The Humane League
The Humane League is a public charity based in Rockville, Maryland, working to end the abuse of animals raised for food. Its work includes corporate advocacy, policy campaigns, and support for a network of animal advocacy organizations.
The Humane League at a glance
In short: The Humane League gave $345K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), top state New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $345,000
- +253.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +120.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $31,364
- +60.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $27,027,708
- +4.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (22% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Humane League
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 10476, Rockville, MD 20849
Phone: (888) 211-5421
Website: https://thehumaneleague.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Humane League funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Animal Activist Legal Defense Project via University of Denver ($50K). Together the top 10 received $335K.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 26 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing lists grant dollars going to recipients in multiple states and Washington, D.C. The largest reported recipient-state shares were New York (22%), Colorado (14%), Pennsylvania (13%), Washington (12%), and the District of Columbia (11%). The listed recipients also include organizations in Missouri, New Mexico, Minnesota, Oregon, and California. The website describes the Animal Policy Alliance as a network of local and state-level organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Humane League gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 $12K (2023) to $2.2M (2020). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $345K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Activist Legal Defense Project via University of Denver Denver, CO | Donation from thl to the animal activist legal defense project | $50,000 |
| Chilis on Wheels via a Well-Fed World Island Park, NY | Lobbying and campaign initiatives that protect animals suffering at the hands of factory farming, the fur industry and the seafood industry, serving as a member of the animal policy alliance advisory committee | $45,000 |
| Humane Action Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, PA | Lobbying and campaign initiatives that protect animals suffering at the hands of factory farming, the fur industry and the seafood industry, serving as a member of the animal policy alliance advisory committee | $45,000 |
| Northwest Animal Rights Network (Narn) Seattle, WA | Lobbying and campaign initiatives that protect animals suffering at the hands of factory farming, the fur industry and the seafood industry, serving as a member of the animal policy alliance advisory committee | $41,000 |
| DC Voters for Animals Education Fund Washington, DC | Lobbying and campaign initiatives that protect animals suffering at the hands of factory farming, the fur industry and the seafood industry | $38,000 |
| Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation St. Louis, MO | Lobbying and campaign initiatives that protect animals suffering at the hands of factory farming, the fur industry and the seafood industry | $30,000 |
| Voters for Animal Rights Brooklyn, NY | Lobbying and campaign initiatives that protect animals suffering at the hands of factory farming, the fur industry and the seafood industry | $30,000 |
| Animal Protection New Mexico Albuquerque, NM | Lobbying and campaign initiatives that protect animals suffering at the hands of factory farming, the fur industry and the seafood industry | $20,000 |
| Compassionate Action for Animals Minneapolis, MN | Lobbying and campaign initiatives that protect animals suffering at the hands of factory farming, the fur industry and the seafood industry | $18,000 |
| Society for the Protection of Insects Portland, OR | Lobbying and campaign initiatives that protect animals suffering at the hands of factory farming, the fur industry and the seafood industry | $18,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Humane League?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $27,027,708 | $22,145,897 | $21,682,964 | $345,000 | 11 | $1,246,085 |
| 2024 | $25,757,223 | $27,934,789 | $19,963,588 | $97,500 | 5 | $3,987,083 |
| 2023 | $19,672,714 | $18,482,492 | $19,538,449 | $11,500 | 2 | $778,482 |
| 2022 | $20,501,493 | $16,033,098 | $20,785,255 | $500,000 | 7 | $616,815 |
| 2021 | $25,306,701 | $13,598,261 | $10,837,547 | $100,000 | 1 | $563,057 |
| 2020 | $22,922,025 | $15,475,727 | $8,727,298 | $2,183,069 | Total only | $1,389,797 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Humane League states its mission is “to end the abuse of animals raised for food.” It pursues that mission through corporate negotiations and pressure campaigns, policy reforms, and local and global movement building. Its website also describes campaigns to transform corporate standards and efforts to make animal protections permanent through legislation.
