The Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada receives donations and directs funds toward activities of national significance and to other important activities that are not likely to receive support from local or provincial sources. Such activities include humane education and research, the investigation and reporting of issues, and other promising initiatives.

The principal function of the Foundation is to accept donations and legacies and to use those funds to support direct services and programs for animals in need, and innovative educational and research programs that help animals at the community, provincial and national levels.
 
AWFC grants and programs are administered by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, composed of veterinarians, animal welfare scientists and other professionals who have broad experience of animal protection in Canada and in the evaluation of grant requests and project outcomes.