Cato Institute
Washington, District of Columbia · EIN 237432162 · Private foundation
Cato Institute is a private foundation based in Washington, District of Columbia. Its indexed IRS summary (FY2026) lists $136K in giving and $213.7M in assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 31 individual grants from this funder — $1.2M awarded across 2018–2025 — including its support for higher education. This public overview includes selected grant examples.
What Cato Institute funds
Cato Institute's giving carries a documented focus on higher education.
Selected grant examples
Up to three historical grant examples from public IRS filings are shown below, ordered by amount. This sample is not a complete funding history.
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Innocence Project Inc General Support | Brooklyn, NY | $250K | 2022 |
| Cuban American National Foundation Milton Friedman Prize Award 2018 | Miami, FL | $250K | 2019 |
| Free to Choose Network Production of documentary on school choice | Erie, PA | $80K | 2018 |
How to apply for funding from Cato Institute
Cato Institute's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. That does not establish that applications are open. Check the foundation's official website or contact it directly for current guidelines before preparing or sending a request. You can review the foundation directly at cato.org.
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Frequently asked questions about Cato Institute
- Does Cato Institute accept grant applications?
- Cato Institute's public filing does not specify an application process. A filing alone cannot confirm whether applications are currently open. Check the foundation's official website or contact it for current guidelines.
- What does Cato Institute fund?
- Cato Institute's grants focus on higher education. Example recipients include The Innocence Project Inc, Cuban American National Foundation, Free to Choose Network. Up to three historical grant examples appear above. Full indexed grant histories require All access at $19/month.
- How much does Cato Institute give in grants?
- Cato Institute's indexed IRS summary for FY2026 lists $136K in giving. Across all years in our data it has awarded $1.2M over 31 grants.
- Where is Cato Institute located?
- Cato Institute is based in Washington, District of Columbia. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 237432162.
- How can I find foundations similar to Cato Institute?
- Compare priorities, past recipients, and grant sizes with your program. Bespoke Grants includes one free successful search per account, for life, with up to three sourced matches. No card. Further searches and full research cost $19/month.
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Foundations similar to Cato Institute
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