliance
Tiny Paws RVA
TNR SWVA
Twin County Humane Society
VA Animal Fighting Task Force
VA Equine Welfare Society
Worsham Cats