Gates Family Foundation
Gates Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1946, it focuses its grantmaking and other resources on Colorado’s people, communities, and natural resources, with work spanning public education, natural resources, community development, and informed communities.
Gates Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Gates Family Foundation gave $36.3M across 374 grants in 2025 (avg $97K), mostly in Colorado. 34% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $36,321,327
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 374
- +3.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $97,116
- -6.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $423,740,698
- -1.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 34% first-time grantees (112 of 328, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (86% 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 Gates Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for strategic grants; prospective applicants are directed to review the priorities and contact the relevant program officer to discuss alignment. For capital grants, qualified Colorado nonprofit organizations may use the Colorado Common Capital Grant Application. The foundation accepts capital applications throughout the year, with proposals due at least 12 weeks before a board meeting. Capital grants are generally limited to capital projects and are not for general operating expenses, loans, or projects already completed.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists March 15 for a mid-June board decision and September 1 for a mid-December decision. Both 2026 dates have passed; the next deadline is not stated here.
- Deadline
- The website lists March 15 for a mid-June board decision and September 1 for a mid-December decision.
- Contact
Mailing address: N/A, NA, CO 80204
Phone: (303) 722-1881
Website: https://gatesfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Gates Family Foundation
Who Gates Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Colorado Foundation ($20.3M across 6 grants). Together the top 10 received $25.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($133,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,750 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,257 grants of 1,750 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as Colorado-focused and invests in capital projects in both rural and urban areas of the state. In 2025, 86% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado. Other recipient-state shares were New Hampshire 6%, California 2%, Arizona 1%, and the District of Columbia 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 374 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Gates Family Foundation open to new grantees?
34%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 112 of 328 grantees (34%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $149K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 52% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−11%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 124% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $21.7M (2020) to $41.1M (2023). In 2025 it made 374 grants totaling $36.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Foundation Denver, CO | Project Support | $20,000,000 |
| Cardigan Mountain School Canaan, NH | Endowment | $2,000,000 |
| Lyra Denver, CO | Project Support | $550,000 |
| Rooted Denver, CO | Operating | $400,000 |
| Rose Community Foundation Denver, CO | Project Support | $383,333 |
| Colorado Schools Fund Denver, CO | Project Support | $300,000 |
| River Network Boulder, CO | Project Support | $250,000 |
| Colorado Water Trust Inc Denver, CO | Project Support | $200,000 |
| Elevation Community Land Trust Denver, CO | Project Support | $200,000 |
| Rio Grande Headwaters Land Tr a Col Del Norte, CO | Land Purchase | $200,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Filing type: Form 990-PF (a private foundation).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $423,740,698 | $33,859,013 | $40,998,255 | $36,321,327 | 374 | $40,576,486 | $34,277,017 | $32,633,943 |
| 2024 | $430,884,754 | $31,566,822 | $41,769,199 | $37,294,380 | 360 | $43,783,903 | $33,076,277 | $31,402,064 |
| 2023 | $441,371,041 | $29,077,917 | $45,952,628 | $41,118,891 | 372 | $46,547,236 | $26,716,927 | $28,515,090 |
| 2022 | $458,247,303 | $68,267,243 | $45,488,457 | $40,908,250 | 357 | $47,047,208 | $70,679,843 | $30,009,479 |
| 2021 | $435,552,380 | $55,279,166 | $27,651,747 | $23,075,927 | 287 | $39,222,483 | $57,350,235 | $44,028,721 |
| 2020 | $409,922,889 | $27,444,453 | $25,516,311 | $21,729,270 | 338 | — | $28,311,570 | $24,081,305 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gates Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $32.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated aim is to help build a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for Coloradans. Its four focus areas are public K–12 education, natural resources, community development, and informed communities. Its strategic priorities include education quality and equity, land and water stewardship, community vitality, and Colorado’s civic news ecosystem.
Capital grants generally support comprehensive projects such as building purchases, construction, expansion, renovation, and land acquisition. The foundation prioritizes, among other things, projects with community involvement, projects in rural and low-income areas, and projects serving communities of color that have faced historic inequities and lack of funding.
Grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. The University of Colorado Foundation says it receives, manages, and invests gifts for the benefit of the University of Colorado. Lyra describes its work as incubating and accelerating education initiatives rooted in diverse and inclusive community voices. River Network says it strengthens a national network of water, justice, and river advocates. Elevation Community Land Trust describes partnering with communities to create permanently affordable homeownership opportunities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 374 grants totaling $36,321,327. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $20,000,000, with a median of $25,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $20,000,000 to the University of Colorado Foundation for project support and $2,000,000 to Cardigan Mountain School for an endowment. Other notable awards included $550,000 to Lyra for project support, $400,000 to Rooted for operating support, and $383,333 to Rose Community Foundation for project support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Richard G Kiely as chair, Lauren Davis as vice chair, and Wesley Brown as treasurer. It lists Dane Harbaugh, Virginia C Bayless, Rosemary Rodriguez, and Ernest House as trustees. Thomas A Gougeon is listed as president, and Leslie Sabin as VP Impact In.
Gates Family Foundation is led by Thomas A. Gougeon, President & S since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas A. Gougeon
President & S
President & Secretary → President & S, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$357K (2020) → $383K (2025)
Richard G. Kiely
Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dane Harbaugh
Trustee
Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rosemary Rodriguez
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Virginia C. Bayless
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ernest House
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Sabin
Vice President Impact in
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$113K (2024) → $240K (2025)
Lauren Davis
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wesley Brown
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Richard G. Keily (2021–2024) — Chair
- Former: Richard C. Celeste (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Susan N. Dorsey (2020–2023) — Senior Vice President Impac
- Former: Marshall C. Wallach (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Wally Obermeyer (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Doris J Biester (2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $383K, to Thomas a Gougeon (President, S). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Gates Family Foundation
How much does Gates Family Foundation give each year?
Gates Family Foundation gave $36.3M across 374 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $37.3M across 360 grants.
What is Gates Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Gates Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $97,116, across 374 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gates Family Foundation that year got $35K on average.
Where does Gates Family Foundation give grants?
Gates Family Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New Hampshire (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (101 grants), Long Beach, CA (16 grants), Steamboat Springs, CO (15 grants) and Honolulu, HI (14 grants).
Does Gates Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 28% of Gates Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (105 of 374) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Project Support" (137 grants), "Construction" (48 grants) and "Renovation" (36 grants).
Who are Gates Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Gates Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Colorado Foundation ($20,290,000 across 6 grants), Cardigan Mountain School ($2,000,000) and Lyra ($550,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($133,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Gates Family Foundation?
Gates Family Foundation reported $423.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $40.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $32.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Gates Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated aim is to help build a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for Coloradans. Its four focus areas are public K–12 education, natural resources, community development, and informed communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gates Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for strategic grants; prospective applicants are directed to review the priorities and contact the relevant program officer to discuss alignment. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gates Family Foundation's EIN?
Gates Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-0474837. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Gates Family 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 23, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gates Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gates-family-foundation-morg_0e42d7f6080d43ba9117c434536ea9bb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_840474837_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gates Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gates-family-foundation-morg_0e42d7f6080d43ba9117c434536ea9bb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Gates Family 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.
Gates Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?