Colorado Gives Foundation
Colorado Gives Foundation is a public charity based in Arvada, Colorado. It makes grants to nonprofits serving Jefferson County (Jeffco) and also works statewide to support donors and nonprofits through charitable giving services and ColoradoGives.org, which powers Colorado Gives Day.
Colorado Gives Foundation at a glance
In short: Colorado Gives Foundation gave $91.0M across 2,211 grants in 2024 (avg $41K), mostly in Colorado. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $90,980,931
- +4.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2,211
- +11.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $41,149
- -5.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,814
- Total assets
- $527,119,626
- +5.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (458 of 2,210, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Colorado Gives Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 5855 Wadsworth Bypass Unit A, Arvada, CO 80003
Phone: (720) 898-5900
Website: https://coloradogivesfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
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
Deadline not published
Colorado Gives Day Grant
Colorado Gives Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Economic Freedom: Early Care and Education Grant
Colorado Gives Foundation
Amount
US $5,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Colorado Gives Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Vitalant ($2.2M). Together the top 10 received $10.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
9,780 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7,845 grants of 9,780 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it makes grants to nonprofits serving Jefferson County and works statewide to support donors and nonprofits. In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to Colorado recipients, 2% to Arizona recipients and 1% to California recipients; the remaining listed state shares were each below 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2,211 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Colorado Gives Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 458 of 2,210 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $31K; repeat grants $44K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 73% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+6%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $57.0M (2019) to $91.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 2,211 grants totaling $91.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
Ready to take the next step with Colorado Gives Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $527,119,626 | $115,244,032 | $107,023,561 | $90,980,931 | 2,211 | $23,351,226 |
| 2023 | $500,513,271 | $92,563,531 | $101,678,064 | $86,924,933 | 1,992 | $12,592,817 |
| 2022 | $477,734,086 | $96,739,646 | $106,302,413 | $91,029,467 | 1,900 | $8,887,986 |
| 2021 | $565,776,459 | $151,756,882 | $96,250,072 | $85,822,215 | 1,891 | $63,320,268 |
| 2020 | $501,578,779 | $98,986,218 | $88,468,982 | $79,605,013 | 1,786 | $21,792,488 |
| 2019 | $454,604,459 | $83,094,542 | $66,182,278 | $56,975,460 | 1,502 | $12,644,744 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to connect people, ideas and nonprofits to make good happen, and its vision is that all of Jeffco is thriving. Its stated grant focus areas include food security, early care and education, workforce development, housing, health and convenient neighborhoods. The foundation describes these priorities as supporting Jeffco residents’ access to food, child care and education, employment, stable housing, holistic wellbeing and community amenities.
The 2024 grantees included organizations with a range of missions. Jefferson Center for Mental Health says it provides mental health and related solutions to improve lives and strengthen its community; Jeffco Action Center says it responds to hardship by offering resources and services to stabilize lives; and Denver Rescue Mission says it addresses people’s physical and spiritual needs. Other listed grantees include food, education, animal welfare and public media organizations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 2,211 grants totaling $90,980,931. Grants ranged from $5,008 to $2,210,186, with a median of $17,814. The largest award listed was $2,210,186 to Vitalant for program support. Other large grants included $1,528,984 to Food Bank of the Rockies for general and food-security support; $1,364,508 to Jefferson Center for Mental Health for purposes including operating support, health, workforce development, food security, early care and education, and housing; and $871,187 to The Action Center for general, program and operating support, food security and housing.
The foundation’s grant opportunities page lists upcoming expected openings for food security in February 2027, early care and education in May 2027, workforce development in August 2027, housing in February 2028, health in May 2028 and convenient neighborhoods in August 2028. These opportunities are described as serving Jeffco residents. The foundation’s GranteeView guide explains that applicants register as grant administrators, connect or register their organization, and use the portal to apply and check application status. The filing says pre-grant review assesses eligibility, charitable purpose, alignment with the fund’s purpose and the prospective grantee’s ability to fulfill grant terms; some grantees may be required to submit evaluation reports.
