Purina Foundation awards over $1 million to nonprofits

The Purina Foundation awarded $1,165,000 in grants to 27 nonprofit organizations across the U.S. throughout 2025. The Purina Foundation, established by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company founder William H. Danforth, continues the company's philanthropic legacy of supporting community causes and critical needs in Purina's 25 U.S. operating cities. The foundation also provides financial support to nonprofit organizations during times of natural disaster.

Supporting animal welfare efforts

In 2025, the Purina Foundation prioritized support for organizations and programs that deepen the human-pet bond and improve access to pet care and veterinary services. Notable grants include:

• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for the renovation of its Family Pet Center.
• Watertown Humane Society in Jefferson, Wisconsin, for building a new veterinary resource clinic for shelter and community pets.
• North Scott Community School District near Davenport, Iowa, for purchasing veterinary science and technology equipment for the new Regional Innovation Center.
• Iowa Central Community College Foundation to support its veterinarian training program that provides free veterinary care and nutrition support to local shelter pets in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
• Friends of the Animal Shelter of St. Joseph, Missouri, for new equipment at its onsite veterinary clinic.
• Humane Society of Deaf Smith County for the construction of a new low-cost spay and neuter clinic for shelter and community pets in Hereford, Texas.
• Flagstaff Shelter Services to create a new pet-friendly emergency shelter for the local unhoused community in Flagstaff, Arizona.
• Susquehanna Service Dogs in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, to increase the organization's capacity for placing service dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD.
• Peninsula Pet Pantry in King William, Virginia, to construct a new kitten nursery, which will also serve as a pet food distribution site for families in the community.
• The Haven Zoo in Hartwell, Georgia, to add a barn structure to properly store supplies, as well as care for sick animals.

Foundation grants funded animal welfare programs, education initiatives and disaster relief across U.S.Nestlé Purina PetCareInvesting in future generations

As part of Purina's commitment to the Nestlé Needs YOU workforce and career development initiative, the Purina Foundation recognized the importance of education and community engagement. Grants awarded in 2025 under this category include:

• Clinton County Agricultural Society towards renovations to the community center used by local 4-H clubs in Clinton, Iowa.
• Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa County for renovating and expanding its teen center in Miami, Oklahoma.
• Folds of Honor Foundation to fund a scholarship program for family members of fallen and disabled veterans and first responders in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
• The Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library in Bloomfield, Missouri, to renovate museum exhibits and create a community education program for area youth.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension in Dunkirk, New York, to expand the reach and effectiveness of the Chautauqua County 4-H Dog Program.
• Ellsworth Agricultural Education & FFA Chapter in Hager City, Wisconsin, for the development of a new agricultural education lab.

Local community support

As a global leader in pet care, Purina aims to serve as a good corporate citizen and works to improve the lives of people and pets in each of its operating communities. In 2025, the Purina Foundation is enhancing local communities through various initiatives, including support for:

• The 160 nonprofit agencies that make up United Way of Greater St. Louis, providing essential needs, such as healthcare, education and financial security to more than 1 million people across the St. Louis, Missouri, region.
• In Colorado, Denver Police Foundation to create a new Pups on Patrol community engagement program.
• Upper Macungie Township Community Fund to help build new community center near Allentown, Pennsylvania.
• RiverLife, Inc. to provide wheelchair ramps to those with mobility challenges in Fairburn, Georgia.
• Draper Volunteer Fire Department for purchasing new rescue equipment in Eden, North Carolina.
• City of Hereford, Texas, for renovating a community playground to add wheelchair accessibility.
• Guernsey County Fraternal Order of Police to establish a veterinary care fund for the department's K9 officers, and the Cambridge Police Department to build and enhance kennels for the department's K9 officers. Both these police departments serve the Zanesville, Ohio, community.

Natural disaster relief

As several major natural disasters impacted US communities in 2025, including an EF3 tornado in Purina's hometown of St. Louis, the Purina Foundation provided grants to support relief efforts, including:

• Greater Good Charities' support for people and pets impacted by the Southern California wildfire in January, as well as support for flood relief efforts in Central Texas in July.
• The St. Louis Community Foundation and United Way of Greater St. Louis for clean-up and relief efforts following the St. Louis, Missouri, tornado in May.
• The Cape Area Community Foundation for relief efforts to support those impacted by the tornado that that hit Delta, Missouri, in April. 

Established in 1951, the Purina Foundation distributes more than 20 grants and $1 million annually to nonprofits aiming to support pets, people and the environment and strengthen the human-animal bond in Purina Communities.

According to Petfood Industry's Top Pet Food Companies, Nestlé Purina PetCare manufactures various pet care products, including Dog Chow, Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than US$150 million toward organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help communities and environment thrive.