Doelger Charitable Trust
Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals appears to be the official site for a Doelger family charitable trust focused on animal welfare in California. The site lists trustees, a contact page, and provides a downloadable grant application and guidance for applicants. Grantmaking is focused on animal care and prevention of cruelty, with emphasis on Northern California/San Francisco Bay Area.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
An established California organization (especially Bay Area) focused on animal welfare, humane society work, or related educational programs with capacity to manage six-figure grants and an existing local presence or referral.
Good Fit
- • Located in California, preferably Northern California or the San Francisco Bay Area.
- • Clear mission alignment with animal care, prevention of cruelty, or related educational initiatives.
- • Organizational size and budget to absorb grants in the ~$50K–$175K range.
- • Existing relationships or referrals to trustees or current grantees.
- • Track record of institutional grants (humane societies, universities, established shelters).
Geography
In each observed year all grants were to organizations in California, with grantmaking concentrated in the Bay Area and a 100% in-state share.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded six distinct recipients each year (universities, humane societies, and a school), showing multiple independent grantees but a relatively small, consistent roster across three years.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of turnover is absent (no new recipients across three years) and the foundation explicitly states it funds only preselected applicants, so an unfamiliar applicant is unlikely to break into the current roster despite a public application form.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
