Cato Institute
The mission of the Cato Institute is to keep the principles, ideas, and moral case for liberty alive for future generations, while moving public policy in the direction of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
Cato Institute at a glance
In short: Cato Institute gave $106K across 4 grants in 2026 (avg $27K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $106,000
- -53.3% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 4
- -50.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $26,500
- -6.6% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $213,708,628
- +12.2% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (62% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2026; updated November 2026.
Who Cato Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was America's Future Foundation ($66K). Together the top 4 received $106K.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 26 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Cato Institute gives
- Giving grew 28% from 2023 to 2026. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $55K (2021) to $320K (2022). In 2026 it made 4 grants totaling $106K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| America's Future Foundation Washington, DC | General Support | $66,000 |
| American Legislative Exchange Council Arlington, VA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Young Americans for Liberty Inc Austin, TX | Event Support | $10,000 |
| Roots of Progress Beaverton, OR | Event Support | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Cato Institute?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $213,708,628 | $69,195,897 | $50,569,335 | $106,000 | 4 | $13,167,078 |
| 2025 | $190,480,742 | $62,821,387 | $47,370,866 | $227,000 | 8 | $4,688,906 |
| 2024 | $172,218,520 | $71,927,807 | $41,834,120 | $170,000 | 5 | $4,191,898 |
| 2023 | $135,047,209 | $57,666,559 | $37,718,015 | $82,800 | 5 | $1,490,354 |
| 2022 | $116,844,158 | $45,929,682 | $31,337,947 | $320,000 | 4 | $1,002,671 |
| 2021 | $103,817,347 | $43,021,209 | $28,207,239 | $55,386 | 3 | $1,015,860 |
About Cato Institute
Based on IRS filings
Cato Institute is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $213.7M in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 4 grants totaling $106K. Net investment income was $13.2M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Cato Institute is led by Peter Goettler, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 9 of 22 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Peter Goettler
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$518K (2021) → $760K (2026)
James M. Lapeyre Jr.
Director, Chairman & Executive Officer
Director → Chairman, 2023
Chairman → Director, Chairman & Executive Officer, 2025
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Norbert Michel
Vice President, Director, Monetary & Financial Alternatives
Vice President, Director, Monetary & Financial → Vice President, Director, Monetary & Financial Alternatives, 2026
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$227K (2023) → $253K (2026)
Michael Cannon
Director of Health Policy
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$216K (2024) → $224K (2026)
Baron Bond
Director
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David C. Humphreys
Director
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred Young
Director
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Howard S. Rich
Director, Vice Chairman & Executive Officer
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2023
Director & Vice Chair → Director, Vice Chairman & Executive Officer, 2025
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James M. Kilts
Director
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Levy
Director
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert A. Taylor
Director
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Gelfond
Director
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John P. Mackey
Director
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth R. French
Director
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Holmes Jost
Director
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Sunderland
Director
New on the 2026 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Clark Neily
Senior Vice President for Legal Studies
Vice President & Project Criminal Justice → Senior Vice President for Legal Studies, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$199K (2021) → $238K (2026)
Harrison Moar
Senior Vice President for Marketing & Partnerships
Vice President & Development → Vice President for Development, 2024
Vice President for Development → Senior Vice President for Marketing & Partnerships, 2026
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$189K (2021) → $257K (2026)
Marissa Delgado
Secretary, Vice President, Finance & CFO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$153K (2021) → $229K (2026)
Stephen Kurtz
Vice President, Chief Data & Ai Officer
Vice President & Chief Digital Officer → Vice President, Chief Data & Ai Officer, 2026
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$267K (2021) → $332K (2026)
Scott Lincicome
Vice President, General Economics & Trade
Director & General Economics → Vice President, General Economics & Trade, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$203K (2022) → $255K (2026)
Alexander Nowrasteh
Senior Vice President for Policy
New on the 2026 filing
40 hrs/week
$236K (2026)
Former officers (12)
- Former: John A. Allison (2021–2025) — Director
- Former: Eileen S. Leech (2023–2025) — Director
- Former: Gene Healy (2025) — Senior Vice President for Policy
- Former: Lesley Albanese (2021–2024) — Senior Vice President & Initiatives
- Former: David Boaz (2021–2023) — Executive Vice President
- Former: Jeffrey S. Yass (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Lewis E. Randall (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Nancy M. Pfotenhauer (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Nester R. Weigand Jr. (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Robert A. Levy (2021–2023) — Chairman
- Former: George Selgin (2021–2022) — Senior Fellow & Director Emeritus
- Former: Rebecca Dunn (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $760K, to Peter Goettler (President and CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Cato Institute
How much does Cato Institute give each year?
Cato Institute gave $106K across 4 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. In 2025 it gave $227K across 8 grants.
What is Cato Institute's typical grant size?
Cato Institute's median grant in 2026 was $15,000, and its average grant was $26,500, across 4 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990.
Where does Cato Institute give grants?
Cato Institute gives mostly in District of Columbia: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Virginia (19%) and Texas (9%).
Does Cato Institute give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of Cato Institute's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990.
How large is Cato Institute?
Cato Institute reported $213.7M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $69.2M.
What is Cato Institute?
Cato Institute is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Washington, DC. It holds $213.7M in total assets as of 2026.
What is Cato Institute's EIN?
Cato Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7432162. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 28, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Cato Institute funds
Public, Societal Benefit Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cato Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Charles Koch Institute
Arlington, VA
The Charles Koch Institute funds educational programs and dialogue focused on individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and related principles, including classroom education for people affiliated with grantee organizations. Recent filings show grants ranging from about $386,000 to $769,000 total per year, but do not specify typical award sizes or geographic limits. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$445.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$386K
The Chase Foundation of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
The Chase Foundation of Virginia funds charitable organizations, with recent grants supporting public policy research, energy and climate analysis, individual liberties, and media-related work. In 2024, grants ranged from $80 to $40,000, with a median of $10,000; recipients were in Virginia and across the U.S., especially the District of Columbia. It has no prescribed application form, but applicants must meet criteria in its trust agreement.
Assets
$16.9M
Grants
65
Total Given
$721K
Pierre F & Enid Goodrich Foundation
Carmel, IN
The Pierre F & Enid Goodrich Foundation supported educational activities related to human liberty and individual freedom, with recent grants going to organizations in Indiana. Its giving ranged from about $1.2 million total across 47 grants in 2024 to a single $24.3 million grant in 2025; it did not accept unsolicited requests and dissolved in 2024, distributing its remaining assets to Liberty Fund, Inc.
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$24.3M
The Roe Foundation
Greenville, SC
The Roe Foundation supports nonprofit educational institutions that promote understanding of human and economic freedom within a moral framework. Its recent giving has ranged from $312,000 across nine grants to $600,000 in one grant, with reported 2025 funding going to Ohio; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$600K
Biszantz Charitable Foundation
Lexington, KY
Assets
$234
Grants
9
Total Given
$6K
Leadership Institute
Arlington, VA
Educate people for successful participation in government, politics and media.
Assets
$32.2M
Grants
9
Total Given
$212K
More similar funders
More Funders in District of Columbia
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Cato Institute's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Cato Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?