Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association (CEA), based in Denver, is a public charity that brings together nearly 40,000 Colorado educators and other public-school workers. It works collectively with education stakeholders to support public education and educators, and its reported 2025 grants went to Colorado recipients.
Colorado Education Association at a glance
In short: Colorado Education Association gave $1.8M across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $104K), mostly in Colorado. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,766,822
- +15.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- +21.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $103,931
- -4.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $99,103
- Total assets
- $18,969,069
- +58.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (4 of 17, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Colorado Education Association
- Contact
Mailing address: 600 Grant Street Sutie 725, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 837-1500
Website: https://coloradoea.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Colorado Education Association
Who Colorado Education Association funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Front Range Uniserv Unit ($237K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
77 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 33 grants of 77 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado. CEA says its locals are grouped into 18 geographic UniServ Units across the state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Colorado Education Association open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 17 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $42K; repeat grants $123K. How we count
Medians: $21K first-time, $114K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2020) to $1.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Front Range Uniserv Unit Aurora, CO | Financial Assistance | $237,243 |
| Denver Classroom Teachers Associationdenver Uniserv Unit Denver, CO | Financial Assistance | $235,354 |
| Central Adams Uniserv Unit Westminster, CO | Financial Assistance | $189,597 |
| Two Rivers Uniserv Unit Longmont, CO | Financial Assistance | $158,960 |
| Boulder Westminster Uniserv Unit Lafayette, CO | Financial Assistance | $142,368 |
| Aurora Littleton Uniserv Unit Aurora, CO | Financial Assistance | $135,006 |
| Pueblo Education Association Pueblo, CO | Financial Assistance | $115,400 |
| Colorado Springs Uniserv Unit Colorado Springs, CO | Financial Assistance | $114,127 |
| Northern Colorado Uniserv Unit Greeley, CO | Financial Assistance | $99,103 |
| Jeffco Education Support Professionals Association Golden, CO | Financial Assistance | $95,931 |
Ready to take the next step with Colorado Education Association?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $18,969,069 | $19,640,277 | $17,042,118 | $1,766,822 | 17 | $3,426,722 |
| 2024 | $11,951,478 | $15,296,283 | $16,240,431 | $1,524,405 | 14 | $185,313 |
| 2023 | $12,561,447 | $14,379,035 | $14,745,571 | $1,527,477 | 19 | $27,475 |
| 2022 | $13,401,575 | $13,471,692 | $13,647,363 | $1,349,058 | 13 | $3,467 |
| 2021 | $13,528,201 | $13,711,164 | $12,881,609 | $1,575,756 | 14 | $-65,637 |
| 2020 | $13,196,417 | $15,383,132 | $12,767,065 | $1,190,998 | 12 | $3,926 |
| 2018 | $9,700,933 | $12,555,411 | $12,320,008 | — | — | $1,116 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CEA’s mission is to work collectively to provide the best public education for every student. Its stated priorities include school funding, testing and accountability, collective bargaining, and organizational excellence. The organization also describes programs for supporting local affiliates, promoting the educational, economic, and social advancement of members, and advancing policy goals through government relations.
CEA’s 2025 grants included UniServ units and education associations. The Front Range UniServ Unit says its mission is to provide staff and facilities to local affiliates. The Denver Classroom Teachers Association says it promotes the general well-being of Denver Public Schools by advocating for qualified and competent teachers and properly equipped classrooms. Other grantee missions include advocating for public education employees and promoting quality education, as Central Adams UniServ Unit describes its work, and advocating for teachers, as Two Rivers UniServ Unit describes its mission.
Grantmaking
CEA reported 17 grants totaling $1,766,822 in 2025. Grants ranged from $8,832 to $237,243, with a median of $99,103. The listed grants were for financial assistance. Among the largest were Front Range UniServ Unit ($237,243), Denver Classroom Teachers Association/Denver UniServ Unit ($235,354), Central Adams UniServ Unit ($189,597), Two Rivers UniServ Unit ($158,960), and Boulder Westminster UniServ Unit ($142,368).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kevin Vick as president, Amie Baca-Oehlert as president through July 2025, Liz Waddick as vice president, and Amber Wilson as secretary-treasurer. It also lists Angela Anderson as NEA director and Robert Armagost, Timothy Brown, Yolanda Calderon, Jennie Campbell, and Justina Carter as directors.
