The Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) is a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization established in 1987 as the nonprofit arm of the Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA). Based in Denver, Colorado, the Foundation is dedicated to advancing educational opportunities and professional standards in the food service and hospitality industries throughout Colorado. The organization operates as a subordinate organization under the Colorado Restaurant Association.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1M
-14.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$372K
+126.1% YoY
Grant Count
28
+250.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-35.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Colorado Restaurant Foundation's mission is dedicated to providing access to education, skills, and financial means to pursue successful careers in the food service and hospitality industries. The Foundation advances educational opportunities and professional standards in these sectors within Colorado.
Primary program areas include:
- ProStart Programs: High school education programs offering restaurant/hospitality management, culinary arts, and business economics curriculum with academic credit, scholarships, and paid work experience opportunities
- Apprenticeship Programs: Competency-based apprenticeships designed for people of all ages committed to careers in the restaurant industry
- Scholarships: Financial support for undergraduate hospitality students and career-advancing students
- Certifications: Career-advancing credentialing programs including ServSafe Manager certifications (available in Spanish)
- Emergency Relief & Support: Mental health care treatment and wellness resources for industry employees
- Support for Underserved Populations: Programs targeting historically underserved populations entering the foodservice industry
Grantmaking
The Foundation supports its programs through donations with suggested giving levels:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Colorado Restaurant Foundation operates statewide throughout Colorado, serving students and restaurant employees across the state.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Revenues: $1,680,592
- Total Expenses: $1,677,057
- Total Assets: $1,116,518
2023 Financial Data:
- Total Revenues: $873,000
- Total Expenses: $1,590,000
- Total Assets: $1,310,000
- Total Liabilities: $452,000
The Foundation reported conflict of interest transactions in its December 2023 tax filing.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,116,518 | $1,310,788 | $1,623,514 |
| Revenue | $1,680,592 | $873,186 | $1,672,451 |
| Expenses | $1,677,057 | $1,585,383 | $2,011,845 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $155,385 | $22,266 | $16,440 |
| 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
175 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Osage Cafe Llc ($60,247), Creative Dining Services ($44,352), Cra Mile High Chapter ($41,635).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1431 BETH & JEN LLC DENVER, CO | APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ACE EAT SERVE DENVER, CO | APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT | $6,000 |
| BODEGA DENVER, CO | APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT | $10,100 |
| CARVER BREWING COMPANY DURANGO, CO | APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT | $10,100 |
| CHOOK COOP LLC DENVER, CO | APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| COUNTRY CLUB AT CASTLE PINES CASTLE ROCK, CO | APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT | $6,100 |
| CRA MILE HIGH CHAPTER GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CONTRIBUTION | $41,635 |
| CREATIVE DINING SERVICES ZEELAND, MI | APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT | $44,352 |
| EARLY BIRD RESTAURANT WESTMINSTER, CO | APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT | $10,100 |
| GOURMET FOR GOOD SHERIDAN, CO | APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT | $10,100 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AILEEN REILLY | CHAIRMAN (AS OF 10/24) | 2 | — |
| MARC STERON | CHAIRMAN (THRU 10/24) | 2 | — |
| MELISSA BROOKS | VICE-CHAIR ELECT/VP-FUNDRAISING (THRU 10/24)/VICE | 2 | — |
| EMILY BIEDERMAN | CONTROLLER (THRU 10/24)/VP FUNDRAISING | 2 | — |
| AMY RAPISARDA | VP-EDUCATION (AS OF 10/24) | 1 | — |
| MALLORY CULLEN | VP AT LARGE (THRU 10/24)/VP-HEALTH & WELLNESS | 2 | — |
| APRIL LAMBATOS | VP-AT LARGE (AS OF 10/24) | 1 | — |
| LUIS RAMIREZ | TREASURER (THRU 10/24)/CONTROLLER | 2 | — |
| ASHLEY HOFFMAN | VP-HEALTH & WELLNESS (THRU 10/24)/SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| JOSH NIERNBERG | VP- EDUCATION (THRU 10/24)/TREASURER | 2 | — |
| RICHARD SCHNEIDER | SECRETARY (THRU 10/24)/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHRIS WEIL | VICE-CHAIRMAN (THRU 10/24)/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JUSTIN ADRIAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PAUL ANDERS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KIRK BACHMANN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TRUETT BAILEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KEVIN BURKE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW COATES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TAJAHI COOKE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHELLY COX | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AUDRA DUNLEAVY | DIRECTOR (THRU 10/24) | 1 | — |
| RON HALL | DIRECTOR (THRU 10/24) | 1 | — |
| WAYNE HILSTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NIKKI KOLAKOWSKI | DIRECTOR (THRU 10/24) | 1 | — |
| THUAN LA | DIRECTOR (THRU 10/24) | 1 | — |
| JESSY LASHIER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANNELISE MCAULIFFE SOARES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MAWA MCQUEEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANIEDRA NICHOLS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH NICHOLSON | DIRECTOR (THRU 10/24) | 1 | — |
| DR ERIC OLSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| THEO OTTE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LUNDI RAMOS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINA RUNYAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ABBY SANDS | DIRECTOR (THRU 10/24) | 1 | — |
| JULIE STONE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GREG WARNER | DIRECTOR (THRU 10/24) | 1 | — |
| SONIA RIGGS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 1 | $19,420 |
| LAURA SHUNK | PRESIDENT | 39 | $127,520 |
| DEVANY MCNEILL | VP-STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP | 1 | $37,675 |
| STACEY GRIEST | PROGRAMS DIRECTOR | 39 | $103,645 |
| MICHAEL REED | CONTROLLER | 1 | $21,276 |
| DENISE MICKELSEN | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION | 1 | $35,851 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Colorado Restaurant Foundation has expanded its support services for industry workers. The organization established a new mental healthcare partnership with Kind Therapy to help restaurant businesses offer mental health benefits to their employees. Additionally, the Foundation expanded its ServSafe Manager certification offerings to include Spanish-language classes to train more industry workers.
Colorado Restaurant Foundation ScholarshipsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Colorado Restaurant Foundation fund?
The Colorado Restaurant Foundation's mission is dedicated to providing access to education, skills, and financial means to pursue successful careers in the food service and hospitality industries. The Foundation advances educational opportunities and professional standards in these sectors within Colorado. Primary program areas include: • **ProStart Programs**: High school education programs offering restaurant/hospitality management, culinary arts, and business economics curriculum with academ…
How do I apply for a grant from Colorado Restaurant Foundation?
The Foundation supports its programs through donations with suggested giving levels: • $50: Provides ingredients for hands-on demonstrations in Colorado ProStart® classrooms • $150: Provides immersive, in-restaurant work experience for ProStart® students or pre-apprentices • $500: Covers career-advancing credentialing for apprentices or students • $1,000: Provides mental health care treatment for industry employees • $2,500: Provides college scholarships for undergraduate hospitality students T…
Where does Colorado Restaurant Foundation make grants?
The Colorado Restaurant Foundation operates statewide throughout Colorado, serving students and restaurant employees across the state.
What size grants does Colorado Restaurant Foundation award?
In 2024, Colorado Restaurant Foundation awarded 28 grants totaling $372K — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Colorado Restaurant Foundation's EIN?
Colorado Restaurant Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2488379. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Colorado Restaurant 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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