KNU For Kids Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Denver, CO EIN: 81-1469521

KNU For Kids Foundation is a private foundation based in Denver, Colorado. In its 2025 filing, it reported giving $586,000 through 17 grants to charitable organizations, including organizations supporting reproductive health, youth, families, and people facing health or other challenges.

KNU For Kids Foundation at a glance

In short: KNU For Kids Foundation gave $586K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in Colorado. 6% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$586,000
+8.3% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
17
-5.6% vs 2024
Average grant
$34,471
+14.7% vs 2024
Median grant
$40,000
Total assets
$8,336,185
+9.4% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
6% first-time grantees (1 of 17, 2025; small sample)
Primary geography
Colorado (51% 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 KNU For Kids Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 11038, Denver, CO 80211
Phone: (970) 319-7986

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who KNU For Kids Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mou: $60KPlanned Parenthood of theRocky Mou$60KBoys and Girls Club La Harbor: $50KBoys and Girls Club La Harbor$50KStepping Stones of the Roaring Fork: $50KStepping Stones of the RoaringFork$50KPlanned Parenthood Los Angeles: $50KPlanned Parenthood Los Angeles$50KFamilies Forward: $50KFamilies Forward$50KHope House Colorado: $48KHope House Colorado$48KJ F Shea Therapeutic Riding: $45KJ F Shea Therapeutic Riding$45KAssistance League of San Pedro Sout: $40KAssistance League of San PedroSout$40KA Way Out: $40KA Way Out$40KCenter on Colfax: $35KCenter on Colfax$35K

The largest 2025 recipient was Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mou ($60K). Together the top 10 received $468K.

Grant Size Distribution

83 grants across all recorded years

64<$50K19$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 64 grants of 83 (77%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In filing year 2025, 51% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado and 49% to recipients in California. The filing reports 0% for the District of Columbia. These figures describe the locations of grant recipients.

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.

Cities

Los AngelesDenverSan PedroAspenCarbondaleBasaltCabondaleSan Juan CapistranoSanta AnaWashingtonArvadaHawthorneIrvineEnglewood

Is KNU For Kids Foundation open to new grantees?

6%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 1 of 17 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $36K. How we count

Medians: $10K first-time, $40K repeat.

  • 94% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−2%). Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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

$0$200K$400K$600K$800K14 grants2019 14 grants2020 16 grants2021 16 grants2022 16 grants2023 18 grants2024 17 grants2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $266K (2019) to $601K (2022). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $586K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mou Denver, COSupport mission of improving the quality of life by enabling all people to exercise individual choice in their own reproductive health.$60,000
Boys and Girls Club La Harbor San Pedro, CATo Support Youth Clubs and Activities.$50,000
Stepping Stones of the Roaring Fork Carbondale, COSupporting Roaring Fork youth as they navigate life's challenges and successes by providing food and support services.$50,000
Planned Parenthood Los Angeles Los Angeles, CATo Support Healthy Families.$50,000
Families Forward Irvine, CAhelp families in need achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through housing, food, counseling, education, and other support services$50,000
Hope House Colorado Arvada, COProvide resources for self-sufficiency programs to parenting teen moms$47,500
J F Shea Therapeutic Riding San Juan Capistrano, CATherapeutic Riding for People with Disabilities$45,000
Assistance League of San Pedro Sout San Pedro, CAFundraising, managing and staffing various philanthropic projects.$40,000
A Way Out Carbondale, COAssist local youth and adults with limited resources recover from substance abuse, break the addiction cycle, learn new lifestyle living without drugs & alcohol$40,000
Center on Colfax Denver, COcreating inclusive programs and events, fostering connections, and leveraging the individual and collective strengths of the community$35,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with KNU For Kids Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$8,336,185$1,426,357$709,991$586,00017$652,242$1,381,368$663,623
2024$7,619,819$808,675$647,284$541,00018$605,094$766,485$638,336
2023$7,458,428$475,809$665,220$546,00016$627,096$437,684$581,578
2022$7,647,839$1,053,196$712,574$601,00016$633,796$1,014,178$579,792
2021$7,307,217$4,278,075$612,985$567,00016$584,558$888,349$598,964
2020$3,642,127$961,603$337,471$309,72014—$85,827$302,370
2019$3,017,995$215,653$301,507$265,60014—$198,841$257,469

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, KNU For Kids Foundation reported a distributable amount of $664K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for reproductive health services, youth programs, family support, services for people with disabilities, substance-use recovery, and mental health care.

Among its grantees, Families Forward says its mission is to prevent and end family homelessness by providing access to housing and resources that create lasting stability. Planned Parenthood Los Angeles says its mission is to provide affordable reproductive health care and sexual health information through patient services, education, and advocacy. A Way Out Inc describes its work as providing people and families in crisis related to drug and alcohol abuse with financial access to treatment and recovery support. Aspen Hope Center says it offers comprehensive care to people in emotional crisis and works to decrease the stigma of mental illness.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $586,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $60,000, with a median grant of $40,000.

