Greater Good Foundation

Greater Good Foundation (EIN 932647540) is a privately held philanthropic vehicle established in November 2023 by trustees Andrew and Daniella Cavenagh, administered c/o David Kovsky at Duane Morris LLP, 30 S 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. The Foundation channels capital into the Greater Good Charities ecosystem — a global operating charity (EIN 20-4846675) that runs 12 active programs spanning animal welfare, humanitarian relief, environmental conservation, and disaster response across 121 countries. With $15.4M in assets accumulated largely from a $10M inaugural contribution and $4.1M in net investment income in FY2023, the Foundation is in its early capital-building phase and recorded $0 in direct grants during its first year of operation.

Because this is an operating-program model rather than a traditional open-grant foundation, prospective partners should understand there is no public RFP cycle or annual deadline. Each of the 12 programs has its own intake channel. GOODS (food and supplies distribution) operates an online application form and is the most accessible entry point. Rescue Rebuild (shelter renovation) has a dedicated application for facility improvement projects. All other programs — including Emergency Animal Medical, Good Flights, Good Fix, and Disaster Response — require direct outreach and are awarded on a rolling, invitation-basis.

Organizations that the Foundation favors share three qualities: operational scale (the demonstrated ability to serve significant numbers of beneficiaries), geographic reach or a presence in underserved areas, and outcomes reported in concrete units — meals served, animals vaccinated, acres protected. The 2025 impact report consistently quantifies output in millions: 90 million meals, 9,200 veterinary procedures, 3,500 pet transports, 150,000 acres protected.

First-time applicants should email partnerships@greatergood.org with a clear program-specific ask rather than a general funding inquiry. The relationship progression is typically: email introduction → program team review → supply or service partnership → ongoing cash grant relationship. There is no formal LOI process described publicly, and site visits occur primarily for Rescue Rebuild renovation projects. Because the Foundation was formed in 2023 and is still formalizing its direct grantmaking protocols, organizations that establish relationships now — particularly those aligned with Disaster Response, GOODS distribution, or Emergency Animal Medical care — may benefit from building an early partnership as the Foundation matures its independent grantmaking infrastructure.

Greater Good Foundation (EIN 932647540) recorded $0 in direct grants during FY2023, its inaugural fiscal year — a standard pattern for newly formed philanthropic vehicles where capital accumulates before active distribution begins. The Foundation received $10,008,767 in contributions and generated $4,099,355 in net investment income in its first year, reflecting sophisticated endowment management through Duane Morris LLP. Total assets are valued at approximately $15.4M as of the most recent database estimate, with the FY2023 IRS filing showing $9,999,613.

For context on the grantmaking scale of the broader ecosystem this Foundation supports, Greater Good Charities distributed $137.4 million across 360 grant awards in 2023, up from $98.1 million in FY2022 — a 40% year-over-year increase. This translates to an average award of approximately $381,600, though the range spans from $2,000+ emergency animal medical grants to multi-million dollar disaster relief packages. The median individual award is estimated at $25,000–$75,000 for program-specific grants.

By program area (2025 impact data): - Disaster Response: Largest deployment — $16M+ in 2025, serving 300,000+ victims across Los Angeles wildfires, Myanmar earthquake, Ukraine war, and Hurricane Melissa - GOODS/Food Distribution: Highest volume — 90 million meals distributed to food-insecure families, disaster victims, shelter pets, and owned pets - Conservation (Project Peril, Global Discovery Expeditions, Project Wildcat): 150,000 acres permanently protected; 200,000+ biodiversity records collected across 3 global field studies; 2 billion bees sustained - Animal Services (Good Flights, Good Fix, Rescue Rebuild, Emergency Animal Medical): 3,500 pets transported; 9,200 veterinary procedures; 10 renovation projects completed - Human Development (Girls' Voices, Good Packs): Ongoing but smaller absolute budget share compared to disaster and food programs

Geographically, giving concentrates in urgent-need contexts — Ukraine (multi-year sustained investment), Latin America (Patagonia conservation, jaguar cohabitation), and U.S. domestic animal shelter and homelessness programs. No geographic restrictions are published. As the Greater Good Foundation matures and begins direct grantmaking from its ~$15.4M asset base, a 5% minimum payout would yield approximately $770,000 annually — a focused first grantmaking portfolio expected to grow with additional Cavenagh family contributions.

