The Grey Muzzle Organization is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Raleigh, North Carolina, focused on improving the lives of at-risk senior dogs. Founded in 2008, the organization provides funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, and other nonprofit groups nationwide to support programs that benefit homeless and aging dogs.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.9M
+68.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+54.8% YoY
Grant Count
103
+17.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+32.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Grey Muzzle Organization saves and improves the lives of homeless and at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, and other nonprofit groups nationwide.
Vision: A world where every senior dog thrives and no old dog dies alone and afraid.
The organization funds programs including:
- Medical and dental care for senior dogs
- Adoption initiatives
- Foster and hospice programs
- Resources to keep senior dogs with families who love them
Grantmaking
The Grey Muzzle Organization operates an active grant program with the following characteristics:
Review Cycle
, selected from over 440 applicants
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization funds programs primarily in California, Florida, and Texas, with recent grants distributed across 33 states nationwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2025):
- Total Assets: $2,925,040
- Total Revenues: $1,816,426
- Total Expenses: $2,227,424
- Total Giving: $1,733,105
Organization Size:
- Staff: 4 employees (with some sources indicating up to 8-10 employees)
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since July 2008
- EIN: 26-1965495
- Donations are tax-deductible
Rating:
- Four-Star charity with a 96% overall score
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,925,040 | $1,736,564 | $1,186,272 |
| Revenue | $1,816,426 | $2,076,439 | $1,303,809 |
| Expenses | $2,227,424 | $1,523,436 | $1,187,675 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,182 | $7,348 | $4,411 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Grey Muzzle Organization
Grey Muzzle Grants
THE GREY MUZZLE ORGANIZATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Pathways Home Grant
THE GREY MUZZLE ORGANIZATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Staying Home Grant
THE GREY MUZZLE ORGANIZATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Denise Fleck: Executive Director
- Alissa Totura: Board Member
- Gregg Ruvoli: Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARBARA GIANNINI | PRESIDENT (FROM FEBRUARY) | 10 | — |
| MARC ZARETSKY | VICE-PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| KELLI CHICKOS | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| JIM PIKULA | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| ASHLEY ACKLEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JAN SHELLHAMMER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TARA HARE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ALISSA TOTURA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DENISE FLECK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (FROM NOVEMBER) | 35 | $29,700 |
| LISA LUNGHOFER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THRU OCTOBER) | 27 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In the 2025-2026 grant cycle, The Grey Muzzle Organization announced a record-breaking grant distribution of $1.57 million to 119 organizations across 33 states. This represented a significant increase in grantmaking activity, with the organization selecting recipients from a competitive pool of over 440 applicants. The grants support critical programs including medical and dental care, adoption initiatives, foster and hospice programs, and other lifesaving efforts for senior dogs.
Giving Older Dogs a Chance to Shine: $1.57 Million in Grants Fuel New BeginningsContact Information
Address: 14460 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 149-269, Raleigh, NC 27614-8227
Phone: (919) 529-0309
Website: greymuzzle.org
Email: info@greymuzzle.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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