Choose Outdoors Inc
Choose Outdoors Inc is a Denver, Colorado, public charity established in 2008. Its mission centers on promoting outdoor recreation and active lifestyles through support for public lands and waters, recreation infrastructure, and programs connecting Americans to the outdoors. Its 2024 IRS filing is marked as the organization’s final return: it states that the organization ceased operations at the end of 2024 and distributed its remaining funds to other public charities with similar missions. It therefore appears to have wound down and stopped grantmaking.
Choose Outdoors Inc at a glance
In short: Choose Outdoors Inc gave $340K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $339,896
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- Average grant
- $22,660
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Primary geography
- Colorado (64% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Choose Outdoors Inc
- How to Apply
-
No application process or statement about unsolicited requests is provided in the available information. The organization ceased operations at the end of 2024.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2443 S University Blvd Suite 106, Denver, CO 80110
Phone: (303) 917-1476
Website: https://chooseoutdoors.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Choose Outdoors Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Conifer Rotary Foundation ($64K). Together the top 10 received $271K.
Grant Size Distribution
15 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 15 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. Colorado received 64% of grant dollars, followed by Texas at 7%, and California, Wisconsin, and New Mexico at 6% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $340K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Conifer Rotary Foundation Conifer, CO | Close Out Grant | $64,300 |
| Adventure West Council Boy Scouts of America Greeley, CO | Close Out Grant | $25,000 |
| Environmental Learning for Kids Denver, CO | Close Out Grant | $25,000 |
| Mountain Studies Institute Durango, CO | Close Out Grant | $25,000 |
| Philmont Scout Ranch Irving, TX | Close Out Grant | $25,000 |
| Wilderness Restoration Volunteers Longmont, CO | Close Out Grant | $25,000 |
| Ventura Botanical Gardens Ventura, CA | Close Out Grant | $22,000 |
| Aldo Leopold Foundation Baraboo, WI | Close Out Grant | $20,000 |
| The Forest Stewards Guild Santa Fe, NM | Close Out Grant | $20,000 |
| Eco Foresters Asheville, NC | Close Out Grant | $19,996 |
Ready to take the next step with Choose Outdoors Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reports the organization’s final return and says it disbursed all remaining funds to other public charities.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $37,000 | $755,253 | $339,896 | 15 |
| 2023 | $745,348 | $721,069 | $799,202 | — | — |
| 2022 | $798,811 | $1,223,154 | $752,536 | — | — |
| 2021 | $332,733 | $775,042 | $672,224 | — | — |
| 2020 | $252,480 | $384,290 | $487,975 | — | — |
| 2019 | $386,126 | $859,839 | $660,691 | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Choose Outdoors states that it supports public lands by promoting outdoor recreation and active lifestyles. Its stated approaches include working with agencies and partners on outdoor education, learning, volunteer opportunities, and experiences; advocating for outdoor recreation and bringing together related industries; and supporting investment in recreation programs and infrastructure. Its website also identifies public-private partnerships, youth engagement with the outdoors, broader public participation in outdoor recreation, and public support for public lands as priorities.
The 2024 filing says the organization promoted education regarding national forests. In its final-year grants, recipients included organizations whose own missions included community service and fundraising (Conifer Rotary Foundation), increasing outdoor equity and environmental stewardship (Environmental Learning for Kids), youth outdoor experiences and service (Adventure West Council), public gardens and education (Ventura Botanical Gardens), forest stewardship (The Forest Stewards Guild), fostering a land ethic (Aldo Leopold Foundation), and sustainable forest management through science, education, and technology (Society of American Foresters). These are the grantees’ stated missions, not separate statements of Choose Outdoors’ mission.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Choose Outdoors reported 15 grants totaling $339,896. Grants ranged from $11,600 to $64,300, with a median grant of $20,000. The filing says these grants went to organizations with similar missions as part of the organization’s dissolution.
