National Anti-Vivisection Society
The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) is a Chicago, Illinois-based public charity, formed in 1929. It works to end the exploitation of animals in science by promoting humane, human-relevant alternatives in research, testing, and education, and by supporting sanctuaries and rescues that care for animals.
National Anti-Vivisection Society at a glance
In short: National Anti-Vivisection Society gave $364K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $33K), mostly in Illinois. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $364,097
- -15.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +37.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $33,100
- -38.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,450
- Total assets
- $27,954,292
- +11.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (2 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (67% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to National Anti-Vivisection Society
- Contact
Mailing address: 444 North Wells Street 406, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: (312) 427-6065
Website: https://navs.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from National Anti-Vivisection Society
Animal Sanctuary Assistance Program (ASAP)
National Anti-Vivisection Society
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
BioLEAP Classroom Grant
National Anti-Vivisection Society
Amount
Up to US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
BioLEAP Classroom Grants
National Anti-Vivisection Society
Amount
Up to $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who National Anti-Vivisection Society funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was International Foundation for Ethical Research ($150K). Together the top 10 received $358K.
Grant Size Distribution
49 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 39 grants of 49 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NAVS is based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 grants went to organizations in multiple states; 67% of grant dollars went to Illinois recipients, followed by Florida (7%), Wisconsin (6%), North Carolina (5%), and Wyoming (5%). ASAP is described as serving organizations in the United States and Canada. NAVS’s Humane Science Award is open to participants in the international ISEF competition.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is National Anti-Vivisection Society open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 11 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $38K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $16K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $364K (2025) to $494K (2022). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $364K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| International Foundation for Ethical Research Chicago, IL | To support the development, validation and implementation of alternatives that replace the use of animals in research, testing and education. | $150,000 |
| International Institute for Animal Law Chicago, IL | To support the institute's programs for the development of legal scholarship and advocacy. | $95,000 |
| Primates Incorporated Madison, WI | To assist in constructing 3 outdoor enclosures for 5 rhesus monkeys retired from laboratories | $21,000 |
| Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary Hartville, WY | To assist in renovating and enhancing their dog yurts to minimize stress and maximize safty for all residents. | $19,932 |
| Chimp Haven Keithville, LA | To assist with purchasing and installing an ice machine to keep their residents hydrated and cool in the heat. | $16,432 |
| Save the Chimps Fort Pierce, FL | Emergency Electrical System Upgrade in One Chimp House | $15,450 |
| Brother Wolf Animal Rescue Asheville, NC | Animal Adoption and Rescue. | $10,000 |
| Esther Neonatal Kitten Alliance Arden, NC | Rescue of Newborn, Orphaned and Sick Kittens. | $10,000 |
| Center for Great Apes Wauchula, FL | Orangutan Sanctuary and Chimpanzee Sanctuary. | $10,000 |
| Peaceable Primate Sanctuary Winamac, IN | Provide retirement home for baboons and macaques that have been retired from universities or rescued. | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $27,954,292 | $4,619,734 | $3,557,123 | $364,097 | 11 | $1,263,471 |
| 2024 | $25,040,992 | $13,451,023 | $3,118,834 | $432,200 | 8 | $689,418 |
| 2023 | $13,457,393 | $4,594,356 | $3,406,919 | $385,500 | 11 | $547,912 |
| 2022 | $11,130,227 | $3,555,156 | $3,290,460 | $493,614 | 10 | $815,064 |
| 2021 | $13,164,996 | $5,222,320 | $2,713,266 | $422,000 | 9 | $611,390 |
| 2020 | $8,400,374 | $3,330,394 | $2,389,570 | $412,200 | 8 | $194,302 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NAVS states that it is dedicated to ending the exploitation of animals used in science and to identifying and promoting solutions that advance humane science in laboratories and classrooms. Its stated activities include public education; legislative and regulatory advocacy; support for humane alternatives in research and education; and assistance to sanctuaries and animal rescues.
NAVS’s 2025 grants show support for research alternatives, animal sanctuaries, and rescue organizations. For example, the International Foundation for Ethical Research describes its mission as advancing human-relevant, non-animal alternatives in research, testing, and education. The Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary says it cares for animals previously used in medical research. Chimp Haven describes its work as providing and promoting care for sanctuary chimpanzees. Other 2025 grantees describe missions that include companion-animal rescue, permanent sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees, primate sanctuary care and education, and rescue and public education about animal suffering.
