I want to reflect on the great work at Animal Welfare Association in 2025. December has always been a time for gratitude, generosity, and community. It’s a moment of progress for the animals and people we assist. Numbers matter, but what they reveal is key: lives changed, compassion shared, and a community helping animals in tough times.
This update shows a steady close to the year. We saw growth in some areas and faced challenges in others. Our mission connects with supporters, volunteers, partners, and neighbors in South Jersey and beyond.
Development and Philanthropy
In December, we built on solid support. We had valuable corporate partnerships and community fundraising. We received three grants to support our programs and enhance our long-term impact. The Josephine and Evelyn Smith Foundation awarded $29,000 for Operation Compassion and our STEM lab. The Bernice Barbour Foundation contributed $16,500. We welcomed the Ellis Family Charitable Giving Foundation as a new partner with a $1,000 gift. These funds keep our programs accessible and ready to help animals and the community.
Corporate sponsorships and third-party fundraising remain key. Our MASH Clinic on December 18 raised $4,000 in honor of Paula Dean, showing the power of care and tribute. Community partners like Ravitz Family Markets donated $10,000 through their Register Round Up campaign. Now That’s Funny and Raising Cane’s also boosted support with fun fundraising activities.
A standout partnership this season is with Miller Subaru through the Subaru Share the Love Event. AWA benefits from vehicle sales, leases, and service donations and we partner with Legacy Treatment Services as a Hometown Hero. This runs from November 20 to January 2. Miller Subaru promoted the partnership through social media and radio ads on WXTU. This helped us reach more people and boost visibility. These partnerships provide critical funding and introduce new audiences to our mission.
We also built momentum through special collaborations and events. We signed our 2026 contract with Subaru of America for the Philadelphia Auto Show. AWA will attend from January 31 to February 7. Events like these let us meet thousands of people and share our work.
A key highlight was the virtual donor presentation, “Giving with Purpose,” led by Carly Jordan, CFP. We evaluated Better Impact as a possible replacement for our volunteer management software. Negotiated pricing creates a chance for better efficiency this year. We also partnered with J & J Staffing in Cherry Hill for a pet food donation drive running through mid-January.
Events and Community Fundraising
December was filled with events that brought people together joyfully. Our annual Pet Photos with Santa and the Grinch event returned on November 30. This year, we focused on photos and experiences instead of an outdoor market. Despite rain affecting attendance, the event raised $1,080. Families enjoyed capturing holiday memories with their pets while supporting animals in our care.
Our Holiday Giving Tree became a centerpiece of the shelter. Visitors took photos, selected ornaments, scanned QR codes, and purchased items from our holiday wish list. The drive runs through December. It has already given essential supplies, highlighting the community’s generosity.
We hosted the Nonprofit Development Center of Southern New Jersey for their holiday party. This facility rental raised donations. It also showed new audiences our mission and volunteer opportunities.
Our partnership with Signature Workspace in Cherry Hill grew throughout the season. Their holiday donation drive and office giving tree were so successful that they extended the campaign through the end of the month. On December 18, AWA held two networking events at Signature Workspace to share our mission and build connections.
Another cherished partnership is with the Y.A.L.E. School, which brought back their annual ornament fundraiser. Students designed and crafted ornaments to sell, with all proceeds supporting AWA’s programs.
Raising Cane’s remains a strong supporter. They chose AWA to benefit from their holiday plush puppy sales at six South Jersey locations. Past campaigns sold out early, and we’re optimistic about similar success through December 31.
Volunteer and Community Engagement
Our volunteers are the heart of AWA, and December showcased their dedication. We welcomed 49 new volunteers at our last orientation of the year, the largest group ever. Their enthusiasm gives us great hope as we head into 2026.
Corporate volunteer groups made a real difference. Teams from Friedman Realty Group, Real Broker, Clearview Field Hockey, Lilly Medicine, Antea, and CarMax all volunteered their time. These experiences support daily operations and often lead to long-term engagement.
We took part in multiple outreach events. These included the Dickens Festival and the Evesham Light Parade. Our decorated van, happy volunteers, and Scout mascot made the parade special. They brought smiles to hundreds and showed off our mission.
We welcomed a new recurring volunteer partnership with the Mt. Laurel Group, a community program for individuals with learning disabilities. Their weekly visits are full of enthusiasm and pride. They help by cleaning, doing enrichment activities, and preparing the pantry. This partnership reflects our commitment to inclusivity and community connection.
Our relaunched Pet Loss Support Group held its first session on December 17. While attendance was small, the impact was profound. The session created a safe space for grief, reminding us that helping people is key to caring for animals. We look forward to growing this program through continued outreach.
Shelter Operations and Impact
From an operational perspective, November data shows encouraging trends. Adoptions increased by 15 percent compared to last year, while intakes slightly declined. Medical cases saw a small increase, showing our commitment to helping animals with complex needs. Retail shop revenue rose by 13 percent, reflecting strong community support. However, behavior class revenue dropped due to temporary staffing issues, which we aim to fix in 2026.
A joyful highlight was the adoption of Reeses Puppycups, our longest-staying dog. Reeses, adopted from our Can’t Buy Me Love program, is back for behavior appointments. They are also in our Well-Mannered Dog class. Seeing dogs like Reeses thrive motivates our work.
Education and Outreach
Our Education Department had an exciting month! We reached over 215 people through programs, parties, school visits, and outreach activities. We hosted birthday parties, behind-the-scenes programs, and field trips. These events helped students connect with animals in a meaningful way.
Our free school outreach program visited three schools, reaching 45 students. We used stories and animal interactions to teach empathy and compassion. Our STEM outreach engaged 72 first and second graders. They learned about animal welfare, nutrition, engineering, veterinary medicine, and behavior.
One moving experience was hosting sixth-grade students from a Camden charter school. Many students hesitated to read, but they eagerly read aloud to cats and small animals. This shows how literacy connects with animal-assisted learning.
Our Wags and Wiggles toddler program welcomed 38 kids and adults. We held two winter-themed sessions that combined movement, creativity, and gentle animal interactions. We’re thankful for the $10,000 from Ravitz Family Markets. This will help our Empathy Explorers program grow. It will also improve early childhood education in underserved communities.
Marketing and Communications
From a marketing and fundraising perspective, December showed stability amid shifting donor behavior. Giving Tuesday brought in $30,968 from 246 donors. There was a noticeable rise in first-time donors, even though total revenue was a bit lower than last year. We expected the absence of a large lead gift, and our team closed much of that gap through broader participation.
Our Annual Appeal surpassed its $20,000 goal, reaching $23,319, boosted by two significant gifts in early December. Video campaigns in digital advertising did well. They boosted website conversions and showed the strength of storytelling.
Email marketing grew a lot this year. This rise came from more campaigns and a new donor nurture series that encourages repeat giving. Direct mail performance faced delays, but we expect recovery as donations keep coming in.
Website traffic remained steady, with adoption-related pages driving the most engagement. Social media performance changed by platform. Instagram and TikTok saw notable growth in reach. There was also ongoing press coverage in major local outlets. Additionally, valuable exposure came from television segments.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2026, we do so with gratitude, optimism, and clear purpose. We will keep looking for solar expansion opportunities through our Solar Committee. We’ll strengthen donor ties, expand education and outreach, and invest in the systems and people that support our mission.
To our board, staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and community, thank you. Every success reflected in this update is the result of collective care and commitment. Together, we are creating a more humane future for animals and the people who love them.
