Big Blue Sky Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation based in Aspen, Colorado. The organization was established in 2002 and operates as a family foundation focused on philanthropic giving.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.6M
-7.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$297K
-24.8% YoY
Grant Count
26
-16.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
-10.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Big Blue Sky Foundation reported a distributable amount of $108K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports mental health and crisis intervention initiatives. Based on available grantmaking data, the foundation has demonstrated funding activity in this sector.
Grantmaking
The foundation has made grants totaling $394,710 in the mental health and crisis intervention field. The foundation operates with minimal staffing (0 employees listed) and distributes grants to nonprofit organizations aligned with its funding priorities.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Aspen, Colorado and operates within the broader Colorado philanthropic landscape.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,579,584
- Revenue: $193,464
- Expenses: $322,984
- Net Income: -$129,520
- Total Liabilities: $0
The foundation's expenses exceeded revenue in 2024, resulting in a net loss of $129,520. The organization maintains a modest asset base relative to other foundations in the Aspen area.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,579,584 | $1,697,893 | $2,002,428 |
| Revenue | $193,464 | $106,809 | $152,110 |
| Expenses | $322,984 | $419,313 | $270,758 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $308,275 | $405,185 | $249,250 |
| Net Investment Income | $183,434 | $93,609 | $135,742 |
| Distributable Amount | $107,742 | $112,217 | $117,012 |
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
121 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation ($100,000), Ucla Foundation ($100,000), Anderson Ranch Arts Center ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A WAY OUT COUDERSPORT, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER SNOWMASS VILLAGE, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ASPEN OUT ASPEN, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION ASPEN, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| ASPEN YOUTH CENTER ASPEN, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| ATHENAEUM MUSIC & ART LIBRARY LA JOLLA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| BEST BUDDIES MIAMI, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $7,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COLORADO FOUNDATION AURORA, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CLEAN WATER FUND WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| COMPUTERS TO KIDS SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADAM Z CHERRY | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARY C CHERRY | CFO/SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Big Blue Sky Foundation fund?
The foundation supports mental health and crisis intervention initiatives. Based on available grantmaking data, the foundation has demonstrated funding activity in this sector.
How do I apply for a grant from Big Blue Sky Foundation?
The foundation has made grants totaling $394,710 in the mental health and crisis intervention field. The foundation operates with minimal staffing (0 employees listed) and distributes grants to nonprofit organizations aligned with its funding priorities.
Where does Big Blue Sky Foundation make grants?
The foundation is based in Aspen, Colorado and operates within the broader Colorado philanthropic landscape.
What size grants does Big Blue Sky Foundation award?
In 2024, Big Blue Sky Foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $297K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Big Blue Sky Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Big Blue Sky Foundation reported a distributable amount of $108K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Big Blue Sky Foundation's EIN?
Big Blue Sky Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-2157163. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Big Blue Sky 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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