Nonprofit · EIN 94-2681680
ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
Tax-exempt · SACRAMENTO, CA 95816
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $19,716,926 | $17,525,202 | $2,191,724 | $24,792,077 | $1,719,425 | $23,072,652 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $17,967,277 | $16,979,166 | $988,111 | $23,629,734 | $2,399,394 | $21,230,340 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $20,141,911 | $17,763,139 | $2,378,772 | $22,129,250 | $2,448,565 | $19,680,685 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $17,022,742
- Program service revenue
- $401,153
- Investment income
- $2,149,196
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $1,501,464
- Other revenue
- $143,835
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $668,105
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,497,700
- Other salaries and wages
- $7,260,761
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $10,997,508
- Professional fundraising fees
- $419,755
- Legal fees
- $332,118
- Accounting fees
- $88,865
- Occupancy
- $39,573
- Travel
- $553,887
- Depreciation
- $52,784
- Program services (functional)
- $12,301,934
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,070,378
- Fundraising (functional)
- $3,152,890
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $23,629,734
- Total assets, end of year
- $24,792,077
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,719,425
- Net assets, end of year
- $23,072,652
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $1,327,182
- Publicly traded securities
- $17,212,474
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $21,121,327
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,951,325
- Gross receipts
- $19,716,926
- Employees
- 109
- Volunteers
- 534
- Year formed
- 1979
- State of legal domicile
- CA
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENDRA MELROSE | CHIEF PROGRAMS OFF (THRU 7/10/24) Officer | 40 | $324,728 | $14,063 |
| CHRIS GREEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $287,102 | $29,811 |
| JOHN SEBER | GENERAL COUNSEL Officer | 40 | $194,426 | $37,738 |
| DAVID KORSAK | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $209,093 | $15,988 |
| ANTHONY ELISEUSON | LITIGATION DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $160,066 | $34,834 |
| ELIZABETH NACCARATO | CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER Officer | 40 | $166,144 | $17,911 |
| STEVE POLINSKI | FINANCE DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $143,402 | $39,170 |
| KIMBERLY KELLY | LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS PROGRAM DIR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $157,299 | $23,120 |
| ANDREA JOY KROBOTH | CHIEF OPERATING OFF (THRU 2/7/25) Officer | 40 | $147,511 | $16,238 |
| THOMAS LINNEY | PRO BONO DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $128,108 | $31,707 |
| LORA DUNN | DIRECTOR, CJP Highest-paid employee | 40 | $119,610 | $34,748 |
| CAITLIN HAWKS | CHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER Officer | 40 | $105,039 | $15,225 |
| LESLIE BARCUS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE O'DONNELL | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| GINNY TIU | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
11 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JONATHON FIEGELSON | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| MEENA ALAGAPPAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| DAVID BRAFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| DAINA BRAY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| BRIAN COOLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| HEIDI M HURD | DIRECTOR (THRU 12/31/24) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| CAMERON ICARD | DIRECTOR (THRU 12/1/24) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| TENE JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| LOUISE LANE | DIRECTOR (STARTING 6/13/25) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| KATHERINE STIRLING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| LAUREL ZAESKE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JANIEC GUTIERREZ | COO (THRU 9/29/23) Highest-paid employee | 40 | $281,693 | $39,864 |
| STEVE WELLS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THRU 3/31/23) Former | 0 | $309,222 | $7,559 |
| KENDRA MELROSE | CHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $244,800 | $21,106 |
| DAVID KORSAK | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $188,979 | $12,411 |
| JOHN SEBER | GENERAL COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $154,391 | $34,907 |
| ANTHONY ELISEUSON | LITIGATION DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $154,118 | $19,122 |
| ELIZABETH PUTSCHE | COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $156,238 | $16,026 |
| CHRIS GREEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $81,684 | $5,176 |
| LESLIE BARCUS | CHAIR (STARTING 12/11/23) Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHERINE STIRLING | CHAIR (THRU 12/11/23)/DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE O'DONNELL | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| GINNY TIU | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JONATHON FIEGELSON | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| MEENA ALAGAPPAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID BRAFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DAINA BRAY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN COOLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| HEIDI M HURD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| CAMERON ICARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| TENE JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| LAUREL ZAESKE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 18 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENDRA MELROSE | CHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $226,242 | $16,710 |
| JANIEC GUTIERREZ | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $208,942 | $26,351 |
| STEVE WELLS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THRU 3/31/23) Officer | 40 | $191,146 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH PUTSCHE | COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $152,160 | $14,892 |
| ANTHONY ELISEUSON | LITIGATION DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $150,776 | $16,002 |
| DAVID KORSAK | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $156,532 | $0 |
| KIM KELLY | DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $141,090 | $0 |
| KATHERINE STIRLING | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE O'DONNELL | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| CAMERON ICARD | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JONATHAN FEIGELSON | TREASURER (STARTING 6/20/23) Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS J GLASCOTT | TREASURER (THRU 1/15/23) Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| LESLIE BARCUS | TREASURER (1/6/23-6/27/23), DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| PRINCE KHALED BIN ALWALEED | DIRECTOR (THRU 10/12/22) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID H BRAFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| HEIDI M HURD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| GINNY TIU | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSIE YOO | DIRECTOR (THRU 12/13/22) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2108 N ST STE 11741, SACRAMENTO, CA 95816-5712
- In care of
- % STEPHEN E WELLS
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- CHRIS GREEN, 2108 N ST 11741, SACRAMENTO, CA 95816
- Signed the 990
- CHRIS GREEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (707) 795-2533
- Website
- WWW.ALDF.ORG
- Return prepared by
- HOOD & STRONG LLP
California records
California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 94-2681680 or by the name ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND.
- Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
- Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)
- Secretary of State, bizfile Online
- Corporation status, entity number, agent for service
- Franchise Tax Board
- Entity status letter (state tax exemption, good standing)
Mission
THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND'S MISSION IS TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF ANIMALS THROUGH THE LEGAL SYSTEM. THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND ACCOMPLISHES THIS MISSION BY FILING HIGH IMPACT LAWSUITS TO PROTECT ANIMALS FROM HARM, PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE STAKEHOLDERS TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR VICTIM ANIMALS, SUPPORTING TOUGH ANIMAL PROTECTION LEGISLATION AND FIGHTING LEGISLATION HARMFUL TO ANIMALS, AND PROVIDING RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO LAW STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS TO ADVANCE THE EMERGING FIELD OF ANIMAL LAW.
Program accomplishments
- LITIGATION PROGRAMTHE LITIGATION PROGRAM FILES HIGH IMPACT LAWSUITS AGAINST INDIVIDUALS AND INDUSTRIES THAT EXPLOIT ANIMALS, INCLUDING FACTORY FARMS, PUPPY MILLS, RESEARCH LABORATORIES, AND ROADSIDE ZOOS. THE PROGRAM LITIGATES CASES IN STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS WITH THE GOAL OF STOPPING ABUSIVE PRACTICES AND SETTING GROUNDBREAKING PRECEDENT THAT WILL ESTABLISH JUSTICE FOR ANIMALS IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM. IN ADDITION TO SUING ANIMAL ABUSERS, THE LITIGATION PROGRAM OFTEN SUES STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES TO INVALIDATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT HARM ANIMALS; AND INTERVENES IN LITIGATION TO DEFEND ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS WHEN THEY ARE UNDER SIEGE FROM INDUSTRIES THAT ABUSE ANIMALS.Expenses $2,653,100 · revenue $545,338
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMTHE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PROTECTING THE LIVES AND ADVANCING THE LEGAL INTERESTS OF ANIMAL VICTIMS BY WORKING TO ACHIEVE THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES IN ANIMAL CRUELTY CASES. THE PROGRAM IS STAFFED BY ATTORNEYS AND OTHER EXPERTS IN ANIMAL CRUELTY CASEWORK WHO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO KEY ANIMAL CRUELTY STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING PROSECUTORS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUDGES, VETERINARIANS, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND COURTROOM ANIMAL ADVOCATES. THIS ASSISTANCE INCLUDES SUPPORT AT ALL STAGES OF A POTENTIAL CRUELTY CASE, INCLUDING LEGAL RESEARCH; AMICUS BRIEFS; TRAININGS FOR PROFESSIONALS; INVESTIGATIONS AND NON-CRIMINAL INTERVENTIONS; AND GRANT FUNDING TO HELP COVER THE COSTS OF CARING FOR ANIMAL VICTIMS, FORENSIC WORK, AND SECURING EXPERT WITNESSES. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM PRODUCES MODEL ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS AND AN ANNUAL RANKINGS REPORT AND COMPENDIUM FOR ALL U.S. JURISDICTIONS AND WORKS CLOSELY WITH LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES TO HELP STRENGTHEN EXISTING CRIMINAL CRUELTY LAWS.Expenses $1,742,401 · grants $510,244
- LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS PROGRAMTHE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS PROGRAM WORKS AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS TO ADVANCE LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF ANIMALS AND TO OPPOSE LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS THAT WOULD BE HARMFUL TO THEIR WELFARE AND INTERESTS. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LAW STUDENTS, ADVOCATES, AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS BY PROVIDING ENGAGEMENT AT CONFERENCES, SUPPORTER EVENTS, AND THROUGH ONLINE FORUMS. FINALLY, THE PROGRAM WORKS WITH THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND'S OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO DEVELOP CAMPAIGNS TO SUPPORT THESE INITIATIVES AND WORKS CROSSPROGRAMMATICALLY TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR ANIMALS ADDRESSING STRATEGIC LEGAL ISSUES IN THE AREAS OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAW.Expenses $1,382,137
