Golden Paws Foundation
Golden Paws Foundation is a private foundation, based in Pittsburgh, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $8.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $3.0M. Net investment income was $1.7M.
Golden Paws Foundation at a glance
In short: Golden Paws Foundation gave $3.0M across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $504K), top state West Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,025,000
- +53.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- -45.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $504,167
- +180.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $362,500
- Total assets
- $8,109,062
- -7.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- West Virginia (41% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Golden Paws Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was West Virginia University ($1.3M). Together the top 6 received $3.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 12 grants of 33 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Golden Paws Foundation gives
- Giving grew 174% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 768% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.0M (2020) to $3.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $3.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University Morgantown, WV | General Charitable Purposes | $1,250,000 |
| Johns Hopkins Baltimore, MD | General Charitable Purposes | $750,000 |
| Conservation International (Ci) Arlington, VA | General Charitable Purposes | $525,000 |
| Inova Health Foundation Falls Church, VA | General Charitable Purposes | $200,000 |
| The Potomac School McLean, VA | General Charitable Purposes | $200,000 |
| Georgia Tech Foundation Atlanta, GA | General Charitable Purposes | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $8,109,062 | $2,783,168 | $3,089,631 | $3,025,000 | 6 | $3,025,000 | $1,749,741 | $393,763 |
| 2024 | $8,793,038 | $918,972 | $2,051,395 | $1,975,000 | 11 | $1,975,000 | $868,667 | $484,609 |
| 2023 | $9,925,461 | $545,874 | $1,417,001 | $1,340,000 | 8 | $1,340,000 | $489,375 | $582,430 |
| 2022 | $10,796,754 | $434,231 | $1,179,033 | $1,103,000 | 7 | $1,103,000 | $377,473 | $695,240 |
| 2021 | $11,558,078 | $946,578 | $2,219,632 | $2,135,001 | 1 | $2,135,001 | $915,772 | $662,347 |
| 2020 | $12,831,132 | $518,373 | $1,086,430 | $1,018,333 | 1 | — | $452,527 | $680,312 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Golden Paws Foundation reported a distributable amount of $394K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Golden Paws Foundation is led by Natalie Ferrise Bush, President & Director since 2025 (on filings since 2020); none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Natalie Ferrise Bush
President & Director
President & COO → President, COO & Director, 2023
President, COO & Director → President & Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wesley G. Bush
Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary & Director
Secretary, Treasurer & CEO → Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Golden Paws Foundation
How much does Golden Paws Foundation give each year?
Golden Paws Foundation gave $3.0M across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.0M across 11 grants.
What is Golden Paws Foundation's typical grant size?
Golden Paws Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $362,500, and its average grant was $504,167, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Golden Paws Foundation give grants?
Golden Paws Foundation's top state is West Virginia, with 41% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (31%) and Maryland (25%).
Does Golden Paws Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Golden Paws Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Golden Paws Foundation's largest grantees?
Golden Paws Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include West Virginia University ($1,250,000), Johns Hopkins ($750,000) and Conservation International (Ci) ($525,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Golden Paws Foundation?
Golden Paws Foundation reported $8.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $394K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Golden Paws Foundation's EIN?
Golden Paws Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0809183. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Golden Paws Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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