Adolph Coors Foundation
The Adolph Coors Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Denver, Colorado, established in 1975 with funds from the Adolph Coors Jr. Trust. The foundation supports organizations that promote western values of self-reliance, personal responsibility, and integrity, with a particular emphasis on youth development, adult economic opportunity, and integrative medicine.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$206.6M
+16.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.9M
-10.3% YoY
Grant Count
146
+2.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$61K
-12.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Adolph Coors Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on helping Coloradans reach their full potential by supporting organizations that embody entrepreneurial spirit and foster an environment where individuals can prosper. The foundation places a premium on evidenced-based results across its giving areas.
Primary funding areas include:
- Youth and Youth Development: Financial literacy, STEM education, leadership development, character development, academic tutoring, and one-to-one mentoring programs
- Adult Work-First and Self-Sufficiency: Vocational training with paid on-the-job training and job placement programs, with preference given to work-first initiatives
- Entrepreneurship: Invitation-only requests
- Integrative Medicine: Invitation-only requests
- Public Policy: Supporting initiatives that uphold traditional American values, encourage personal responsibility and leadership, preserve constitutional principles, and enhance understanding of the free enterprise system
Areas not currently funded: Domestic violence shelters, debt reduction, credit counseling, church or church-related projects, arts, animal-related projects, adaptive or winter sports programs, preschools or daycare centers, museums, media or film projects, individuals, homelessness, health organizations, emergency services, start-up funding, senior programs, schools, and research projects.
Grantmaking
The foundation considers funding public policy requests from out-of-state organizations; all other organizations must operate in Colorado. All applicants must be classified as 501(c)(3) organizations by the Internal Revenue Service. Organizations must be in operation for at least one full year to be eligible for funding.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation generally focuses its efforts within Colorado, though it has also funded national entities and considers public policy requests from out-of-state organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of fiscal year ending November 2024:
- Total Assets: $207 million
- Revenue: $40.8 million
- Expenses: $12.3 million
- Total Liabilities: $220,000
- Total Giving: $8.9 million
Historical context: The foundation has awarded $135.3 million since its establishment in 1975.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $206,643,009 | $178,128,265 | $181,746,526 |
| Revenue | $40,840,776 | $9,584,061 | $17,055,158 |
| Expenses | $12,326,032 | $13,202,322 | $13,369,730 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $10,783,679 | $11,554,485 | $11,957,157 |
| Net Investment Income | $39,396,863 | $8,174,708 | $15,711,460 |
| Distributable Amount | $12,109,300 | $11,102,615 | $11,492,496 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Adolph Coors Foundation
Adolph Coors Public Policy Grant Programs
ADOLPH COORS FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
General Grant Program
ADOLPH COORS FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Youth and Adult Grant Programs
ADOLPH COORS FOUNDATION
Amount
US $5,000 - US $175,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Common Sense Institute ($300,000), Colorado School of Mines Foundation ($220,750), American Enterprise Institute ($175,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCESS OPPORTUNITY BOULDER, CO | GENERAL OPERATING GRANT | $10,000 |
| ACTIVATE WORK INC DENVER, CO | GENERAL OPERATING GRANT | $35,000 |
| ADVENTURE WEST COUNCIL GREELEY, CO | COLORADO OPERATIONS | $15,000 |
| ALTERNATIVES PREGNANCY CENTER ENGLEWOOD, CO | GENERAL OPERATING GRANT | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING GRANT | $175,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND DENVER, CO | SCHOLARSHIPS | $47,000 |
| AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE ARLINGTON, VA | GENERAL OPERATING GRANT | $75,000 |
| AMERICA'S FUTURE FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | TALENT MARKET | $25,000 |
| ANDY ZANCA YOUTH EMPOWERMENT CARBONDALE, CO | GENERAL OPERATING GRANT | $8,000 |
| ASPEN YOUTH CENTER ASPEN, CO | GENERAL OPERATING GRANT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Carrie Coors Tynan: Executive Director
- John Jackson: Listed as leader in organizational records
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARRIE COORS TYNAN | CEO/SECRETAR | 40 | $435,000 |
| PETER H COORS | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| BENJAMIN R WINDSOR | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY H COORS | ASST TREAS | 1 | — |
| MELISSA COORS OSBORN | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| CECILY COORS GARNSEY | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| CARIN COORS BREMER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINA COORS WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL L GARNSEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to support innovative youth-centered educational programs and integrative medicine initiatives. Featured grantees include organizations such as Boys & Girls Club La Plata, which focuses on teen leadership development, and Libertas Network, which helps families engage with ideas of freedom in their daily lives. The foundation also supports programs like Frontier Institute and Slöyd Experience.
Foundation for Colorado Community Colleges Awards RecordIn 1993, the foundation provided endowment funds for the creation of the Castle Rock Foundation, which awards grants to causes throughout the United States.
Colorado Safe Futures Fund Awards Inaugural Grants \u2013 Pagosa Daily Post\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Adolph Coors Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on helping Coloradans reach their full potential by supporting organizations that embody entrepreneurial spirit and foster an environment where individuals can prosper. The foundation places a premium on evidenced-based results across its giving areas. **Primary funding areas include:** • **Youth and Youth Development**: Financial literacy, STEM education, leadership development, character development, academic tutoring, and one-to-one mentoring programs • **Adu…
How do I apply for a grant from Adolph Coors Foundation?
The foundation considers funding public policy requests from out-of-state organizations; all other organizations must operate in Colorado. All applicants must be classified as 501(c)(3) organizations by the Internal Revenue Service. Organizations must be in operation for at least one full year to be eligible for funding. Typical grant awards range from $3,100 to $2,624,000.
Where does Adolph Coors Foundation make grants?
The foundation generally focuses its efforts within Colorado, though it has also funded national entities and considers public policy requests from out-of-state organizations.
What size grants does Adolph Coors Foundation award?
In 2024, Adolph Coors Foundation awarded 146 grants totaling $8.9M — an average of about $61K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Adolph Coors Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Adolph Coors Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Adolph Coors Foundation's EIN?
Adolph Coors Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0172279. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Adolph Coors Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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