Ready Colorado
Ready Colorado is a public charity based in Littleton, Colorado. Founded in 2015, it describes itself as an organization of Colorado conservatives working to improve education in the state, with an emphasis on school choice and accountability to parents and taxpayers.
Ready Colorado at a glance
In short: Ready Colorado gave $1.2M across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $129K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,158,225
- +128.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +12.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $128,692
- +103.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $140,688
- -81.5% vs 2023
- 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.
How to apply to Ready Colorado
- Contact
Mailing address: 2679 W Main St 300-312, Littleton, CO 80120-1954
Phone: (720) 335-5445
Website: https://readycolo.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ready Colorado funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Colorado Dawn ($410K). Together the top 9 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
47 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 47 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to organizations in Colorado. Ready Colorado describes its work as focused on education in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Ready Colorado gives
- Giving fell 30% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $506K (2023) to $2.5M (2022). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Dawn Colorado Springs, CO | General Assistance | $410,000 |
| Protecting Colorado's Future Denver, CO | General Assistance | $310,000 |
| Ready Colorado Action Fund Denver, CO | General Assistance | $150,000 |
| Coloradians for Accountable Government Denver, CO | General Assistance | $150,000 |
| Coloradians for Conservative Leadership Ie Denver, CO | General Assistance | $75,000 |
| Purple Label Government Solutions Highlands Ranch, CO | General Assistance | $34,600 |
| Senate Majority Fund Aurora, CO | General Assistance | $13,625 |
| Leadership Program of the Rockies Denver, CO | Event Sponsorship | $7,500 |
| New Day Colorado Fund Fort Lupton, CO | General Assistance | $7,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Ready Colorado?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $140,688 | $1,313,301 | $1,933,540 | $1,158,225 | 9 | $48 |
| 2023 | $760,926 | $1,450,966 | $1,047,723 | $506,000 | 8 | — |
| 2022 | $357,682 | $3,637,734 | $3,558,209 | $2,502,125 | 9 | — |
| 2021 | $278,157 | $2,131,423 | $2,252,273 | $1,660,000 | 7 | — |
| 2020 | $399,007 | $3,230,091 | $3,392,515 | $2,265,509 | 14 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Ready Colorado’s stated mission is to improve education in Colorado. It says parents should be able to choose among public, private, charter, traditional, magnet, virtual, and home schools, and that education should focus more on students’ and families’ needs. Its stated principles also include accountability to parents and taxpayers and accessible information about schools and teachers.
In 2024, Ready Colorado gave grants to Colorado organizations for general assistance and event sponsorship. One grantee, Colorado Dawn, describes its mission as educating the public about Western values and economics.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Ready Colorado reported 9 grants totaling $1,158,225. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $410,000, with a median of $75,000. The largest awards were $410,000 to Colorado Dawn, $310,000 to Protecting Colorado’s Future, and $150,000 each to Ready Colorado Action Fund and Coloradans for Accountable Government. These grants were listed for general assistance. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Brenda Dickhoner as president, Craig Hulse as board chair, Ellie Reynolds as board treasurer, and Luke Ragland as a board member.
Ready Colorado is led by Brenda Dickhoner, President on every filing since 2021; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brenda Dickhoner
President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$69K (2021) → $136K (2024)
Craig Hulse
Board Chair
Board Member → Board Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Luke Ragland
Board Member
President → President & Board Member, 2021
President & Board Member → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$200K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Ellie Reynolds
Board Treasurer
Board Member → Board Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Margo Branscomb (2020–2022) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $136K, to Brenda Dickhoner (President).
Frequently asked questions about Ready Colorado
How much does Ready Colorado give each year?
Ready Colorado gave $1.2M across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $506K across 8 grants.
What is Ready Colorado's typical grant size?
Ready Colorado's median grant in 2024 was $75,000, and its average grant was $128,692, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Ready Colorado give grants?
Ready Colorado 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).
Does Ready Colorado give general operating support?
Yes: 89% of Ready Colorado's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Ready Colorado's largest grantees?
Ready Colorado's largest 2024 grantees include Colorado Dawn ($410,000), Protecting Colorado's Future ($310,000) and Ready Colorado Action Fund ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ready Colorado?
Ready Colorado reported $141K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.3M.
What does Ready Colorado fund?
Ready Colorado’s stated mission is to improve education in Colorado. It says parents should be able to choose among public, private, charter, traditional, magnet, virtual, and home schools, and that education should focus more on students’ and families’ needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ready Colorado?
Ready Colorado has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check readycolo.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Ready Colorado's EIN?
Ready Colorado's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3043818. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ready Colorado's focus areas in our free grants database
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Ready Colorado'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.
Ready Colorado down — hundreds of funders to go?