Denver Families for Public Schools
Denver Families for Public Schools is a public charity based in Denver, Colorado, formed in 2022. It works to advance an equitable public education system in Denver through civic engagement, education policy, and leadership development, and makes grants to schools and community organizations working on education equity and systems or policy change.
Denver Families for Public Schools at a glance
In short: Denver Families for Public Schools gave $640K across 10 grants in 2023 (avg $64K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $640,190
- Grants made (2023)
- 10
- Average grant
- $64,019
- Median grant
- $66,575
- Total assets
- $356,160
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2023; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Denver Families for Public Schools
- Invitation Only
-
School and community grants are by invitation only. The funder says it awards grants to a limited number of organizations with a proven track record in community organizing and advocacy for systems and policy change, and work aligned with its policy platform. Eligible applicants include coalitions, organizations, and individuals; all must be a 501(c)(3) or have a fiscal sponsorship arrangement.
- Contact
Mailing address: 3000 Lawrence St 144, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: (858) 401-3753
Website: https://denverfamilies.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Denver Families for Public Schools funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Faithbridge ($150K). Together the top 10 received $640K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 6 grants of 10 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Denver Families is based in Denver, Colorado. Its website describes grantmaking for work in Denver and/or Denver Public Schools. All grant dollars reported for 2023 went to recipients in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2023 it made 10 grants totaling $640K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Faithbridge Denver, CO | To Strengthen the Public Education Ecosystem in Denver | $150,000 |
| Kipp Colorado Public Schools Denver, CO | To Strengthen the Public Education Ecosystem in Denver | $75,000 |
| DSST Public Schools Denver, CO | For General Welfare and Operations | $75,000 |
| University Preparatory Schools Denver, CO | To Strengthen the Public Education Ecosystem in Denver | $75,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Prep Denver, CO | To Strengthen the Public Education Ecosystem in Denver | $74,150 |
| Academy of Urban Learning Denver, CO | To Strengthen the Public Education Ecosystem in Denver | $59,000 |
| Education Reform Now Denver, CO | To Strengthen the Public Education Ecosystem in Denver | $50,000 |
| Highline Academy Charter Schools Denver, CO | To Strengthen the Public Education Ecosystem in Denver | $35,000 |
| Rooted Denver Denver, CO | To Strengthen the Public Education Ecosystem in Denver | $27,840 |
| Wyatt Academy Denver, CO | To Strengthen the Public Education Ecosystem in Denver | $19,200 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $356,160 | $1,375,000 | $1,064,992 | $640,190 | 10 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to reimagine an equitable public education system in Denver by increasing civic engagement, shaping education policy, and developing grassroots and civic leaders. Its filing describes a focus on community organizing, leadership development, and education ecosystem leadership.
Its school and community grants support advocacy for systems and policy change and educational equity in Denver. The funder says eligible initiatives must align with its policy platform, whose leading priorities are academics, mental health, and safety. Its website describes eligibility for coalitions, organizations, and individuals; applicants must be a 501(c)(3) or have a fiscal sponsorship arrangement.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. FaithBridge says it works to create conditions for equitable support, expanded opportunities, and excellent outcomes for students across Colorado. University Preparatory Schools says it prepares children for a four-year college degree and a life of opportunity, and describes itself as a tuition-free public charter school and charter school management organization. Academy of Urban Learning says it provides educational services for at-risk high school students. Wyatt Academy describes itself as a nonprofit operating a public kindergarten-through-fifth-grade school.
Grantmaking
In 2023, Denver Families reported 10 grants totaling $640,190. Grants ranged from $19,200 to $150,000, with a median of $66,575.
Notable 2023 grants included $150,000 to FaithBridge; $75,000 each to KIPP Colorado Public Schools, DSST Public Schools, and University Preparatory Schools; $74,150 to Rocky Mountain Prep; and $59,000 to Academy of Urban Learning. The stated purposes included strengthening Denver’s public education ecosystem and, for DSST Public Schools, general welfare and operations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Clarence Burton Jr. as chief executive officer, and Dani Morello as chairwoman and director. It lists Danielle Felder, Tomi Amos, and Tricia Noyola as directors.
Denver Families for Public Schools is led by Clarence Burton Jr., Chief Executive Officer on the 2023 filing; none of the 5 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Clarence Burton Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
New on the 2023 filing
No compensation reported
Dani Morello
Chairwoman & Director
New on the 2023 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danielle Felder
Director
New on the 2023 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tomi Amos
Director
New on the 2023 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tricia Noyola
Director
New on the 2023 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023. "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 Denver Families for Public Schools
How much does Denver Families for Public Schools give each year?
Denver Families for Public Schools gave $640K across 10 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990.
What is Denver Families for Public Schools's typical grant size?
Denver Families for Public Schools's median grant in 2023 was $66,575, and its average grant was $64,019, across 10 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990.
Where does Denver Families for Public Schools give grants?
Denver Families for Public Schools gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (10 grants).
Does Denver Families for Public Schools give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of Denver Families for Public Schools's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "To Strengthen the Public Education Ecosystem in Denver" (9 grants).
Who are Denver Families for Public Schools's largest grantees?
Denver Families for Public Schools's largest 2023 grantees include Faithbridge ($150,000), Kipp Colorado Public Schools ($75,000) and DSST Public Schools ($75,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is Denver Families for Public Schools?
Denver Families for Public Schools reported $356K in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.4M.
What does Denver Families for Public Schools fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to reimagine an equitable public education system in Denver by increasing civic engagement, shaping education policy, and developing grassroots and civic leaders. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Denver Families for Public Schools?
School and community grants are by invitation only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Denver Families for Public Schools's EIN?
Denver Families for Public Schools's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-3871010. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2023
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Figures come from Denver Families for Public Schools'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.
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