Brett Family Foundation
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.
Key facts about Brett Family Foundation
- EIN
- 84-1525821
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $481,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 46
- Average grant
- $10,457
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (5 of 43, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (93% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Brett Family Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Brett Family Foundation's 46 itemized 2025 grants were Colorado (93%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (24 grants), Broomfield, CO (4 grants), Boulder, CO (3 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants). 85% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Brett Family Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 43 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 81% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−16%). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Brett Family Foundation
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$481K
-4.5% YoY
Grant Count
46
-6.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+1.8% YoY
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
Ready to take the next step with Brett Family Foundation?
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
Share of all 46 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
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 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
242 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County ($90,000), The Bell Policy Center ($60,000), University of Colorado Foundation ($46,000 across 4 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SERVING BOULDER COUNTY Boulder, CO | BRETT - SHOEMAKER FUND: LYONS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | $90,000 |
| THE BELL POLICY CENTER Denver, CO | General support | $60,000 |
| NEW ERA COLORADO FOUNDATION Boulder, CO | General Support | $35,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION Broomfield, CO | Center for African and African American Studies | $30,000 |
| COLORADO SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION Denver, CO | General Support | $15,000 |
| COLORADO TIMES RECORDER Denver, CO | General Support | $15,000 |
| COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER INC Denver, CO | General support | $13,000 |
| COLORADO DEMOCRACY NETWORK Denver, CO | General support | $10,000 |
| COLORADO IMMIGRANT RIGHTS COALITION Denver, CO | General support | $10,000 |
| CONSERVATION COLORADO EDUCATION FUND Denver, CO | General support | $10,000 |
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
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2022 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linda J Shoemaker | President and Trustee | 5 | — |
| Stephen M Brett | Chairman and Trustee | 2 | — |
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 2025, Brett Family Foundation awarded 46 grants totaling $481K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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 2020–2025.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.