The following table compares Greater Good Foundation with its five closest asset-size peers, all classified under NTEE code T (Philanthropy & Grantmaking):

Greater Good Foundation is distinguished from its size-matched peers by the breadth and transparency of its programmatic reach — 12 active programs across three focus pillars, with a public-facing website, contact email (partnerships@greatergood.org), and multiple program-specific application pathways. The four family foundations (Gioia, Kosloski, TF Educational, Smith) have no public web presence, no disclosed grantmaking data, and no known application processes, making them inaccessible to most nonprofits. Humanity United, the most comparable peer in terms of sophistication and public footprint, focuses exclusively on human rights and anti-trafficking — a narrower mandate than Greater Good Foundation's multi-sector scope. Applicants with cross-cutting missions in animal welfare, humanitarian relief, or conservation will find Greater Good Foundation the most accessible and programmatically aligned option among its peer set.

Greater Good Foundation was incorporated in November 2023 (IRS ruling date), making it one of the newer entrants in the Philadelphia philanthropic landscape. No leadership changes, new trustee appointments, or strategic pivots have been publicly announced since founding by Andrew and Daniella Cavenagh. The Foundation is administered through Duane Morris LLP, one of the country's largest Am Law 100 law firms, at 30 S 17th Street, Philadelphia — a standard structure for family foundations seeking administrative, legal, and investment oversight.

Through its alignment with Greater Good Charities, the Foundation's program activity in 2025 was substantive: - January–February 2025: Los Angeles wildfire response, including supply kits and animal rescue support - Spring 2025: Response to a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and major flooding in Kentucky and Texas - Summer 2025: Hurricane Melissa response and Oklahoma wildfire support - Year-round 2025: Sustained Ukraine humanitarian operations, including installation of 5,000 shatterproof, insulated windows in frontline-adjacent civilian homes, plus millions of meals - Conservation 2025: Permanent protection of 150,000 acres in the Northern Patagonian Steppe (Argentina), home to the critically endangered Andean cat and threatened Andean condor

Total 2025 programmatic output: $16M+ in disaster aid, 90 million meals, 9,200 veterinary procedures, 10 renovation projects, and 2 billion bees sustained through crisis beekeeping support. No new programs were announced for 2026 as of the research date. The Foundation's independent grantmaking activity is expected to begin as its asset base and operational infrastructure mature through 2026.

Contact method: Email partnerships@greatergood.org with a subject line that names the specific program you are seeking to partner with (e.g., 'GOODS Program Partnership Inquiry' or 'Rescue Rebuild Application — [Your Organization Name]'). The public grants portal (greatergoodcharities.my.site.com/grants) requires prior invitation to access; direct email is the reliable first step for new applicants.

Optimal timing: There are no annual deadlines. Disaster Response operates on a 24/7 rolling basis tied to declared emergencies. Emergency Animal Medical and Good Flights respond to documented shelter overcrowding or medical crises as they arise. For Rescue Rebuild renovation projects, initiate contact 3–6 months before planned project start to allow for site assessment and supply coordination. GOODS applications can be submitted at any time, though supply availability affects fulfillment timelines.

What they look for: The funder reports its own work in scale metrics — 90 million meals, 9,200 veterinary procedures, 150,000 acres protected. Organizations that frame their impact in the same language signal operational compatibility immediately. Institutional credibility markers matter: Greater Good Charities holds a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating and Platinum Candid/GuideStar seal. Prospective partners who can demonstrate equivalent transparency credentials — audited financials, high program efficiency ratios, published impact metrics — will have a distinct advantage.

Common mistakes: (1) Requesting unrestricted cash grants on first contact — most cash grants follow an established service partnership relationship, not cold applications. (2) Sending multi-program asks in one email — identify your single strongest program alignment and lead with it exclusively. (3) Neglecting to join the shelter email list (greatergood.org/get-involved) if you operate an animal shelter or rescue — this list is the primary channel through which Emergency Animal Medical, Good Flights, Good Fix, and Good Home grant notifications are distributed.

Alignment language: Frame your work around 'mobilizing in response to need' and 'amplifying the good' — the Foundation's exact mission language. Emphasize responsiveness, geographic reach, and community-level impact measured in units. Highlight cross-sector relevance (organizations serving both people and pets through Good Packs, or both disaster relief and conservation) as multi-program applicants may access broader support. Referencing the UN Sustainable Development Goals is also appropriate, as Greater Good Charities publicly aligns its work to all 17 SDG goals.