Catto Shaw Foundation
The Catto Shaw Foundation is a private foundation based in Denver, Colorado. It funds initiatives that empower women and help preserve the planet through the intersection of environmental advocacy, social justice, and creativity.
Catto Shaw Foundation at a glance
In short: Catto Shaw Foundation gave $1.1M across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $89K), mostly in Colorado. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,065,861
- -4.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- -36.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $88,822
- +51.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $87,500
- Total assets
- $23,903,930
- +8.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (2 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Catto Shaw Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Review Cycle
- Creative grant reports from 2026 recipients are due December 1, 2026.
- Deadline
- Creative grant reports from 2026 recipients are due December 1, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 250 Steele Street Suite 375, Denver, CO 80206
Phone: (303) 225-8473
Website: https://cattoshawfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Catto Shaw Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Aspen Center for Environmental Studies ($279K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
107 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 68 grants of 107 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 63% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado, 19% to the District of Columbia, 7% each to California and New York, and 2% to Virginia. Listed recipients were also located in Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Catto Shaw Foundation open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 12 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $98K. How we count
Medians: $45K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 83% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $625K (2020) to $1.1M (2023). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Aspen, CO | General Operating Fund | $278,500 |
| The Arts Campus at Willits Basalt, CO | General Operating Fund | $172,361 |
| Ascend at the Aspen Institute Washington, DC | General Operating Fund | $100,000 |
| Aspen Words Aspen, CO | General Operating Fund | $100,000 |
| Manu Washington, DC | General Operating Fund | $100,000 |
| Valley Settlement Carbondale, CO | General Operating Fund | $100,000 |
| California State University Sacramento Sacramento, CA | General Operating Fund | $75,000 |
| Creative Capital Foundation New York, NY | General Operating Fund | $75,000 |
| Conservation International Arlington, VA | General Operating Fund | $25,000 |
| Aspen Music Festival and School Aspen, CO | General Operating Fund | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Catto Shaw Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $23,903,930 | $1,425,839 | $1,320,204 | $1,065,861 | 12 | $1,112,085 | $806,373 | $1,113,860 |
| 2023 | $22,036,213 | $1,649,284 | $1,336,796 | $1,113,860 | 19 | $1,156,855 | $1,075,538 | $984,852 |
| 2022 | $19,877,290 | $1,738,890 | $1,224,638 | $999,714 | 23 | $1,052,341 | $256,740 | $987,694 |
| 2021 | $22,910,828 | $1,730,437 | $1,080,289 | $856,250 | 24 | $895,513 | $1,136,515 | $1,032,647 |
| 2020 | $20,276,180 | $1,458,285 | $831,083 | $624,926 | 29 | — | $885,754 | $852,259 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Catto Shaw Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that it funds initiatives to empower women and preserve the planet through environmental advocacy, social justice, and creativity.
Its 2024 grantees include organizations with varied missions. Aspen Center for Environmental Studies says it inspires lifelong commitment to the Earth through immersive programming for all ages. The Arts Campus at Willits says it brings performance to people and connects and inspires its community. Valley Settlement describes work with families in early childhood and adult education, while MANU describes supporting biological research, wildlife protection, and habitat management in Amazonian countries. Creative Capital Foundation says it supports individual artists’ projects through awards and career development services.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $1,065,861. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $278,500, with a median of $87,500. The largest awards went to Aspen Center for Environmental Studies ($278,500) and The Arts Campus at Willits ($172,361). Other grants included $100,000 each to Ascend at the Aspen Institute, Aspen Words, MANU, and Valley Settlement; and $75,000 each to California State University Sacramento and Creative Capital Foundation. The filing lists every 2024 grant as general operating support.
The foundation does not consider unsolicited grant requests, conference sponsorships, museums, newly established nonprofits that duplicate existing services, building or capital campaigns, projects exclusively serving religious purposes, or organizations without 501(c)(3) designation or direct donations to individuals. It says it does not participate in end-of-year giving drives. The foundation requires grant reports and encourages creative formats, such as storybooks, videos, photos, or drawings; it states that recipients who do not submit a report forfeit future funding.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Isa Catto Shaw as executive director, Daniel A. Shaw as president, and Jennifer Crossett as treasurer.
Catto Shaw Foundation is led by Daniel A. Shaw, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Daniel A. Shaw
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isa Catto Shaw
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Crossett
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Catto Shaw Foundation
How much does Catto Shaw Foundation give each year?
Catto Shaw Foundation gave $1.1M across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 19 grants.
What is Catto Shaw Foundation's typical grant size?
Catto Shaw Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $87,500, and its average grant was $88,822, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Catto Shaw Foundation that year got $45K on average.
Where does Catto Shaw Foundation give grants?
Catto Shaw Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (19%) and California (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Aspen, CO (3 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Catto Shaw Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Catto Shaw Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Catto Shaw Foundation's largest grantees?
Catto Shaw Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Aspen Center for Environmental Studies ($278,500), The Arts Campus at Willits ($172,361) and Ascend at the Aspen Institute ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Catto Shaw Foundation?
Catto Shaw Foundation reported $23.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Catto Shaw Foundation fund?
The foundation states that it funds initiatives to empower women and preserve the planet through environmental advocacy, social justice, and creativity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Catto Shaw Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Catto Shaw Foundation's EIN?
Catto Shaw Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-5064265. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Catto Shaw Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Catto Shaw Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Colorado
Aspen Community Foundation
Basalt, CO
Aspen Community Foundation supports nonprofits serving the Aspen-to-Parachute region, with recent priorities including early childhood and youth empowerment, as well as broader community needs. Its 2024 median grant was $15,000; its 2026 focus-area awards were set at $10,000–$35,000, and that cycle accepted applications but has ended.
Assets
$62.3M
Grants
466
Total Given
$17.4M
Colorado Gives Foundation
Arvada, CO
Colorado Gives Foundation funds nonprofits serving Jefferson County in areas including food security, early care and education, workforce development, housing, health and convenient neighborhoods; it also offers statewide nonprofit capacity-building support. Typical giving varies widely: its 2024 median grant was $17,814, while Thriving Jeffco Responsive Grant awards ranged from $2,500 to $100,000. It accepts applications through listed grant opportunities, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$527.1M
Grants
2,211
Total Given
$91.0M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Denver Foundation
Denver, CO
The Denver Foundation supports nonprofits working in economic opportunity, environment and climate, housing, and youth well-being, with an emphasis on racial equity and historically underserved communities in the seven-county Metro Denver region. Its Community Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000; the 2024 median across reported grants was $26,500. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,184
Total Given
$131.7M
Alpenglow Foundation
Aspen, CO
Alpenglow Foundation supports humanitarian response, food access, immigrant services, arts and culture, and community safety, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Colorado and others reaching organizations in several states. Its 2024 grants ranged from $75 to $75,000, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$16.7M
Grants
131
Total Given
$989K
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
WaterStone supports domestic and international nonprofits, including Christian ministries and charitable and educational organizations, through donor-directed grants; eligible organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3)s whose mission aligns with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, with awards ranging from $5,028 to $11 million, and were concentrated in Texas and Colorado. Grant recommendations come from donor-advised fund holders; the profile does not state that it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Colorado
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Catto Shaw Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/catto-shaw-foundation-morg_57afd7e64cf44148a28a8834a1f974e1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_465064265_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Catto Shaw Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/catto-shaw-foundation-morg_57afd7e64cf44148a28a8834a1f974e1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Catto Shaw Foundation'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.
Catto Shaw Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?