Fire Foundation of Denver
FIRE Foundation of Denver is a public charity based in Littleton, Colorado, that supports Catholic schools serving students with disabilities and learning differences. It provides funding and educational resources to promote inclusive learning and a culture of belonging in Catholic schools.
Fire Foundation of Denver at a glance
In short: Fire Foundation of Denver gave $502K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), mostly in Colorado. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $502,182
- +44.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $33,479
- -4.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $1,162,281
- +46.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (5 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Fire Foundation of Denver
- How to Apply
-
Each winter, local Catholic schools serving PreK–12 students within the Archdiocese of Denver are invited to apply through a standardized grant application. The filing describes applications being submitted in January, reviewed by the Board’s Grants Committee—including interviews with school representatives—and recommended to the Board. Awards are made in March for the upcoming school year, with payments typically beginning in August and additional payments in January. The foundation’s stated application criteria include prior inclusion-related professional development, engagement with the Office of Catholic Schools’ Director of Student Support Services about the application, and a plan to enroll specific students whom the school could not adequately support without funding.
- Review Cycle
- December 31, 2026.
- Deadline
- December 31, 2026.
- Next open deadline
- December 31, 2026 (School Grants - Partner Schools & Spark Schools)
- Contact
Mailing address: 40 West Littleton Blvd 210 - 283, Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: (303) 257-4886
Website: https://firefoundationdenver.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Fire Foundation of Denver
Who Fire Foundation of Denver funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Saint Mary's Catholic Church ($150K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $457K.
Grant Size Distribution
29 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 29 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s school grant program serves Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fire Foundation of Denver open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 14 grantees (36%) 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 $25K; repeat grants $42K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2024). 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 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $115K (2022) to $502K (2024). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $502K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's Catholic Church Littleton, CO | To fund special needs education programs at the parish school | $115,000 |
| Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church Denver, CO | To fund special needs education programs at the parish school | $44,334 |
| Blessed Pro Miguel Catholic Academy Westminster, CO | To fund special needs education programs at the parish school | $44,333 |
| Holy Family High School Broomfield, CO | To fund special needs education programs at the parish school | $43,000 |
| Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church Boulder, CO | To fund special needs education programs at the parish school | $40,000 |
| Saint Mary's Catholic Church Greeley, CO | To fund special needs education programs at the parish school | $35,000 |
| Annunciation Catholic Church Denver, CO | To fund special needs education programs at the parish school | $34,000 |
| Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church Loveland, CO | To fund special needs education programs at the parish school | $30,000 |
| Most Precious Blood Catholic Church Denver, CO | To fund special needs education programs at the parish school | $26,000 |
| Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church Longmont, CO | To fund special needs education programs at the parish school | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Fire Foundation of Denver?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,162,281 | $948,578 | $731,509 | $502,182 | 15 | $27,355 |
| 2023 | $796,193 | $661,604 | $430,618 | $348,671 | 10 | $14,102 |
| 2022 | $440,062 | $408,747 | $164,247 | $114,669 | 4 | $198 |
| 2021 | $82,124 | $83,568 | $1,444 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to champion the inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools by providing educational resources, fundraising, and promoting a culture of belonging. Its vision is that Catholic school students with disabilities are welcomed, supported, and valued.
School grants support staff salaries, professional development, and adaptive technology or equipment. The foundation supports Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Denver that are working to enroll students with disabilities and learning differences. In 2024, it also provided $20,000 to the Office of Catholic Schools to partially fund the salary of its Director of Student Support Services, and $56,500 for professional development for teachers and school administrators.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, FIRE Foundation of Denver reported 15 grants totaling $502,182. The median grant was $30,000, with awards ranging from $5,515 to $115,000. The filing states that the foundation committed $482,182 to 14 schools for the 2024–2025 school year; the commitments were partially paid in 2024, with the remainder due in the first half of 2025. It also reported a $20,000 grant to the Office of Catholic Schools.
