Mercy for Animals Inc
Mercy For Animals Inc is a public charity based in Los Angeles, California. It works to end industrial animal agriculture and build a just and sustainable food system through animal-welfare advocacy, public engagement, investigations, and efforts to expand plant-based eating.
Mercy for Animals Inc at a glance
In short: Mercy for Animals Inc gave $233K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $26K), top state Florida. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $232,800
- -19.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- -35.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $25,867
- +24.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,600
- Total assets
- $30,246,859
- +2.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Florida (36% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Mercy for Animals Inc
- Review Cycle
- The 2023 People’s Fund application deadline was June 1 at 7 p.m. Eastern time. This is a past cycle.
- Deadline
- The 2023 People’s Fund application deadline was June 1 at 7 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 8033 Sunset Boulevard 864, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Phone: (866) 632-6446
Website: https://mercyforanimals.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mercy for Animals Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was A Well-Fed World ($65K). Together the top 9 received $233K.
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 44 grants of 50 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Mercy For Animals says it works in six key geographical regions and that its outcomes reach animals in more than 175 countries. The 2023 grantees listed were based in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Mercy for Animals Inc gives
- Giving fell 38% from 2021 to 2024. 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $110K (2020) to $379K (2022). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $233K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A Well-Fed World Orlando, FL | The people's fund: amplifying underrepresented voices in support for animal protection | $64,800 |
| Better Food Foundation Inc Portland, OR | The people's fund: amplifying underrepresented voices in support for animal protection | $30,600 |
| Black Vegetarian Society of Maryland Baltimore, MD | The people's fund: amplifying underrepresented voices in support for animal protection | $20,600 |
| Grassroots Artists Movement New York, NY | The people's fund: amplifying underrepresented voices in support for animal protection | $20,600 |
| Plant the Power Columbus, OH | The people's fund: amplifying underrepresented voices in support for animal protection | $20,600 |
| Veggie Mijas Sacramento, CA | The people's fund: amplifying underrepresented voices in support for animal protection | $20,600 |
| Apex Advocacy Decatur, GA | The people's fund: amplifying underrepresented voices in support for animal protection | $20,000 |
| Rethink Your Food Inc Sunrise, FL | The people's fund: amplifying underrepresented voices in support for animal protection | $20,000 |
| Louisiana State University and A&M College Baton Rouge, LA | The people's fund: amplifying underrepresented voices in support for animal protection | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $30,246,859 | $23,344,663 | $23,908,480 | $232,800 | 9 | $593,278 |
| 2023 | $29,513,719 | $10,226,940 | $23,890,282 | $290,417 | 14 | $695,807 |
| 2022 | $40,579,555 | $29,236,102 | $14,556,914 | $378,600 | 11 | $567,435 |
| 2021 | $27,760,277 | $18,222,198 | $13,084,490 | $376,850 | 7 | $641,847 |
| 2020 | $23,034,521 | $12,538,359 | $11,297,492 | $109,825 | 9 | $295,980 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mercy For Animals states that its mission is to end industrial animal agriculture by constructing a just and sustainable food system. Its work includes alleviating animal suffering through corporate and legislative advocacy, shifting public narratives through campaigns and investigations, and reducing demand for animal products by normalizing plant-based eating. Its 2024 filing also describes Transfarmation, which helps farmers transition from industrial animal agriculture to raising crops for human consumption.
The grantees listed include organizations with varied missions. A Well-Fed World describes its work as plant-based hunger relief and climate advocacy, including food-security and plant-based farming solutions. APEX Advocacy says it builds a community of BIPOC animal-rights advocates through activism and professional and personal development. Rethink Your Food describes its work as advocating for plant-based diets and food systems, including in Caribbean communities. Operation Spring Plant says it provides training and support to community farmers. Open Space Institute describes its work as protecting land, conserving forests and floodplains, and supporting healthy communities and wildlife habitat.
Grantmaking
The 2023 filing reports 14 grants totaling $290,417, an average of about $20,744 per grant. In 2022, the organization reported 11 grants totaling $378,600, an average of about $34,418 per grant. The 2024 filing reports zero grants. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 9 grants totaling $232,800.
Among the 2023 grants listed, A Well-Fed World received $90,000, APEX Advocacy Inc received $21,000, Rethink Your Food Inc received $20,000, Operation Spring Plant received $15,217, and Open Space Institute Inc received $6,000.
