WhyHunger is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in New York City that works to end hunger and poverty through grassroots movements and community-based solutions. Founded in 1975 by Bill Ayres and the late Harry Chapin, the organization operates as a leader in building the movement to end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food and supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.5M
-10.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$440K
-61.9% YoY
Grant Count
13
-50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$34K
-23.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: WhyHunger believes a world without hunger is possible. The organization provides critical resources to support grassroots movements and fuel community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial and economic justice. WhyHunger is working to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world.
Primary Program Areas:
Grassroots Action Network — Works in partnership with community-based leaders, organizations and networks to build a movement for a just and equitable food system in the U.S. by supporting and promoting grassroots leadership, building capacity for community organizing, and accelerating the collective impact of community-based strategies for food justice.
Artists Against Hunger and Poverty (AAH&P) — Offers artists, the artist community and the music industry the opportunity to use their voices to support the movement to end hunger and poverty through awareness building campaigns, food drives, fundraising and social media engagement.
Hungerthon — WhyHunger's signature public outreach campaign featuring a series of events and interviews that support innovative and effective community-based organizations fighting hunger and ensuring the right to nutritious food for all in communities across the world.
Ready to take the next step with Whyhunger Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WhyHunger funds grassroots organizations and community-based solutions in the United States and around the world.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Revenues: $5,748,042
- Total Expenses: $5,784,613
- Total Assets: $6,477,593
2023 Financial Data:
- Total Revenues: $6,350,000
- Total Expenses: $5,900,000
- Total Assets: $7,250,000
- Total Liabilities: $2,440,000
Staffing:
- 24 employees (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,477,593 | $7,246,812 | $6,615,826 |
| Revenue | $5,748,042 | $6,345,301 | $7,043,577 |
| Expenses | $5,784,613 | $5,904,345 | $6,200,021 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $191,686 | $120,205 | $29,780 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
172 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Whyhunger Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Jenique Jones — Executive Director
- Holly MacDonald — Head, Artists Against Hunger & Poverty
- Betty Fermin — Co-Director, Global Movements Program
- Colin Lawton — Director of Communications
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CINDY SECUNDA | CHAIRPERSON | 3 | — |
| JOJO BRIM | VICE CHAIR (THRU SEPT 2024) | 1 | — |
| ALYSIA STEINMANN | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| ROBIN LEWIS | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| LORETTA MUNOZ | MEMBER AT LARGE | 1 | — |
| MARK BLAKE | MEMBER AT LARGE | 3 | — |
| DIANE BLAGMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| THOMAS CHAPIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK CIMINO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RACHEL LIPSCHUTZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MEISHA PORTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH NORRIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PEARL THOMPSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| VANESSA TRINIDAD | DIRECTOR (THRU JULY 2024) | 1 | — |
| CARALENE ROBINSON | DIRECTOR (THRU JAN 2024) | 1 | — |
| MELISSA NEWHART | DIRECTOR (FROM FEB 2024) | 1 | — |
| DREW PIZZO | DIRECTOR (FROM DEC 2024) | 1 | — |
| JIMMY ZANKEL | VICE CHAIR (FROM SEPT 2024) | 2 | — |
| JENIQUE JONES | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $232,295 |
| JOY CURTIN | SR. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMIN | 40 | $209,081 |
| SHARON DAMELIO | SR. DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $172,762 |
| DEBORAH DEPOALA | SR. DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION | 40 | $166,717 |
| LORRIE CLEVENGER | SR. CO-DIRECTOR OF US PROGRAMS | 40 | $117,465 |
| SUZANNE BABB | SR. CO-DIRECTOR OF US PROGRAMS | 40 | $116,464 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
WhyHunger kicked off its 40th annual Hungerthon campaign, raising funds and awareness to end hunger. The organization has been recognized as a recipient of grants from various funding initiatives focused on anti-hunger work and food security.
WhyHunger Kicks Off 40th\_Annual Hungerthon\_Raising Funds & Awareness To\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Ramsleg Foundation
BRIGHTWATERS, NY
Assets
$543
Grants
1
Total Given
$500
Druckenmiller Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
58
Total Given
$135.7M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Whyhunger Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities