NYC Initiative
Overview
This initiative is a critical component of Animal Defense Partnership’s work to guide the animal protection movement to a more racially equitable future by expanding the number of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)-led animal protection initiatives that we support.
Objectives
1) Provide free counsel to support our mission of making legal support and representation accessible to all organizations that advocate for animals and plant-based diet change.
2) Develop partnerships with BIPOC-led animal protection initiatives to make sure ADP is reaching the broad scope of people working on behalf of animals and plant-based diet change.
3) Offer free organizational and strategic development consulting support to grassroots animal protection and plant-based diet change initiatives so that they may see continued growth in the movement.
Background
A 2022 report addressing issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the animal protection movement found that leadership and staff in farmed animal protection organizations are disproportionately white (and based on our observations, this finding can likely be extrapolated to the larger animal protection movement). The report also documented that many of the current animal protection organizations engage in institutionalized practices that are experienced as harmful to BIPOC communities.
This extensive research led to the development of seven recommendations in three categories—acknowledgement, reconciliation, and action—that organizations may use to benchmark future success and measure progress toward racial equity in the animal protection movement.
With this report as fuel for ADP's internal work, we sought and received funding from the New York Community Trust to allow us to focus on implementation of the aforementioned recommendations. Currently, ADP’s client base reflects the reported demographic makeup of the animal protection movement in that the majority of our client organizations are white-led.
This funding supports ADP in conducting focused outreach in the New York City Metropolitan area to partner with organizations and individuals working on behalf of animals and those who promote plant-based diets, especially initiatives that are BIPOC-led. In addition to providing these organizations and individuals with free legal counsel–as ADP offers to all our clients–ADP will offer, if it's needed, organizational development and strategic counsel to support their continued growth in the movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I am not affiliated with an existing 501(c)(3) organization. Can I still receive support through this initiative?
A: Yes. Regardless of if you are affiliated with an existing nonprofit or not, we are happy to support you. We know many new (and small) projects have enough tasks and roadblocks. We want to remove this one barrier for you.
Q. How are the services ADP provides through this initiative different from those services ADP provides to all clients?
A: ADP provides free legal counsel to all of our clients. The funding ADP received from New York Community Trust enables ADP to additionally provide more comprehensive organizational development consulting services, such as guiding strategic planning and board development.
Q. I don’t live in New York City. Can my animal protection nonprofit receive free legal counsel from ADP?
A: Yes. ADP offers free legal counsel to our 200+ client organizations that are working on behalf of animals and plant-based diet change both across the US and, in some instances, globally. If you are already leading an animal protection organization and are seeking legal counsel, you may schedule a consult with ADP here.
Q. I am involved with a BIPOC-led animal protection initiative, but I do not live in New York City. Can ADP support me?
A: Yes. The funding ADP received from New York Community Trust supports ADP’s focused outreach efforts in NYC; however, ADP is committed to building a more racially diverse and equitable animal protection movement. Schedule a consult here.
Q. I am involved with a white-led animal protection initiative in New York City. Can ADP support me with free legal and organizational development counsel?
A: Yes. The funding ADP received from New York Community Trust supports ADP in providing these services to all types of animal protection initiatives in the New York City area.
Who You Are
- Work engaged in one or more of the following:
- Rescuing and/or offering direct care to rescued companion, farmed, and/or wild animals; such as operating a sanctuary, rescue, or foster/adoption program
- Leading environmental clean-up efforts to preserve animal habitat
- Educating the public on recommended courses of action to protect companion, farmed, and/or wild animals
- Organizing and mobilizing activists and communities in pursuit of policy or corporate change on behalf of animals or plant-based diet change
- Increasing public awareness of the harms of industrial animal agriculture and benefits of plant-based food and food systems
- Building animal protection activist networks and training opportunities
- Promoting plant-based food accessibility, e.g., by encouraging restaurants to add vegan options or providing plant-based food offerings directly to communities
- Conducting research that advances the transition from animal agriculture to plant-based food systems
- Improving racial equity in the animal protection or plant-based diet change movement
- Pursuing other initiatives to advance protections for animals
- Work does not promote, serve, or advocate consumption of meat, dairy, eggs, or other animal products
- Work that is for charitable purposes, with any profit generated reinvested into charitable efforts
Please be in touch if you're not sure if your work falls under our scope!
Get in Touch
Schedule a 30-minute meeting with ADP executive director Jaclyn Leeds to discuss your current work and how you hope Animal Defense Partnership can support you. We look forward to working together.