Invest in Kids logo

Invest in Kids

Public charity · Grantmaker Denver, CO EIN: 84-1455282 Website

Invest in Kids is a Denver, Colorado-based public charity that partners with local communities to support evidence-based programs improving the health and well-being of Colorado’s youngest children and their families. Its stated vision is for every Colorado child to have a strong start in life.

Key facts about Invest in Kids

In short: Invest in Kids gave $598K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $50K), mostly in Colorado. 17% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
84-1455282
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$598,226
Grants made (2025)
12
Average grant
$49,852
Median grant
$24,484
New grantees (estimate)
17% first-time grantees (2 of 12, 2025)
Total assets
$2,642,874
Primary geography
Colorado (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$2.6M

-8.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$598K

-65.2% YoY

Grant Count

12

-20.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$50K

-56.6% YoY

Is Invest in Kids open to new grantees?

17%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 2 of 12 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $56K. How we count

Medians: $19K first-time, $39K repeat.

  • 75% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving fell 46% from 2022 to 2025. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Invest in Kids’ mission is to partner with local communities to ensure the success of evidence-based programs that improve the health and well-being of Colorado’s youngest children and their families. Its website describes a Whole Child Approach and says its programs center relationships, take a strengths-based approach, adapt to family and community needs, and use equity-driven, culturally responsive evaluation.

Programs described in the organization’s 2024 filing include The Incredible Years, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Child First. The filing describes The Incredible Years as prevention programs promoting social-emotional learning, academic skills, and positive behavioral outcomes; Nurse-Family Partnership as a nursing program for families affected by economic inequality who are expecting their first child; and Child First as an intensive, home-based mental health program for young children and families. The filing also describes workforce and systems-level activities through its FORRCE initiative.

Among its 2025 grantees, Savio House describes its mission as strengthening family relationships and helping families resolve conflicts and live harmoniously in the community. Muslim Youth for Positive Impact describes its mission as empowering youth through Islamic identity and principles to make a positive impact on their community, environment, and relationships.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, Invest in Kids reported 12 grants totaling $598,226. Grant amounts ranged from $6,700 to $151,396, with a median of $24,484. The largest listed grants included $151,396 to Solvista Health and $146,531 to Paragon Behavioral Health Connection, both for Child First; and $75,000 to Savio House. Other listed grants included $66,377 to Aurora Mental Health Center and $59,706 to San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group for Child First, as well as grants for Incredible Years to Jefferson Center, Arapahoe County Early Childhood, Muslim Youth for Positive Impact, and Sheridan School District.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The organization’s stated mission and website describe work with Colorado communities. Its 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado. The 2024 filing says Nurse-Family Partnership served families in all 64 Colorado counties during the 2024–2025 program year; The Incredible Years served families in 18 counties, and Child First in 24 counties.

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.

States

Cities

DenverAuroraBroomfieldCentennialAlamosaWestminsterBrushLakewoodPagosa SpringsWheat RidgeBoulderCanyon CityCraigEnglewoodBrightonCortezDeltaDurangoFort CollinsGolden

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M6 grants2021 14 grants2022 14 grants2023 15 grants2024 12 grants2025

From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $83K (2021) to $1.7M (2024). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $598K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Solvista Health: $151KSolvista Health$151KParagon Behavioral Health Connectio: $147KParagon Behavioral HealthConnectio$147KSavio House: $75KSavio House$75KAurora Mental Health Center: $66KAurora Mental Health Center$66KSan Luis Valley Behavioral Health G: $60KSan Luis Valley BehavioralHealth G$60KBlossoming Trees to Empower Comm: $30KBlossoming Trees to EmpowerComm$30KJefferson Center: $19KJefferson Center$19KArapahoe County Early Childhood: $13KArapahoe County EarlyChildhood$13KMuslim Youth for Positive Impact: $11KMuslim Youth for PositiveImpact$11KSheridan School District: $10KSheridan School District$10K

The largest 2025 recipient was Solvista Health ($151K). Together the top 10 received $582K.

Grant Size Distribution

61 grants across all recorded years

41<$50K4$50–100K12$100–250K3$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 61 (67%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Solvista Health Canyon City, COChild First$151,396
Paragon Behavioral Health Connectio Lakewood, COChild First$146,531
Savio House Denver, COChild First$75,000
Aurora Mental Health Center Aurora, CO—$66,377
San Luis Valley Behavioral Health G Alamosa, COChild First$59,706
Blossoming Trees to Empower Comm Superior, CO—$30,330
Jefferson Center Wheat Ridge, COIncredible Years$18,637
Arapahoe County Early Childhood Centennial, COIncredible Years$13,391
Muslim Youth for Positive Impact Broomfield, COIncredible Years$10,891
Sheridan School District Englewood, COIncredible Years$9,902

