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Greater Good Charities

Annual Giving
$137.4M
000

Greater Good Charities

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $137,438,831 (2023)
  • Total Impact: $750+ million since 2007
  • Grant Awards: 360 grants in 2023
  • Geographic Focus: International - operates in 121 countries
  • Application Method: Primarily invitation-only with some open programs
  • Founded: 2006

Contact Details

Website: https://greatergood.org

General Contact: Greater Good Charities PMB 138 1700 7th Ave., Suite 116 Seattle, WA 98101

Grant Inquiries: https://greatergood.org/contact-us-grants-services

Partnership Opportunities: partnerships@greatergood.org

Shelter/Animal Welfare Organizations: Sign up for the shelter email list at https://greatergood.org/get-involved

Tax ID: 20-4846675

Overview

Greater Good Charities was founded in 2006 by Tim Kunin and Greg Hesterberg as a 501(c)(3) public charity devoted to helping people, pets, and the planet. Since its inception, the organization has invested over $750 million in impact through cash grants, in-kind supplies, and programmatic support to charitable partners across 121 countries. In 2023 alone, the organization distributed $137,438,831 in grants through 360 awards. The charity operates with a "communities approach," leveraging multiple programs across its people, pet, and planet verticals to maximize impact. Under CEO Liz Baker's leadership since 2012, Greater Good Charities has earned a Four-Star rating on Charity Navigator with an overall score of 100/100 in finance & accountability, leadership & adaptability, and culture & community, as well as a Platinum Seal on Candid (formerly GuideStar). The organization has demonstrated particular strength in disaster response, with more than $96 million in disaster support deployed worldwide since 2017, including over $23 million for COVID-19 relief efforts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Animal Welfare Programs:

  • Emergency Animal Medical - Funding for pets in need of life-saving medical intervention; supports pets facing euthanasia without treatment or traumatic injuries. Does not provide direct assistance to individuals but works through shelter and animal welfare partners on a case-by-case basis
  • GOODS (Pet Food Distribution) - Food, supplies, clothing, housewares, and toys distributed to pets and people globally through thousands of charitable partners. Application available for organizations with valid 501(c)(3) status
  • Rescue Rebuild - Renovates animal shelters, veterans' housing, and domestic violence shelters to accommodate animal residents
  • Good Flights - Transports at-risk shelter pets from overcrowded facilities to communities with better adoption prospects
  • Good Fix - High-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgical teams deployed to control pet overpopulation
  • Good Home - Connects foster volunteers with shelters across the U.S.

Human Services Programs:

  • Good Packs - Essential supplies backpacks for people and pets experiencing homelessness
  • Girls' Voices - Empowers girls through digital media storytelling and educational initiatives; funded scholarships for 900+ girls in over 30 countries

Conservation Programs:

  • Global Discovery Expeditions - Explores and protects biodiversity hotspots
  • Project Peril - Conservation for endangered or near-extinction species
  • Project Wildcat - Teaches ranchers coexistence methods with jaguars and endangered species

Disaster Response:

  • FEMA-certified staff provide rapid emergency support (food, water, medical supplies, shelter materials) for people and pets during hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and humanitarian crises
  • Mobilizes within days of disasters

Priority Areas

  • Animal Health & Welfare: Lifesaving medical care, food and supplies, shelter renovations, pet transport, spay/neuter programs, and veterinary medicine (8+ million vaccines granted)
  • Hunger Relief: 22+ million meals provided to food-insecure families and individuals worldwide
  • Global Humanitarian Aid: Support in 121 countries including ongoing relief in Ukraine (11+ million meals for people, 31.6+ million meals for animals)
  • Environmental Conservation: Protecting endangered species and vital habitats to prevent biodiversity loss
  • Disaster Response: Rapid mobilization for natural disasters and humanitarian crises
  • Education: Scholarships and educational support, particularly for girls in developing countries
  • Support for Vulnerable Populations: Veterans, domestic violence survivors, unhoused individuals, food-insecure families

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions were not documented in available materials. The organization appears to focus exclusively on projects aligned with their three pillars: people, pets, and planet.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Jam Stewart (Board Chair) - Former VP of Corporate Affairs at Mars Petcare; architect of Better Cities for Pets program
  • Dr. Julie Ryan-Johnson (Vice Chair) - Shelter veterinarian with 25+ years experience; President of Southern California VMA; expert in disaster response
  • John Gehrt (Treasurer) - Senior executive with 40+ years in retail, manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors
  • Julia Christopherson (Secretary) - Chief Merchandising Officer at GreaterGood.com for 20+ years
  • David Yaskulka - Award-winning CSR executive; former CEO of Nature's Logic; Board Chair Emeritus of Pet Sustainability Coalition
  • David Samuelson - CEO of ISACA (150,000+ members globally)
  • Dr. Jeffery R. Zuba - Clinical Professor in Zoo Medicine; 31-year veterinary career at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
  • Greg Hesterberg - Co-founder of Greater Good Charities; President of GreaterGood.com

