Aspen Community Foundation
Aspen Community Foundation (ACF) is a 501(c)(3) community foundation based in Basalt, Colorado. Since its founding in 1980 as the Aspen Foundation by the Aspen Skiing Company, ACF has evolved into a regional philanthropic institution serving communities from Aspen to Parachute. The organization operates at the intersection of community, nonprofit, and philanthropy, working to understand and address regional challenges and opportunities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$62.3M
+9.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$17.4M
+28.5% YoY
Grant Count
466
+3.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$37K
+24.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
ACF's mission is to build philanthropy and support nonprofit organizations by connecting donors to community needs, building permanent charitable funds, and bringing people together to solve community problems. The Foundation is dedicated to investing in a future where everyone in the region has equitable opportunities to thrive.
The Foundation provides grantmaking across three primary areas:
- Unrestricted grantmaking for essential services by nonprofits in the service area, funded through annual fundraising drives
- Donor advised fund grantmaking supported by over 100 donor advised funds, meeting the philanthropic goals of donors
- Designated and scholarship funds that provide grants for specified purposes identified by each fund's design
ACF also operates a Community Leadership Program designed to ensure regional opportunities are accessible to all by connecting leaders and catalyzing progress. This includes the Nonprofit Center of Excellence, an immersive 5-day academy focused on strengthening local nonprofit organizations through capacity building and sustainability support.
Grantmaking
ACF awards grants to local nonprofit organizations that elevate programming and expand capacity to deliver essential services to children and families in the region.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ACF serves the Aspen to Parachute region in Colorado, with primary focus on the local service area. The Foundation's grantmaking also extends to Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services primarily in Colorado, with some activity in New York and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2024:
- Total assets: $62,335,898
- Total revenues: $20,874,440
- Total expenses: $22,587,202
- Total liabilities: $4,730,000
- Staff: 9 employees
Organizational Status: ACF maintains a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds. The Foundation received a four-star rating with a 100% score, reflecting strong accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $62,335,898 | $57,087,469 | $51,641,752 |
| Revenue | $20,874,440 | $17,549,389 | $13,929,881 |
| Expenses | $22,587,202 | $18,134,990 | $16,059,162 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $777,922 | $578,869 | $105,627 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
6 open opportunities from Aspen Community Foundation
ACF Early Childhood Grantmaking Program
ASPEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Bringing Back Businesses Basalt Fund
ASPEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
$96,000 total distributed
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Grantmaking
ASPEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies (recent awards: $729,000-$835,000 across 48-68 organizations)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ucla Foundation ($1,000,000), Aspen Education Foundation ($600,000), Dana-farber Cancer Institute ($500,000).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEFF BLACK | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| GEOFF BUCHHEISTER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SUSAN CROWN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| BRUCE ETKIN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| BOBBI HAPGOOD | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MIKE KAPLAN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| GRADY LENKIN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| KATHERINE LORENZ | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MELONY LEWIS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SUSIE MERAZ | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MARIA TICSAY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MARCIE MUSSER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CRAIG NAVIAS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| ROB PEW | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SUSANA SALAMUN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| YESENIA SILVA ESTRADA | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JENNIFER ELLIOT | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| RAMONA BRULAND | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| ERICA SNOW | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $230,000 |
| JILL ASCHKENASY | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| KORTNEY HARTMAN | FINANCE DIRECTOR | 40 | $142,802 |
| VALERIE CARLIN | CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER | 40 | $149,324 |
| STEPHANIE GIANNESCHI | PHILANTHROPY DIRECTOR | 40 | $114,022 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
ACF has announced multiple rounds of community grants in recent years, including:
Aspen Community Foundation Provides $250,550 in Grants to Nonprofits SupportingSelection of 68 organizations to receive $835,000 in community grants
Aspen Community Foundation Provides $250,550 in Grants to Nonprofits SupportingDistribution of $250,550 in grants to nonprofits supporting healthy development of children in the region
Aspen Community Foundation Provides $250,550 in Grants to Nonprofits SupportingApproximately $2 million in local grants funded through community grant programs
Aspen to fund roughly $2 million in local grants | AspenTimes.comThe Foundation continues to expand its community engagement through the newly established Nonprofit Center of Excellence, which provides training and capacity-building support to strengthen local nonprofit organizations.
Aspen Community Foundation announces community grant successSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Aspen Community Foundation fund?
ACF's mission is to build philanthropy and support nonprofit organizations by connecting donors to community needs, building permanent charitable funds, and bringing people together to solve community problems. The Foundation is dedicated to investing in a future where everyone in the region has equitable opportunities to thrive. The Foundation provides grantmaking across three primary areas: 1. **Unrestricted grantmaking** for essential services by nonprofits in the service area, funded throug…
How do I apply for a grant from Aspen Community Foundation?
ACF awards grants to local nonprofit organizations that elevate programming and expand capacity to deliver essential services to children and families in the region. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $5,160 to $1,000,000 • Total giving in 2024: $19,657,650 **Funding Mechanisms:** • Community grants through annual fundraising drives • Donor advised fund distributions • Designated and scholarship fund grants • Sponsorships for community-led conversations around pressing needs and …
Where does Aspen Community Foundation make grants?
ACF serves the Aspen to Parachute region in Colorado, with primary focus on the local service area. The Foundation's grantmaking also extends to Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services primarily in Colorado, with some activity in New York and California.
What size grants does Aspen Community Foundation award?
In 2024, Aspen Community Foundation awarded 466 grants totaling $17.4M — an average of about $37K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Aspen Community 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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