Colorado Education Association is led by Amie Baca-Oehlert, President since 2020 (on filings since 2018); 12 of 46 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Amie Baca-Oehlert
President
Vice President → President, 2020
On filings since 2018
40 hrs/week
$135K (2018) → $149K (2025)
Kevin Vick
President
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2018
40 hrs/week
$114K (2020) → $169K (2025)
Kooper Caraway
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$140K (2025)
Cody Dreher
Uniserv Director
Staff → Uniserv Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$134K (2023) → $135K (2025)
Chesca Smotherman
Director of Org & Cap Build
Staff → Director of Org & Cap Build, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$142K (2024) → $139K (2025)
Gregory Grote
Uniserv Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$137K (2025)
Angela Anderson
Nea Director
Unit Director → Director, 2020
Director → Nea Director, 2021
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Lockley
Nea Director
Unit Director → Director, 2020
Director → Nea Director, 2023
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beverly Green
Director
Director → Retired Council Representative, 2021
Retired Council Representative → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cody Jump
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerad Sutton
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Hicks
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Taya Mastrobuono
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Brown
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yolanda Calderon
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennie Campbell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Gustad
Director
Retired Council Representative → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Kelley
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sue Teumer
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Veronica Martinez
Director
Nea Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alisa Mavrotheris
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annette Lauer
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Haggerty
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bea Sullivan
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christi Ludwig
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Holt
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justina Carter
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patti Magor
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phyllis Robinette
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Armagost
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Smith
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Lash
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Donlucas
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angelica Givler
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Derek Hawkins
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hannah Squire
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Danos
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Thomas
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tammy Law
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kris Gomez
General Counsel & Deputy Executive Director
General Counsel → General Counsel & Deputy Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2018
40 hrs/week
$142K (2018) → $175K (2025)
Amber Wilson
Secretary-Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Erin Bennett
Manager & Public Affairs
Staff → Manager & Public Affairs, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$146K (2022) → $149K (2025)
Lindsay Theo
Manager & Center for Organizing
Staff → Manager & Center for Organizing, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$156K (2023) → $160K (2025)
Susan Perrigo
Business Affairs
CFO → Business Affairs, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$145K (2024) → $120K (2025)
Liz Waddick
Vice President
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$116K (2025)
Sarah Markey
Manager, Teaching & Learning
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$148K (2025)
Former officers (73)
- Former: Katherine Michienzi-Rendon (2018–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Sharyn Dreyer (2018–2024) — Staff Attorney
- Former: Fran Groff-Gonzales (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Lisa Elliot (2020–2024) — Staff
- Former: Darcy Deguise (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: John Robinson (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Kevin Coughlin (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Lisa Sinclair (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Sahron Stanford (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Dave Mussetter (2024) — Staff
- Former: Ami Pichard (2018–2023) — Director
- Former: Char Armstrong (2018–2023) — Director
- Former: Kathryn Freegal (2018–2023) — Director
- Former: Mike Maes (2018–2023) — Director
- Former: Sharyl Kay Lawson (2018–2023) — Director
- Former: Suzie Mitchell (2018–2023) — Director
- Former: Aj Smith (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Eliza Hamrick (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Kari Keller (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Patty Delgado (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Chris Peterson (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Lara Center (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Taylor Davis (2023) — Director
- Former: Charles Kaiser (2018–2022) — Staff