Notable 2025 grants included $60,000 to Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains to support its reproductive-health mission; $50,000 each to Boys and Girls Club LA Harbor for youth clubs and activities, Stepping Stones of the Roaring Fork for youth support services, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles to support healthy families, and Families Forward for services including housing, food, counseling, and education. Other grants included $47,500 to Hope House Colorado for self-sufficiency programs for parenting teen mothers, $40,000 to A Way Out for substance-use recovery support, and $27,500 to Aspen Hope Center for crisis intervention and mental health services.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Gerald W Kehle, Jacqueline J Kehle, Kristin Nelson, Karen Ulman, Tyler Nelson, and Kyle Ulman as directors. Ashley F Charbonneau is listed as executive director.

KNU For Kids Foundation is led by Ashley F Charbonneau, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Ashley F Charbonneau

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2021

    5 hrs/week

    $18K (2021) → $53K (2025)

  • Gerald W Kehle

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Jacqueline J Kehle

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Karen Ulman

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Kristin Nelson

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kyle Ulman

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Tyler Nelson

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Ashley F Nelson (2019–2020) — Executive Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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

Ashley F Charbonneau — Executive Dir.: $53KAshley F CharbonneauExecutive Dir.$53K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $53K, to Ashley F Charbonneau (Executive Dir.).

Frequently asked questions about KNU For Kids Foundation

How much does KNU For Kids Foundation give each year?

KNU For Kids Foundation gave $586K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $541K across 18 grants.

What is KNU For Kids Foundation's typical grant size?

KNU For Kids Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $40,000, and its average grant was $34,471, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from KNU For Kids Foundation that year got $10K on average.

Where does KNU For Kids Foundation give grants?

KNU For Kids Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (49%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (2 grants), San Pedro, CA (2 grants), Carbondale, CO (2 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).

Does KNU For Kids Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on KNU For Kids Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.

Who are KNU For Kids Foundation's largest grantees?

KNU For Kids Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mou ($60,000), Boys and Girls Club La Harbor ($50,000) and Stepping Stones of the Roaring Fork ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is KNU For Kids Foundation?

KNU For Kids Foundation reported $8.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $652K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $664K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does KNU For Kids Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for reproductive health services, youth programs, family support, services for people with disabilities, substance-use recovery, and mental health care. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from KNU For Kids Foundation?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is KNU For Kids Foundation's EIN?

KNU For Kids Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1469521. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Does KNU For Kids 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 September 2026.

Data update history

(3)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 12, 2020)
  2. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 13, 2026)
  3. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in KNU For Kids Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Castaways Foundation

Chicago, IL

The foundation supports a varied range of charitable causes, including poverty relief, food security, health, animal welfare, immigrant rights, and higher education, with most 2025 funding going to Colorado and Illinois. Its 77 grants ranged from $250 to $20,000, with a median of $1,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$2.6M

Grants

77

Total Given

$180K

Rocky Mountain Health Foundation

Grand Junction, CO

Rocky Mountain Health Foundation funds health and well-being on Colorado’s Western Slope, including healthcare access, basic needs, and workforce development. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $108,000, with a median of $13,675. Its 2024 filing says it accepts contributions only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests; its website describes an eligibility quiz and pre-application discussion for prospective applicants.

Assets

$92.8M

Grants

322

Total Given

$4.9M

Ruth a Carver Foundation

Aspen, CO

The Ruth A. Carver Foundation supports organizations in areas including education, environmental work, religion, and social welfare, with most of its giving going to Colorado. In 2024, it made 37 grants totaling $320,185; grants ranged from $100 to $86,000, with a median of $2,500. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$4.7M

Grants

37

Total Given

$320K

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

The Thrift Shop

Aspen, CO

The Thrift Shop funds local nonprofits serving the Roaring Fork Valley, primarily from Aspen to Carbondale, in areas including education, youth, arts, family support, legal services, recovery, and conservation; it also provides scholarships to local graduates. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $9,000, though its guidelines say grants start at $500 and rarely exceed $5,000. It accepts applications through one grant cycle per year; the stated 2026 deadline has passed.

Assets

$2.9M

Grants

23

Total Given

$158K

Kaiser Foundation Hospitals

Oakland, CA

Kaiser Foundation Hospitals funds health care access and services, community health, health education, and related work, with priorities including mental and behavioral health, housing, and income and employment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; most grant dollars went to California, with some going elsewhere. In Southern California, it says it does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals and awards grants through competitive processes to pre-identified organizations.

Assets

$87.4B

Grants

1,122

Total Given

$225.4M

More similar funders

More Funders in Colorado

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). KNU For Kids Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/knu-for-kids-foundation-morg_fa104fc02286402082cd0cf1dcfaa824

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_811469521_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{KNU For Kids Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/knu-for-kids-foundation-morg_fa104fc02286402082cd0cf1dcfaa824},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 KNU For Kids 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.

KNU For Kids Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?