NAVS also presents its Humane Science Award at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. The award recognizes high school students’ animal-free research; it is a prize for individual recipients rather than a grant program for outside organizations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, NAVS reported 11 grants totaling $364,097. Grant amounts ranged from $6,283 to $150,000, with a median of $15,450. The largest awards were $150,000 to the International Foundation for Ethical Research to support alternatives to animal use in research, testing, and education, and $95,000 to the International Institute for Animal Law to support legal scholarship and advocacy programs.
Other 2025 grants included $21,000 to Primates Incorporated for outdoor enclosures for retired rhesus monkeys; $19,932 to Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary for dog-yurt renovations; $16,432 to Chimp Haven for an ice machine; and $15,450 to Save the Chimps for an emergency electrical-system upgrade. NAVS also awarded $10,000 each to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Esther Neonatal Kitten Alliance, Center for Great Apes, and Peaceable Primate Sanctuary, and $6,283 to Beagle Freedom Project for medical care for animals rescued following an Oklahoma laboratory closure.
ASAP is described as an active rapid-response program for sanctuaries, rescues, and shelters dealing with urgent needs, including medical care, disaster recovery, infrastructure repairs, and care for animals retired from laboratories. The program description lists the United States and Canada as its geographic scope. NAVS’s website says its sanctuary program supports U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael B. Mann as president and director; Joseph McHugh as secretary/treasurer; Mary Ann Ligon as vice-president and director; and Peter O’Donovan, Maria Enright, and Tom Mahoney as directors. It also lists Kenneth Kandaras as executive director, Kenneth Cunniff as program consultant/attorney, Juliane Trapp Pearson as deputy director, and Andre Davis as director of digital strategy.
The filing narrative states that executive director emerita Peggy Cunniff and key employee Ken Cunniff are spouses, and that Juliane Trapp Pearson is Peggy Cunniff’s sister. It also states that Pearson’s employment ended September 30, 2025.
National Anti-Vivisection Society is led by Kenneth Kandaras, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 5 of 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kenneth Kandaras
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$148K (2020) → $174K (2025)
Michael B. Mann
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andre Davis
Director of Digital Strate
Director of Digital Strategy & Delivery → Director of Digital Strate, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$112K (2024) → $120K (2025)
Maria Enright
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ann Ligon
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter O'Donovan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Mahoney
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Cunniff
Program Consultant & Attorne
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$174K (2020) → $230K (2025)
Juliane Trapp Pearson
Deputy Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$106K (2021) → $166K (2025)
Mary Cunniff
Executive Director Emerita
On filings since 2024
15 hrs/week
$33K (2024) → $57K (2025)
Joseph McHugh
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary & Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Vincent Garett Auriemma (2021–2023) — Director of Communications
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $230K, to Kenneth Cunniff (Program Consultant/Attorne). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about National Anti-Vivisection Society
How much does National Anti-Vivisection Society give each year?
National Anti-Vivisection Society gave $364K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $432K across 8 grants.
What is National Anti-Vivisection Society's typical grant size?
National Anti-Vivisection Society's median grant in 2025 was $15,450, and its average grant was $33,100, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from National Anti-Vivisection Society that year got $10K on average.
Where does National Anti-Vivisection Society give grants?
National Anti-Vivisection Society gives mostly in Illinois: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (7%) and Wisconsin (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does National Anti-Vivisection Society give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on National Anti-Vivisection Society's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are National Anti-Vivisection Society's largest grantees?
National Anti-Vivisection Society's largest 2025 grantees include International Foundation for Ethical Research ($150,000), International Institute for Animal Law ($95,000) and Primates Incorporated ($21,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is National Anti-Vivisection Society?
National Anti-Vivisection Society reported $28.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.6M.
What does National Anti-Vivisection Society fund?
NAVS states that it is dedicated to ending the exploitation of animals used in science and to identifying and promoting solutions that advance humane science in laboratories and classrooms. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from National Anti-Vivisection Society?
National Anti-Vivisection Society has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check navs.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is National Anti-Vivisection Society's EIN?
National Anti-Vivisection Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2229588. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work National Anti-Vivisection Society funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in National Anti-Vivisection Society's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). National Anti-Vivisection Society funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/national-anti-vivisection-society-morg_f9803bd6e67f4b22bdfcc64932940b8d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_362229588_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{National Anti-Vivisection Society funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/national-anti-vivisection-society-morg_f9803bd6e67f4b22bdfcc64932940b8d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from National Anti-Vivisection Society's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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