Pegasus Foundation

What Pegasus Foundation does

The Pegasus Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation (EIN 22-3487149) headquartered in Hobe Sound, Florida, founded in 1997 by David and Barbara Birdsey following the 1986 establishment of the Orenda Wildlife Trust. The foundation operates as a strategic grant-maker in animal welfare, structured around three core programs: Marine Animal Rescue and Protection, Wildlife and Habitat Protection, and Animal Welfare (domestic animals, spay/neuter, equine rescue). Its business model is nonprofit and donation-funded, with revenue streams comprising one-time gifts, recurring monthly donations, annual gifts, memorial and honorary gifts, planned giving/bequests, stock and securities gifts, and a four-tier corporate sponsorship program (Supportive Shark $500 to Purposeful Pelican $5,000+).

The foundation does not sell products or services and instead deploys capital through grants to a roster of ~25+ animal welfare nonprofits, including anchor partners IFAW (Marine Mammal Rescue Program, Room to Roam Initiative), HSUS (Wildlife Land Trust, all 50 states), WildAid (elephants, rhinos), Great Plains Foundation (Africa), Center for Coastal Studies (whale disentanglement), and regional groups such as the Everglades Animal Coalition, Caring Fields Felines, and Massachusetts Audubon. Programs include the Pegasus Spay/Neuter Initiative for the Everglades Region, Joint Animal Transport-For-Adoption, and the annual Pegasus Wings Awards (since 2015). Operationally, the foundation runs with 1-10 employees under Founder/President Barbara Birdsey and Executive Director Patricia Ragan (who succeeded Theresa Mitchell Webster in late 2023), distributing grants across U.S. geographies (Florida, Massachusetts, Cape Cod), Africa, and Asia, with episodic international relief engagements such as Ukraine animal relief in 2022.

Name

Pegasus Foundation

Legal name

Pegasus Foundation

Website

https://pegasusfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pegasus Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation that awards grants to animal welfare nonprofits across marine rescue, wildlife and habitat protection, and domestic animal welfare, serving grantees including IFAW, HSUS, WildAid, and Center for Coastal Studies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAA

Private Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAKAM

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

Keywords

• Animal welfare grants
• Wildlife conservation funding
• Marine animal rescue
• Habitat preservation programs
• Grantmaking foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

West Palm Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation receives donations from individuals through one-time gifts, recurring monthly donations, annual gifts, memorial gifts, and honorary gifts. Donations support areas of greatest need and help tackle opportunities and address emergencies as they arise.
2. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Bequest in wills and estate planning gifts that ensure the foundation's continued activism and advocacy for the protection of animals and habitats worldwide.
3. Stock and Securities Gifts: Gifts of stock or securities that benefit donors by reducing capital gains while providing significant impact.
4. Corporate Sponsorship: Sponsorship program with tiered levels (Purposeful Pelican $5,000+, Magnificent Manatee $2,500, Courageous Coyote $1,000, Supportive Shark $500) that underwriting priority areas.
5. 501(c)(3) Registered Charity: Registered in the USA as a 501(c)(3) charity (EIN 22-3487149). Donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pegasus Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation that channels donations into strategic partnerships and grants supporting animal welfare, wildlife and habitat protection, and marine animal rescue. It funds programs operated by vetted partner organizations (e.g., IFAW, Center for Coastal Studies, HSUS, WildAid) and runs its own domestic animal initiatives including the Everglades Animal Coalition and the Pegasus Spay/Neuter Initiative.

