The Cathy Kangas Foundation for
The Cathy Kangas Foundation for Animals is a New Canaan, Connecticut-based private foundation that supports animal welfare efforts locally and around the world. Its stated mission is to give animals a voice by helping ensure they are protected and loved, particularly animals in shelters.
The Cathy Kangas Foundation for at a glance
In short: The Cathy Kangas Foundation for gave $15K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in Connecticut. 71% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $14,811
- +134.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- +133.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,058
- +0.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $633
- Total assets
- $5,600
- +35.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 71% first-time grantees (10 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (70% 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 The Cathy Kangas Foundation for
- 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.
- Contact
Mailing address: 106 Clearview Lane, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-1804
Website: https://cathykangasfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Cathy Kangas Foundation for funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Bridgeport Animal Control ($5K). Together the top 10 received $14K.
Grant Size Distribution
63 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 63 grants of 63 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grants went primarily to organizations in Connecticut: 70% of grant dollars went to recipients in that state. The other reported recipient-state shares were New York, 12%; Texas, 5%; Washington, DC, 5%; and Florida, 3%. Its website describes its animal-welfare support as both local and global.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Cathy Kangas Foundation for open to new grantees?
71%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 14 grantees (71%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $600; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $400 first-time, $2K repeat.
- 21% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above 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 $3K (2022) to $56K (2020). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $15K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport Animal Control Bridgeport, CT | Charitable Purpose | $5,145 |
| Animal Rescue & KG Charities Brookfield, CT | Charitable Purpose | $2,000 |
| Give Butter Society Wilmington DE Stamford, CT | Charitable Purpose | $1,508 |
| Strong Paws Rescue Inc Croton on Hudson, NY | Charitable Purpose | $1,300 |
| Project Precious Rescue Stamford, CT | Charitable Purpose | $1,150 |
| Freedom Street Rescue Houston, TX | Charitable Purpose | $768 |
| Network for Good Washington, DC | Charitable Purpose | $750 |
| Wolf Conservation South Salem, NY | Charitable Purpose | $515 |
| Wildlife Inc Bradenton Beach, FL | Charitable Purpose | $500 |
| Sandy Paws Rescue Inc Oak Bluffs, MA | Charitable Purpose | $300 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,600 | $29,695 | $31,368 | $14,811 | 14 | $27,807 | $210 |
| 2023 | $4,127 | $33,452 | $42,105 | $6,310 | 6 | $41,598 | $453 |
| 2022 | $12,274 | $86,969 | $69,350 | $2,906 | 8 | $68,519 | $265 |
| 2021 | $895 | $53,072 | $47,847 | $13,283 | 13 | $50,921 | $21 |
| 2020 | $3,903 | $106,013 | $93,110 | $55,925 | 22 | — | $227 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cathy Kangas Foundation for reported a distributable amount of $210 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 provide a voice for animals by helping ensure every animal is protected and loved, particularly those in shelters. Its website describes support for animal welfare efforts both locally and globally, including shelter adoption, animal rescue, and horse rescue.
The organizations it supported in 2024 illustrate the kinds of work among its grantees. Strong Paws Rescue says it rescues and rehabilitates unwanted companion animals and provides veterinary care. Freedom Street Rescue says it saves dogs from streets and public shelters in southeast Texas, provides veterinary care, and seeks permanent homes for them. Wildlife Inc describes its work as rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing native wildlife, alongside education. Sandy Paws Rescue says it provides services for family pets in need; A New Leash on Life says it works to increase live releases from North Alabama shelters through rescue, rehabilitation, veterinary care, and placement.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 14 grants totaling $14,811. Grants ranged from $100 to $5,145, with a median grant of $632. The largest listed grants were $5,145 to Bridgeport Animal Control, $2,000 to Animal Rescue & KG Charities, $1,508 to Give Butter Society, $1,300 to Strong Paws Rescue, and $1,150 to Project Precious Rescue. Each was reported with the purpose “charitable purpose.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Catherine Kangas and Edward Kangas as directors. The foundation’s website identifies Cathy Kangas as its founder.
The Cathy Kangas Foundation for's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Catherine Kangas
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Kangas
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Roy Stephens (2020) — Director
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 The Cathy Kangas Foundation for
How much does The Cathy Kangas Foundation for give each year?
The Cathy Kangas Foundation for gave $15K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6K across 6 grants.
What is The Cathy Kangas Foundation for's typical grant size?
The Cathy Kangas Foundation for's median grant in 2024 was $633, and its average grant was $1,058, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Cathy Kangas Foundation for that year got $600 on average.
Where does The Cathy Kangas Foundation for give grants?
The Cathy Kangas Foundation for gives mostly in Connecticut: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (12%) and Texas (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Stamford, CT (2 grants).
Who are The Cathy Kangas Foundation for's largest grantees?
The Cathy Kangas Foundation for's largest 2024 grantees include Bridgeport Animal Control ($5,145), Animal Rescue & KG Charities ($2,000) and Give Butter Society Wilmington DE ($1,508), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Cathy Kangas Foundation for?
The Cathy Kangas Foundation for reported $6K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $28K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $210 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Cathy Kangas Foundation for fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to provide a voice for animals by helping ensure every animal is protected and loved, particularly those in shelters. Its website describes support for animal welfare efforts both locally and globally, including shelter adoption, animal rescue, and horse rescue. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cathy Kangas Foundation for?
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 The Cathy Kangas Foundation for's EIN?
The Cathy Kangas Foundation for's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3916723. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Cathy Kangas Foundation for 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
Live grants for the work The Cathy Kangas Foundation for funds
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