Foundation for Educational Excellence
Foundation for Educational Excellence is a private grantmaking foundation based in Denver, Colorado, with a secondary office in Aurora. Established in 1997 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a private nonoperating foundation that has notified the IRS of its intention to convert to a public charity. The organization functions as a catalyst for educational excellence through empowered community action, with a focus on improving education in the Front Range area of Colorado.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.2M
+45.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
+7.1% YoY
Grant Count
28
+55.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$71K
-31.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Foundation for Educational Excellence reported a distributable amount of $28K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: "We are a catalyst for educational excellence through empowered community action."
The foundation's primary objective is to create an environment that allows students and teachers to fulfill their full growth potential. Key program areas include:
- Educational Consulting: Providing consulting services on improving education in the Front Range area of Colorado
- BuildStrong Academy of Colorado: An industry-driven construction academy offering hands-on pre-apprenticeship work-based learning, innovation, and job placement guidance for those entering the construction trades
- Grants to Individuals Program: Scholarships to residents of the northeastern Denver area
The foundation's funding priorities encompass education, workforce development, youth services, and grants for children and youth programs.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 22 grants in the most recent reporting year. Grant amounts typically range from $5,000 to $525,500. Recent grantees have included Mile High Early Learning and Brees Dream Foundation.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in Colorado, with a specific emphasis on the Front Range area and northeastern Denver region. The foundation also reports some activity in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,243,481
- Total Revenue: $5,478,064
- Total Expenses: $4,720,355
- Total Liabilities: $170,000
- Total Giving: $1,988,337
The foundation maintains a staff of 7 employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,243,481 | $854,249 | $939,486 |
| Revenue | $5,478,064 | $4,636,463 | $4,851,787 |
| Expenses | $4,720,355 | $4,883,413 | $5,342,170 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,502,164 | $4,217,500 | $4,638,028 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,921 | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $28,380 | $32,420 | $34,486 |
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
109 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Brees Dream Foundation ($400,000), Buildstrong Academy ($166,379), Greenlight Fund ($155,260).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALSACST JUDE DENVER, CO | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $40,000 |
| AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION AURORA, CO | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $6,000 |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA DENVER, CO | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS BRIGADE NEENAH, WI | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $20,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $118,880 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO DENVER DENVER, CO | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $119,000 |
| BUILDSTRONG ACADEMY DENVER, CO | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $166,379 |
| CARMELITE SISTERS ALHAMBRA, CA | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| COLORADO OPEN GOLF FOUNDATION DENVER, CO | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $97,630 |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION (TEMPLE GRANDIN EQUINE CENTER) FORT COLLINS, CO | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $77,630 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMIE VAN LEEUWEN | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 40 | $150,000 |
| PATRICK HAMILL | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ERIC MONTOYA | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| NOEL BEAUCHAMP | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MORDECAI BROWNLEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDRES CARRERA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ERIC HOLT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SAVINAY NATHAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AMY SCHWARTZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAY SMALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RENEE ZENTZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Foundation for Educational Excellence fund?
**Mission:** "We are a catalyst for educational excellence through empowered community action." The foundation's primary objective is to create an environment that allows students and teachers to fulfill their full growth potential. Key program areas include: • **Educational Consulting:** Providing consulting services on improving education in the Front Range area of Colorado • **BuildStrong Academy of Colorado:** An industry-driven construction academy offering hands-on pre-apprenticeship work…
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation for Educational Excellence?
The foundation made 22 grants in the most recent reporting year. Grant amounts typically range from $5,000 to $525,500. Recent grantees have included Mile High Early Learning and Brees Dream Foundation. The foundation serves populations including adults, adolescents, and veterans through its various grant programs.
Where does Foundation for Educational Excellence make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in Colorado, with a specific emphasis on the Front Range area and northeastern Denver region. The foundation also reports some activity in Illinois and Wisconsin.
What size grants does Foundation for Educational Excellence award?
In 2024, Foundation for Educational Excellence awarded 28 grants totaling $2.0M — an average of about $71K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Foundation for Educational Excellence required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Foundation for Educational Excellence reported a distributable amount of $28K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Foundation for Educational Excellence's EIN?
Foundation for Educational Excellence's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1396597. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Foundation for Educational Excellence'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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