Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Colorado
703 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Colorado, holding $22B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 25 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Foundationsince 1991 | Greenwood Vlg, CO | $125M4 grants · 2025 | $15M | Yes | $1.4B |
| The Colorado Health Foundationsince 2018 | Denver, CO | $102M684 grants · 2024 | $80K | Yes | $2.8B |
| Ahimsa Foundationsince 2021 | Niwot, CO | $73M5 grants · 2024 | $9.7M | Preselected only | $963M |
| Anschutz Foundationsince 1984 | Denver, CO | $70M1 grants · 2023 | $70M | Yes | $1.6B |
| Daniels Fundsince 1997 | Denver, CO | $70M1,593 grants · 2024 | $14K | Yes | $1.6B |
| Gates Family Foundationsince 1951 | Denver, CO | $36M374 grants · 2025 | $25K | Yes | $424M |
| Colorado Trustsince 1985 | Denver, CO | $29M2 grants · 2024 | $14M | Preselected only | $548M |
| Catena Foundationsince 2018 | Carbondale, CO | $27M81 grants · 2024 | $164K | Preselected only | $596M |
| Zoma Foundationsince 2018 | Denver, CO | $23M45 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $529M |
| Avenir Foundation Incsince 1993 | Lakewood, CO | $21M6 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $1.0M |
| El Pomar Foundationsince 1939 | Colorado Spgs, CO | $20M1 grants · 2025 | $20M | Yes | $468M |
| Temple Hoyne Buell Foundationsince 1964 | Denver, CO | $20M486 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $477M |
| Charles Schwab Corporation Foundationsince 1994 | Lone Tree, CO | $20M2 grants · 2024 | $9.8M | Yes | $45M |
| Bohemian Foundationsince 2001 | Fort Collins, CO | $16M1 grants · 2024 | $16M | Yes | $178M |
| Gill Foundationsince 1994 | Denver, CO | $11M91 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $194M |
| Margulf Foundationsince 1978 | Glendale, CO | $11M124 grants · 2024 | $54K | Preselected only | $288M |
| Adolph Coors Foundationsince 1975 | Denver, CO | $10M128 grants · 2024 | $40K | Yes | $204M |
| Boettcher Foundationsince 2014 | Denver, CO | $10M1 grants · 2025 | $10M | Yes | $277M |
| Nextfifty Initiativesince 2009 | Denver, CO | $9.7M134 grants · 2025 | $50K | Yes | $264M |
| The Cielo Foundationsince 2007 | Boulder, CO | $8.8M34 grants · 2024 | $4,885 | Yes | $69M |
| Louis Calder Foundationsince 1953 | Denver, CO | $8.2M38 grants · 2024 | $150K | Yes | $199M |
| Nnf Foundationsince 2016 | Centennial, CO | $8.1M6 grants · 2024 | $255K | Preselected only | $49M |
| Hadley and Marion Stuart Foundationsince 1988 | Longmont, CO | $7.8M19 grants · 2024 | $75K | Preselected only | $108M |
| Schlessman Foundation Incsince 1958 | Denver, CO | $6.8M116 grants · 2024 | $18K | Preselected only | $86M |
| Lewis Foundationsince 2002 | Aspen, CO | $6.7M7 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $146M |
| Galena Foundationsince 1996 | Denver, CO | $6.3M23 grants · 2025 | $75K | Yes | $42M |
| Norwood Foundationsince 2002 | Colorado Spgs, CO | $6.1M40 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $83M |
| Peierls Foundationsince 1958 | Golden, CO | $5.9M42 grants · 2024 | $67K | Preselected only | $111M |
| Gary Philanthropysince 2003 | Denver, CO | $5.6M1 grants · 2024 | $5.6M | Preselected only | $191M |
| Find US Faithful Foundationsince 2007 | Parker, CO | $5.5M5 grants · 2024 | $195 | Preselected only | $104M |
| Tyl Foundationsince 1994 | Denver, CO | $5.4M49 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $78M |
| Henry P & Susan C Crowell Trsince 1941 | Colorado Springs, CO | $5.0M106 grants · 2024 | $40K | Yes | $117M |
| Rocky Mountain Health Foundationsince 1998 | Grand Jct, CO | $4.9M322 grants · 2025 | $14K | Preselected only | $93M |
