GS Humane Corp

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,420,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $35,000 - $425,000 (based on recent awards)
• Grant Median: $31,000
• Total Assets: $50,300,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily New York City and surrounding areas, with selective national grants

Contact Details

Address: c/o Glenn Opell, 11 Park Place, Suite 1008, New York, NY 10007

Phone: 212-896-3310

Executive Director: Glenn Opell

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Contact should only be made if specifically invited.

Overview

GS Humane Corp is a private charitable foundation established in 2007 to honor the legacy of Gene Shapiro, a proud graduate of the City College School of Business Administration (now CUNY's Baruch College). With assets of approximately $50.3 million and annual giving of $2.42 million, the foundation operates on the core belief that "enabling organizations that educate communities on the humane treatment of all living beings will produce a society that will be more tolerant of differences and lead to greater opportunity for all." The foundation focuses on four primary areas: animal welfare (particularly feline welfare and veterinary workforce development), Jewish education, combating hate and antisemitism, and early childhood and youth education. In 2024, the foundation distributed 36 grants with a median grant size of $31,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with set application cycles. Instead, grants are awarded to preselected charitable organizations through trustee discretion.

Recent Major Grants Include:

• Flatbush Cats Inc: $425,000 (Feline Welfare)
• Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition: $250,000 (Feline Welfare)
• Macaulay Honors College: $200,000 (Expanding Bridge Scholars Program for community college students)
• Bard College Center for the Study of Hate: $165,000 (Two-year grant for five projects studying hate)
• Animal Care Centers of NYC: $145,000 (Feline Welfare)
• LaGuardia Community College: $35,000 (Veterinary Technology Program student support)

Priority Areas

Animal Welfare (Primary Focus):

• Feline welfare and homeless cat prevention programs
• Veterinary workforce development and education
• Affordable spay/neuter services
• Veterinary care for rescue groups and low-income pet owners
• Organizations supported include: Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition, Flatbush Cats, Animal Care Centers of New York, ASPCA, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts, and Shelter Animals Count

Education:

• Jewish education initiatives
• Early childhood education
• Youth education programs
• CUNY programs (reflecting founder Gene Shapiro's legacy)
• Honors education access for underserved students

Combating Hate and Antisemitism:

• Research on hate and antisemitism
• Educational initiatives promoting tolerance
• Programs addressing the rise of white supremacy

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation with invitation-only grantmaking, the foundation has not published explicit exclusions. However, their documented focus areas suggest they do not fund:

• Organizations outside their four priority areas
• International organizations (except veterinary education institutions)
• Individual scholarships or direct-to-individual support
• Political organizations or lobbying activities

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Glenn Opell (Part-time, $125,000 annual compensation)

Glenn Opell has been quoted emphasizing the foundation's priorities: "The increase in antisemitism and white supremacy in the United States warrants far more study and attention" (regarding the Bard College grant) and "We recognize the vital role of a skilled veterinary workforce" (regarding the LaGuardia grant).

Board of Directors:

• Sheldon Schneider (Unpaid Director)
• Marilyn G Ordover (Unpaid Director)

The foundation operates as a private charitable foundation under 501(c)(3) status, tax-exempt since March 2007.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. GS Humane Corp explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through:

• Trustee discretion
• Invitation only
• Pre-existing relationships with organizations

Organizations should not submit unsolicited proposals, letters of inquiry, or applications to this foundation.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has a highly selective approach to identifying grantees. Based on their documented grantmaking patterns:

• CUNY Connection: Multiple grants to CUNY institutions (LaGuardia Community College, Macaulay Honors College) reflect founder Gene Shapiro's legacy as a City College graduate. CUNY-affiliated programs aligned with the foundation's priorities may have stronger connections.

• Feline Welfare Networks: The foundation has deep relationships with NYC-based feline welfare organizations. Organizations working collaboratively with their known grantees (Flatbush Cats, Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition, Animal Care Centers of NYC) may be more likely to come to the foundation's attention.

