Western States Learning Corporation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, operating under the name "Align." The organization was established in 2004 and is designated as an educational institution focused on scholarships and student financial aid. The organization provides professional services to nonprofits, government agencies, and private sector organizations, with a focus on organizational development and capacity building.
Key facts about Western States Learning Corporation
- EIN
- 43-2038597
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,979,587
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- Average grant
- $119,183
- Median grant
- $44,058
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (4 of 23, 2025)
- Total assets
- $6,905,249
- Primary geography
- Wyoming (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Western States Learning Corporation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Western States Learning Corporation's 25 itemized 2025 grants were Wyoming (98%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cheyenne, WY (4 grants), Sheridan, WY (4 grants), Laramie, WY (3 grants) and Phoenix, AZ (3 grants). None of its 25 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Covid-19 Health Disp" (24 grants).
Is Western States Learning Corporation open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 23 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $262K; repeat grants $102K. How we count
Medians: $65K first-time, $61K repeat.
- 83% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2023–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Western States Learning Corporation
- How to evaluate Western States Learning Corporation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Western States Learning Corporation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.9M
-31.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.0M
-35.6% YoY
Grant Count
25
-41.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$119K
+10.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization's mission is to help organizations advance towards their mission through customized solutions, including program management, knowledge development, and trusted advising. The organization assists in building useful strategies, leading through change to increase organizational performance, providing customized training and teambuilding, and helping stakeholders find common ground and make effective decisions. The organization administers and manages programs ranging from membership associations to federal and state programs.
Primary funding areas include:
- Scholarships and student financial aid
- Financial services
- Organizational capacity building and technical assistance
Grantmaking
Western States Learning Corporation operates as a grantmaker with a relationship-based approach, functioning by invitation only and not accepting unsolicited proposals.
Grant Range
s:**
Ready to take the next step with Western States Learning Corporation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization primarily funds organizations in Wyoming and surrounding regions, with documented grants to organizations in Wyoming and Montana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 25 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (2024-2025):
- Revenue: $8.0 million
- Expenses: $8.08 million
- Assets: $6.9 million
- Program spending: 96% of expenses
- Overhead: 4% of expenses
Revenue Sources (2024):
- Contributions & Grants: $9.6 million
- Program Service Revenue: $1.2 million
- Investment Income: $310,000
Financial Trends:
- Revenue growth 2022-2024: +83%
- Asset growth 2022-2024: +38%
- Year-over-year revenue growth (2023-2024): +49.7%
Financial Health:
- Operating reserves: 6.9 months
- Operating margin: 2.5%
- Liabilities-to-assets ratio: 0.38
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,905,249 | $10,069,884 | $8,248,178 |
| Revenue | $8,003,359 | $11,136,124 | $7,437,175 |
| Expenses | $8,075,374 | $10,860,966 | $7,321,791 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $308,968 | $310,403 | $2,533 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 9, 2026)
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
83 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Sublette County Hospital District ($910,260), Comea Inc ($402,449), Cheyenne Health and Wellness ($273,055).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SUBLETTE COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT Pinedale, WY | COVID-19 HEALTH DISP | $910,260 |
| COMEA INC Cheyenne, WY | COVID-19 HEALTH DISP | $402,449 |
| CHEYENNE HEALTH AND WELLNESS Cheyenne, WY | COVID-19 HEALTH DISP | $273,055 |