- ANIMAL LAW PROGRAMTHE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND'S ANIMAL LAW PROGRAM WORKS CLOSELY WITH LAW STUDENTS AND LAW PROFESSIONALS TO ADVANCE THE EMERGING FIELD OF ANIMAL LAW. WORKING TO EXPAND ANIMAL LAW INTO THE CURRICULUM OF EVERY LAW SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY, THE ANIMAL LAW PROGRAM COLLABORATES WITH STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIONS TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANIMAL LAW COURSES AND ASSISTS STUDENTS IN FORMING ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND STUDENT CHAPTERS. AS PART OF THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND'S ANIMAL LAW PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION MAKES GRANTS AVAILABLE TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, LEGAL INSTITUTIONS, INDIVIDUALS, AND ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND STUDENT CHAPTERS AT LAW SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS TO INFORM, EDUCATE, AND TAKE ACTION FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS. THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND GRANTS ARE CRITICAL TO ENCOURAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ANIMAL LAWYERS.PRO BONO PROGRAMTHE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND'S PRO BONO PROGRAM IS THE NATION'S LARGEST LEGAL PRO BONO NETWORK FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION. THE PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH ATTORNEYS AND PRO BONO COORDINATORS ACROSS THE U.S. TO EXPAND THE PRACTICE OF ANIMAL LAW. COLLECTIVELY, LEGAL PROFESSIONALS DONATE THOUSANDS OF HOURS TO THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND CASES ANNUALLY. THE DONATED VALUE OF SERVICES FOR 07/01/2024 TO 06/30/2025, INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL EXPENSES OF THE PRO BONO PROGRAM WAS $2,719,342. THE PROGRAM ALSO WORKS TO INCREASE THE UNDERSTANDING OF ANIMAL LAW IN THE LEGAL COMMUNITY BY EDUCATING PROFESSIONALS AT LAW FIRMS AND BAR ASSOCIATION EVENTS AND KEEPING VOLUNTEERS ENGAGED AND UP TO DATE ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD.Expenses $6,524,296 · grants $157,861
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 94-2681680
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1980
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Animal-related (D012)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $24,792,077
- Income (IRS master file)
- $19,716,926
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $19,716,926 | $17,525,202 | $24,792,077 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $17,967,277 | $16,979,166 | $23,629,734 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $20,141,911 | $17,763,139 | $22,129,250 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $15,112,818 | $15,680,278 | $18,345,167 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 94-2681680).
Questions about ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
- What is the EIN of ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND is 94-2681680.
- Is ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1980.
- Are donations to ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names CHRIS GREEN.
- Who are the officers and directors of ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 26 people; 12 received compensation from the organization, the highest $324,728 (KENDRA MELROSE, CHIEF PROGRAMS OFF (THRU 7/10/24)).
- How much revenue does ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $19,716,926, expenses of $17,525,202 and total assets of $24,792,077 at year end.
Other nonprofits in SACRAMENTO
- SACRAMENTO SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS EIN 94-1312343 · last filed 990 for 2024
- SACRAMENTO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY EIN 94-2861667 · last filed 990 for 2024
- HARD LUCK ANIMAL WELFARE ADVOCATES EIN 93-1456547 · last filed 990 for 2025
- LEGAL IMPACT FOR CHICKENS EIN 87-1596873 · last filed 990 for 2024
- COMMUNITY SPAY NEUTER CLINIC EIN 82-4901173 · last filed 990 for 2025
- FRIENDS OF FRONT STREET SHELTER EIN 68-0477042 · last filed 990 for 2025
- HAPPY TAILS PET SANCTUARY EIN 68-0317260 · last filed 990 for 2024
- MOUNTAIN LION FOUNDATION EIN 94-3015360 · last filed 990 for 2025