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.

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

Restrictions:

Grants may not be used for the following:

• Capital projects and equipment
• Publications
• Employee training
• Funds for salaries
• Conference registration or travel

Eligibility:

• This year, in 2026 we are seeking humane education programs that have an emphasis on Service-Learning
• Applicants must be U.S. programs.
• Organizations must have attained a nonprofit 501(c)(3) status.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The Latham Foundation will not impose age restrictions on program participants. Applications are welcome from organizations serving children, youth, adults, and seniors alike. Programs may serve a single age group or span multiple generations. All are encouraged to apply.

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.