- Former: Pamela Wilson (2018–2022) — Uniserv Center Manager
- Former: Suzanne Zimmer (2018–2022) — Deputy Executive & Director
- Former: David Mussetter (2020–2022) — Uniserv Director-Ne & Secretary
- Former: Alice Jean Smith (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Charlotte Armstrong (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Kendall Bolton (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Susan Mitchell (2022) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Latham (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert Eberle (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sharon Stanford (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Tony Babauta (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Deborah Figueroa (2021) — Equity Council Representative
- Former: Erin E. Bennett Leighton (2021) — Staff
- Former: Ernest Garibay (2021) — Director
- Former: Kasey Ellis (2021) — Director
- Former: Bob Erner (2018–2020) — Retired Representative
- Former: Chris Newby (2018–2020) — Director
- Former: Christina Medina (2018–2020) — Equity Council
- Former: Elizabeth Waddick (2018–2020) — Director
- Former: Greg Ditter (2018–2020) — Director
- Former: Jaime Pasquariello (2018–2020) — Director
- Former: Johnny Yates (2018–2020) — Director
- Former: Kemerlea Kasey Ellis (2018–2020) — Director
- Former: Kevin Laduke (2018–2020) — Nea Director
- Former: Phil Weiser (2018–2020) — Director
- Former: Rhiannon Wenning (2018–2020) — Director
- Former: Tom List (2018–2020) — Director
- Former: Celeste Dunlop (2020) — Director
- Former: Gregory Lawler (2020) — Staff
- Former: Melanie Kallemeyn (2020) — Director
- Former: Rachel Sandoval (2020) — Director
- Former: Sandy Culbertson (2020) — Director
- Former: Sarah Hightower (2020) — Director
- Former: Shayna Goldstein (2020) — Director
- Former: Bonnie Keller (2018) — Unit Director
- Former: Bradley Bartels (2018) — Executive Director
- Former: Cameron Hoxie (2018) — Unit Director
- Former: Cindy Fuqua (2018) — Unit Director
- Former: Jeff Marshall (2018) — Retired Representative
- Former: Jill Date (2018) — Unit Director
- Former: Keith Distel (2018) — Unit Director
- Former: Kerrie Dallman (2018) — President
- Former: Lawrence Garcia (2018) — Secretary-Treasurer
- Former: Nancy Dickerson-Shaw (2018) — Unit Director
- Former: Nancy McCanless (2018) — Esp
- Former: Rosie Jaramillo (2018) — Unit Director
- Former: Scot Kaye (2018) — Unit Director
- Former: Sophia Dennis (2018) — Student
- Former: Tim Brown (2018) — Unit Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $175K, to Kris Gomez (General Counsel & Deputy Ed). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Colorado Education Association
How much does Colorado Education Association give each year?
Colorado Education Association gave $1.8M across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.5M across 14 grants.
What is Colorado Education Association's typical grant size?
Colorado Education Association's median grant in 2025 was $99,103, and its average grant was $103,931, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Colorado Education Association that year got $42K on average.
Where does Colorado Education Association give grants?
Colorado Education Association gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Westminster, CO (3 grants), Aurora, CO (2 grants), Denver, CO (2 grants) and Pueblo, CO (2 grants).
Does Colorado Education Association give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Colorado Education Association's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Financial Assistance" (17 grants).
Who are Colorado Education Association's largest grantees?
Colorado Education Association's largest 2025 grantees include Front Range Uniserv Unit ($237,243), Denver Classroom Teachers Associationdenver Uniserv Unit ($235,354) and Central Adams Uniserv Unit ($189,597), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Colorado Education Association?
Colorado Education Association reported $19.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $19.6M.
What does Colorado Education Association fund?
CEA’s mission is to work collectively to provide the best public education for every student. Its stated priorities include school funding, testing and accountability, collective bargaining, and organizational excellence. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Colorado Education Association?
Colorado Education Association has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check coloradoea.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Colorado Education Association's EIN?
Colorado Education Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-0172608. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 2, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 15, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS February 11, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Colorado Education Association's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Colorado Education Association funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/colorado-education-association-morg_ff7abd8b9194400d9c3a7b5cf0c5088c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_840172608_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Colorado Education Association funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/colorado-education-association-morg_ff7abd8b9194400d9c3a7b5cf0c5088c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Colorado Education Association'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.
Colorado Education Association down — hundreds of funders to go?