The Catalyst Foundation
The Catalyst Foundation is a private foundation based in Potomac, Maryland. Its most recent filing on record is for 2021, and no later filing is reported; it appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
The Catalyst Foundation at a glance
In short: The Catalyst Foundation gave $60K across 37 grants in 2021 (avg $2K), top state Maryland. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $59,700
- -2.5% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 37
- +2.8% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $1,614
- -5.2% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $485,206
- +8.9% vs 2020
- Primary geography
- Maryland (37% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Catalyst Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 7809 Brickyard Road, Potomac, MD 20854
Phone: (301) 299-1077
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Catalyst Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Manna Food Center ($7K). Together the top 10 received $48K.
Grant Size Distribution
73 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 73 grants of 73 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2021, Maryland received 37% of grant dollars, the District of Columbia 28%, New York 11%, Massachusetts 8%, and California 7%. The grants also included recipients in other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Catalyst Foundation gives
- 92% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
- In 2021 it paid out 173% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021). 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 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $60K (2021) to $61K (2020). In 2021 it made 37 grants totaling $60K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Manna Food Center Silver Spring, MD | Charitable | $7,000 |
| Maryland Food Bank Halethorpe, MD | Charitable | $6,000 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Doctors Wo Borders Hagerstown, MD | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Greater Washington Foundation Washington, DC | Charitable | $5,000 |
| International Rescue Committee New York, NY | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Earth Justice San Francisco, CA | Charitable | $4,000 |
| Clean Air Task Force Boston, MA | Charitable | $4,000 |
| Center for Carbon Removal Washington, DC | Charitable | $4,000 |
| Cornerstone Kansas City, MO | Charitable | $3,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $485,206 | $99,515 | $60,036 | $59,700 | 37 | $59,700 | $38,697 | $34,504 |
| 2020 | $445,727 | $52,635 | $65,220 | $61,250 | 36 | — | $5,051 | $27,213 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Catalyst Foundation reported a distributable amount of $35K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants went to charitable organizations working in areas including hunger relief, humanitarian response, climate and carbon removal, affordable housing, education, and democracy reform.
The grantees describe their work in their own terms. MANNA Food Center says it works to end hunger through education, advocacy, and food distribution. The International Rescue Committee says it responds to humanitarian crises and helps people affected by conflict and disaster. Carbon180 describes its mission as championing equitable, science-based carbon-removal policies, while Clean Air Task Force says it advances technology and policy changes for a zero-emissions, high-energy planet. Cornerstone Corporation describes its work as providing access to affordable housing and promoting community development. The Capital Area Food Bank says it works to improve equitable access to food and opportunity; Wesleyan University describes its commitment to liberal arts education; and Common Cause says it advances democracy reforms.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation made 37 grants totaling $59,700. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $7,000, with a median grant of $500.
Among the largest reported grants were $7,000 to MANNA Food Center, $6,000 to Maryland Food Bank, and $5,000 each to the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Greater Washington Foundation, and International Rescue Committee. Other notable grants included $4,000 each to Earthjustice, Clean Air Task Force, and the Center for Carbon Removal, and $3,000 to Cornerstone.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists Michael J. Nagan as president, Laura N. Brown as vice president, Stephen E. Brown as treasurer, and Claudia Rollert Nagan as secretary.
The Catalyst Foundation is led by Michael J. Nagan, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Michael J. Nagan
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claudia Rollert Nagan
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura N. Brown
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen E. Brown
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 The Catalyst Foundation
How much does The Catalyst Foundation give each year?
The Catalyst Foundation gave $60K across 37 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $61K across 36 grants.
What is The Catalyst Foundation's typical grant size?
The Catalyst Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $500, and its average grant was $1,614, across 37 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Catalyst Foundation give grants?
The Catalyst Foundation's top state is Maryland, with 37% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (28%) and New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (9 grants), Silver Spring, MD (4 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Arlington, VA (2 grants).
Does The Catalyst Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 37 grants with a stated purpose on The Catalyst Foundation's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (37 grants).
Who are The Catalyst Foundation's largest grantees?
The Catalyst Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include Manna Food Center ($7,000), Maryland Food Bank ($6,000) and American Red Cross ($5,000), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
How large is The Catalyst Foundation?
The Catalyst Foundation reported $485K in total assets on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $60K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $35K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Catalyst Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants went to charitable organizations working in areas including hunger relief, humanitarian response, climate and carbon removal, affordable housing, education, and democracy reform. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Catalyst Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Catalyst Foundation's EIN?
The Catalyst Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 65-0488729. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does The Catalyst 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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Figures come from The Catalyst 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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