The Level Up Digital Fundraising Program is described as a free, one-year capacity-building opportunity for Colorado nonprofits, offered with the Schlessman Family Foundation. It provides strategy development, technology support and skilled volunteers. The foundation also describes Thriving Jeffco Responsive Grant as providing unrestricted, one-year support to organizations serving Jeffco and advancing specified community metrics; published awards ranged from $2,500 to $100,000. Colorado Gives Day enrollment information in the program description refers to the December 9 event and was last updated in September 2025, so that cycle has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Aaron Azari, Adam Paul, Adi Merchant, Andre McGregor, Andrea Fulton, Cindy Baroway, Gaye Woods, Joy Johnson and Kelly Kaminskas as directors. Dale Martin is listed as treasurer. The foundation’s grant opportunities page identifies Ashley Stoltenberg as grants manager.
Colorado Gives Foundation is led by Kelly S. Dunkin, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 7 of 26 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kelly S. Dunkin
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$230K (2019) → $408K (2024)
Shelly A. Marquez
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Azari
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gaye Woods
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joy Johnson
Director
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Penfield W. Tate III
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Russell W. Kemp Esq.
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adi Merchant
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andre McGregor
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Kaminskas
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leah Varnell
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Calder
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Paul
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Fulton
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Baroway
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mario Carrera
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sid Saleh
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Moreland
Controller
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$118K (2019) → $203K (2024)
Kenneth R. Kirwin
COO & CFO
CFO → COO & CFO, 2021
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$221K (2019) → $284K (2024)
Erica Thornley
Vice President Product Development
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$132K (2021) → $211K (2024)
Jennifer Robinson
Vice President Business Systems
Vice President Business Systems & Intelligence → Vice President Business Systems, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$205K (2022) → $275K (2024)
Jessica Hanner
Vice President Marketing & Communications
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$177K (2024)
Savinay Nathan
Vice President Community Impact
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$169K (2024)
Stacey Pool
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dale Martin
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nikki Borchardt Campbell
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: David L. Bomberger (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Elycia R. Cook (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Hereford Percy (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Noah Atencio (2019–2023) — Vice President of Community Impact
- Former: Cynthia Matthews (2023) — Director of Communications
- Former: Lynne D. Valencia (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Ghazal Vaghedi (2021–2022) — Vice President Business Development
- Former: Cheryl S. Haggstrom (2019–2021) — Executive Vice President
- Former: Beth McConkey (2020–2021) — Vice President Marketing & Communications
- Former: Brian Larson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Donovan J. Jerry Paul CFA (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Janet Heck Doyle Esq. (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Ronald C. Meyer MD (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Dana Rinderknect (2020) — Director of Online Giving
- Former: Rebecca Olchawa-Barker (2020) — Director of Philanthropic Services
- Former: Emily S. Robinson (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Lauren Larson (2019) — Director
- Former: Marla J. Williams (2019) — President & CEO
- Former: Robert Urwiler (2019) — Director
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 $408K, to Kelly S Dunkin (President & CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Colorado Gives Foundation
How much does Colorado Gives Foundation give each year?
Colorado Gives Foundation gave $91.0M across 2,211 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $86.9M across 1,992 grants.
What is Colorado Gives Foundation's typical grant size?
Colorado Gives Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,814, and its average grant was $41,149, across 2,211 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Colorado Gives Foundation that year got $31K on average.
Where does Colorado Gives Foundation give grants?
Colorado Gives Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (601 grants), Boulder, CO (134 grants), Fort Collins, CO (87 grants) and Littleton, CO (63 grants).
Does Colorado Gives Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 98% of Colorado Gives Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2,169 of 2,211) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Health" (11 grants), "Food Security" (11 grants) and "Program Support" (8 grants).
Who are Colorado Gives Foundation's largest grantees?
Colorado Gives Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Vitalant ($2,210,186), Food Bank of the Rockies ($1,528,984) and Jefferson Center for Mental Health ($1,364,508), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 6% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Colorado Gives Foundation?
Colorado Gives Foundation reported $527.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $115.2M.
What does Colorado Gives Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to connect people, ideas and nonprofits to make good happen, and its vision is that all of Jeffco is thriving. Its stated grant focus areas include food security, early care and education, workforce development, housing, health and convenient neighborhoods. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Colorado Gives Foundation?
Colorado Gives Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check coloradogivesfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS November 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Colorado Gives Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/colorado-gives-foundation-morg_55ac91a3bcd248aa9783a631e8002f6a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_510157964_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Colorado Gives Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/colorado-gives-foundation-morg_55ac91a3bcd248aa9783a631e8002f6a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Gives Foundation'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 Gives Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?