Aspen Community Foundation
Aspen Community Foundation is a public charity based in Basalt, Colorado. It supports nonprofit organizations and community needs in the Aspen to Parachute region through grantmaking, donor funds, and work to connect community members and organizations.
Aspen Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Aspen Community Foundation gave $17.4M across 466 grants in 2024 (avg $37K), mostly in Colorado. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $17,431,194
- +28.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 466
- +3.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $37,406
- +24.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $62,335,898
- +9.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (65 of 228, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (69% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Aspen Community Foundation
- How to Apply
For the 2026 focus-area cycle, applicants were directed to review the grant guidelines, confirm that their proposal met the program’s criteria and priorities, and apply through the foundation’s grant management system…
For the 2026 focus-area cycle, applicants were directed to review the grant guidelines, confirm that their proposal met the program’s criteria and priorities, and apply through the foundation’s grant management system after creating an account. The foundation stated that past funding did not guarantee a future award and that applications were assessed on their own merits.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 focus-area application deadline was May 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. This deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- The 2026 focus-area application deadline was May 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 455 Gold Rivers Court 515, Basalt, CO 81621
Phone: (970) 925-9300
Website: https://aspencommunityfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Aspen Community Foundation
ACF Early Childhood Grantmaking Program
Aspen Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Bringing Back Businesses Basalt Fund
Aspen Community Foundation
Amount
$96,000 total distributed
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Grantmaking
Aspen Community Foundation
Amount
Varies (recent awards: $729,000-$835,000 across 48-68 organizations)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Aspen Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ($1.3M across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $6.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 12 grants to individuals ($121,850), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,859 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,432 grants of 1,859 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies the Aspen to Parachute region as the focus of its nonprofit programs and 2026 focus-area grants. In 2024, 69% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado. The remaining listed shares went to California (9%), Massachusetts (8%), New York (5%), and Connecticut (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 466 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Aspen Community Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 65 of 228 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $47K; repeat grants $88K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $40K repeat.
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+9%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $8.8M (2019) to $17.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 466 grants totaling $17.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UCLA Foundation Pasadena, CA | General Support | $1,000,000 |
| Aspen Education Foundation Aspen, CO | General Support | $600,000 |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston, MA | To Support a Research Project | $500,000 |
| Hotchkiss School Lakeville, CT | To Support an Endowed Fund | $500,000 |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston, MA | To Support Dr. Marinac's Research | $300,000 |
| Jazz Aspen Snowmass Aspen, CO | The Purpose of This Grant Is General Support. | $275,000 |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston, MA | To support the fund for early detection and dr. Marinac's work | $250,000 |
| English in Action Basalt, CO | The Purpose of This Grant Is General Support. | $235,000 |
| Anderson Ranch Arts Center Snowmass Village, CO | The purpose of this grant is to support the national council, a title sponsor level for the summer series and the recognition dinner and paddle raise. | $200,000 |
| Colorado State University Foundation Fort Collins, CO | Dr. McGrath's Research | $200,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $62,335,898 | $20,874,440 | $22,587,202 | $17,431,194 | 466 | $777,922 |
| 2023 | $57,087,469 | $17,549,389 | $18,134,990 | $13,562,351 | 451 | $578,869 |
| 2022 | $51,641,752 | $13,929,881 | $16,059,162 | $12,561,561 | 339 | $105,627 |
| 2021 | $62,511,754 | $28,301,426 | $18,784,752 | $15,973,080 | 316 | $256,109 |
| 2020 | $47,852,932 | $20,494,719 | $17,680,300 | $15,326,830 | 287 | $-56,135 |
| 2019 | $41,488,760 | $11,093,732 | $12,137,243 | $8,820,750 | 223 | $374,122 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s current mission is to inspire philanthropy and ignite collaborative action that leads to community-led change. Its vision is for the Aspen to Parachute region to be diverse and culturally rich, with equitable opportunities for all to thrive. Its 2024 filing describes its mission as building philanthropy, supporting nonprofit organizations, connecting donors to community needs, building permanent charitable funds, and bringing people together to solve community problems.
The foundation’s website describes support for local nonprofits that help children and families, including through grants intended to strengthen programming and organizational capacity. Its 2026 focus-area programs were Early Childhood and Youth Empowerment. Early Childhood priorities included strengthening caregivers’ skills and providing tuition assistance for quality care. Youth Empowerment priorities included culturally responsive, youth-centered health and wellness opportunities, and opportunities for youth to explore interests and activities outside the classroom. The foundation’s 2026 guidelines state that this was the final year of competitive grant programs in these two areas; beginning in 2027, it plans to shift toward convening, collaboration, and relationships between donors and nonprofits.
