Otter Cares Foundation
Otter Cares Foundation is a private foundation based in an individual recipient, Colorado, founded in 2009 by Nancy Richardson. It supports education that helps students become entrepreneurs and philanthropists, including youth programs, educator resources, hands-on learning spaces, and community partnerships.
Otter Cares Foundation at a glance
In short: Otter Cares Foundation gave $693K across 490 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in Colorado. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $693,390
- -3.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 490
- -0.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,415
- -3.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $275
- Total assets
- $9,655,247
- +14.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (146 of 363, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (87% 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 Otter Cares Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its website describes competitive grant funds with application cycles and pre-applications.
- Review Cycle
- For the stated 2026 cycles, Impact Fund pre-applications are due March 20 for spring and September 30 for fall; main applications are due April 20 and October 30, respectively. Innovation Station Fund pre-applications are due September 30, with main applications due October 30.
- Deadline
- For the stated 2026 cycles, Impact Fund pre-applications are due March 20 for spring and September 30 for fall; main…
- Contact
Mailing address: 401 West Oak Street, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Phone: (970) 494-5419
Website: https://ottercares.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Otter Cares Foundation
Who Otter Cares Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Junior Achievement USA ($58K). Together the top 10 received $285K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($7,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
2,181 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2,176 grants of 2,181 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated grant focus is an individual recipient, specifically Larimer and Weld counties. Its website says it prioritizes communities where Otter Products has physical offices. In 2024, 87% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado; other recipient-state shares were Ohio 5%, California 3%, Idaho 1%, and New York 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 490 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Otter Cares Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 146 of 363 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $275 first-time, $550 repeat.
- 45% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 304% 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 $593K (2022) to $763K (2021). In 2024 it made 490 grants totaling $693K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Achievement USA Loveland, CO | to fund JA in Northern Colorado, wyoming and rural eastern co | $57,500 |
| National Inventors Hall of Fame Inc North Canton, OH | Camp Invention K-6 Out-of-School STEM Enrichment Program serving larimer and weld youth | $35,000 |
| Canon City Schools Fremont Re-1 Canon City, CO | Tiger Den School Store fund | $25,000 |
| Girl Scouts of Colorado Denver, CO | OtterCares Project Heart Patch Program | $25,000 |
| North Park School Walden, CO | North Park School Innovation Station | $21,000 |
| City of Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO | NextGenServe, Young Leaders Making a Difference | $20,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity International Inc Greeley, CO | Construction-Electrical Pathway Career and Technical education program | $20,000 |
| Harris Bilingual Elementary School Fort Collins, CO | Harris Bilingual Innovation Station - PHASE I fund | $20,000 |
| Colorado State University Foundation Fort Collins, CO | CSU Institute for Entrepreneurship: Global Busines Academy | $18,750 |
| Global Leaders Inc Fort Collins, CO | the student office space fund | $18,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Otter Cares 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 | $9,655,247 | $2,676,676 | $1,489,765 | $693,390 | 490 | $1,411,662 | $786,962 | $464,912 |
| 2023 | $8,468,336 | $1,845,821 | $1,458,080 | $719,663 | 491 | $1,386,387 | $147,016 | $407,573 |
| 2022 | $8,080,045 | $1,944,854 | $1,329,878 | $593,157 | 521 | $1,264,461 | $120,266 | $381,666 |
| 2021 | $7,463,194 | $2,176,735 | $1,468,273 | $763,233 | 366 | $1,405,488 | $310,286 | $400,578 |
| 2020 | $6,752,757 | $1,984,568 | $1,214,297 | $637,400 | 313 | — | $135,522 | $328,694 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Otter Cares Foundation reported a distributable amount of $465K 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
OtterCares’ mission is to inspire students to become entrepreneurs and philanthropists who create lasting and impactful change in their communities. Its grants generally support programs that intentionally teach K–12 students entrepreneurship or philanthropy. Its program areas also include hands-on learning spaces and sponsorships for certain community events.
The foundation’s direct charitable activities include Project Heart, a philanthropy education curriculum; teacher and giving guides for educators, families, and youth program providers; and Unstoppable, a children’s book featuring stories of philanthropic action.
