Natural Pathways Foundation
Natural Pathways Foundation is a private foundation based in Durango, Colorado. In its 2024 filing, it reported 24 grants totaling $12,086, with most grant dollars going to recipients in Colorado.
Natural Pathways Foundation at a glance
In short: Natural Pathways Foundation gave $12K across 24 grants in 2024 (avg $503.583), mostly in Colorado. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $12,086
- +17.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 24
- +4.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $504
- +12.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $200
- Total assets
- $577,927
- -5.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (6 of 24, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (90% 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 Natural Pathways Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 415 E 36Th St, Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (303) 808-1228
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Natural Pathways Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fort Lewis College ($5K). Together the top 10 received $10K.
Grant Size Distribution
109 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 109 grants of 109 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado. The remaining shares were Pennsylvania, 4%; California, 3%; Massachusetts, 2%; and Virginia, 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Natural Pathways Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 24 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $471; repeat grants $514. How we count
Medians: $393 first-time, $177 repeat.
- 50% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 50% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 138% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $4K (2020) to $24K (2021). In 2024 it made 24 grants totaling $12K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lewis College Durango, CO | Unrestricted | $5,075 |
| Durango Dharma Center Durango, CO | Unrestricted | $1,210 |
| Deer Hill Foundation Mancos, CO | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Four Rivers Inst SW Community Found Durango, CO | Unrestricted | $520 |
| Animas Valley Institute Durango, CO | Unrestricted | $520 |
| Radical Joy for Hard Times Thompson, PA | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Music in the Mountains Durango, CO | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Congregation Beth Evergreen Evergreen, CO | Unrestricted | $432 |
| Givengain Foundation USA Boston, MA | Unrestricted | $266 |
| Pledgeling Foundation San Francisco, CA | Unrestricted | $260 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $577,927 | $45,492 | $72,166 | $12,086 | 24 | $51,929 | $25,255 | $37,529 |
| 2023 | $613,062 | $32,675 | $62,812 | $10,316 | 23 | $43,372 | $13,235 | $36,932 |
| 2022 | $643,199 | $18,548 | $66,614 | $22,057 | 26 | $44,468 | — | $42,095 |
| 2021 | $693,809 | $61,390 | $72,535 | $24,060 | 30 | $47,707 | $36,562 | $46,471 |
| 2020 | $706,280 | $60,481 | $56,314 | $3,888 | 6 | — | $38,228 | $44,039 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Natural Pathways Foundation reported a distributable amount of $38K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations whose stated work includes wilderness scholarships and cross-cultural service projects, environmental advocacy, community development, classical music and youth education, and other charitable activities. For example, Deer Hill Foundation describes its work as providing scholarships for wilderness expeditions and cross-cultural service projects on the Colorado Plateau. San Juan Citizens Alliance says it advocates for clean air, pure water, and healthy lands in the San Juan Basin. Music in the Mountains describes its work as producing a summer music festival and providing year-round youth education.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 24 grants totaling $12,086. Grants ranged from $50 to $5,075, with a median grant of $200. Its largest grants included $5,075 to Fort Lewis College, $1,210 to Durango Dharma Center, and $1,000 to Deer Hill Foundation. Other grants included $520 each to Four Rivers Inst SW Community Found and Animas Valley Institute, and $500 each to Radical Joy for Hard Times and Music in the Mountains. The listed grants were for unrestricted purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jessica Zeller as president and Steven Zeller as vice president.
Natural Pathways Foundation is led by Jessica Zeller, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jessica Zeller
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Steven Zeller
Vice President
On filings since 2020
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 Natural Pathways Foundation
How much does Natural Pathways Foundation give each year?
Natural Pathways Foundation gave $12K across 24 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $10K across 23 grants.
What is Natural Pathways Foundation's typical grant size?
Natural Pathways Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $200, and its average grant was $504, across 24 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Natural Pathways Foundation that year got $471 on average.
Where does Natural Pathways Foundation give grants?
Natural Pathways Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Durango, CO (14 grants).
Does Natural Pathways Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Natural Pathways Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (24 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Natural Pathways Foundation's largest grantees?
Natural Pathways Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Fort Lewis College ($5,075), Durango Dharma Center ($1,210) and Deer Hill Foundation ($1,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Natural Pathways Foundation?
Natural Pathways Foundation reported $578K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $52K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $38K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Natural Pathways Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations whose stated work includes wilderness scholarships and cross-cultural service projects, environmental advocacy, community development, classical music and youth education, and other charitable activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Natural Pathways Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Natural Pathways Foundation's EIN?
Natural Pathways Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-0582703. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Natural Pathways 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
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Figures come from Natural Pathways 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.
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