Product overview

Pegasus Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable foundation (EIN 22-3487149) established in 1997 by David and Barbara Birdsey. The organization operates as a grant-making foundation offering four core programmatic areas: Marine Animal Rescue and Protection, Wildlife and Habitat Protection, Animal Welfare, and the Pegasus Wings Awards. The Marine Animal Rescue Program partners with IFAW and Center for Coastal Studies for whale and dolphin rescue. The Wildlife and Habitat Protection Program supports conservation of elephants, rhinos, and other endangered species. The Animal Welfare Program focuses on domestic animal rescue, spay/neuter services, and horse rescue. Additional initiatives include the Everglades Animal Coalition, Pegasus Spay/Neuter Initiative, Joint Animal Transport-For-Adoption Program, and the Help Us Help Them Campaign. The organization does not offer technology products but provides charitable programs and grant funding to animal welfare organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marine Animal Rescue and Protection Program Program focused on rescuing and rehabilitating marine animals including whales, dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles. Partners with established organizations like IFAW and Center for Coastal Studies to deliver emergency response, disentanglement, and rehabilitation services.
• Wildlife and Habitat Protection Program Conservation initiative targeting elephants, rhinos, sharks, pangolins, and other endangered species globally through strategic partnerships with IFAW, WildAid, and Great Plains Foundation, focused on anti-poaching and habitat preservation.
• Animal Welfare Program Domestic animal welfare initiative providing dog and cat rescue, spay/neuter services, horse rescue, and support for companion animals in underserved communities.
• Pegasus Wings Awards Annual awards program recognizing individuals and organizations making significant contributions to marine animal rescue, wildlife protection, and animal welfare. Annual ceremony held in Stuart, Florida.
• Everglades Animal Coalition (EAC) Coalition formed with Pet's Broward and Cold Noses Foundation to provide funding and resources to local rescuers reducing suffering of dogs and cats in the Florida Everglades region.
• Pegasus Spay/Neuter Initiative for Everglades Region Program providing spay and neuter services to address pet overpopulation in rural south Florida communities and the Everglades area.
• Joint Animal Transport-For-Adoption Program Program transporting animals from overpopulated areas to no-kill shelters and sanctuary settings for adoption.
• Help Us Help Them Campaign

