The American Anti-Vivisection Society
The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) is a public charity based in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1883, it works to end the use of animals in science through education, advocacy, and the development of alternatives. Its activities include public-policy and educational advocacy, humane science education, the Leaping Bunny Program, and grants to sanctuaries caring for animals released from laboratories.
The American Anti-Vivisection Society at a glance
In short: The American Anti-Vivisection Society gave $404K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $21K), top state Florida. 5% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $404,299
- -27.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- +5.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $21,279
- -31.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $40,037,437
- +6.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (1 of 19, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (13% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The American Anti-Vivisection Society
- Contact
Mailing address: 801 Old York Road Noble Plaza 204, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Phone: (215) 887-0816
Website: https://aavs.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The American Anti-Vivisection Society funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary ($53K). Together the top 10 received $262K.
Grant Size Distribution
89 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 78 grants of 89 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AAVS’s 2025 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest reported state shares were Florida and Oklahoma, at 13% each, followed by Pennsylvania at 11%, Texas at 9%, and California at 8%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The American Anti-Vivisection Society open to new grantees?
5%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 19 grantees (5%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 95% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $320K (2019) to $557K (2024). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $404K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary Newcastle, OK | General operating support and vet care for primate sanctuary | $52,500 |
| Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines Pottstown, PA | Direct care expenses for horses, both retired and rescued | $43,360 |
| World Federation for Animals Boston, MA | Aavs is a founding member of wfa, formed to unify and strengthen international animal advocacy | $31,939 |
| Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries Phoenix, AZ | To help support and ensure high quality care at sanctuaries + sanctuary prizes for giving day for apes | $29,000 |
| Born Free USA Sacramento, CA | General Operating Support of Primate Sanctuary | $17,500 |
| Center for Great Apes Wauchula, FL | General Operating Support of Primate Sanctuary | $17,500 |
| Chimp Haven Keithville, LA | General Operating Support of Primate Sanctuary | $17,500 |
| Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest CLE Elum, WA | General Operating Support of Primate Sanctuary | $17,500 |
| Equine Advocates Chatham, NY | General Operating Support of Equine Sanctuary | $17,500 |
| Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary Gainesville, FL | General Operating Support of Primate Sanctuary | $17,500 |
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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 | $40,037,437 | $4,097,874 | $2,775,874 | $404,299 | 19 | $2,366,913 |
| 2024 | $37,546,542 | $3,207,086 | $3,031,590 | $556,868 | 18 | $1,776,885 |
| 2023 | $34,756,487 | $3,365,720 | $2,465,525 | $409,187 | 18 | $1,056,948 |
| 2022 | $29,824,124 | $2,012,190 | $2,296,467 | $419,459 | 17 | $618,491 |
| 2021 | $35,876,257 | $3,818,439 | $2,362,940 | $433,860 | 17 | $2,123,055 |
| 2020 | $32,053,223 | $2,938,345 | $2,362,680 | $446,144 | 17 | $1,166,239 |
| 2019 | $28,533,551 | $2,565,686 | $2,569,341 | $320,113 | 16 | $1,047,906 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AAVS’s stated mission is to oppose and work to end the use of animals in science and to oppose animal cruelty. It describes its work as monitoring and investigating scientific uses of animals, providing information for public-policy advocacy, and promoting non-animal methods in schools and laboratories.
AAVS’s grantmaking supports sanctuaries caring for animals formerly used in laboratories or otherwise exploited. Its 2025 grantees included Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary, whose stated mission is to provide permanent refuge and companionship for monkeys retired from research or rescued from abusive situations; Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines, which says it provides shelter and care for aged and abused horses; and Chimp Haven, which says it provides and promotes care for sanctuary chimpanzees. Other 2025 recipients included wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organizations and sanctuaries for chimpanzees and other primates.
AAVS also operates Animalearn, which promotes humane science education and non-animal alternatives to classroom dissection. Its Leaping Bunny Program certifies companies producing cruelty-free cosmetics, personal care, and household products. ARDF, an AAVS affiliate, funds and promotes non-animal methods in biomedical research, product testing, and education.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, AAVS reported 19 grants totaling $404,299. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $52,500, with a median of $17,500. Its largest reported grants included $52,500 to Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary for general operating support and veterinary care; $43,360 to Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines for direct care expenses; $31,939 to the World Federation for Animals, of which AAVS is a founding member; and $29,000 to the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries for sanctuary support and prizes for Giving Day for Apes.
AAVS also awarded $17,500 each to Born Free USA, Center for Great Apes, Chimp Haven, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Equine Advocates, Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, Peaceable Primates Sanctuary, and Primarily Primates. The filing describes an annual grant to support lifetime care for young chimpanzees released from a laboratory and now living at Chimp Haven.
AAVS says grant recipients are monitored through communications and annual reports on the use of funds, including financial reporting. Recipients may also be asked for activity reports, photographs, and other information. Applicants are asked to provide information about organizational capabilities and any third-party certifications.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Luke Klein as president and CEO after April 2025, and Sue A. Leary as president and CEO until April 2025. The filing also lists Joseph Ludwig as vice president, Aaron McIntyre as treasurer, Denise Cowie as secretary, and Nadia S. Adawi, Robert Finn, and Eileen Smith as board members. AAVS’s website identifies Leary as president emerita and lists Klein as president.
The American Anti-Vivisection Society is led by Luke Klein After, President & CEO on the 2025 filing; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Luke Klein After
President & CEO
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$106K (2025)
Aaron McIntyre
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Cowie
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Ludwig
Vice President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Finn
Board Member
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nadia S. Adawi
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eileen Smith After
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Sue A. Leary (2019–2025) — President & CEO · Filing note: Until 42025
- Former: Francis Krafchik (2019–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Deceased in 2024
- Former: Luke Klein (2024) — Executive Vice President & Board Member
- Former: Douglas R. Barr Sr. (2019–2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $106K, to Luke Klein After 42025 (President, CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The American Anti-Vivisection Society
How much does The American Anti-Vivisection Society give each year?
The American Anti-Vivisection Society gave $404K across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $557K across 18 grants.
What is The American Anti-Vivisection Society's typical grant size?
The American Anti-Vivisection Society's median grant in 2025 was $17,500, and its average grant was $21,279, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The American Anti-Vivisection Society that year got $5K on average.
Where does The American Anti-Vivisection Society give grants?
The American Anti-Vivisection Society's top state is Florida, with 13% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Oklahoma (13%) and Pennsylvania (11%).
Does The American Anti-Vivisection Society give general operating support?
Yes: 84% of The American Anti-Vivisection Society's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are The American Anti-Vivisection Society's largest grantees?
The American Anti-Vivisection Society's largest 2025 grantees include Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary ($52,500), Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines ($43,360) and World Federation for Animals ($31,939), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The American Anti-Vivisection Society?
The American Anti-Vivisection Society reported $40.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.1M.
What does The American Anti-Vivisection Society fund?
AAVS’s stated mission is to oppose and work to end the use of animals in science and to oppose animal cruelty. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The American Anti-Vivisection Society?
The American Anti-Vivisection Society has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check aavs.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The American Anti-Vivisection Society's EIN?
The American Anti-Vivisection Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-0341990. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 6, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 11, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The American Anti-Vivisection Society funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The American Anti-Vivisection Society's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The American Anti-Vivisection Society funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-american-anti-vivisection-society-morg_08a002b7a7a342c6aca7446d0210fe20
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_230341990_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The American Anti-Vivisection Society funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-american-anti-vivisection-society-morg_08a002b7a7a342c6aca7446d0210fe20},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 The American 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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