The organization’s 2025 filing says its Animal Policy Alliance supported groups working on legislative and policy programs for animals raised for food or fur. The filing lists grants for lobbying and campaigns addressing factory farming, the fur industry, and the seafood industry. It also reports grants through the Open Wing Alliance to organizations in multiple countries.
Grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the range of organizations supported. Animal Protection New Mexico says it seeks to educate the public and advocate for campaigns that prevent cruelty to animals. Compassionate Action for Animals says it encourages empathy for animals and movement toward a plant-based diet. Social Compassion in Legislation says it works through public-policy advocacy to protect animals in the wild, on farms, and in homes.
Grantmaking
The 2025 filing itemizes 11 grants totaling $345,000. The grants ranged from $10,000 to $50,000, with a median award of $30,000. The largest listed awards were $50,000 to the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project via the University of Denver, $45,000 to Chilis on Wheels via A Well-Fed World, $45,000 to Humane Action Pennsylvania, and $41,000 to Northwest Animal Rights Network.
Other listed 2025 grants included $38,000 to DC Voters for Animals Education Fund, $30,000 to Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, $30,000 to Voters for Animal Rights, $20,000 to Animal Protection New Mexico, $18,000 each to Compassionate Action for Animals and the Society for the Protection of Insects, and $10,000 to Social Compassion in Legislation.
The organization’s 2025 filing narrative separately reports $300,000 in grants to 12 Animal Policy Alliance member groups. A 2025 website article reports a grant cycle totaling $295,000 for 12 member organizations. These are reported figures for the Animal Policy Alliance program; the 2025 filing’s itemized-grant total is $345,000.
The filing says grantees set and report on annual goals, provide written narrative and financial reports, and participate in check-in calls. First-time recipients report quarterly; other recipients report semi-annually. Grantees also submit financial reports midyear and at year-end.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mark Middleton as interim president through May 2025 and Daniel Shannon as CEO as of May 2025. It also lists Alicia Rodriguez as chair, Melody Hildebrandt as vice chair, Jacob Eliosoff as secretary, Yaqi Grover as treasurer, Neysa Colizzi and Craig Dunham as directors, Shawn Brown as interim executive vice president, and Jennifer Barckley as senior vice president of marketing and communications.
The Humane League is led by Daniel Shannon, CEO on the 2025 filing; 7 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Daniel Shannon
CEO
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
$143K (2025)
Mark Middleton
Interim President
Director & Treasurer to → Director, 2023
Director → Interim President, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$8K (2024) → $101K (2025)
Alicia Rodriguez
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Neysa Colizzi
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Craig Dunham
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Barckley
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Comms
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Comms → Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 2023
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications → Senior Vice President, Marketing & Comms, 2025
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$103K (2020) → $176K (2025)
Kalista Barter
Senior Vice President & Development
Vice President & Development → Senior Vice President & Development, 2025
On filings since 2021
45 hrs/week
$102K (2021) → $156K (2025)
Michelle Strickland-Kucerak
Senior Vice President, Programs & Public Pol.
Senior Vice President, Programs & Policy → Senior Vice President, Programs & Public Pol., 2025
On filings since 2022
45 hrs/week
$168K (2022) → $168K (2025)
Juan Taveras
Senior Vice President, People & Ops
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
$175K (2025)
Shawn Brown
Interim Executive Vice President
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
$195K (2025)
Jacob Eliosoff
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melody Hildebrandt
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yaqi Grover
Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2022
Director & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Shannon Campion (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Victoria Bond (2022–2024) — President
- Former: Andrea Coron (2023–2024) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Karen Nilsen (2023–2024) — Senior Director & Digital Strategy
- Former: Ann Loigman (2024) — General Counsel
- Former: Aaron Ross (2022–2023) — Vice President, Policy & Strategy
- Former: David Coman-Hidy (2020–2022) — President to
- Former: Rachel Huff-Wagenborg (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President & Operations to
- Former: Morgan Barber (2022) — General Counsel
- Former: Andrea Gunn (2020–2021) — Executive Vice President
- Former: Suzanne Niemoth (2020–2021) — Treasurer -
- Former: Michelle Kucerak (2021) — Senior Vice President, Programs & Development
- Former: Lydia Chaudhry (2020) — Secretary -
- Former: Wendy Watts (2020) — Vice President, Legal & General Counsel
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 $195K, to Shawn Brown (Interim Executive VP). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Humane League
How much does The Humane League give each year?
