Eligibility

The Voiceless Grants Program is open but not limited to animal advocacy organisations, animal lawyers and law educators, humane educators, animal studies academics and creatives, environmental and wildlife scientists, First Nations groups, and diverse community and religious groups.  

ASPIRATIONAL QUALITIES

We are looking for projects and people who employ transformative and disruptive tools that address the root causes of animal exploitation and promote a vegan philosophy. People who believe in systemic change and demonstrate a long-term commitment to animal protection. We value strategic, intersectional (e.g. climate/environment), creative and solutions-based thinking.  

SHARING OUR CORE VALUES

Core Values are Voiceless’s guiding principles as we strive towards a just, equitable world where animals can flourish.

We work to embody these Core Values and expect them in the organisations, advocates, and projects we partner with and support. Core Values must be demonstrated both in words and in actions, both at the level of organisational governance, communications as well as by the key advocates involved in Voiceless-supported or partner projects.

Please check that you share these Core Values before your application.

CATEGORIES

• Education: Humane and animal protection education in schools.  
• Law and Policy: Developing animal law, legislative reforms and policy/lobbying work 
• Social values: Addressing speciesism through qualitative and quantitative (academic or community-based) research 
• Science and Technology: Alternatives to animal use such as alternative proteins and cell-based animal products.  
• Network and coalition building: Organising conferences, symposia, cohort programs, grassroots organizing, organisational alliances, First Nation or faith-based community organising 
• Creativity: Adopting innovative and visionary initiatives that go beyond traditional animal advocacy work. 

AREAS WE DO NOT ADDRESS

• Animal protection issues that are small or localised – to see maximum impact for animals, we want to focus on large institutionalised, industrialised, national or international issues. 
• Animal welfare – minimising suffering for animals.
• Animal care in sanctuaries and shelters. We are, however, interested in funding humane and animal protection education run by sanctuaries and shelters. 
• Conservation – wildlife conservation that focuses on conserving species and habitats.
• Projects that use or condone the use of animal-derived products (animal-based food, fabrics, etc.).
• Projects or organisations that benefit, support, or are impartial to animal agriculture or other exploitation of animals.
• Anything where the ultimate focus is human well-being versus animal flourishing. 

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS

Voiceless is an Australian-based organisation with a continuing and keen interest in furthering animal protection in Australia. 

Other geographies: 

• Israel: Voiceless operates a satellite office in Israel, enabling a particular focus on this country. This office enhances our understanding of the local landscape and gives us the ability to identify and vet projects. We believe that on-the-ground, local intel is crucial for successful and trust-based grant-making. 
• Global South: Voiceless preferences applicants from areas that traditionally have less access to philanthropic funding. These include Asia, Oceania, South and Central America and the Middle East. 
• Africa: Voiceless partners with The Pollination Project to focus on small grant-giving in Africa. We encourage applicants in African countries to apply via The Pollination Project’s website. 
• North America and Northern Europe: Voiceless is not prioritising applications from these regions, as alternative funding sources are more readily available there. However, exceptions may be made if the organisation’s work focuses on other underfunded regions of the world. 

ORGANISATIONAL STATUS

Preference will be given to small to medium-sized not-for-profit organisations and/or animal advocates. Organisations with comparatively large annual revenues will not be prioritised. In Australia, for example, this would be an organisation with a revenue of over AUD $3m. 

Voiceless may be open to opportunities for ‘impact investing’ with small grassroots companies or start-ups with bright, innovative ideas in the vegan space. All profits will be returned to Voiceless’s work.  

SELECTION CRITERIA & PROCESS

All grant expressions of interest are subject to a standard due diligence process and will be assessed based on a pre-determined selection criteria. Our team of Voiceless Grant Advisors will be involved in the selection process and are comprised of some of Australia’s most prominent animal lawyers, scientists and advocates. Click here to view our Voiceless Grants Advisory team.

GRANT FUNDING

Voiceless has an annual sum to invest in organisations, people or projects.

• All grants are single-year. However, grantees who have demonstrated real impact may apply the following year.
• Grant sizes are typically between AUD $10,000 to $20,000 and will be available within our six focus categories.
• Depending on the year, Voiceless has approximately AUD $100,000 – $150,000 available to invest and support.

Expressions of interest (EOI) timings and processes

• Expressions of interest for the Voiceless Grants Program are open for submissions on an ongoing basis (unless otherwise stated on the Expression of Interest Form)
• Voiceless runs an annual grants calendar year based on the fiscal year (1 July – 30 June), so it is advantageous to submit your expression of interest sooner rather than later in the current financial year
• We encourage you to read our EOI step-by-step process below, before making your submission
• Unfortunately, we cannot respond to every EOI submission made, nor are we in the position to provide specific feedback on unsuccessful submissions.