• Executive Director Glenn Opell: As the primary staff person, Opell (who can be reached at the foundation's NYC office at 212-896-3310) makes decisions alongside the board. However, given their explicit policy against unsolicited requests, contact should only be initiated if there is a specific reason to believe the foundation would be interested.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation makes grants throughout the year rather than on a fixed schedule.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. With only 36 grants awarded in 2024 from approximately $50 million in assets, this is a highly selective funder.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, the foundation's documented grantmaking reveals clear priorities:

Animal Welfare (Particularly Feline Welfare): The foundation's recent grantmaking shows a strong emphasis on addressing NYC's homeless cat population. Executive Director Glenn Opell described the foundation as "dedicated to preventing homeless cats and promoting animal welfare across NYC." Organizations receiving major grants like Flatbush Cats ($425,000) and Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition ($250,000) focus on trap-neuter-return programs and affordable veterinary services.

Veterinary Workforce Development: The foundation recognizes systemic issues in animal welfare, funding programs like LaGuardia's Veterinary Technology Program with $35,000. Opell stated: "We recognize the vital role of a skilled veterinary workforce" and expressed gratitude for programs addressing the technician shortage.

Education Aligned with Founder's Legacy: Gene Shapiro's connection to CUNY is reflected in grants to Macaulay Honors College ($200,000) and LaGuardia Community College ($35,000). Programs expanding access to honors education for community college students align with the foundation's values of creating opportunity.

Combating Hate and Antisemitism: The $165,000 grant to Bard's Center for the Study of Hate demonstrates commitment to research and education addressing hate. Kenneth S. Stern, BCSH Director, noted: "GS Humane's gift is transformative. It will allow Bard faculty to increase the depth of their teaching and research about hate."

Multi-Year Impact: Several grants (such as Bard's two-year, five-project grant) suggest the foundation values comprehensive, sustained initiatives rather than one-off projects.

Connection to Core Philosophy: The foundation's belief in "educating communities on the humane treatment of all living beings" to create "a society that will be more tolerant of differences" appears across all funding areas, suggesting this philosophy should connect animal welfare work to broader social impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation awards grants by invitation only to preselected organizations. Do not submit unsolicited proposals.

• Dual focus on animal welfare and social justice: The foundation sees animal welfare and fighting hate/antisemitism as interconnected efforts to promote humane treatment and tolerance.

• NYC feline welfare is the top priority: The largest grants ($425,000, $250,000, $145,000) all support NYC-based feline welfare organizations, particularly trap-neuter-return and affordable veterinary services.

• CUNY connection matters: Multiple grants to CUNY institutions honor founder Gene Shapiro's legacy and support expanding educational opportunity.

• Veterinary workforce development: The foundation funds programs addressing the veterinary technician shortage, recognizing systemic barriers to animal welfare.

• Selective grantmaking: With only 36 grants from $50 million in assets, this is an extremely selective funder focused on strategic impact in specific areas.

• Relationship-based philanthropy: Organizations must already be on the foundation's radar through trustee connections, demonstrated work in priority areas, or relationships with existing grantees.

References

• Cause IQ: GS Humane Corporation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/gs-humane-corp,208071520/ (Accessed January 2026)

• Grantmakers.io: Gs Humane Corp Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/208071520-gs-humane-corp/ (Accessed January 2026)

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Gs Humane Corp. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/208071520 (Accessed January 2026)

• Bard College Public Relations: "Bard College's Center for the Study of Hate Receives Major Grant from GS Humane Corp." https://www.bard.edu/news/releases/pr/fstory.php?id=16244 (Accessed January 2026)

• Macaulay Honors College: "Extending Honors Opportunities." https://macaulay.cuny.edu/news-and-events/extending-honors-opportunities/ (Accessed January 2026)

• LaGuardia Community College: "LaGuardia Community College Receives $35,000 From GS Humane Corp. To Support Veterinary Technology Program." https://www.laguardia.edu/news/laguardia-community-college-receives-35000-from-gs-humane-corp-to-support-veterinary-technology-program/ (Accessed January 2026)