The Humane League gave $345K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $98K across 5 grants.
What is The Humane League's typical grant size?
The Humane League's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $31,364, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Humane League give grants?
The Humane League's top state is New York, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Colorado (14%) and Pennsylvania (13%).
Does The Humane League give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on The Humane League's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Humane League's largest grantees?
The Humane League's largest 2025 grantees include Animal Activist Legal Defense Project via University of Denver ($50,000), Chilis on Wheels via a Well-Fed World ($45,000) and Humane Action Pennsylvania ($45,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Humane League?
The Humane League reported $27.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $22.1M.
What does The Humane League fund?
The Humane League states its mission is “to end the abuse of animals raised for food.” It pursues that mission through corporate negotiations and pressure campaigns, policy reforms, and local and global movement building. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Humane League?
The Humane League has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check thehumaneleague.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Humane League's EIN?
The Humane League's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3817491. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 5, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Humane League funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Humane League's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Effective Ventures Foundation USA Inc
San Francisco, CA
Effective Ventures Foundation USA funds charitable, educational, and scientific projects advancing effective altruism, including work on extreme poverty, animal wellbeing, global priorities, and the long-term future. In 2025, its 48 grants ranged from $5,212 to $2.66 million, with a median of about $92,000; grants went to recipients in multiple U.S. states, and the foundation also reports making foreign grants. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$23.2M
Grants
48
Total Given
$9.1M
Karuna Foundation
Niwot, CO
Karuna Foundation supports organizations and initiatives advancing animal wellbeing, environmental protection, and global wellbeing, with particular interest in humanitarian crises and food-system or nutrition needs. In 2024, its 37 grants ranged from $6,000 to $535,586, with a median of $50,000; funding went to organizations across the U.S., with the largest shares in New York, Maryland, Washington, DC, Washington state, and Minnesota. Its materials do not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.8M
Grants
37
Total Given
$3.8M
RSF Social Finance Inc
San Francisco, CA
RSF Social Finance funds organizations and projects advancing social and environmental change, especially in food and agriculture, climate and energy, education, and community impact. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from $5,250 to $5.52 million; recipients were primarily in California, Maryland, New York, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. The profile does not state whether RSF accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$108.4M
Grants
457
Total Given
$48.2M
The Quinn Foundation
Leawood, KS
The Quinn Foundation funds animal welfare, education, and rural and family-farm organizations, with most grant dollars going to Kansas recipients. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $800,000, with a median of $5,000. It gives only to preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$16.4M
Grants
124
Total Given
$3.3M
Tipping Point Private Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$698K
Grants
8
Total Given
$405K
A Well-Fed World
Orlando, FL
A Well-Fed World is a plant-based hunger relief and climate advocacy organization. We nourish people in need strengthen global food security and promote plant-based feeding and farming solutions that uplift marginalized communities and support a just transition from animal-sourced foods to climate-friendly food systems.
Assets
$3.1M
Grants
8
Total Given
$380K
More similar funders
More Funders in Maryland
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Humane League funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-humane-league-morg_7c091466269b45d79fd9e64e01987c35
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043817491_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Humane League funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-humane-league-morg_7c091466269b45d79fd9e64e01987c35},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Humane League'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.
The Humane League down — hundreds of funders to go?