Quantifiable outcome

• Caring Fields Felines successfully trapped and vaccinated 5,000 cats through TNVR program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Greater Good CharitiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2022Partner for Ukraine animal relief efforts. Greater Good Charities provides funding to distribute meals at border crossings, support evacuations, and provide supplies for refugees and pets.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) - Ukraine ResponseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2022IFAW emergency response team working on Ukraine border processing refugees and their pets, vaccinating and microchipping animals.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor grantee partner operating the Marine Mammal Rescue Program. IFAW runs the Cape Cod Stranding Network and worldwide training center that has saved thousands of marine animals. Pegasus supports IFAW's Room to Roam Initiative promoting wildlife corridors in Africa.
• Center for Coastal StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPegasus Foundation provides ongoing support to CCS which creates international and national inter-agency collaborations to rescue whales (especially endangered Northern Right Whale), dolphins, sharks and sea turtles from entanglements and vessel strikes. In 2023, CCS responded to 26 reported entanglements.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership establishing the Wildlife Land Trust enabling landowners in all 50 states and several countries to protect wildlife and conserve habitat. HSUS took over Orenda Wildlife Trust's wildlife rehabilitation program.
• WildAidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner working to fight impending extinction of elephants, rhinos and other wildlife in Africa and Asia through community-based protection and conservation programs.
• Great Plains FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for Africa wildlife conservation working on community-based protection and conservation efforts.
• Everglades Animal Coalition (EAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition formed by Pegasus Foundation with Pet's Broward and Cold Noses Foundation providing funding and resources to local rescuers to reduce suffering of dogs and cats in the Florida Everglades. Supports spay/neuter services and animal transport.
• Pet's BrowardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Everglades Animal Coalition working to rescue and care for abandoned dogs and cats in the Florida Everglades region.
• Cold Noses FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Everglades Animal Coalition supporting local animal rescue efforts in the Everglades region.
• NALA's New Life RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNo-kill rescue group that has helped thousands of homeless pets over the past 15 years. Dr. Mary Rose Bressman actively works with this organization.
• Caring Fields FelinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNo-kill sanctuary in Palm City, Florida that has successfully trapped and vaccinated 5,000 cats through TNVR program. Founded by Pauline Glover.
• Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term support for sea and marsh turtle rescue and rehabilitation through Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary.
• National Marine Life CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant support for marine animal rehabilitation programs.
• Delaware Center for the Inland BaysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant funding for Diamondback Terrapin conservation. DCIB implemented survey where 32 volunteers conducted over 100 surveys and recorded 1,600 terrapins.
• Birdsey Cape Wildlife CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginally part of HSUS wildlife training facility, now part of New England Wildlife Center in Barnstable, MA. Provides veterinary care and rehabilitation to several thousand sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals each year.
• Project CoyoteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPegasus takes a stand with Project Coyote for coyotes, wolves and fox that are hunted for sport in wildlife killing contests. Seven states have banned these contests.
• Safeguard The SeasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by William S. McKeever, author of Emperors of the Deep, focused on raising awareness about shark plight and educating on importance of sharks to marine ecosystem.
• Whale and Dolphin ConservationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Year of the Right Whale initiative, working on whale and dolphin conservation efforts.
• Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPegasus Foundation grant recipient for 'Sea Change' program creating first ever Standards of Excellence for cetacean sanctuaries for whales and dolphins.
• Massachusetts AudubonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPegasus Foundation grant for innovative turtle rescue program. In 2023, eight Kemp's Ridley turtles were rescued and rehabilitated by Mass. Audubon and New England Aquarium.
• Orenda Wildlife Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1986 by Barbara Birdsey to preserve and protect open space for wildlife habitat, air and water quality on Cape Cod and in Massachusetts.
• Horses Without HumansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant recipient that helped support the rescue of 23 abused and abandoned horses seized from a criminally owned slaughterhouse in Florida.
• New England Wildlife CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization for Birdsey Cape Wildlife Center in Barnstable, MA providing veterinary care and rehabilitation to thousands of wild animals annually.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pedigree Foundation: Pedigree Foundation is a corporate-affiliated private foundation funding dog adoption and welfare grants. Directly comparable small-to-mid private foundation model focused exclusively on domestic animal welfare, similar in size and grantmaking structure to Pegasus.
• WildAid: WildAid is a wildlife conservation organization focused on elephants, rhinos, sharks, and pangolins, and is a core grantee of Pegasus. Operates complementary international wildlife protection programs, making it a strong peer in scope of mission and partnership model.
• World Animal Protection: World Animal Protection is a global animal welfare nonprofit operating across wildlife, farm animals, and disaster response. Carter Luke (Pegasus Vice Chair) serves as Board Chair of World Animal Protection-US, making it a closely linked peer with overlapping mission.
• Greater Good Charities: Greater Good Charities is a 501(c)(3) operating animal welfare, hunger, and humanitarian programs globally. Melissa Rubin (Pegasus board member) works at Greater Good Charities, and Pegasus has partnered with them on Ukraine animal relief, making it a closely linked peer in scope.
• Doris Day Animal Foundation: Doris Day Animal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation funding animal welfare and wildlife protection grants nationwide, similar in scope and structure to Pegasus. Both are small private foundations supporting grants across companion animal, wildlife, and advocacy causes.

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): ASPCA is one of the largest US animal welfare organizations, operating direct programs (rescue, advocacy, veterinary services) while also receiving foundation grants. Broader incumbent that overlaps with Pegasus's animal welfare grantmaking mission but operates direct service programs at much greater scale.
• Best Friends Animal Society: Best Friends Animal Society runs the largest no-kill animal sanctuary network in the US and supports spay/neuter programs nationwide. Overlaps with Pegasus's domestic animal welfare and spay/neuter initiatives but operates direct programs rather than pure grantmaking.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): IFAW is a global animal welfare and conservation nonprofit that is both a core grantee of Pegasus and a functional peer in marine animal rescue and wildlife corridor protection. Operates at international scale, overlapping with Pegasus's marine rescue and wildlife protection priorities.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): HSUS is a major animal welfare organization and direct partner of Pegasus through the Wildlife Land Trust operating in all 50 states. Functions as both a grantee and a strategic peer operating at national scale across animal protection, wildlife, and policy advocacy.
• PetSmart Charities: PetSmart Charities is one of the largest private foundations funding animal welfare in the US, distributing over $450M historically to adoption, spay/neuter, and disaster relief programs. Directly comparable as a private grantmaking foundation supporting domestic animal welfare, but at vastly greater scale and tied to a corporate sponsor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQqF2VGtgTbOzXPllbZoG1Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/thepegasusfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/thepegasusfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pegasus-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pegasus Foundation