Executive Leadership

  • Liz Baker (CEO) - Led the organization since 2012; previously led Petfinder Foundation; overseen $575M+ in charitable impact across 121 countries
  • Noah Horton (Chief Growth Officer) - With organization since 2013
  • Jemimah Okantey (Chief Financial Officer) - 12 years at GreaterGood.com
  • Kelsey Berkeley (Chief Legal Officer) - Former Chief Legal Officer at World Hope International
  • Francesco Paganini (Chief Impact Officer) - 15+ years leading global programs; former USAID senior roles
  • Dr. Bryna Donnelly (Executive VP of Programs) - Founded Rescue Rebuild program in 2006

Leadership Quotes

CEO Liz Baker on reaching major impact milestones: "We are proud and humbled to reach this milestone that reflects our efforts to help people, pets, and the planet in the communities we serve across the globe. We remain committed to our mission, using our programs to mobilize in response to need worldwide."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Greater Good Charities operates primarily on an invitation-only basis, with grants awarded through strategic partnerships and identification of need by the organization's staff and board.

For Animal Shelters and Rescue Organizations:

  • Sign up for the shelter email list at https://greatergood.org/get-involved
  • Organizations will receive notifications when they qualify for grants, trainings, and resources
  • Opportunities are updated as they become available

For GOODS Program (Food/Supplies):

  • Organizations with valid, non-revoked IRS Determination Letter establishing 501(c)(3) status can apply online
  • Groups applying under a Group Exemption must submit relevant IRS documentation

For Rescue Rebuild (Shelter Renovations):

  • Dedicated application available on the Rescue Rebuild program page

For All Other Organizations:

Grants Portal: https://greatergoodcharities.my.site.com/grants

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. The organization emphasizes rapid mobilization for disaster response (within days), but standard grant decision timeframes vary by program.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. With 360 grants awarded in 2023 from a total pool of $137+ million, the organization demonstrates significant grant-making capacity.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not documented in public materials. Organizations on the shelter email list receive ongoing notifications about grant opportunities as they become available.

Application Success Factors

While Greater Good Charities does not publish detailed application guidance due to the primarily invitation-only nature of their grants, the following factors appear important based on their funding patterns:

Alignment with Core Mission: The organization takes a "communities approach" and emphasizes projects that align with their three pillars—people, pets, and planet. Successful partners demonstrate clear impact in one or more of these areas.

Geographic Reach: With operations in 121 countries, the organization supports both domestic U.S. projects and international initiatives. They have established permanent staff in Europe and have demonstrated commitment to long-term relief efforts (e.g., ongoing support in Ukraine).

Emergency and Critical Need: Many of their grants target life-threatening situations, from Emergency Animal Medical cases where pets face euthanasia to disaster response where communities face immediate crisis. Demonstrating urgent, critical need appears to be a key factor.

Partnership Capacity: The organization works with "thousands of charitable partners" and emphasizes amplifying good through collaboration. Organizations that can serve as effective distribution partners for programs like GOODS or that have established networks may be prioritized.

Track Record and Capacity: With grants ranging from case-by-case emergency medical funding to multi-million dollar disaster response, the organization funds partners of various sizes. However, for larger initiatives, demonstrated organizational capacity and a track record in the sector are likely important.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Partnership with IDEXX Foundation to rebuild Mayfield Graves Animal Shelter following Kentucky tornadoes
  • Mars Petcare and PEDIGREE Foundation $100,000 grant for at-risk shelter pet transport
  • Over $8 million in Hurricane Harvey recovery grants
  • First Emergency Animal Medical case: Ziggy from San Diego Humane Society (over $2,000 for cataract surgery)
  • First grants to Cambodian Children's Fund for international education work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model: Most grants are not through open application; building a relationship by joining their shelter email list or contacting their grants team directly is essential
  • Mission alignment is critical: Clearly demonstrate how your work supports people, pets, and/or the planet—these three pillars guide all funding decisions
  • Emergency response capability: The organization excels at rapid mobilization and prioritizes critical, life-threatening situations
  • Partnership orientation: Position your organization as a potential distribution partner or collaborative organization that can help amplify Greater Good Charities' impact in your region
  • Geographic flexibility: International organizations should not be deterred—with operations in 121 countries, Greater Good Charities has global reach
  • Multiple engagement pathways: Even if not eligible for direct grants, explore corporate partnerships, in-kind product distribution (GOODS program), or specific program applications (Rescue Rebuild)
  • Transparency matters: With top ratings from Charity Navigator and Candid, demonstrating strong governance and accountability in your organization will resonate with their values

References

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