Notable 2024 grants included $64,300 to Conifer Rotary Foundation; $25,000 each to Adventure West Council, Environmental Learning for Kids, Mountain Studies Institute, Philmont Scout Ranch, and Wilderness Restoration Volunteers; $22,000 to Ventura Botanical Gardens; $20,000 each to Aldo Leopold Foundation and The Forest Stewards Guild; $19,996 to Eco Foresters; and $15,000 each to Society of American Foresters and The Wright Opera House. The filing lists each grant’s purpose as “CLOSE OUT GRANT.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bruce Ward as president, Tom Morton as chair, Brian Kelleghan as vice chair, and Suzanne Barkley as secretary. The organization’s website describes Bruce Ward as an advocate for connecting people to public lands, with experience in public-private partnerships and outdoor recreation organizations. It describes Sue Barkley, listed as secretary on the filing, as a volunteer with interests in youth programs and responsible recreation, with fundraising and marketing experience.
Choose Outdoors Inc is led by Bruce Ward, President on every filing since 2019; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bruce Ward
President
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$123K (2019) → $158K (2024)
Tom Morton
Chair
Board Chair → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Kelleghan
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Barkley
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Rob Harris (2019–2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $158K, to Bruce Ward (President).
Frequently asked questions about Choose Outdoors Inc
How much does Choose Outdoors Inc give each year?
Choose Outdoors Inc gave $340K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990.
What is Choose Outdoors Inc's typical grant size?
Choose Outdoors Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $22,660, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Choose Outdoors Inc give grants?
Choose Outdoors Inc gives mostly in Colorado: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Texas (7%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Ouray, CO (2 grants).
Does Choose Outdoors Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Choose Outdoors Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Close Out Grant" (15 grants).
Who are Choose Outdoors Inc's largest grantees?
Choose Outdoors Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Conifer Rotary Foundation ($64,300), Adventure West Council Boy Scouts of America ($25,000) and Environmental Learning for Kids ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does Choose Outdoors Inc fund?
Choose Outdoors states that it supports public lands by promoting outdoor recreation and active lifestyles. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Choose Outdoors Inc?
No application process or statement about unsolicited requests is provided in the available information. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Choose Outdoors Inc's EIN?
Choose Outdoors Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3822889. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 3, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Choose Outdoors Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Wilderness Society
Washington, DC
The Wilderness Society funds conservation projects, education and outreach, and scientific research that protect public lands and waters, support stewardship, climate solutions, and equitable outdoor access. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $150,000, with a median of $15,000, for work across the United States. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$127.1M
Grants
59
Total Given
$1.4M
John C Bock Foundation
Pickett, WI
The foundation supports conservation of mature woodlands and old-growth forests, especially in Wisconsin and near Lake Mendota, including related education, research, and conservation organizations. In 2024, grants ranged from $2,000 to $100,000, with a median of $7,500. It does not limit giving to preselected organizations; applicants should contact Martin Childs IV and follow the website’s instructions.
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
29
Total Given
$352K
The Nature Conservancy
Arlington, VA
The Nature Conservancy funds conservation work, including land and easement acquisition, research, planning, organizational capacity, and sustainable agriculture, across the United States and internationally. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $31,000, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to $2.1 million; some regional programs offer grants of up to $100,000.
Assets
$10.1B
Grants
671
Total Given
$67.8M
Wisconsin Humanities Council Inc
Middleton, WI
Wisconsin humanities strengthens our democracy through educational and cultural programs that build connections and understanding among people of all backgrounds and beliefs throughout the state.
Assets
$569K
Grants
8
Total Given
$68K
Ima Foundation
Wichita, KS
Assets
$11.4M
Grants
602
Total Given
$831K
The Blanke Foundation
Dallas, TX
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
4
Total Given
$50K
More similar funders
More Funders in Colorado
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Choose Outdoors Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/choose-outdoors-inc-morg_980ed881110d4d549069a3f5def1b083
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_263822889_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Choose Outdoors Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/choose-outdoors-inc-morg_980ed881110d4d549069a3f5def1b083},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Choose Outdoors Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Choose Outdoors Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?