Colorado Gives Foundation
Colorado Gives Foundation is a community foundation and 501(c)(3) public charity based in Arvada, Colorado. Formerly known as Community First Foundation and LMC Community Foundation, the organization connects donors and nonprofits across Colorado to facilitate charitable giving. The foundation operates ColoradoGives.org, a statewide online giving platform, and administers Colorado Gives Day, an annual giving event held in December. The organization serves as both a grantmaker for Jefferson County nonprofits and a capacity-building resource for donors and nonprofit organizations statewide.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$527.1M
+5.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$91.0M
+4.7% YoY
Grant Count
2,211
+11.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
-5.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: "We connect people, ideas, and nonprofits to make good happen."
The foundation's core belief is that "a community is built by connection, and everyone can make good happen." The organization strives to build resilient, connected, and thriving communities through philanthropic planning, donor services, and nonprofit support.
The foundation's work is rooted in several key principles:
- Economic security for neighbors benefits everyone
- Resilient and connected neighborhoods form the backbone of strong communities
- Civil discourse and social justice strengthen the community
- Accessibility for all is essential
Grantmaking
Colorado Gives Foundation makes grants to nonprofits serving Jefferson County across multiple focus areas, including:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates statewide through ColoradoGives.org, connecting donors to nonprofits across Colorado. However, the organization makes direct grants specifically to nonprofits serving Jefferson County (Jeffco).
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $501 million
- Annual Revenue: $92.6 million
- Annual Expenses: $102 million
- Total Liabilities: $62.6 million
Staffing: The organization employs 24 people.
Donor-Advised Funds: The foundation operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $527,119,626 | $500,513,271 | $477,734,086 |
| Revenue | $115,244,032 | $92,563,531 | $96,739,646 |
| Expenses | $107,023,561 | $101,678,064 | $106,302,413 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $23,351,226 | $12,592,817 | $8,887,986 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Colorado Gives Foundation
Collective Wellbeing: Housing Grant Opportunity
COLORADO GIVES FOUNDATION
Amount
US $5,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Colorado Gives Day Grant
COLORADO GIVES FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Economic Freedom: Early Care and Education Grant
COLORADO GIVES FOUNDATION
Amount
US $5,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Vitalant ($2,210,186), Food Bank of the Rockies ($1,528,984), Jefferson Center for Mental Health ($1,364,508).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| VITALANT SCOTTSDALE, AZ | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $2,210,186 |
| FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES DENVER, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE, GENERAL SUPPORT, GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, FOOD SECURITY | $1,528,984 |
| JEFFERSON CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH WHEAT RIDGE, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE, OPERATING SUPPORT, HEALTH, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, FOOD SECURITY, EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION, HOUSING | $1,364,508 |
| THE ACTION CENTER LAKEWOOD, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE, GENERAL SUPPORT, PROGRAM SUPPORT, GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, FOOD SECURRITY, HOUSING | $871,187 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS INC DENVER, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE, GENERAL SUPPORT | $855,620 |
| DENVER RESCUE MISSION DENVER, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE, PROGRAM SUPPORT | $833,245 |
| GJ BLACKOUT GRAND JCT, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE | $713,506 |
| THE WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY KEENESBURG, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE, GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $636,595 |
| ST ANNES EPISCOPAL SCHOOL INC DENVER, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE | $546,843 |
| HUMANE COLORADO DENVER, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE, GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $538,607 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key executives identified include:
- Kelly Kaminskas (Board Member)
- Erica Thornley (Vice President of Product Development)
- Savinay Nathan (Community Impact Vice President)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARON AZARI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ADAM PAUL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ADI MERCHANT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDRE MCGREGOR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDREA FULTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CINDY BAROWAY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DALE MARTIN | TREASURER | 4 | — |
| GAYE WOODS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOY JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KELLY KAMINSKAS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KELLY S DUNKIN | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $407,720 |
| KRISTIN CALDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LEAH VARNELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARIO CARRERA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NIKKI BORCHARDT CAMPBELL | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| PENFIELD W TATE III | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RUSSELL W KEMP ESQ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHELLY A MARQUEZ | CHAIR | 6 | — |
| SID SALEH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STACEY POOL | VICE CHAIR | 4 | — |
| KENNETH R KIRWIN | COO AND CFO | 40 | $283,895 |
| CHRISTINE MORELAND | CONTROLLER | 40 | $203,011 |
| ERICA THORNLEY | VP PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $210,767 |
| JENNIFER ROBINSON | VP BUSINESS SYSTEMS AND IN | 40 | $275,368 |
| SAVINAY NATHAN | VP COMMUNITY IMPACT | 40 | $169,320 |
| JESSICA HANNER | VP MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $177,213 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced multiple grant initiatives in recent years:
New grant opportunity launched to expand and support housing solutions in Jefferson County
New Grant Opportunity Launched to Expand and Support Housing Solutions in$5.7 million boost for Jeffco supporting nonprofits addressing local needs
$5.7 Million Boost for Jeffco Supports Nonprofits Addressing Local ...$1.6 million+ grant program for young children and early care and education
Growing Jeffco's future with $1.6 Million+ for Young Children and ...$1 million in grants for local programs addressing workforce development and barriers to employment and stability
$5.7 Million Boost for Jeffco Supports Nonprofits Addressing Local ...$3 million in grants to nonprofits serving Jefferson County for food security initiatives
$5.7 Million Boost for Jeffco Supports Nonprofits Addressing Local ...The foundation also manages featured campaigns including "Bring it Home: Affordable Housing in Jeffco" and "Pathways to Prosperity."
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Colorado Gives Foundation fund?
**Mission:** "We connect people, ideas, and nonprofits to make good happen." The foundation's core belief is that "a community is built by connection, and everyone can make good happen." The organization strives to build resilient, connected, and thriving communities through philanthropic planning, donor services, and nonprofit support. The foundation's work is rooted in several key principles: • Economic security for neighbors benefits everyone • Resilient and connected neighborhoods form the …
How do I apply for a grant from Colorado Gives Foundation?
Colorado Gives Foundation makes grants to nonprofits serving Jefferson County across multiple focus areas, including: • Housing and affordable housing solutions • Early care and education • Workforce development and barriers to employment • Food security • Youth sports • General nonprofit capacity building **Recent Grant Activity:** • $5.7 million in grants to Jeffco nonprofits addressing local needs • $1.6 million+ for young children and early care and education programs • $1 million for local…
Where does Colorado Gives Foundation make grants?
The foundation operates statewide through ColoradoGives.org, connecting donors to nonprofits across Colorado. However, the organization makes direct grants specifically to nonprofits serving Jefferson County (Jeffco).
What size grants does Colorado Gives Foundation award?
In 2024, Colorado Gives Foundation awarded 2,211 grants totaling $91.0M — an average of about $41K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Colorado Gives Foundation's EIN?
Colorado Gives Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0157964. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Colorado Gives Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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