A 2023 People’s Fund application described unrestricted grants of $20,000; previous grantees were to be considered for two-year grants of $20,000 per year. Eligibility requirements included a decision-making team that was at least 75% BIPOC, alignment with Mercy For Animals’ mission, a U.S. location, an annual budget under $200,000, and the ability to provide a progress update within one year. For-profit organizations were not eligible. Applications had to be submitted through the application form. The organization said department leaders review grantee objectives, grant agreements govern permissible use of funds, progress and spending are monitored, and the board approves grant amounts annually.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Leah Garces as chief executive officer; Shahid Maqsood as chief financial officer; Jodi Medoff as chief operating officer, chief legal officer, and secretary; Kelcey Meadows-Lucas as senior philanthropy officer; Caitlin Oates as vice president of philanthropy; Chelsie Schadt as co-interim managing director, U.S. and Canada; and Patrick Sarsfield as general counsel. It lists Neysa Colizzi as board chair and director, Michael Pellman Rowland as treasurer and director, and Lisa Feria as vice chair and director.
Mercy for Animals Inc is led by Leah Garces, Chief Executive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 7 of 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Leah Garces
Chief Executive Officer
President → CEO & President, 2022
CEO & President → Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$135K (2020) → $195K (2024)
Neysa Colizzi
Board Chair & Director
Board Chair → Board Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chelsie Schadt
Co-Interim Managing Director, Us & Canada
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$126K (2024)
Alexis Fox
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Bugeja Vuu
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jaime Surenkamp
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Feria
Vice Chair & Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Liza Heavener
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Pellman Rowland
Treasurer & Director
Treasurer → Treasurer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Siddharth Hariharan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyson-Lord Gray
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelcey Meadows-Lucas
Senior Philanthropy Officer
Philanthropy Officer → Senior Philanthropy Officer, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$116K (2020) → $176K (2024)
Jodi Medoff
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary
Deputy Gc, Secretary & General Counsel → Secretary & General Counsel, 2022
Secretary & General Counsel → Chief Operating Officer, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$99K (2021) → $173K (2024)
Caitlin Oates
Vice President of Philanthropy
Senior Philanthropy Officer → Vice President of Philanthropy, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$136K (2023) → $132K (2024)
Shahid Maqsood
Chief Financial Officer
Senior Vice President & Global Finance → Chief Financial Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$122K (2023) → $194K (2024)
Patrick Sarsfield
General Counsel
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$128K (2024)
Former officers (10)
- Former: Derek Coons (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Susan Lane (2020–2023) — Global Senior Vice President of Philanthropy
- Former: Jesse Marks (2022–2023) — Senior Vice President of Programs
- Former: Mamta Valderrama (2023) — Global Senior Vice President of Operations
- Former: Matthew Scheer (2022) — Vice President of Public Engagement
- Former: Victoria Weiss (2022) — Vice President of Finance
- Former: Daina Bray (2020–2021) — Secretary & General Counsel · Filing note: Through 102021
- Former: Nathan Runkle (2020–2021) — Board Chair
- Former: Melanie Heymans (2021) — Senior Vice President of People & Culture
- Former: Tracy Keys (2020) — Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $195K, to Leah Garces (Chief Executive Officer). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Mercy for Animals Inc
How much does Mercy for Animals Inc give each year?
Mercy for Animals Inc gave $233K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $290K across 14 grants.
What is Mercy for Animals Inc's typical grant size?
Mercy for Animals Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,600, and its average grant was $25,867, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Mercy for Animals Inc give grants?
Mercy for Animals Inc's top state is Florida, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Oregon (13%) and Maryland (9%).
Does Mercy for Animals Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Mercy for Animals Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Mercy for Animals Inc's largest grantees?
Mercy for Animals Inc's largest 2024 grantees include A Well-Fed World ($64,800), Better Food Foundation Inc ($30,600) and Black Vegetarian Society of Maryland ($20,600), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Mercy for Animals Inc?
Mercy for Animals Inc reported $30.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $23.3M.
What does Mercy for Animals Inc fund?
Mercy For Animals states that its mission is to end industrial animal agriculture by constructing a just and sustainable food system. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mercy for Animals Inc?
Mercy for Animals Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check mercyforanimals.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Mercy for Animals Inc's EIN?
Mercy for Animals Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-2076145. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Mercy for Animals Inc funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Mercy for Animals Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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