| BIGHORN VALLEY HEALTH CENTER INC Powell, WY | COVID-19 HEALTH DISP | $244,132 |
| COMMUNITY SAFETY NETWORK Jackson, WY | COVID-19 HEALTH DISP | $243,061 |
| COMMUNITY SERVICES NETWORK OF WY Sheridan, WY | COVID-19 HEALTH DISP | $144,548 |
| TRUE NORTH ACADEMY Cody, WY | COVID-19 HEALTH DISP | $99,856 |
| ACTION RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL Laramie, WY | COVID-19 HEALTH DISP | $93,509 |
| WYOMING RESORTS LLC DBA BEST Sheridan, WY | COVID-19 HEALTH DISP | $77,730 |
| CHEYENNE ANIMAL SHELTER SERVICES Cheyenne, WY | COVID-19 HEALTH DISP | $71,064 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kathy Cathcart – President and Managing Director
- Sheila Ricley – Chair
- Shawn Reese – Secretary/Treasurer
- Brittany Ashby – Board Member
- Tiffany Comer Cook – Board Member
- Laura Bump – Vice President
- Michele Dehoff – Board Member
- Gay Woodhouse – Board Member
- Danielle Jensen Ryan – Board Member
- Hayley Mckee – Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathy Cathcart | Chief Transi | 40 | $139,499 |
| Brittany Ashby | President | 40 | $126,067 |
| Tiffany Comer Cook | Vice Preside | 40 | $104,866 |
| Laura Bump | Vice Preside | 40 | $101,866 |
| Sheila Ricley | Vice Preside | 40 | $97,951 |
| Shawn Reese | Chair | 2 | — |
| Michele Dehoff | Secretary/Tr | 2 | — |
| Gay Woodhouse | Member | 1 | — |
| Danielle Jensen-Ryan | Member | 1 | — |
| Hayley McKee | Member | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 822 West 23rd Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001-3442
Phone: 307-772-9146
Website: www.thealignteam.org
EIN: 43-2038597
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Western States Learning Corporation fund?
The organization's mission is to help organizations advance towards their mission through customized solutions, including program management, knowledge development, and trusted advising. The organization assists in building useful strategies, leading through change to increase organizational performance, providing customized training and teambuilding, and helping stakeholders find common ground and make effective decisions. The organization administers and manages programs ranging from membersh…
How do I apply for a grant from Western States Learning Corporation?
Western States Learning Corporation operates as a grantmaker with a relationship-based approach, functioning by invitation only and not accepting unsolicited proposals. **2025 Grantmaking Activity:** • Total grants disbursed: $3 million • Number of grants: 25 • Number of grantees: 29 **Grant Sizes:** • Median first-year grant: $50,300 • Median second-year grant: $50,000 **Top Grantees (2025):** • University of Wyoming: $1 million (12% of total funding) • Bighorn Valley Health Center Inc: $590,1…
Where does Western States Learning Corporation make grants?
The organization primarily funds organizations in Wyoming and surrounding regions, with documented grants to organizations in Wyoming and Montana.
What size grants does Western States Learning Corporation award?
In 2025, Western States Learning Corporation awarded 25 grants totaling $3.0M — an average of about $119K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Western States Learning Corporation's EIN?
Western States Learning Corporation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-2038597. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Western States Learning Corporation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Wyoming Community Foundation
Laramie, WY
Assets
$230.8M
Grants
401
Total Given
$15.6M
Community Foundation of Jackson Hole
Jackson, WY
Assets
$170.9M
Grants
374
Total Given
$39.6M
Wyoming Early Childhood Partnership
Casper, WY
Assets
$55K
Grants
216
Total Given
$3.1M
The Andrew Allen Charitable Foundation
Cheyenne, WY
Assets
—
Grants
161
Total Given
$1.5M
Wold Foundation
Casper, WY
Assets
$53.1M
Grants
128
Total Given
$2.8M
Natrona Collective Health Trust
Casper, WY
Assets
$288.3M
Grants
101
Total Given
$13.4M
PC Fund for Animals Charitable Tr
Jackson, WY
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
97
Total Given
$386K
The Libby & Gary Pedri Charitable Trust
Rock Springs, WY
Assets
$7.6M
Grants
92
Total Given
$288K
The Brooks Foundation
Tenton Village, WY
Assets
$4.3M
Grants
75
Total Given
$124K
Margaret H & James E Kelley
Casper, WY
Assets
—
Grants
74
Total Given
$1.4M
The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable
Gillette, WY
Assets
—
Grants
70
Total Given
$153K
Homer A Scott & Mildred S Scott Foundation
Sheridan, WY
Assets
$24.5M
Grants
70
Total Given
$1.8M
More Funders in Wyoming
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.