The Richard and Shirley Otto Foundation (RSO Foundation) is a private foundation located in Incline Village, Nevada. Established in 2022, the foundation was created to honor the legacy of Richard and Shirley Otto, who were deeply committed to animal welfare and recognized the importance of the human-animal bond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.7M
-10.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$902K
-2.9% YoY
Grant Count
34
-22.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
+25.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, RSO Foundation reported a distributable amount of $333K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Richard and Shirley Otto Foundation is dedicated to helping animals nationwide. Through innovative veterinary care initiatives and charitable giving efforts, the foundation aims to improve the lives of countless animals and advance animal welfare causes.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Affordable veterinary care access
- Animal rescue and welfare programs
- Education and training for animal rescues
- Collaboration between animal rescues, animal welfare organizations, veterinarians, and pet owners
- Innovative programs that improve animal welfare
The foundation supports programs addressing the financial barriers that force pet owners to relinquish their animals due to cost constraints.
Grantmaking
The foundation made additional grants to animal welfare organizations, with 17 additional grants documented beyond those listed above.
Grant Range
approximately $40,900
Average Grant
approximately $40,900
Ready to take the next step with RSO Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds programs across multiple U.S. states, with documented giving in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Utah. Funding reaches both major metropolitan areas and smaller communities nationwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (as of December 2023):
- Total assets: $8,633,426
- Total revenues: $39,975
- Total expenses: $1,439,999
- Investment income and dividends: $229,065
Revenue Composition (2023):
- Investment income and dividends: $229,065
- Net loss from sale of non-inventory assets: -$189,090
- Total grants and contributions: $0 (compared to $11,678,149 in 2022)
Staffing:
- Number of employees: 0 (foundation operates with volunteer leadership)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,722,394 | $8,633,426 | $10,171,625 |
| Revenue | $439,961 | $39,975 | $11,709,634 |
| Expenses | $1,350,994 | $1,439,999 | $1,676,184 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $901,757 | $928,223 | $1,564,775 |
| Net Investment Income | $439,961 | $229,065 | $49,274 |
| Distributable Amount | $332,771 | $564,006 | $383,126 |
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
111 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Better Together Forever ($320,000), Mercy Crusade ($178,326), Five Keys Charter School ($65,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cache Foundation Smyrna, GA | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Gimmie Love Animal Shelter Coalinga, CA | Charitable | $5,250 |
| Animal Balance Portand, OR | Charitable | $40,000 |
| Brandon School Goleta, CA | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Council on Foundations Washington, DC | Charitable | $4,000 |
| Jameson Humane Society Napa, CA | Charitable | $30,000 |
| Bob Hoover Academy Salinas, CA | Charitable | $10,000 |
| The Pixie Project Portland, OR | Charitable | $1,000 |
| The Pet Network Incline Village, NV | Charitable | $10,000 |
| The Ocala Farm Ministry Ocala, FL | Charitable | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Joseph Bourdeau — President and Founder A former banker with over 36 years of experience in Incline Village, Nevada. Bourdeau served as President and Board member of 10 local nonprofit organizations and founded the Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe and Lake Tahoe Community Trust. He met Shirley Otto in 2000 and served as trustee for five families before becoming Trustee and President of the RSO Foundation following Shirley Otto's death in 2021. Works 35 hours per week with annual compensation of $71,500.
Mirna Bourdeau — Executive Director and Founder Previously worked as household manager and caregiver for Shirley Otto for 18 years, during which she cared for Shirley's pets including Great Danes and cats. Following Shirley's passing, Mirna partnered with Joseph Bourdeau to honor Shirley's wishes to help animals in need. Mirna organizes funding requests and makes decisions on all foundation grants.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Bordeau | President | 35 | $65,000 |
Contact
Email: RSOFund@gmail.com
Location: Incline Village, Nevada
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does RSO Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The Richard and Shirley Otto Foundation is dedicated to helping animals nationwide. Through innovative veterinary care initiatives and charitable giving efforts, the foundation aims to improve the lives of countless animals and advance animal welfare causes. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Affordable veterinary care access • Animal rescue and welfare programs • Education and training for animal rescues • Collaboration between animal rescues, animal welfare organizations, veter…
How do I apply for a grant from RSO Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 33 grants in 2023 • Total grants awarded in 2023: approximately $1.4 million • Average grant size: approximately $40,900 • Median grant size: $10,000 • Typical award range: $500–$400,000 **Recent Grantees (2023):** • Mercy Crusade's Spay, Neuter and Wellness Clinic: $130,740 • Pet Network Humane Society: $36,700 • Vets in Vans: $30,240 The foundation made additional grants to animal welfare organizations, with 17 additional grants documented beyond those listed above.
Where does RSO Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds programs across multiple U.S. states, with documented giving in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Utah. Funding reaches both major metropolitan areas and smaller communities nationwide.
What size grants does RSO Foundation award?
In 2024, RSO Foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $902K — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is RSO Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, RSO Foundation reported a distributable amount of $333K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is RSO Foundation's EIN?
RSO Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-3044183. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in RSO Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Dna 1957 Foundation
LAS VEGAS, NV
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Love Foundation for American Music
INCLINE VILLAGE, NV
Assets
$1K
Grants
4
Total Given
$125K
Haupt S Fbo Charities Tuw
LAS VEGAS, NV
Assets
—
Grants
4
Total Given
$73K
Hall Mildred C Tuw
LAS VEGAS, NV
Assets
$184K
Grants
2
Total Given
$239K
M D Close Foundation
LAS VEGAS, NV
Assets
$330K
Grants
11
Total Given
$338K
Friends of Sutro Tunnel Charity
CARSON CITY, NV
Assets
$856K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with RSO Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching RSO Foundation to a real strategy.