| Bonfils-Stanton Foundationsince 1965 | Denver, CO | $4.7M1 grants · 2024 | $4.7M | Yes | $68M |
| Wana Brands Foundationsince 2024 | Boulder, CO | $4.5M130 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $56M |
| Ladybug Foundation Incsince 2018 | Louisville, CO | $4.4M65 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $42M |
| Sturm Family Foundationsince 2000 | Denver, CO | $4.2M39 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $159M |
| Fullerton Family Charitable Fundsince 2016 | Aspen, CO | $4.0M29 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $43M |
| David and Laura Merage Foundationsince 2003 | Englewood, CO | $3.8M21 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $70M |
| Leptas Foundation Trustsince 2000 | Denver, CO | $3.8M23 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $53M |
| The Thomas Phillips and Jane Moore Johnson Foundationsince 1991 | Telluride, CO | $3.6M1 grants · 2024 | $3.6M | Preselected only | $55M |
| The Anna and John J Sie Foundationsince 2006 | Denver, CO | $3.5M46 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $39M |
| Singer Family Foundationsince 1996 | Denver, CO | $3.5M62 grants · 2024 | $18K | Yes | $44M |
| A V Hunter Trust Incorporatedsince 1938 | Glendale, CO | $3.0M117 grants · 2025 | $20K | Yes | $72M |
| Prologis Foundationsince 2001 | Denver, CO | $2.7M100 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $60M |
| Anschutz Family Foundationsince 1981 | Denver, CO | $2.7M314 grants · 2024 | $8,500 | Yes | $47M |
| Towle Family Foundationsince 1998 | Greenwood Vlg, CO | $2.6M16 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $95M |
| Strandberg Family Foundationsince 2015 | Avon, CO | $2.6M33 grants · 2024 | $39K | Yes | $55M |
| John E and Margaret L Lane Foundationsince 1997 | Colorado Spgs, CO | $2.5M26 grants · 2024 | $33K | Preselected only | $41M |
| Louis and Harold Price Foundation Incsince 2021 | Denver, CO | $2.5M55 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $70M |
| Schmitz Family Foundationsince 2000 | Denver, CO | $2.4M18 grants · 2024 | $4,500 | Preselected only | $56M |
| Yagan Family Foundationsince 2017 | Boulder, CO | $2.0M23 grants · 2024 | $80K | Preselected only | $51M |
| Craig-Scheckman Family Foundationsince 2006 | Steamboat Spr, CO | $2.0M61 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $46M |
| Liberty Ears Incsince 2022 | Longmont, CO | $2.0M7 grants · 2024 | $200K | Preselected only | $48M |
| The Caruso Foundationsince 2014 | Boulder, CO | $1.5M32 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $41M |
| Mandarich Family Foundationsince 2014 | Denver, CO | $520K10 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $60M |
| Mizel Global Cultural Fundsince 2001 | Greenwood Vlg, CO | $393K24 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $69M |
| David Merage Foundation for Confronting Antisemitismsince 2024 | Englewood, CO | $19K2 grants · 2025 | $9,313 | Preselected only | $57M |
| Love in Actionsince 1995 | Colorado Spgs, CO | — | — | Preselected only | $109M |
| Disabling Barrierssince 2026 | Peyton, CO | — | — | Not stated | $44M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Colorado
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Colorado Creative Industries — Organizational GrantsStateColorado Creative Industries | Colorado Creative Industries | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Colorado Humanities — Humanities GrantsStateColorado Humanities | Colorado Humanities | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Colorado?
Our directory lists 703 private grantmaking foundations in Colorado with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $22B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.