Catena Foundation
The Catena Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Carbondale, CO that supports environmental conservation, climate and community-focused work; it operates an online grants management portal. Public records (Form 990-PF) and charity profiles show large assets and active grantmaking in recent years. The foundation uses thecatenafoundation.org as its public site and a SmartSimple portal (catena.grantportal.online) for grants administration.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established nonprofits, intermediaries, or fiscal-sponsor projects working on conservation, clean energy, community engagement, civic engagement/ democracy protection, immigration or crisis response with capacity to manage mid-to-large grants and visible policy or program track records.
Good Fit
- • Work clearly aligned with conservation, clean energy, watershed/river-basin, or civic engagement/immigration themes.
- • Experience managing six-figure or larger grants or operating through fiscal sponsors/intermediaries.
- • Regional or national programming, or strong ties to networks in DC, CA, NY, or the Colorado River Basin/Western states.
- • Existing visibility to policy/intermediary organizations (e.g., national nonprofits or donor-advised intermediaries).
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year reached 22 states (and DC), with only about 6% of dollars staying in the foundation state and substantial giving to DC, CA and NY, indicating a national footprint despite a regional base.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 81 distinct recipients (and historically 124–149 in prior years) across multiple program areas and grant sizes, with a mix of intermediaries and direct-service organizations rather than a tiny closed circle.
New Applicants
Direct evidence shows many new grantees (37 new recipients in the latest year), but the foundation operates on a preselected/invitation-only model, so while new entrants are added, unsolicited applicants have no obvious public path to request funding.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
