Laura J. Niles Foundation, Inc.

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,381,500 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 4-8 weeks (reviewed at next board meeting, notification within one week)
• Grant Range: $2,000 - $50,000 (larger grants possible in exceptional circumstances)
• Geographic Focus: Northeastern United States (primary); national and international (via US organizations)

Contact Details

• Website: www.lauraniles.org
• Address: 79 Charter Oak Rd, Southbury, CT 06488
• Phone: 203-249-0380
• Email: info@lauraniles.org
• Pre-application Contact: Ashley C. Garan (Administrator)
• Grant Application Portal (New Applicants): cognitoforms.com/LJNNewApplicants
• Grant Application Portal (Returning Applicants): cognitoforms.com/LauraJNilesFoundation

Overview

The Laura J. Niles Foundation, Inc. is a private independent grantmaking foundation based in Southbury, Connecticut, established in October 1992 through the estate of Laura J. Niles. The foundation holds total assets of approximately $22.4 million and distributed $1,381,500 in grants in 2024, making approximately 197 awards in 2022.

The foundation's mission is to collaborate with US-based nonprofits to enhance the lives of animals and people. Its primary focus is benefiting animals — particularly dogs — through research, training, and adoption programs that strengthen the human-animal bond. A secondary priority is supporting the education of economically disadvantaged youth. The foundation pursues "strategic philanthropy," favoring programs that address long-term solutions, promote partnerships, and test new program models. It operates as a companion foundation to the Henry E. Niles Foundation, Inc., and applicants cannot apply to both in the same period.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Animal Welfare and Human-Animal Bond: $2,000 - $50,000 (rolling basis) - Research, training, adoption, animal protection, assistance dogs, equine therapy, search and rescue, and animal medical research
• Education for Economically Disadvantaged Youth: $2,000 - $50,000 (rolling basis) - Primary, secondary, and higher education programs, operational support, scholarships, and pilot models

Priority Areas

• Programs that benefit both animals and humans simultaneously (strongest interest)
• Dogs specifically within animal welfare
• Animal medical research, protection, and adoption
• Search and rescue, assistance dogs, and equine therapy
• Education programs for low-income or at-risk youth
• Partnerships and collaborative efforts across organizations
• Pilot initiatives testing new program models
• Programs with specific financial sustainability plans

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• General fundraising drives or events
• Endowments
• Government agencies
• Organizations primarily reliant on third-party funding
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
• International programs unless through US tax-exempt organizations
• Spay/neuter programs (not a current priority)

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a board of three directors who each serve approximately 20 hours per week:

• Geoffrey M. Parkinson — President and Director. Long-time financial advisor to Laura J. Niles and trustee of the trusts that endowed the foundation.
• Leland C. Selby — Secretary and Director. New York attorney who advised on the foundation's trust structure.
• James R. Lamb — Treasurer and Director.
• Ashley C. Garan — Administrator (non-director). Primary contact for applicants; handles application intake and communicates board decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online. No letters of inquiry or pre-application meetings with the board.

1. Review foundation guidelines at lauraniles.org
2. Contact Ashley Garan (info@lauraniles.org) with any questions before submitting
3. Select correct application form:
   • New applicants: Use New Applicants form
   • Returning applicants for new grant: Use New Applicants form (select "returning applicant")
   • Multi-year grant holders: Use Interim Grant Report Form
4. Submit online application (rolling basis, no deadlines)

Note: Organizations cannot apply to both Laura J. Niles and Henry E. Niles Foundations in the same cycle.

Decision Timeline

• Board meets 10 times per year (no meetings in February or August)
• Applications reviewed in order received at next board meeting
• Submit approximately one month before meeting for consideration
• Notification within one week after board meeting
• Deferred applications re-reviewed at next meeting

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In 2022, 197 grants were awarded. Board reviews up to 35 applications per meeting (maximum 350 annually).

Reapplication Policy

• One application per calendar year permitted
• If declined: Two-year waiting period before reapplication
• After multi-year grant: May apply one year after last payment
• Foundation does not comment on declined applications

Application Success Factors

Based on foundation guidelines and funded examples:

• Emphasize dual benefit: Programs benefiting both animals and people simultaneously are highest priority (e.g., equine therapy, assistance dogs, youth programs with animals)
• Demonstrate passionate leadership: Highlight "effective and dynamic personnel" driving the program
• Show lean operations: Foundation values organizations with "bias against bureaucracy"
• Address sustainability: Include specific plans for financial sustainability beyond grant period
• Highlight partnerships: Emphasize cross-sector collaborations
• Propose innovative models: Pilot initiatives testing new approaches are welcomed
• Be concise: Foundation explicitly requests concise responses

Recently Funded Examples:

• Guiding Eyes for the Blind: Veterinary equipment and adaptive technologies
• Summer on the Hill: Operational support and scholarships for disadvantaged NYC youth
• Children's Village Canine Training Centre: Facility where at-risk youth train assistance dogs
• BluePath Service Dogs: $5,000 for Formal Training Programme

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Human-animal bond is the sweet spot - Programs serving both animals and people are most competitive
• Education grants require clear disadvantage focus - Must specifically serve low-income youth
• Rolling applications but strategic timing matters - Submit one month before board meetings for optimal review
• Two-year ban after decline is significant - Ensure strong alignment before submitting
• Cannot apply to Henry E. Niles Foundation simultaneously - Choose one foundation per cycle
• Ashley Garan is sole pre-application contact - Board does not meet with applicants
• Indirect costs are permissible - Must be specifically outlined and justified

References

1. Laura J. Niles Foundation Official Website: https://www.lauraniles.org (Accessed February 2026)
2. Instrumentl 990 Report - Laura J. Niles Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/laura-j-niles-foundation-inc (Accessed February 2026)
3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223188304 (Accessed February 2026)
4. Cause IQ - Laura J Niles Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/laura-j-niles-foundation,223188304/ (Accessed February 2026)
5. BluePath Service Dogs Grant Announcement: https://bluepathservicedogs.org/2018-9-18-bluepath-receives-5000-grant-from-the-laura-j-niles-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)
6. Justia - In the Matter of the Niles Trust, Supreme Court of New Jersey, 2003: https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/supreme-court/2003/a-7-02-opn.html (Accessed February 2026)