The Giant Steps Foundation
Giant Steps Foundation (GSF) is a California-based foundation focused on animal protection and related human services, operating programs such as the Vibrant Food Aid fund and publishing grantmaking information. The site includes mission, advisors, a grantmaking process, and contact details with a Menlo Park, CA address.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
An operational animal-protection, vegan/plant-based food-aid, or disaster-relief nonprofit with demonstrated program delivery and capacity to manage mid-size general operating or program grants.
Good Fit
- • Clear mission alignment with animal welfare, vegan food aid, or related human services.
- • Ability to absorb mid-size grants (typical awards range from a few thousand to low hundreds of thousands).
- • Track record or measurable outcomes that can be summarized in a brief inquiry.
- • Geographic relevance or programs that can operate nationally or in states the foundation has funded (notably California but also many out-of-state grantees).
- • Existing relationships or referrals increase plausibility given the foundation’s selective language.
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year reached recipients in 19 different states, with in-state California receiving 42% of dollars but a majority of dollars going out-of-state overall.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 44 distinct recipients across a variety of animal-welfare, food-aid, disaster-relief and related human-services purposes, with a mix of grant sizes and 28 new recipients in 2023.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness exists: 28 new grantees appeared in 2023 and a public inquiry form is available, even though website language also references invitation/preselection; observed behavior indicates new entrants have been funded.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
