Otter Cares Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and corporate foundation of Otter Products LLC, based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Founded in 2009 by Nancy Richardson, the organization focuses on inspiring and empowering young people to become entrepreneurs and philanthropists who create lasting change in their communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.7M
+14.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$693K
-3.7% YoY
Grant Count
490
-0.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1K
-3.5% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Otter Cares Foundation inspires students to become entrepreneurs and philanthropists who create lasting and impactful change in their communities.
The foundation's approach centers on the philosophy of "Ignite Tomorrow, Today"—teaching children to be entrepreneurs, philanthropists, makers, doers, and givers in the present rather than waiting for the future.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
- Human services
- Youth empowerment and character development
Grantmaking
Otter Cares Foundation operates three primary grant programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in:
- Northern Colorado (particularly Larimer and Weld Counties)
- Colorado statewide
- California
- New York
Specific local programs include support for the Poudre School District through the Pack2School program, which purchases and distributes school supplies for qualifying students.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $8,468,336
- Total revenues: $1,845,821
- Total expenses: $1,458,080
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $9,655,247
- Total giving: $692,735
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,655,247 | $8,468,336 | $8,080,045 |
| Revenue | $2,676,676 | $1,845,821 | $1,944,854 |
| Expenses | $1,489,765 | $1,458,080 | $1,329,878 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,411,662 | $1,386,387 | $1,264,461 |
| Net Investment Income | $786,962 | $147,016 | $120,266 |
| Distributable Amount | $464,912 | $407,573 | $381,666 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Otter Cares Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Aspen Ridge School ($5,000), Animal Friends Alliance ($3,000), Boltz Middle School ($2,602).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 3HOPEFUL HEARTS FORT COLLINS, CO | General & Unrestricted | $275 |
| 3HOPEFUL HEARTS FORT COLLINS, CO | Charitable Event | $750 |
| 826 NATIONAL SAN FRANCISCO, CA | Los Angeles Chapter | $275 |
| A FRIEND 4U FORT COLLINS, CO | Charitable Event | $500 |
| A KIDS PLACE INC GREELEY, CO | Charitable Event | $500 |
| A LITTLE HELP DENVER, CO | Birthday Postcard Program | $275 |
| A PRECIOUS CHILD INC BROOMFIELD, CO | General & Unrestricted | $825 |
| A WOMANS PLACE INC DENVER, CO | Charitable Event | $500 |
| ACTION AGAINST HUNGER USA NEW YORK, NY | For efforts in Toronto, Canada. | $275 |
| AL-QALAM FOUNDATION CARROLLTON, TX | General & Unrestricted | $275 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Linda Crum serves as Executive Director. She brings decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, athletics, and character development to her role leading the foundation's initiatives for youth empowerment.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linda Crum | Executive Dir | 40 | $151,383 |
| Shane David Feiman | Dir | 1 | — |
| Allison O'Brien | Dir | 1 | — |
| Patricia Quinones | Dir | 1 | — |
| Nancy A Richardson | Dir | 1 | — |
| Pete Richardson | Dir | 1 | — |
| Daniel Seegmiller | Dir | 1 | — |
| Kevin Sullivan | Dir, Chairman, Pres | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2024, the foundation celebrated its 15th anniversary and reported record numbers in community giving. The organization expanded its reach through grants supporting innovative learning spaces, including funding for Little Shop of Physics rural school visits and Turner's Createspace. The foundation continues to develop new resources and programs aligned with its mission to inspire youth entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
OtterCares grant expands Little Shop of Physics rural school visits | CollegeSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Otter Cares Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Otter Cares Foundation inspires students to become entrepreneurs and philanthropists who create lasting and impactful change in their communities. The foundation's approach centers on the philosophy of "Ignite Tomorrow, Today"—teaching children to be entrepreneurs, philanthropists, makers, doers, and givers in the present rather than waiting for the future. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Education • Philanthropy and voluntarism • Human services • Youth empowerment and character dev…
How do I apply for a grant from Otter Cares Foundation?
Otter Cares Foundation operates three primary grant programs: **Impact Fund** Provides grants to nonprofits and schools in Northern Colorado to support programs that directly teach the principles of entrepreneurship and/or philanthropy to K-12 students. **NoCO Fund** Provides sponsorship grants to schools and nonprofits for single-day fundraising and community engagement/awareness events in Larimer or Weld Counties, Colorado. **Innovation Station Fund** Provides grants to schools and nonprofits…
Where does Otter Cares Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in: • Northern Colorado (particularly Larimer and Weld Counties) • Colorado statewide • California • New York Specific local programs include support for the Poudre School District through the Pack2School program, which purchases and distributes school supplies for qualifying students.
What size grants does Otter Cares Foundation award?
In 2024, Otter Cares Foundation awarded 490 grants totaling $693K — an average of about $1K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Otter Cares Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Otter Cares Foundation reported a distributable amount of $465K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Otter Cares 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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