The largest reported grants included $115,000 to Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Littleton, $44,334 to Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denver, $44,333 to Blessed Pro Miguel Catholic Academy in Westminster, and $43,000 to Holy Family High School in Broomfield. The filing describes these school grants as funding special-needs education programs. The Office of Catholic Schools grant partially funded the salary of its Director of Student Support Services.
The foundation announced $780,000 in grants for the 2025–2026 school year, its largest grant year to that point. Its announcement said the funding would support 22 Denver Catholic schools and directly benefit 214 students.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kyle Van Frank as Executive Director; Eve Langston as President; Jessica Johnson as Vice-President; Jill Hall as Secretary; and David Holden as Treasurer. Directors listed are JD Flynn, Kate Flynn, Susan Selner Wright, Wesley Hardin, and Lori Jones.
Fire Foundation of Denver is led by Kyle Van Frank, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kyle Van Frank
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$43K (2023) → $72K (2024)
Eve Langston
President
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
JD Flynn
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kate Flynn
Director
On filings since 2021
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Selner Wright
Director
Director & Grant Committee Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wesley Hardin
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lori Jones
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darilyn Bixenman
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Sherman
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Winders
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Johnson
Vice President
On filings since 2021
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jill Hall
Secretary
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Holden
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Abriana Chilelli (2021–2022) — Ex-Officio Director
- Former: Carolyn Dutton (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 $72K, to Kyle Van Frank (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Fire Foundation of Denver
How much does Fire Foundation of Denver give each year?
Fire Foundation of Denver gave $502K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $349K across 10 grants.
What is Fire Foundation of Denver's typical grant size?
Fire Foundation of Denver's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $33,479, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fire Foundation of Denver that year got $25K on average.
Where does Fire Foundation of Denver give grants?
Fire Foundation of Denver gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (5 grants) and Broomfield, CO (2 grants).
Does Fire Foundation of Denver give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Fire Foundation of Denver's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Fire Foundation of Denver's largest grantees?
Fire Foundation of Denver's largest 2024 grantees include Saint Mary's Catholic Church ($150,000 across 2 grants), Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church ($44,334) and Blessed Pro Miguel Catholic Academy ($44,333), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fire Foundation of Denver?
Fire Foundation of Denver reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $949K.
What does Fire Foundation of Denver fund?
The foundation’s mission is to champion the inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools by providing educational resources, fundraising, and promoting a culture of belonging. Its vision is that Catholic school students with disabilities are welcomed, supported, and valued. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fire Foundation of Denver?
Each winter, local Catholic schools serving PreK–12 students within the Archdiocese of Denver are invited to apply through a standardized grant application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Fire Foundation of Denver's EIN?
Fire Foundation of Denver's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-3861726. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Fire Foundation of Denver funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fire Foundation of Denver's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Colorado
M Ryan & H G Kuhrt Fdn Tr Uw
Orlando, FL
It supports Georgia-based religious and educational institutions, health and human-services organizations, and camps serving children and families. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,500 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.2M
Grants
15
Total Given
$150K
Lund Family Foundation
La Canada, CA
Assets
$2.1M
Grants
5
Total Given
$322K
Rees Paul and Martha Charitable Tua
Winchester, VA
The foundation funds education, Catholic and other religious organizations, and general nonprofit support, with grants reported in states including New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and others. Its 2025 grants ranged from $7,000 to $35,014, with a median of $17,770. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.3M
Grants
22
Total Given
$430K
The Martin Family Foundation
Casper, WY
The Martin Family Foundation funds Christian-aligned work in faith-based education, support for people who are poor or at risk, the sanctity of human life, and evangelization and discipleship, with a preference for project support. It prioritizes Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana—especially Denver, Casper, and Billings—and its 2024 grants ranged from $2,500 to $515,000, with a median of $25,000. The foundation says it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$35.9M
Grants
51
Total Given
$2.4M
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
More similar funders
More Funders in Colorado
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Fire Foundation of Denver'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.
Fire Foundation of Denver down — hundreds of funders to go?