About

Zoa Fund supports a more strategic, coordinated, and effective animal-protection movement in the United States. We believe lasting change for animals will come through public policy and the durable political institutions that protect and extend it — built locally, sustained over time.

The fund is led by Sabina Makhdomi, with operations by John Boland. We work closely with grantees, peer funders, and subject-matter experts to identify, design, and back the campaigns most likely to move the needle. Read more about the people on the Team page.

Mission

We fund organizations advancing systemic, tractable solutions to animal welfare and rights — moving the needle in tangible ways, particularly through public policy, by supporting intelligent movement-building strategies and concrete, real-world political and cultural change for animals.

Vision

A world where animals are not harmed for human purposes and where humans and animals coexist without exploitation. We are grounded in reality and believe change comes from coordinated, well-designed efforts. Our role is to fund and shape policy-focused projects that solve concrete problems and build toward larger movement-wide wins.

Values

• Liberation — Animal liberation and human liberation. A just world requires the end of exploitation and the expansion of freedom, dignity, and fairness for all.
• Strategy & intelligence — Clear thinking, evidence, and strategic design. Lasting change comes from understanding power and acting with intention, not from good intentions alone.
• Real-world impact — Concrete, tractable progress for animals — especially through policy and systemic change — over symbolic or isolated wins.
• Movement & community — Transformative change comes from strong, coordinated social movements built on collaboration, trust, and shared purpose.
• Humility, creativity & care — Learning, imagination, dedication, and kindness in how we work and how we treat one another.

How we differ

We aim to engage as partners, not patrons — supporting strategy and problem-solving alongside our grantees rather than just writing checks. We orient around concrete problems rather than funding isolated projects in the hope they add up. We convene and coordinate organizations working on the same issues to align efforts and increase the likelihood of durable wins. And we prioritize U.S.-based, locally rooted policy work — building power and momentum from the ground up.

Parent organization

Zoa Fund is a subdivision of Phauna Foundation, a 501(c)(3) private foundation. Phauna Foundation is the legal and financial home for Zoa Fund's grantmaking and operations. Inquiries about Phauna's broader work should go through phaunaproject.org.

Get in touch

For general inquiries: hello@zoafund.org · For funding: grants@zoafund.org (see how to apply).