The Brett Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Boulder, Colorado, established in 2000. It operates as a 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation dedicated to supporting organizations working toward social justice, nonprofit media development, and services for at-risk families in Boulder County.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.7M
-5.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$504K
+1.9% YoY
Grant Count
49
+4.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
-2.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Brett Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $446K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Brett Family Foundation promotes caring communities by investing in organizations throughout Colorado working for social justice, developing nonprofit media, and supporting Boulder County nonprofits addressing the needs of at-risk families.
Vision: The foundation envisions a society that supports a strong democracy, healthy and inclusive communities, equal rights, access to opportunity for all, and a commitment to the common good.
Core Values: The foundation believes philanthropy should be an active force in creative structural change to eliminate the need for chronic charity. It directs the majority of resources to organizations working to reform institutions and policies that perpetuate social, economic, racial, and gender inequities. The foundation engages in long-term partnerships with other funders and core grantees to provide technical assistance, strategic support, and general operating grants.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Social Justice: Supporting organizations throughout Colorado addressing root causes of social, economic, gender, and racial inequalities through strategies that empower affected communities to engage in the democratic process and advance progressive policy solutions
- Nonprofit Media Development
- Direct Services: Supporting Boulder County nonprofits providing services for underserved and marginalized populations, with emphasis on programs for disadvantaged and high-risk individuals
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$1,000–$106,500
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations throughout Colorado, with particular emphasis on Boulder County. Grant activity also extends to organizations in New York and Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $6,745,226
- Total Revenue: $246,657
- Total Expenses: $662,021
- Total Liabilities: $1,160
Historical Context:
- Founded in 2000 with an initial annual grantmaking budget of $500,000 and endowment of $10 million
- As of 2021, cumulative grants totaled over $10 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,745,226 | $7,159,330 | $8,175,550 |
| Revenue | $246,657 | $293,618 | $236,438 |
| Expenses | $662,021 | $643,397 | $736,165 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $564,978 | $553,219 | $627,264 |
| Net Investment Income | $148,407 | $198,395 | $138,734 |
| Distributable Amount | $445,523 | $416,777 | $437,543 |
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
234 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County ($90,000), The Bell Policy Center ($58,000), New Era Colorado Foundation ($40,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASPEN JOURNALISM Aspen, CO | General Support | $5,000 |
| BOULDER VALLEY WOMEN'S HEALTH CENTER INC Boulder, CO | Information | $3,000 |
| Civic News Company New York, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| COBALT FOUNDATION Denver, CO | General support | $7,500 |
| COLORADO DEMOCRACY NETWORK Denver, CO | General support | $10,000 |
| COLORADO FISCAL INSTITUTE Denver, CO | General support | $5,000 |
| COLORADO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COUNCIL Denver, CO | General Support | $3,000 |
| COLORADO IMMIGRANT RIGHTS COALITION Denver, CO | General support | $5,000 |
| Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Right Denver, CO | General Support | $5,000 |
| COLORADO POVERTY LAW PROJECT Denver, CO | General Support | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders & Trustees:
- Linda Shoemaker (President) - Founder; grew up in Boulder; former journalist and attorney; former President of the Boulder Valley School District Board of Education; elected Regent of the University of Colorado from the Second Congressional District in 2014
- Stephen M. Brett (Chairman) - Founder; retired corporate attorney; active in community causes
The foundation is directed by Linda and Steve Brett along with their three adult children according to the foundation's Guiding Principles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues active grantmaking focused on social justice, nonprofit media, and direct services in Boulder County. Recent grant distributions in 2024 demonstrate ongoing support for organizations advancing progressive policy solutions and community services in Colorado.
WashU PCCM Researchers Awarded Rosenau Family Research Foundation Grant forSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Brett Family Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Brett Family Foundation promotes caring communities by investing in organizations throughout Colorado working for social justice, developing nonprofit media, and supporting Boulder County nonprofits addressing the needs of at-risk families. **Vision:** The foundation envisions a society that supports a strong democracy, healthy and inclusive communities, equal rights, access to opportunity for all, and a commitment to the common good. **Core Values:** The foundation believes ph…
How do I apply for a grant from Brett Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024):** • Total grants distributed: $503,500 • Number of grants: 41-47 grants • Typical grant range: $1,000–$106,500 • Median grant size: $5,000 **Recent Grantees (2024):** • Community Foundation Boulder County (Brett - Shoemaker Fund: Lyons Community Foundation): $90,000 • The Bell Policy Center: $58,000 • New Era Colorado Foundation: $40,500
Where does Brett Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations throughout Colorado, with particular emphasis on Boulder County. Grant activity also extends to organizations in New York and Pennsylvania.
What size grants does Brett Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Brett Family Foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $504K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Brett Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Brett Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $446K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Brett Family Foundation's EIN?
Brett Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1525821. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Brett Family 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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