Maddie's Fund

Maddie's Fund is a prominent philanthropic foundation dedicated to revolutionizing the status and well-being of companion animals in the United States. Established in 1999 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield, the organization operates with the ambitious goal of creating a "no-kill nation" where every dog and cat is guaranteed a healthy home or habitat. Unlike traditional venture capital firms that invest for financial returns, Maddie's Fund primarily functions as a grant-making entity, channeling its substantial resources into animal welfare organizations, shelters, rescue groups, and veterinary educational institutions across the country.

The foundation's strategic approach involves funding innovative programs, research, and educational initiatives aimed at increasing live outcomes for shelter animals, promoting adoption, and advancing veterinary medicine. Over its operational history, Maddie's Fund has made a significant impact, having awarded more than $300 million in grants and other support to various animal welfare causes. Their funding supports a diverse range of activities, from large-scale university shelter medicine programs, such as a notable $3.5 million investment in the University of Florida's program, to smaller, targeted grants for community-based animal welfare initiatives and operational support for shelters.

Given its nature as a philanthropic foundation focused on grant-making rather than equity investments, Maddie's Fund does not operate with typical venture capital "check sizes" for startup funding. Their financial contributions are structured as grants, varying widely in amount based on the specific program, recipient organization's needs, and the scope of the initiative. Therefore, defining a standard "min_check_size" or "max_check_size" in the context of venture capital investments is not applicable to their operational model, as they do not engage in equity-based venture capital funding rounds.