Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc
The Animal Legal Defense Fund's mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training for animal cruelty case stakeholders to ensure justice for victim animals, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.
Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc at a glance
In short: Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc gave $473K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $79K), top state Washington. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $472,856
- +10.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $78,809
- -8.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $79,500
- Total assets
- $24,792,077
- +4.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Washington (44% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was State of Washington Attorney General ($150K). Together the top 6 received $473K.
Grant Size Distribution
45 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 18 grants of 45 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc gives
- Giving fell 52% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $430K (2024) to $1.8M (2023). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $473K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| State of Washington Attorney General Olympia, WA | Animal Protection | $150,000 |
| Association of Prosecuting Attorneys Washington, DC | Animal Protection | $130,000 |
| National Council of Juvenile Family Court Judges Reno, NV | Animal Protection | $100,000 |
| Humane Society of Southwest Washington Vancouver, WA | Animal Protection | $59,000 |
| University of Connecticut Storrs, CT | Animal Protection | $20,000 |
| Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force Richmond, VA | Animal Protection | $13,856 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $24,792,077 | $19,716,926 | $17,525,202 | $472,856 | 6 | $2,149,196 |
| 2024 | $23,629,734 | $17,967,277 | $16,979,166 | $430,000 | 5 | $972,079 |
| 2023 | $22,129,250 | $20,141,911 | $17,763,139 | $1,815,536 | 12 | $535,830 |
| 2022 | $18,345,167 | $15,112,818 | $15,680,278 | $990,621 | 12 | $594,058 |
| 2021 | $20,893,688 | $14,689,429 | $14,334,543 | $913,300 | 10 | $695,661 |
About Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc
Based on IRS filings
Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $24.8M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $473K. Net investment income was $2.1M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc is led by Chris Green, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 12 of 26 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Chris Green
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$82K (2024) → $287K (2025)
Leslie Barcus
Chair
Director → Treasurer & Director, 2023
Treasurer & Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Eliseuson
Litigation Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$151K (2023) → $160K (2025)
Kimberly Kelly
Legislative Affairs Program Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$157K (2025)
Lora Dunn
Director & Cjp
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$120K (2025)
Steve Polinski
Finance Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$143K (2025)
Thomas Linney
Pro Bono Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$128K (2025)
Cameron Icard
Director
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heidi M. Hurd
Director
Vice Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Stirling
Director
Chair → Chair & Director, 2024
Chair & Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David H. Braff
Director
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Cooley
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daina Bray
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurel Zaeske
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meena Alagappan
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tene Johnson
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Louise Lane
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Korsak
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$157K (2023) → $209K (2025)
Kendra Melrose
Chief Programs Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$226K (2023) → $325K (2025)
John Seber
General Counsel
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$154K (2024) → $194K (2025)
Andrea Joy Kroboth
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$148K (2025)
Caitlin Hawks
Chief Programs Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$105K (2025)
Elizabeth Naccarato
Chief People Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$166K (2025)
Ginny Tiu
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie O'Donnell
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathon Fiegelson
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Elizabeth Putsche (2021–2024) — Communications Director
- Former: Janiec Gutierrez (2021–2024) — COO
- Former: Steve Wells (2021–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Susie Yoo (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Thomas J. Glascott (2022–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Jonathan Feigelson (2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Kim Kelly (2023) — Director of Legislative Affairs
- Former: Prince Khaled Bin Alwaleed (2023) — Director
- Former: Carter Dillard (2021–2022) — Senior Policy Advisor
- Former: Khaled Bin Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Sa (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Mark Walden (2021–2022) — Chief Programs Officer
- Former: Veronica Abreu (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Ginny Tu (2022) — Director
- Former: Kera Melrose (2022) — Chief Programs Officer
- Former: Jayna Sisbarro (2021) — Philanthropy Manager
- Former: Tom Glascott (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Vida Moazez (2021) — Director of Finance
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $325K, to Kendra Melrose (Chief Programs Off (Thru 7/10/24)). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc
How much does Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc give each year?
Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc gave $473K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $430K across 5 grants.
What is Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc's typical grant size?
Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc's median grant in 2025 was $79,500, and its average grant was $78,809, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc give grants?
Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc's top state is Washington, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (27%) and Nevada (21%).
Does Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Animal Protection" (6 grants).
Who are Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc's largest grantees?
Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc's largest 2025 grantees include State of Washington Attorney General ($150,000), Association of Prosecuting Attorneys ($130,000) and National Council of Juvenile Family Court Judges ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc?
Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc reported $24.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $19.7M.
What is Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc?
Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Washington, DC. It holds $24.8M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc's EIN?
Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2681680. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 10, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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