In describing their own missions, grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Junior Achievement USA says it inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. The National Inventors Hall of Fame describes its work as promoting creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Girl Scouts of Colorado says it prepares girls and adults for leadership and aims to build girls of courage, confidence, and character. Global Leaders says it educates youth to promote social and environmental justice through education and service.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 490 grants totaling $693,390. Individual grants ranged from $40 to $57,500, with a median grant of $275.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $57,500 to Junior Achievement USA for work in an individual recipient, Wyoming, and rural eastern Colorado; $35,000 to the National Inventors Hall of Fame for a Camp Invention K–6 enrichment program serving Larimer and Weld youth; and $25,000 each to Canon City Schools Fremont RE-1 for a school store fund and Girl Scouts of Colorado for the Project Heart Patch Program. Other awards included $21,000 to North Park School for its Innovation Station, $20,000 to the City of an individual recipient for NextGenServe, and $18,750 to the Colorado State University Foundation for a Global Business Academy.
The Impact Fund supports youth entrepreneurship or philanthropy programs in Larimer or Weld counties. Eligible applicants include schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a plan to continue the program beyond the grant. Awards typically range from $1,000 to $25,000. The fund has spring and fall cycles; its stated 2026 pre-application deadlines are March 20 and September 30, with main application deadlines of April 20 and October 30. An organization may receive one Impact Fund grant per calendar year and may receive funding for two consecutive years before taking a one-year break. The fund does not support, among other things, capital campaigns, travel, general wages or salaries, building and construction projects, or single-day events, subject to stated exceptions.
The Innovation Station Fund supports the creation or enhancement of hands-on learning spaces serving youth in Larimer or Weld counties. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) public charities and public schools; the space must be accessible to a broad student population and have a designated project champion. Awards typically range from $1,000 to $15,000. The fund offers an annual fall cycle, with stated 2026 pre-application and main application deadlines of September 30 and October 30. Organizations may receive one Innovation Station Fund grant every three years. The fund does not support traditional science labs or technology devices or multimedia equipment used only for general purposes.
The NoCO Fund provides sponsorships for single-day charitable events in Larimer or Weld counties. The foundation also describes support for fundraising and community engagement or awareness events hosted by schools and youth-serving nonprofits.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Linda Crum as Executive Director. It lists Shane David Feiman, Allison O’Brien, Patricia Quinones, Nancy A Richardson, Pete Richardson, and Daniel Seegmiller as directors. Kevin Sullivan is listed as director, chairman, and president.
Otter Cares Foundation is led by Linda Crum, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Linda Crum
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$114K (2020) → $151K (2024)
Kevin Sullivan
Director, Chairman & President
Director, Chairman, President & Secretary → Director, Chairman & President, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy A Richardson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pete Richardson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shane David Feiman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Quinones
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Seegmiller
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allison O'Brien
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Meredith Larson (2020–2023) — Director & Secretary
- Former: Jane Everhart (2020) — Director & Treasurer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $151K, to Linda Crum (Executive Dir).
Frequently asked questions about Otter Cares Foundation
How much does Otter Cares Foundation give each year?
Otter Cares Foundation gave $693K across 490 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $720K across 491 grants.
What is Otter Cares Foundation's typical grant size?
Otter Cares Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $275, and its average grant was $1,415, across 490 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Otter Cares Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does Otter Cares Foundation give grants?
Otter Cares Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Collins, CO (168 grants), Loveland, CO (49 grants), Greeley, CO (33 grants) and Denver, CO (18 grants).
Does Otter Cares Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of Otter Cares Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (162 of 490) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Event" (94 grants).
Who are Otter Cares Foundation's largest grantees?
Otter Cares Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Junior Achievement USA ($57,500), Colorado State University Foundation ($38,750 across 4 grants) and National Inventors Hall of Fame Inc ($35,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($7,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Otter Cares Foundation?
Otter Cares Foundation reported $9.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $465K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Otter Cares Foundation fund?
OtterCares’ mission is to inspire students to become entrepreneurs and philanthropists who create lasting and impactful change in their communities. Its grants generally support programs that intentionally teach K–12 students entrepreneurship or philanthropy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Otter Cares Foundation?
The foundation states that it 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 Otter Cares Foundation's EIN?
Otter Cares Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1649019. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Otter Cares 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Otter Cares Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/otter-cares-foundation-morg_73e016b8983d4c349d16af481636783c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_271649019_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Otter Cares Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/otter-cares-foundation-morg_73e016b8983d4c349d16af481636783c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. 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 Otter Cares 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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