Bee Vradenburg Foundation
Bee Vradenburg Foundation is a private foundation based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that supports arts projects and organizations serving the Pikes Peak Region. Founded in 2001, it says its work advances the relevance, resilience, and greatness of the arts while centering equity and inclusion.
Bee Vradenburg Foundation at a glance
In short: Bee Vradenburg Foundation gave $73K across 27 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Colorado. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $72,924
- -3.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- +28.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,701
- -25.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $4,061,106
- +7.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (8 of 24, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Bee Vradenburg Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website describes a three-step process: check eligibility, contact the Executive Director with questions before preparing an application, and submit an application. First-time applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the foundation before applying. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed quarterly. The application is based on the Colorado Common Grant Application and includes a summary sheet, a narrative of up to five pages, and attachments. The foundation says it can write checks only to nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations; projects without that status need a fiscal sponsor. Its stated restrictions limit grants to arts recipients in the Pikes Peak Region.
- Review Cycle
- Applications must be received by January 15, April 15, July 15, or October 15.
- Deadline
- Applications must be received by January 15, April 15, July 15, or October 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Claire Swinford
Mailing address: 315 E Pikes Peak Ave 120, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 477-0185
Email: claire@beevradenburgfoundation.org
Website: https://www.beevradenburgfoundation.org/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Bee Vradenburg Foundation
Who Bee Vradenburg Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association ($7K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $49K.
Grant Size Distribution
142 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 141 grants of 142 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it funds projects and organizations that impact El Paso County and the Ute Pass corridor of Teller County, including Woodland Park. Its 2025 grant filing reports that all grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Bee Vradenburg Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 24 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 25% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 46% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 140% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $73K (2025) to $217K (2021). In 2025 it made 27 grants totaling $73K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chamber Orchestra of the Springs Colorado Springs, CO | General Operating | $6,500 |
| UCCS Galleries of Contemporary Art Colorado Springs, CO | General Operating | $6,500 |
| Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association Colorado Springs, CO | General Operating | $5,000 |
| Millibo Art Theatre Colorado Springs, CO | General Operating | $5,000 |
| RedLine Contemporary Art Center Denver, CO | General Operating | $5,000 |
| Pikes Peak State College Foundation Colorado Springs, CO | General Operating | $4,500 |
| Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Colorado Springs, CO | General Operating | $4,000 |
| Concrete Couch Colorado Springs, CO | General Operating | $4,000 |
| Art Song Colorado Highlands Ranch, CO | General Operating | $3,000 |
| Educational Partnerships Immersive Concerts (EPIC) Colorado Springs, CO | General Operating | $3,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,061,106 | $271,744 | $285,801 | $72,924 | 27 | $260,094 | $250,692 | $185,178 |
| 2024 | $3,795,768 | $336,517 | $312,476 | $75,768 | 21 | $257,806 | $315,287 | $178,360 |
| 2023 | $3,725,708 | $303,986 | $308,451 | $94,500 | 28 | $325,032 | $262,263 | $176,174 |
| 2022 | $4,125,086 | $208,107 | $392,475 | $134,984 | 38 | $343,392 | $187,615 | $210,916 |
| 2021 | $5,261,244 | $380,771 | $349,158 | $216,747 | 28 | $299,235 | $366,867 | $245,551 |
| 2020 | $5,031,229 | $366,663 | $254,562 | $168,470 | 23 | — | $347,376 | $218,333 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bee Vradenburg Foundation reported a distributable amount of $185K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s goals are to advocate for arts and arts education as vital to the region’s economy and quality of life; support emerging and diverse artists, art forms, audiences, and artistic endeavors; foster growth and resilience for arts organizations; build arts-group capacity; and cultivate partnerships that bring new financial resources to the arts. Its stated priorities include supporting historically underrepresented artists and communities and expanding inclusive access to the arts.
Its 2025 grants included organizations whose own descriptions reflect varied arts work. Colorado Springs Youth Symphony says it provides music education and concerts for youth. Concrete Couch says it designs and builds public art projects and trains neighborhood students in design and construction. Art Students League of Denver says it offers courses and programs to foster growth for artists at every level.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 27 grants totaling $72,924. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $6,500, with a median of $2,500. Listed larger awards included $6,500 each to Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and UCCS Galleries of Contemporary Art; $5,000 each to Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association, Millibo Art Theatre, and RedLine Contemporary Art Center; and $4,500 to Pikes Peak State College Foundation. These grants were designated for general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists George A. Vradenburg as chair, Phillip A. Kendall as president, Libby Rittenberg as treasurer, Jonathan Liebert as secretary, and Claire Swinford as executive director. Directors listed are Ben Anderson, Susan Edmondson, Shameeka Ford, and David Siegel.
Bee Vradenburg Foundation is led by Claire Swinford, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Claire Swinford
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$85K (2022) → $89K (2025)
Phillip A Kendall
President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George A Vradenburg III
Chair
Chairman → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Siegel
Director
Executive Director & CEO → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$68K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Susan Edmondson
Director
Director → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ben Anderson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shameeka Ford
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Libby Rittenberg
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Liebert
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Kevin Mitchell (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Lynn Vidler (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Victoria Lipscomb (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Alissa Vradenburg (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kathleen Fox Collins (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Susan Loo Pattee (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tyler Vradenburg (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Noel Black (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $89K, to Claire Swinford (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Bee Vradenburg Foundation
How much does Bee Vradenburg Foundation give each year?
Bee Vradenburg Foundation gave $73K across 27 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $76K across 21 grants.
What is Bee Vradenburg Foundation's typical grant size?
Bee Vradenburg Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $2,701, across 27 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bee Vradenburg Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Bee Vradenburg Foundation give grants?
Bee Vradenburg Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Colorado Springs, CO (20 grants) and Denver, CO (4 grants).
Does Bee Vradenburg Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Bee Vradenburg Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (27 of 27) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bee Vradenburg Foundation's largest grantees?
Bee Vradenburg Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association ($7,000 across 2 grants), Chamber Orchestra of the Springs ($6,500) and UCCS Galleries of Contemporary Art ($6,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Bee Vradenburg Foundation?
Bee Vradenburg Foundation reported $4.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $260K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $185K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Bee Vradenburg Foundation fund?
The foundation’s goals are to advocate for arts and arts education as vital to the region’s economy and quality of life; support emerging and diverse artists, art forms, audiences, and artistic endeavors; foster growth and resilience for arts organizations; build arts-group capacity; and cultivate partnerships that bring new financial resources to the arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bee Vradenburg Foundation?
The foundation’s website describes a three-step process: check eligibility, contact the Executive Director with questions before preparing an application, and submit an application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bee Vradenburg Foundation's EIN?
Bee Vradenburg Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1579108. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 3, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bee Vradenburg Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bee Vradenburg Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bee-vradenburg-foundation-morg_195ff98f7d8548ce96d30b01c31e2a59
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_841579108_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bee Vradenburg Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bee-vradenburg-foundation-morg_195ff98f7d8548ce96d30b01c31e2a59},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Bee Vradenburg 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.
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