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Maddie’s Fund
Maddie’s Fund was created in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to fulfill a commitment tied to their dog Maddie. The foundation functions as a grant-making...
Maddie’s Fund
Maddie’s Fund was created in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to fulfill a commitment tied to their dog Maddie. The foundation functions as a grant-making entity focused exclusively on animal welfare. Its endowment originated from the founders’ software wealth, primarily Workday equity. The foundation deploys capital through grants rather than traditional investments. It supports shelter operations, veterinary education, and data systems for tracking lifesaving outcomes. Confirmed activities include multi-year funding for Shelterluv technology and requirements that grantees join Shelter Animals Count. Geographic reach centers on the United States with emphasis on national replication of successful local models. The organization maintains a staff of 50 at its Pleasanton headquarters. It operates alongside the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, which handles separate giving in education and veterans’ services. A 2025 virtual event series addressed public-private partnerships for veterinary access. The foundation’s structure ties investment decisions directly to its mission statement. All portfolio and grant activity must align with measurable increases in community lifesaving rates and expansion of foster care standards.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1994
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Pleasanton
Corporate office
6150 Stoneridge Mall Road, Suite 125, Pleasanton, CA 94588, United States
Principals
Dave Duffield
Founder
Cheryl Duffield
Founder
Amy Zeifang
Chair of the Executive Leadership Team
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Maddie’s Fund?
Dave and Cheryl Duffield established the foundation and retain oversight through family trustees. Day-to-day grant decisions are executed by the executive leadership team led by Amy Zeifang.
How does Maddie’s Fund source grant opportunities?
The foundation accepts applications through its website and requires Shelter Animals Count membership for most recipients. It also initiates targeted programs in shelter medicine and data infrastructure.
Does Maddie’s Fund make fund commitments or only direct grants?
The foundation issues direct grants to nonprofits and selected technology providers. It does not allocate capital to external investment funds.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The endowment derives from Dave Duffield’s holdings in Workday and prior software ventures including PeopleSoft.
How is Maddie’s Fund related to the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation?
The two entities share founders and overlapping board members. Maddie’s Fund focuses on animal welfare while the Duffield Family Foundation addresses education, veterans, and Lake Tahoe initiatives.
What investment stages or asset classes does Maddie’s Fund target?
The foundation does not pursue traditional investment stages. Its activity is limited to mission-aligned grants and small technology holdings such as Shelterluv.
Does Maddie’s Fund maintain a formal investment policy?
All capital deployment follows the mission of increasing animal lifesaving. The foundation does not publish a separate investment policy outside its grant guidelines.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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