Brighter Future for Colorado
Brighter Future for Colorado is a public charity based in Denver, Colorado. Its 2025 filing reports 10 grants totaling $1,087,500, with all listed grants designated for operating support.
Key facts about Brighter Future for Colorado
In short: Brighter Future for Colorado gave $1.1M across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $109K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 99-1144126
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,087,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- Average grant
- $108,750
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $326,299
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (53% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$326K
-45.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
Grant Count
10
Avg Grant Size
$109K
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated purpose is social welfare. Its 2025 grants went to organizations in Colorado and Washington, DC, and each listed grant was for operating support.
One recipient, CLCS Action, describes its own mission as advocating for systemic changes to Colorado public education to increase quality, choice, and equity for learners and families. This is the grantee’s mission, not a stated mission of Brighter Future for Colorado.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Brighter Future for Colorado reported 10 grants totaling $1,087,500. Grant amounts ranged from $25,000 to $550,000, with a median of $50,000.
Ready to take the next step with Brighter Future for Colorado?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 53% of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington, DC, and 47% to recipients in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Rocky Mountain Way ($550K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 10 (40%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Way Wasington, DC | Operating Support | $550,000 |
| CLCS Action Denver, CO | Operating Support | $110,000 |
| Denver Families For Public Sc Denver, CO | Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Coloradans Protecting Patient Denver, CO | Operating Support | $85,000 |
| Colorado Way Forward Denver, CO | Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Courageous Colorado Action Trinadad, CO | Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Mainstream Colorado Action Denver, CO | Operating Support | $45,000 |
| Colorado Democracy Alliance C Denver, CO | Operating Support | $42,500 |
| All Together Colorado Denver, CO | Operating Support | $30,000 |
| Democratic Governors Assoc Washington, DC | Operating Support | $25,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $326,299 | $1,395,000 | $1,668,343 | $1,087,500 across 10 grants |
| 2024 | $599,642 | $1,230,500 | $630,858 | 0 grants reported |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $326,299 | $599,642 |
| Revenue | $1,395,000 | $1,230,500 |
| Expenses | $1,668,343 | $630,858 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 30, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 25, 2025)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ashley Stevens as president.
Brighter Future for Colorado is led by Ashley Stevens, President on every filing since 2024 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ashley Stevens
President
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 191 University Blvd Ste 118, Denver, CO 80206
Phone: (303) 949-6775
Frequently asked questions about Brighter Future for Colorado
How much does Brighter Future for Colorado give each year?
Brighter Future for Colorado gave $1.1M across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Brighter Future for Colorado's typical grant size?
Brighter Future for Colorado's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $108,750, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Brighter Future for Colorado give grants?
Brighter Future for Colorado gives mostly in District of Columbia: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Colorado (47%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (7 grants).
Does Brighter Future for Colorado give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Brighter Future for Colorado's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Brighter Future for Colorado's largest grantees?
Brighter Future for Colorado's largest 2025 grantees include Rocky Mountain Way ($550,000), CLCS Action ($110,000) and Denver Families For Public Sc ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Brighter Future for Colorado?
Brighter Future for Colorado reported $326K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.4M.
What does Brighter Future for Colorado fund?
The organization’s stated purpose is social welfare. Its 2025 grants went to organizations in Colorado and Washington, DC, and each listed grant was for operating support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Brighter Future for Colorado?
Brighter Future for Colorado has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Brighter Future for Colorado's EIN?
Brighter Future for Colorado's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-1144126. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Brighter Future for Colorado by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Brighter Future for Colorado's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Colorado
Colorado Gives Foundation
Arvada, CO
Colorado Gives Foundation funds nonprofits serving Jefferson County, Colorado, with priorities including essential needs, housing, food security, education, workforce development, health, and connected neighborhoods. Its 2024 median grant was $17,814; current opportunities offer $2,500–$100,000 for responsive support and $5,000–$25,000 for housing. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$527.1M
Grants
2,211
Total Given
$91.0M
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
WaterStone funds charitable and educational efforts, especially direct Christian ministries, through donor-recommended grants to eligible U.S. and international nonprofits whose missions align with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and grants are recommended by donors.
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
Daniels Fund
Denver, CO
The Daniels Fund supports nonprofit organizations in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, with grants focused on areas including aging, amateur sports, disabilities, addiction, early childhood education, homelessness and disadvantage, K–12 education reform, and youth. The profile does not state a typical grant size or whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
1,593
Total Given
$69.7M
The Denver Foundation
Denver, CO
The Denver Foundation supports community organizations working on economic opportunity, climate and environment, housing, youth well-being, and related charitable work, with racial equity guiding its grantmaking. Its Community Grants typically award $20,000–$50,000 to organizations serving the seven-county Metro Denver region; other funds have different award levels and may support work beyond the region.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,184
Total Given
$131.7M
The Bold Foundation Inc
Denver, CO
The Bold Foundation supports scholarships, fellowships, and grants for students’ higher-education expenses, serving students nationwide. It reported 769 grants totaling about $1.2 million in 2022, but no typical award size is stated; the available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.9M
Grants
769
Total Given
$1.2M
The Colorado Health Foundation
Denver, CO
The Colorado Health Foundation funds Colorado organizations working to improve health and health equity, including projects in primary care, housing, recovery, advocacy, and community solutions; it offers project, operating, capacity-building, and capital support. Its 2024 grants had a median of $80,000, though awards ranged widely, and its work is statewide, with 96% of 2024 grant dollars going to Colorado recipients. Applicants must apply through an open funding opportunity; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.9B
Grants
684
Total Given
$102.2M
Rose Community Foundation
Denver, CO
Rose Community Foundation funds nonprofits in the seven-county Greater Denver region across Jewish life, education and economic opportunity, health, and community wellbeing, with some statewide initiatives. Its 2024 itemized grants ranged from $5,050 to $1,348,353, with a median of $25,000; it accepts inquiries for listed funding opportunities, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally is not stated.
Assets
$399.6M
Grants
531
Total Given
$27.8M
Otter Cares Foundation
Fort Collins, CO
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
490
Total Given
$693K
Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation
Denver, CO
The Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation primarily funds early childhood education and development for children from birth to age five, along with related quality improvement and evaluation, especially in underserved communities and rural Colorado. Most grants are $10,000–$50,000, and funding is focused primarily on Colorado. It accepts unsolicited requests through its responsive grant cycles, though some targeted initiatives are by invitation.
Assets
$477.1M
Grants
486
Total Given
$19.8M
Aspen Community Foundation
Basalt, CO
Aspen Community Foundation funds nonprofits and community-led work, including early childhood, family support, youth empowerment, and essential services, primarily in the Aspen-to-Parachute region. Its 2024 grants had a median of $15,000; its 2026 competitive grants offer $10,000–$35,000 per award for eligible local nonprofits. The 2026 programs accept applications during the stated application window; the profile does not say whether other grant funds accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$62.3M
Grants
466
Total Given
$17.4M
Gates Family Foundation
Denver, CO
Gates Family Foundation funds Colorado-focused work in education, natural resources, community development, informed communities, and capital projects benefiting Colorado residents. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $20 million, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests for strategic grants; capital grant applications are accepted.
Assets
$423.7M
Grants
374
Total Given
$36.3M
The Janus Henderson Foundation
Denver, CO
Assets
$3.7M
Grants
336
Total Given
$1.4M
More Funders in Colorado
Brighter Future for Colorado down — hundreds of funders to go?