The IDEXX Foundation
Committed to creating a positive and lasting impact for people, animals, and the environment
The IDEXX Foundation is a donor-advised fund administered by a national donor-advised fund sponsoring program. Its mission is to create positive, lasting impacts for people, animals, and the environment through inclusive and outcomes-focused initiatives in communities around the world.
Featured initiatives
Rosebud Initiative (Wamakanskan Wawokiye Oti)
South Dakota
Area of focus: Caring for our companions
Key impacts:
- Capacity building for sustainable veterinary care
- Sustainable and accessible care for animals in underserved communities
In the Lakota culture, three animals are considered sacred: the dog, the buffalo, and the horse. This sacredness requires respect for these and other animals and is manifested in providing for the health and well-being of these animals. Unfortunately, veterinary care and resources for the Tribal Nation and surrounding areas are almost nonexistent, ultimately impacting the health and spirit of the Tribal community.
The IDEXX Foundation and the Banfield Foundation recognize the impact of veterinary care in a pet’s life. This multi-year initiative includes infrastructure investment, support of veterinary care, and veterinary scholarships to help provide sustainable and accessible care for more than 200,000 animals across all 20 communities that comprise the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Reservation. The Wamakanskan (all animal nations) Wawokiye (helping) Oti (center), which translates as Helping Animal Center, will provide preventive and emergency care, spay/neuter services, injured wildlife care, and Tribal buffalo herd care.
Worldwide Veterinary Services (WVS)
International
Area of focus: Caring for our companions
Key impacts:
- Sustainable and accessible care for animals in underserved communities
- Capacity building through online education for veterinary professionals in remote clinical environments
Since 2003, Worldwide Veterinary Services (WVS) has been at the leading edge of animal welfare with a focus on veterinary training, deployment of aid parcels, and delivery of life-saving care in underserved communities around the world. WVS has five International Training Centers (ITCs) that train veterinarians in core skills, rabies surveillance practices, and surgery. Its WVS Taskforce Team delivers outreach veterinary training on-site and capacity building in humane dog-population management and rabies control to promote community health and safety.
The IDEXX Foundation’s support will expand the workforce at the ITCs located in Thailand, India, Malawi, and the Galapagos. It will also support an Africa-region veterinarian on the WVS Taskforce Team and enhance the WVS Academy─an online veterinary learning platform providing worldwide access to professional development and clinical decision-making resources to support and connect veterinarians in remote clinical environments.
Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI)
Maine
Area of focus: Creating opportunities for the diverse leaders of tomorrow
Key impacts:
- Continuation of GMRI’s program that has advanced the science literacy of more than 10,000 students throughout Maine
- Access to STEM education to help Maine’s indigenous and immigrant communities
GMRI increases access to science literacy in rural communities in Maine through its LabVenture program, which engages middle school students with innovative programs that promote critical thinking and authentic science experiences focused on the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and climate change. The IDEXX Foundation will help GMRI expand remote access to this programming and diversify Maine’s STEM pipeline by collaborating with staff from Wabanaki Youth in Science and Gateway Community Services to plan and co-design new materials and learning experiences to help Maine’s indigenous and immigrant communities realize the power of their unique voices in shaping the future of STEM education.
LabVenture is also offering new opportunities for students to interact with scientists to break down stereotypes of who can be a scientist. Their “Scientist-To-Go” program connects scientists from diverse backgrounds and fields with students via video conference to share stories about their research, what inspired them to get into their field, and answer students’ questions.
IDEXX TUCVM Initiative
Focus area: Creating opportunities for the diverse leaders of tomorrow
Key impacts:
- Nine full scholarships
- Mental health support for veterinary students
- Emergency funding for students in need
This is the most impactful contribution that our beloved college has received in our 75 years of existence and recognizes our legacy of work training and educating students of color. This meaningful investment by the IDEXX Foundation will help our students realize their dreams of becoming veterinarians."
—Ruby L. Perry, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate-ACVR, Dean of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine
Initiative details
The foundation’s long-term, outcomes-focused investment includes $3.6M in the TUCVM as part of a larger effort to make progress in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine. This initiative is designed to drive comprehensive and positive outcomes for diversifying the veterinary field in the future. The investment includes nine full scholarships, mental health support for veterinary students, emergency funding for students in need, and monies for important capital improvements at the TUCVM facilities. Each of these elements was identified through engagement with the TUCVM leadership to maximize the positive impacts of this meaningful collaboration.
The TUCVM is the only veterinary medical professional program located on the campus of a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the United States. A pioneer in veterinary medical education, the TUCVM has a proven track record of increasing access to veterinary medical education, educating 70% of African American veterinarians in the U.S.
Our areas of focus
The interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health drives the IDEXX Foundation to take a solutions-oriented approach to our global work. Through our initiatives, we strive to make positive and lasting impacts in three priority areas:
Creating opportunities for the diverse leaders of tomorrow
Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professions by providing access to opportunities for learners of all ages and supporting their well-being.
Caring for our companions
Improve access to veterinary care for underserved communities, provide support to animals at risk, disaster relief for animals impacted by extreme climate events, and connect people with animals that give comfort, mobility, and greater access to work and play.
Fostering water, climate, and food security solutions
Cultivate forward-looking solutions to the worldwide challenges of access to safe water, adaptation to impacts of climate change, and advancement of sustainable global food systems.
Learn about the eligibility criteria and application process
Submissions are reviewed on a biannual basis: January 15—March 15 | June 15—August 15