Buck Foundation
Buck Foundation is a private foundation based in Denver, Colorado, with tax-exempt status since June 1986. The organization operates as a grantmaking foundation with a focus on supporting nonprofit organizations through general operating support grants.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.4M
+8.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$480K
+12.9% YoY
Grant Count
32
-5.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+19.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Buck Foundation reported a distributable amount of $723K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations working across multiple issue areas, with a demonstrated commitment to environmental conservation, social justice, immigrant rights, and community development. Recent grant recipients indicate funding priorities in areas such as environmental protection, immigrant advocacy, workforce development, and community services.
Grantmaking
The foundation primarily awards general operating support grants to nonprofit organizations.
Grant Range
$10,000–$15,000
Ready to take the next step with Buck Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation demonstrates a strong geographic focus on Colorado, with additional grants to organizations in California and Pennsylvania. Grant recipients are located across multiple states, with particular concentration in the Denver metropolitan area and broader Colorado region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (2024):
- Total assets: $10.5 million
- Total giving: $425,000
- Number of grants: 34
- Median grant: $10,000
Historical Trends:
| Year | Total Assets | Total Giving | Number of Grants | Median Grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10.5M | $425K | 34 | $10K |
| 2023 | $10.8M | $495K | 34 | $15K |
| 2022 | $11.1M | $575K | 34 | $14K |
| 2021 | $11.2M | $481K | 43 | $10K |
| 2020 | $10.4M | $366K | 30 | $10K |
Revenue (2023):
- Revenue: $363,918
- Expenses: $665,038
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,385,523 | $10,461,100 | $10,762,220 |
| Revenue | $1,697,671 | $363,918 | $473,839 |
| Expenses | $773,248 | $665,038 | $766,466 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $657,289 | $582,769 | $659,040 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,588,449 | $436,715 | $390,337 |
| Distributable Amount | $723,235 | $670,118 | $669,432 |
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
177 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Village Exchange Center ($40,000), 350 Colorado ($20,000), 9to5 Colorado ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 350 COLORADO BOULDER, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| 9TO5 COLORADO MILWAUKEE, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ALL IN MILE HIGH DENVER, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE PHILADELPHIA, PA | COLORADO IMMIGRANT RIGHTS PROGRAM | $17,500 |
| BAYAUD ENTERPRISES INC DENVER, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| COLORADO SAFE PARKING INITIATIVE DENVER, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| COSSA INSITITUTE DURANGO, CO | RURAL CLIMATE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM | $20,000 |
| CULTIVANDO EASTLAKE, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| DENVER FOOD RESCUE DENVER, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board & Staff:
- Christopher Buck – Chair
- Andrew Buck – Treasurer & Chair of Finance Committee
- Erika Church – Executive Director
- Carol Dettmann – Vice-Chair & Chair of Grants Committee
- Jessica Dettmann – Secretary
- Nicholas Dettmann – Director & Chair of Governance Committee
- David Buck – Director
- Diane M Buck – Director
- Nina Bambina Buck – Director
- Nory Buck – Director
- Douglas Buck – Director
- Zoe Buck – Director & Chair of G4 Committee
- Drew Truslove – Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID BUCK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DIANE M BUCK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CAROL DETTMANN | VICE-CHAIR & CHAIR OF GRANTS COMMITTEE | 1 | — |
| NINA BAMBINA BUCK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER BUCK | CHAIR | 2 | $30,900 |
| ANDREW BUCK | TREASURER & CHAIR OF FINANCE COMMITTEE | 1 | — |
| NORY BUCK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NICHOLAS DETTMANN | DIRECTOR & CHAIR OF GOVERNANCE COMMITT | 1 | — |
| DREW TRUSLOVE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JESSICA DETTMANN | SECRETARRY | 1 | — |
| ZOE BUCK | DIRECTOR & CHAIR OF G4 COMMITTEE | 1 | — |
| DOUGLAS BUCK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ERIKA CHURCH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 36 | $105,362 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Buck Foundation fund?
The foundation supports organizations working across multiple issue areas, with a demonstrated commitment to environmental conservation, social justice, immigrant rights, and community development. Recent grant recipients indicate funding priorities in areas such as environmental protection, immigrant advocacy, workforce development, and community services.
How do I apply for a grant from Buck Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Median grant size: $10,000–$15,000 • Grant range: $2,000–$40,000 • Annual grant volume: 30–43 grants per year • Total annual giving: $365,000–$575,000 **Grant Type:** The foundation primarily awards general operating support grants to nonprofit organizations. **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • 350 Colorado ($35,000) • National Tropical Botanical Gardens ($30,000) • Grid Alternatives Colorado ($20,000) • La Puente Home Inc ($18,000) • 9to5 Colorado ($15,000) • American F…
Where does Buck Foundation make grants?
The foundation demonstrates a strong geographic focus on Colorado, with additional grants to organizations in California and Pennsylvania. Grant recipients are located across multiple states, with particular concentration in the Denver metropolitan area and broader Colorado region.
What size grants does Buck Foundation award?
In 2024, Buck Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $480K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Buck Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Buck Foundation reported a distributable amount of $723K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Buck Foundation's EIN?
Buck Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2405298. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Buck Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Boren Foundation Inc
UPLAND, IN
Assets
$19.1M
Grants
70
Total Given
$1.3M
Lupke Foundation Inc Agency
FORT WAYNE, IN
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
22
Total Given
$76K
Harold Ellison Tuw for Jones Cemetery 002189
MUNCIE, IN
Assets
$442K
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
John Carroll Club of South Bend Inc
SOUTH BEND, IN
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$220K
Buchanan-clements Foundation Inc
COLUMBUS, IN
Assets
$261K
Grants
3
Total Given
$16K
Harold Ellison Scholarship Fund 002188
MUNCIE, IN
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
1
Total Given
$62K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Buck Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Buck Foundation to a real strategy.