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants reported
2025 $2,642,874 $4,715,173 $4,763,006 $598,226 (12 grants)
2024 $2,894,221 $5,591,448 $6,218,404 $1,721,306 (15 grants)
2023 $2,600,271 $4,933,652 $5,183,096 $1,062,457 (14 grants)
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$2M$4M$6M$8M2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$2,642,874$2,894,221$2,600,271
Revenue$4,715,173$5,591,448$4,933,652
Expenses$4,763,006$6,218,404$5,183,096
Net Investment Income$44,415$40,223$31,895

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 23, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 6, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 16, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Lisa Hill as President, Tiffany Gardner as Chief Operating Officer, Allison Mosqueda as Program Director, Courtland Powers-Gunnells as Vice President of Philanthropy, Amanda Fixsen as Vice President of Programs, and Marisa Gullicksrud as Director of IEC. It lists Eric Hilty as Chair, Shelby Noble as Secretary, Andrew Higdon as Treasurer, and Sean Waters as a board member.

Invest in Kids is led by Lisa Hill, President since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 6 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Lisa Hill

    President

    Executive Di → President, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $160K (2021) → $173K (2025)

  • Eric Hilty JD

    Chair

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Allison Mosqueda Ms RN

    Program Director

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $101K (2023) → $113K (2025)

  • Marisa Gullicksrud

    Director Iec

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $102K (2025)

  • Tiffany Gardner

    Chief Oper O

    Finance & Ops → Chief Oper O, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $129K (2023) → $169K (2025)

  • Amanda Fixsen

    Vice President Programs

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $117K (2024) → $103K (2025)

  • Courtland Powers-Gunnells

    Vice President Philanthr

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $107K (2025)

  • Andrew Higdon CPA

    Treasurer

    Secretary → Board Member, 2022

    Board Member → Treasurer, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • John Walsh JD

    Board Member

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sean Waters CFA

    Board Member

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tim Macdonald JD

    Board Member

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chad Hollingsworth Bs

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lindsey Schwartz

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sara Anderson Msw

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Shelby Noble Bs

    Secretary

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bryan Turner MBA CPA

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kate Reinemund MBA

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Monica Lujan Ms

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nicole Bondy

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Paola Paga

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (15)
  • Former: Craig Jones MBA JD (2021–2024) — Board Member
  • Former: James Scarboro JD (2021–2024) — Board Member
  • Former: Julie Steffen Ma Ecse (2021–2024) — Program Director
  • Former: Gloria Sanchez (2021–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Amanda Smith Pmp Csm (2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Harmony Wright Ms (2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Mary-Elizabeth Waldrep (2023) — Development
  • Former: Amanda Smith (2021–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Chad Hollingsworth (2021–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Harmony Wright (2021–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Michelle Neal Ms RN (2021–2022) — Program Director
  • Former: Sara Anderson (2021–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Shelby Noble (2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Catherine Lemon (2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Shelby Turner (2021) — Board Member

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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

Lisa Hill — President &: $173KLisa HillPresident &$173KTiffany Gardner — Chief Oper O: $169KTiffany GardnerChief Oper O$169KAllison Mosqueda Ms RN — Program Dire: $113KAllison Mosqueda Ms RNProgram Dire$113KCourtland Powers-Gunnells — VP Philanthr: $107KCourtland…VP Philanthr$107KAmanda Fixsen — VP Programs/: $103KAmanda FixsenVP Programs/$103KMarisa Gullicksrud — Director IEC: $102KMarisa GullicksrudDirector IEC$102K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $173K, to Lisa Hill (President &). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Contact

Mailing address: 1580 Logan Street Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 839-1808
Website: https://iik.org

Frequently asked questions about Invest in Kids

How much does Invest in Kids give each year?

Invest in Kids gave $598K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.7M across 15 grants.

What is Invest in Kids's typical grant size?

Invest in Kids's median grant in 2025 was $24,484, and its average grant was $49,852, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Invest in Kids that year got $19K on average.

Where does Invest in Kids give grants?

Invest in Kids gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.

Does Invest in Kids give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Invest in Kids's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Incredible Years" (4 grants) and "Child First" (4 grants).

Who are Invest in Kids's largest grantees?

Invest in Kids's largest 2025 grantees include Solvista Health ($151,396), Paragon Behavioral Health Connectio ($146,531) and Savio House ($75,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Invest in Kids?

Invest in Kids reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.7M.

What does Invest in Kids fund?

Invest in Kids’ mission is to partner with local communities to ensure the success of evidence-based programs that improve the health and well-being of Colorado’s youngest children and their families. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Invest in Kids?

Invest in Kids has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check iik.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Invest in Kids's EIN?

Invest in Kids's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1455282. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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