Cornet Creek Foundation
Cornet Creek Foundation is a private foundation based in Telluride, Colorado. It says it seeks to enhance the human experience and protect the natural world, promoting a just civil society, vibrant local communities, an educated, informed and healthy citizenry, and biodiverse habitats and a stable climate for a sustainable future.
Cornet Creek Foundation at a glance
In short: Cornet Creek Foundation gave $94K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Colorado. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $93,740
- +17.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- -12.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,696
- +34.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,905
- Total assets
- $1,100,429
- -5.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (1 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (66% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Cornet Creek Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. No further application process or materials are stated.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 3419, Telluride, CO 81435
Phone: (917) 749-8346
Website: https://cornetcreekfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Cornet Creek Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Telluride Mountain School ($30K). Together the top 10 received $93K.
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 82 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports grant dollars by recipient state as Colorado 66%, Delaware 27%, Virginia 5%, Connecticut 1%, and Washington, DC 0%. The reported percentages are rounded. The 2025 grants include recipients in Telluride, Colorado, as well as recipients in Delaware, Virginia, Connecticut, and Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Cornet Creek Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 14 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 86% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 37% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 127% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $64K (2021) to $111K (2019). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $94K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Telluride Mountain School Telluride, CO | Provide a high quality education to children in southwest Colorado | $30,000 |
| St Andrews School Middletown, DE | Charitable Education Giving | $25,000 |
| Telluride Foundation Telluride, CO | Promote philanthropy and create a stronger community in telluride region | $10,000 |
| Pinhead Institute Inc Telluride, CO | Promote science-education both locally and globally through an international network of the world's leading scientists. Pinhead institute educates and inspires children and adults in the greater telluride region about the wonders of science and technology | $7,000 |
| Telluride Science and Innovation Telluride, CO | To advance scientific knowledge and bring together global thought leaders to solve societal and planetary challenges | $7,000 |
| The Potomac Foundation Great Falls, VA | Protecting the health of the potomac river, improving water quality, and conserving land | $5,080 |
| Mountainfilm Ltd Telluride, CO | Showcase nonfiction stores about environmental, culutural, climbing, political and social justice issues in telluride | $4,200 |
| Telluride Youth Lacross Association Telluride, CO | Providing the opportunity for boys & girls of all levels of ability to experience instructional and competitive lacrosse in a safe and fun environment. | $3,610 |
| Wesleyan University Middletown, CT | Charitable Education Giving | $1,000 |
| Koto Radio Tellurid Telluride, CO | Inform, educate, and entertain while reflecting the needs, desires, and diersity of our community | $300 |
Ready to take the next step with Cornet Creek Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,100,429 | $39,904 | $98,557 | $93,740 | 14 | $95,415 | $36,762 | $75,046 |
| 2024 | $1,160,533 | $39,918 | $82,754 | $79,703 | 16 | $79,703 | $36,867 | $68,372 |
| 2023 | $1,214,701 | $204,719 | $91,119 | $81,716 | 12 | $83,966 | $182,566 | $54,593 |
| 2022 | $1,097,521 | $56,957 | $78,094 | $68,344 | 20 | $71,357 | $50,219 | $59,761 |
| 2021 | $1,130,714 | $40,397 | $69,344 | $64,200 | 20 | $66,288 | $36,840 | $65,518 |
| 2020 | $1,231,369 | $373,492 | $96,844 | $92,000 | 9 | — | $370,948 | $52,458 |
| 2019 | $927,549 | $39,719 | $124,552 | $111,120 | 21 | — | $34,741 | $48,200 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cornet Creek Foundation reported a distributable amount of $75K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated priorities include civic life, local communities, education and informed citizenship, health, biodiversity, and climate stability. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in education, science, community philanthropy, environmental protection, media, youth sports, animal welfare, and history.
Among its 2025 grantees, Telluride Mountain School says it provides challenging academics alongside commitments to community service, global citizenship, and engagement with the natural environment. Telluride Foundation says it works to preserve and enrich quality of life in the Telluride region through philanthropy, community-group support, and community activities. Mountainfilm describes its work as educating and inspiring audiences through a film festival, symposium, and tour. Telluride Historical Museum says it preserves and brings to life the region’s history through exhibits, programs, and education.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $93,740 through 14 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $30,000, with a median of $3,905. Its largest grants included $30,000 to Telluride Mountain School, $25,000 to St Andrews School, $10,000 to Telluride Foundation, and $7,000 each to Pinhead Institute and Telluride Science and Innovation. Other notable awards included $5,080 to The Potomac Foundation and $4,200 to Mountainfilm.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Christopher J Arndt as director.
Cornet Creek Foundation is led by Christopher J. Arndt, Director on every filing since 2019 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christopher J. Arndt
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Emma Marshall (2019) — Program Officer · Filing note: Term ended end 73119
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Cornet Creek Foundation
How much does Cornet Creek Foundation give each year?
Cornet Creek Foundation gave $94K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $80K across 16 grants.
What is Cornet Creek Foundation's typical grant size?
Cornet Creek Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,905, and its average grant was $6,696, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Cornet Creek Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Cornet Creek Foundation give grants?
Cornet Creek Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Delaware (27%) and Virginia (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Telluride, CO (8 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Cornet Creek Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Cornet Creek Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Cornet Creek Foundation's largest grantees?
Cornet Creek Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Telluride Mountain School ($30,000), St Andrews School ($25,000) and Telluride Foundation ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Cornet Creek Foundation?
Cornet Creek Foundation reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $95K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $75K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Cornet Creek Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated priorities include civic life, local communities, education and informed citizenship, health, biodiversity, and climate stability. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Cornet Creek Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Cornet Creek Foundation's EIN?
Cornet Creek Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0731411. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Cornet Creek Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 2, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 25, 2024)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cornet Creek Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Colorado
The Thomas Phillips and Jane
Telluride, CO
The foundation supports environmental health, equality and social progress, education, and youth, with grantmaking focused on New York, Colorado, Vermont, and LGBTQ communities. Recent grants ranged from $100,000 to $250,000 in 2023, though its 2024 filing reported one grant of $3.58 million. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$55.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$3.6M
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
Colorado Gives Foundation
Arvada, CO
Colorado Gives Foundation funds nonprofits serving Jefferson County in areas including food security, early care and education, workforce development, housing, health and convenient neighborhoods; it also offers statewide nonprofit capacity-building support. Typical giving varies widely: its 2024 median grant was $17,814, while Thriving Jeffco Responsive Grant awards ranged from $2,500 to $100,000. It accepts applications through listed grant opportunities, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$527.1M
Grants
2,211
Total Given
$91.0M
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
WaterStone supports domestic and international nonprofits, including Christian ministries and charitable and educational organizations, through donor-directed grants; eligible organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3)s whose mission aligns with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, with awards ranging from $5,028 to $11 million, and were concentrated in Texas and Colorado. Grant recommendations come from donor-advised fund holders; the profile does not state that it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
Daniels Fund
Denver, CO
The Daniels Fund supports nonprofits working in aging, amateur sports, disabilities, addiction, early childhood and K–12 education, homelessness, and youth development. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $14,000, primarily for organizations in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming; select national-impact programs are also eligible, by invitation only.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
1,593
Total Given
$69.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Colorado
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Cornet Creek Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/cornet-creek-foundation-morg_aefd898bd4734354b3a7955127631d03
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_830731411_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Cornet Creek Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/cornet-creek-foundation-morg_aefd898bd4734354b3a7955127631d03},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Cornet Creek 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.
Cornet Creek Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?