The Catto Shaw Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Denver, Colorado, established in 2014 as a 501(c)(3) entity. The foundation operates as an independent grantmaking foundation with a volunteer leadership team and no paid staff.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.9M
+8.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
-4.3% YoY
Grant Count
12
-36.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$89K
+51.5% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Catto Shaw Foundation funds initiatives that empower women and help preserve the planet through the intersection of environmental advocacy, social justice, and creativity.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Women's empowerment and initiatives that support women
- Environmental advocacy and sustainability projects
- Social justice programs
- Creative solutions combining creativity with advocacy
- Environmental education
- Renewable energy initiatives
- Community and school gardens
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only, with the foundation making contributions to preselected charitable organizations.
Grant Range
$15,000–$55,000
Average Grant
$43,500–$254
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. locations and states, including:
Cities: Arlington, Aspen, Basalt, Boulder, Carbondale, Carpenteria, Denver, Franklin, Glenwood Springs, Harpswell, Malibu, New York, Pacific Palisades, Sacramento, Snowmass Village, Washington, and Williamstown
States: California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $23,903,930
- Total revenues: $1,425,839
- Total expenses: $1,320,204
- Total giving: $1,065,861
- Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $22,036,213
- Total revenues: $1,649,284
- Total expenses: $1,336,796
Revenue Composition (2024):
- Grants and contributions: $405,117
- Investment income and dividends: $480,823
Giving Rate: Approximately 5.1% of assets annually
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,903,930 | $22,036,213 | $19,877,290 |
| Revenue | $1,425,839 | $1,649,284 | $1,738,890 |
| Expenses | $1,320,204 | $1,336,796 | $1,224,638 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,112,085 | $1,156,855 | $1,052,341 |
| Net Investment Income | $806,373 | $1,075,538 | $256,740 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,113,860 | $984,852 | $987,694 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
107 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Aspen Center for Environmental Studies ($278,500), The Arts Campus at Willits ($172,361), Ascend at the Aspen Institute ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASCEND AT THE ASPEN INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $100,000 |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ASPEN, CO | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $278,500 |
| ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL ASPEN, CO | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $15,000 |
| ASPEN WORDS ASPEN, CO | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $100,000 |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SACRAMENTO SACRAMENTO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $75,000 |
| CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL ARLINGTON, VA | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $25,000 |
| CREATIVE CAPITAL FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $75,000 |
| DSA FRIENDS FOUNDATION DENVER, CO | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $10,000 |
| MANU WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $100,000 |
| THE ARTS CAMPUS AT WILLITS BASALT, CO | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $172,361 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Isa Catto Shaw – Executive Director (volunteer, no compensation)
- Daniel A. Shaw – President (volunteer, no compensation)
- Jennifer Crossett – Treasurer (volunteer, no compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA CATTO SHAW | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DANIEL A SHAW | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER CROSSETT | TREASURER | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Catto Shaw Foundation fund?
The Catto Shaw Foundation funds initiatives that empower women and help preserve the planet through the intersection of environmental advocacy, social justice, and creativity. Primary funding focus areas include: • Women's empowerment and initiatives that support women • Environmental advocacy and sustainability projects • Social justice programs • Creative solutions combining creativity with advocacy • Environmental education • Renewable energy initiatives • Community and school gardens
How do I apply for a grant from Catto Shaw Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total annual giving: approximately $1.0–$1.1 million • Number of grants: 16–23 grants annually (varies by year) • Median grant size: $15,000–$55,000 • Grant range: $1,000–$278,500 • Average grant size: $43,500–$254 **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only, with the foundation making contributions to preselected charitable organizations. **Recent Grantees (2024):** • Aspen Center for Environmental St…
Where does Catto Shaw Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. locations and states, including: **Cities:** Arlington, Aspen, Basalt, Boulder, Carbondale, Carpenteria, Denver, Franklin, Glenwood Springs, Harpswell, Malibu, New York, Pacific Palisades, Sacramento, Snowmass Village, Washington, and Williamstown **States:** California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia
What size grants does Catto Shaw Foundation award?
In 2024, Catto Shaw Foundation awarded 12 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $89K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Catto Shaw Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Catto Shaw Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Catto Shaw Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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