Charlotte & William Parks were long-time supporters of animal protection who lived in York, Maine. Charlotte, in particular, maintained contact with a variety of animal protection groups in the United States and Europe and supported them generously while she was alive. Those who interacted with her knew her as a compassionate and caring person with a good sense of what might be needed to succeed in an animal protection project. Both she and William were wonderful people and the world was poorer for their deaths.

When they set up their Trust, they decided to provide 50% of the income from the Trust to six organizations (Animal Rights Network, Food Animal Concerns Trust, the Humane Society of the United States, the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare, Tufts University – Center for Animals & Public Policy, and the World Society for the Protection of Animals). According to the Trust document, a representative from each of these entities makes up the six-member Grants Committee which decides on how the remaining 50% of the Trust income is to be distributed.

The Grants Committee has decided to make grants to support animal protection to both animal protection organizations and to individual scholars who are pursuing a course of study that might advance the goals of the Trust founders. Organizations may receive funds for capital projects, for general operating expenses, or for specific projects. Doctoral or post-doctoral candidates may receive funds to support a specific research project. These funds must be distributed through an organization with 501(c)3 status.