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Catena Foundation

Annual Giving
$30.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $4.0M

Catena Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $30,178,715 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $573.7 million
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $4,000,000
  • Average Grant: $243,377
  • Geographic Focus: Four Corners region (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona), with some national and Latin America grants
  • Total Awards (2023): 124 grants

Contact Details

Phone: (970) 340-4141
Location: Carbondale, CO
Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website

Overview

The Catena Foundation was established in 2016 by Samuel R. Walton, grandson of Walmart co-founder Sam Walton. With a mission "to heal the land and heal the people," the foundation operates with an endowment of approximately $573.7 million established through the sale of Walmart stock. The foundation is a private family foundation that awarded $30.2 million across 124 grants in 2023, down from $35 million in 2022. The foundation maintains a deliberately low profile, without a public website or published funding guidelines. While headquartered in Carbondale, Colorado, Catena prioritizes grantmaking in the Four Corners region of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona, though it also makes some grants nationally and in Latin America. Almost half of its 2023 awards went to organizations in Arizona and Colorado, though about two dozen states received at least one grant.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Climate Change & Environmental Conservation (Primary Focus)
Climate change and the environment receive more support than any other issue area. The foundation prioritizes addressing climate change and promoting clean energy deployment.

Recent major environmental grants include:

  • Environmental Defense Fund: $1,587,500 (2023, largest single donation)
  • World Wildlife Fund: $4,000,000 (2022)
  • Western Resource Advocates: At least $1,250,000 annually since 2020
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Conservation Colorado Education Fund

Indigenous Communities & Native-Led Organizations
The foundation works "closely with Native communities across all [of its] priorities." Indigenous support is intertwined with all other funding areas, including Tribal efforts to restore sacred sites.

Recent indigenous community grants include:

  • To Nizhoni Ani
  • Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
  • The Lakota Fund
  • The Hopi Foundation
  • The Klamath Tribes: $110,000 for Chiloquin Youth Bike Program (2024)

Youth Development Through Cycling & Trails
The foundation supports empowering youth through access to bicycling programs and trails, developing lifelong wellness habits through outdoor activities.

Programs include:

  • Partnership with Outride's Riding For Focus program to expand cycling education in indigenous communities throughout the Southwest
  • Five new cycling programs in Arizona, New Mexico, and Diné (Navajo) communities
  • Verde Valley programs: $50,000 grant plus additional funding totaling over $140,000 for Oak Creek School Mountain Bike Skills Park
  • Development of multi-use trails and bike infrastructure

Civic Engagement (Particularly in the Southwest)
The foundation supports civic engagement and democracy initiatives, particularly voter registration and civic engagement organizations.

2023 civic engagement grants included:

  • Civic Nation: $800,000
  • NEO Philanthropy: $565,000
  • Workmoney Foundation: $550,000
  • Protect Democracy Project: $500,000
  • Western States Center: $450,000
  • Public Democracy America: $250,000
  • Arizona Native Vote: $175,000
  • Rural Arizona Engagement: $170,000
  • North Carolina Black Alliance: $150,000
  • Education Reform Now: $150,000
  • Defending Democracy Together Institute: $1,000,000
  • Voter Formation Project: $100,000
  • Texas Organizing Project Education Fund: $65,000
  • Jolt Initiative: $50,000
  • Hopewell Fund: Over $1,000,000 (2022)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly disclose exclusions, but their focused priorities suggest they do not fund areas outside of climate/environment, indigenous communities, youth development through cycling/trails, and civic engagement.

Governance and Leadership

Samuel R. Walton - President
Grandson of Walmart co-founder Sam Walton and founder of the Catena Foundation.

Steve Matous - Secretary and Interim Executive Director
Starting in August 2022 as a consultant, Matous transitioned to COO then Interim Executive Director with full accountability for the foundation. Mike Wight, Restoration and Trails Program Officer, stated: "We are excited to partner with Outride's Riding For Focus program to expand cycling education and promote healthy lifestyles in indigenous communities throughout the Southwest."

Greg Nelson - Vice President

Drew Ritchey - Treasurer

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Catena Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded through:

  • Invitation-only basis
  • Trustee discretion
  • Proactive identification of organizations by foundation staff

Getting on Their Radar

Contact the Foundation Directly: The only publicly available contact method is by phone at (970) 340-4141. Given the foundation's focus on the Four Corners region and specific priority areas, organizations working in climate/environment, indigenous communities, youth cycling programs, or civic engagement in the Southwest may inquire about potential funding opportunities.

Geographic Proximity: Organizations based in or serving the Four Corners region (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona) appear to have better visibility, as almost half of 2023 awards went to Arizona and Colorado organizations.

Work in Priority Areas: The foundation appears to actively monitor and identify organizations working in their core areas, particularly those serving indigenous communities or addressing climate change in the Southwest.

Partnership Networks: Organizations working with Outride (cycling programs) or other known grantees may have increased visibility to the foundation through existing partnership networks.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on a private, invitation-only basis with no published application cycles or decision timelines.

Success Rates

With 124 grants awarded in 2023 from a $30.2 million grantmaking budget and no public application process, success rate data is not applicable. All grants are made to preselected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking structure.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of the foundation, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that align with the following characteristics appear more likely to receive funding:

Strong Geographic Alignment: Organizations based in or serving the Four Corners region (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona) receive prioritization, with almost half of 2023 grants going to Arizona and Colorado organizations.

Indigenous Leadership & Focus: The foundation works "closely with Native communities across all [of its] priorities" and integrates indigenous community support throughout all funding areas. Native-led organizations and projects serving indigenous communities are clear priorities.

Climate & Environmental Impact: Climate change and the environment receive more support than any other issue area. Organizations with measurable environmental conservation outcomes and clean energy deployment projects align with core priorities.

Youth Cycling & Trails Development: Organizations like Outride that provide cycling education, youth rider development, and trail infrastructure development in indigenous and Southwest communities match specific program interests.

Established Track Record: The foundation appears to fund established organizations with proven impact, including major national environmental organizations as well as smaller regional and community-based organizations.

Multi-Year Relationships: Some grantees like Western Resource Advocates have received funding annually since 2020, suggesting the foundation values ongoing partnerships with effective organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder - The Catena Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Traditional grant application strategies do not apply.

  • Geographic focus is critical - While some national grants are made, the Four Corners region (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona) is the clear priority, with almost half of 2023 awards going to Arizona and Colorado organizations.

  • Indigenous community work is integrated across all priorities - The foundation doesn't just fund indigenous organizations separately; it works "closely with Native communities" across all funding areas including climate, youth development, and civic engagement.

  • Climate action is the top priority - Climate change and environmental conservation receive more support than any other issue area, with grants ranging from $50,000 to $4 million for environmental organizations.

  • Youth cycling programs are a unique niche - The foundation has a specific interest in empowering youth through bicycling programs and trails, particularly in indigenous communities. This is a distinctive funding area that sets Catena apart from other environmental funders.

  • Relationship building is essential - Without a public application process, organizations should contact the foundation directly at (970) 340-4141 to introduce their work if it aligns with Catena's mission and geographic focus.

  • Grant sizes vary widely - Awards range from $1,000 to $4 million with an average of $243,377, indicating the foundation funds both small community initiatives and major environmental campaigns.

References

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