The foundation’s 2024 grantees included organizations with varied missions. Aspen Education Foundation described its mission as funding educational programs at the Aspen School District. Jazz Aspen Snowmass said it presents and preserves jazz and related music through festivals, performances, and education programs. Anderson Ranch Arts Center described its work as fostering creativity and growth through visual arts and enriching lives with art, inspiration, and community. Conservation Colorado Education Fund said it works to turn environmental values into state priorities through education and community leadership. These are grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 466 grants totaling $17,431,194. Grant amounts ranged from $5,200 to $1,000,000, with a median of $15,000. The largest listed awards included $1,000,000 to UCLA Foundation for general support; $600,000 to Aspen Education Foundation for general support; and $500,000 to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support a research project and $500,000 to Hotchkiss School to support an endowed fund. Other listed awards included $275,000 to Jazz Aspen Snowmass for general support, $235,000 to English in Action for general support, and $200,000 each to Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Colorado State University Foundation, Community Office for Resource Efficiency, and Conservation Colorado Education Fund.
The foundation’s 2026 focus-area grant cycle offered a total of $600,000, split equally between Early Childhood and Youth Empowerment. Individual awards were to range from $10,000 to $35,000, and eligible nonprofits in the Aspen to Parachute region could apply to one of the two programs. The application period ran from April 7 through May 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time; this is a past cycle. The website also lists Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Grants, but the supplied information does not give their application process or award details.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists these board members: Jeff Black, Geoff Buchheister, Susan Crown, Bruce Etkin, Bobbi Hapgood, Mike Kaplan, Grady Lenkin, Katherine Lorenz, Melony Lewis, and Susie Meraz.
Aspen Community Foundation is led by Erica Snow, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 4 of 23 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Erica Snow
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$136K (2022) → $230K (2024)
Jill Aschkenasy
Chair
Board Member → Co-Chair, 2023
Co-Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kortney Hartman
Finance Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$134K (2023) → $143K (2024)
Stephanie Gianneschi
Philanthropy Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$105K (2023) → $114K (2024)
Valerie Carlin
Chief Impact Officer
Operations & Resources Director → Cradle to Career Director, 2021
Cradle to Career Director → Chief Impact Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$105K (2020) → $149K (2024)
Marcie Musser
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Kaplan
Board Member
Treasurer → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rob Pew
Board Member
Secretary → Board Member, 2020
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Crown
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susana Salamun
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ramona Bruland
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Craig Navias
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bobbi Hapgood
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Etkin
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grady Lenkin
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Black
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Elliot
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melony Lewis
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susie Meraz
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yesenia Silva Estrada
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Geoff Buchheister
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Lorenz
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Ticsay
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Allen Grossmann (2019–2023) — Co-Chair
- Former: Pam Alexander (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Maria Morrow (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Mike Murray (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Tamara Tormohlen (2019–2022) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Samuel Bernal (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Bob Blattberg (2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Adam Lewis (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Barbara Gold (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Carrie Wells (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Connie Calaway (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jake Mascotte (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Tony Dilucia (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Hilde Hottendorf (2020–2021) — Finance Director
- Former: Robert Blattberg (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Yesenia Arreola (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jeanie Humble (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Killeen Brettmann (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Richard Jelinek (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Gretchen Brogden (2020) — Philanthropy Director
- Former: Gail Schwartz (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Kimbo Brown-Schirato (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $230K, to Erica Snow (Executive Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Aspen Community Foundation
How much does Aspen Community Foundation give each year?
Aspen Community Foundation gave $17.4M across 466 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $13.6M across 451 grants.
What is Aspen Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Aspen Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $37,406, across 466 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Aspen Community Foundation that year got $47K on average.
Where does Aspen Community Foundation give grants?
Aspen Community Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (9%) and Massachusetts (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Aspen, CO (142 grants), Carbondale, CO (69 grants), Basalt, CO (42 grants) and Glenwood Springs, CO (42 grants).
Does Aspen Community Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 47% of Aspen Community Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (217 of 466) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "2024 Youth Empowerment Alliance" (20 grants), "Pitkin Childcare Staff Stipend Q1 2024" (7 grants) and "Pitkin Childcare Staff Stipends Q3 2024" (7 grants).
Who are Aspen Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Aspen Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ($1,250,000 across 4 grants), UCLA Foundation ($1,000,000) and Aspen Education Foundation ($651,200 across 4 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 12 grants to individuals ($121,850), which are not listed by name. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Aspen Community Foundation?
Aspen Community Foundation reported $62.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $20.9M.
What does Aspen Community Foundation fund?
The foundation’s current mission is to inspire philanthropy and ignite collaborative action that leads to community-led change. Its vision is for the Aspen to Parachute region to be diverse and culturally rich, with equitable opportunities for all to thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Aspen Community Foundation?
For the 2026 focus-area cycle, applicants were directed to review the grant guidelines, confirm that their proposal met the program’s criteria and priorities, and apply through the foundation’s grant management system… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Aspen Community Foundation's EIN?
Aspen Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-0829226. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 21, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 24, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Aspen Community Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Aspen Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Aspen Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/aspen-community-foundation-morg_c3eb2b7cc4bc4069ad236a6dcd4163a9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_840829226_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Aspen Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/aspen-community-foundation-morg_c3eb2b7cc4bc4069ad236a6dcd4163a9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Aspen Community Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Aspen Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?