Edith and Milton Latham founded the Latham Foundation for the Promotion of Humane Education in 1918 to teach kindness and respect for all living things. Since then we have seen many changes in society but Latham continues to promote humane education as a core value that has a positive and effective impact on society. In our view, respect means taking personal responsibility for making good decisions within one’s own community rather than advocating any one particular dietary, political, environmental, or religious view—and respecting others’ right to do the same.

Humane education’s message of kindness and respect is open to all who will learn and apply these principles in their own lives and communities. Therefore, while requests from nonprofit organizations will have priority, all are welcome to apply.

We encourage applicants to review the hierarchy of humane education that our Latham Steps memorialize and show how their proposal supports these principles.

1-Kindness to Animals
builds compassion and empathy for other living creatures.
This is the first and truly foundational step that supports all the other steps above it.

2-Kindness to Each Other
is another important step, guides the interaction between people of the same family or social group.

3-Kindness to Other People
guides the interaction between people of different families or social groups when they meet in a common place.

4-Kindness to Our Country
encourages national common respect for the laws of one’s own nation, traditions, and political structure.

5-Kindness to Other Nations
encourages respect for other nations and their unique laws and traditions.

6-Kindness to The World
shows respect for the whole world, for other nations collectively living their varied lives.

Receiving a grant does not guarantee a renewal, nor does it prohibit one.

Awards will be up to $10,000 for a one-year grant.

Restrictions:

• Grants are not to be used for capital projects and equipment, publications, employee training, conference registration or travel.

• Latham cautions applicants about applying for funds for salaries, as we do not guarantee grants continuing past the initial grant period.

Eligibility:

• Programs that focus on animal-assisted activities that demonstrate people and animals working together for the benefit of both, and include humane education.
• This year, 2025 we are focusing on innovative humane education programs directed at teenagers.
  
• Applicants must be U.S. organizations with domestic programs.
• Nonprofit organizations will have priority but grants will not be limited to those who have attained 501(c)(3) status.

Expectations:

• I/we will use these funds only for the goals of humane education as stated.
• I/we agree to provide a final report of the outcomes of this program within one month of the end of this grant period and to make that report and any publicity that results from it available to Latham for its use.