Pegasus Foundation
Pegasus Foundation is a private foundation listed in Tallahassee, Florida, that supports animal rescue and rehabilitation, animal welfare initiatives, and ecosystem protection. Its 2024 IRS filing is marked as the organization’s final return, indicating that it has terminated or is winding down.
Pegasus Foundation at a glance
In short: Pegasus Foundation gave $1.4M across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $348K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,392,687
- +1567.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- -88.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $348,172
- +14077.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $650
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Pegasus 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. The filing is marked as the organization’s final return.
- Contact
Mailing address: 13656 Tenacity Lane, Tallahassee, FL 32312
Phone: (216) 303-8061
Website: https://pegasusfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Pegasus Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Schwab's Donor Advised Fund ($1.4M). Together the top 4 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
139 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 138 grants of 139 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website describes work in Cape Cod and Florida, as well as wildlife protection in Africa and Asia. The 2024 filing’s listed grants went to recipients in California, Utah, New York, and Maine.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Pegasus Foundation gives
- Giving grew 1714% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $64K (2020) to $1.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Schwab's Donor Advised Fund San Francisco, CA | Final Year Transfer to Donor Advisor Fund | $1,391,137 |
| Thomasville Art and Antiques Show Farmington, UT | Annual Fund | $900 |
| Seal Future Fund New York, NY | Annual Fund | $400 |
| Project Puffin Rockland, ME | Annual Fund Scientific Education | $250 |
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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 | — | $42,528 | $1,412,206 | $1,392,687 | 4 | $1,392,687 | $22,643 | $33,801 |
| 2023 | $485,507 | $75,052 | $86,941 | $83,500 | 34 | $83,500 | $72,315 | $63,041 |
| 2022 | $498,871 | $62,060 | $88,804 | $75,450 | 32 | $75,450 | $52,490 | $65,094 |
| 2021 | $522,204 | $70,517 | $89,720 | $76,765 | 35 | $79,211 | $61,817 | $72,631 |
| 2020 | $541,407 | $61,061 | $76,943 | $63,515 | 34 | — | $51,558 | $57,847 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Pegasus Foundation reported a distributable amount of $34K 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
The foundation’s stated mission is to aid in rescuing and rehabilitating domestic and wild animals, award grants to animal welfare initiatives, and support healthy ecosystems through strategic partnerships and environmental policies.
Its website describes support for marine mammal rescue and training, sea and marsh turtle rescue and rehabilitation, wildlife protection in Africa and Asia, and animal rescue projects in Florida. It names organizations including the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Center for Coastal Studies, Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary, National Marine Life Center, and Delaware Center for the Inland Bays as partners or recipients of its support.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported four grants totaling $1,392,687. The median grant was $650, with grants ranging from $250 to $1,391,137. The largest item was a $1,391,137 transfer to Schwab’s Donor Advised Fund, described as a “final year transfer to donor advisor fund.” The other listed grants were $900 to Thomasville Art and Antiques Show, $400 to Seal Future Fund, and $250 to Project Puffin.
The foundation’s website also describes long-term support for marine animal rescue and rehabilitation organizations and a Florida animal transport-for-adoption project. Its 2024 filing lists annual-fund purposes for three of the four grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Melville H. Ireland Jr. as president, and Elizabeth R. Ireland, Peter Ireland, William Ireland, and Jennifer Ireland as trustees.
Pegasus Foundation is led by Melville H. Ireland Jr., President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Melville H. Ireland Jr.
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth R. Ireland
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Ireland
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Ireland
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Ireland
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Carole M. Nowak (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Neil A. Brown (2020–2023) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about Pegasus Foundation
How much does Pegasus Foundation give each year?
Pegasus Foundation gave $1.4M across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $84K across 34 grants.
What is Pegasus Foundation's typical grant size?
Pegasus Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $650, and its average grant was $348,172, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Pegasus Foundation give grants?
Pegasus Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Pegasus Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of Pegasus Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
What does Pegasus Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to aid in rescuing and rehabilitating domestic and wild animals, award grants to animal welfare initiatives, and support healthy ecosystems through strategic partnerships and environmental policies. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Pegasus 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 ↑
How much is Pegasus Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Pegasus Foundation reported a distributable amount of $34K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Pegasus Foundation's EIN?
Pegasus Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-7137513. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Pegasus 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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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Pegasus 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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