Schlessman Foundation Inc
Schlessman Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Denver, Colorado. It supports nonprofits and community programs serving Denver Metro residents, with stated priorities that include helping people lead healthy, educated, and self-sufficient lives.
Schlessman Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Schlessman Foundation Inc gave $6.8M across 116 grants in 2025 (avg $59K), mostly in Colorado. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,838,500
- +11.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 116
- +3.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $58,953
- +7.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $86,372,162
- +2.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (8 of 116, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% 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 Schlessman Foundation Inc
- 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: 8181 E Tufts Ave Suite 600, Denver, CO 80237
Phone: (303) 831-5683
Website: https://schlessmanfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Schlessman Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was YMCA of the Rockies ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $4.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
722 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 634 grants of 722 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado. The foundation’s website describes its support as serving Denver Metro residents.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 116 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Schlessman Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 116 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $54K; repeat grants $59K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 89% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−20%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% 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 (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5.0M (2021) to $8.5M (2022). In 2025 it made 116 grants totaling $6.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park, CO | General Operations | $1,000,000 |
| Fort Lewis College Foundation Durango, CO | General Operations | $700,000 |
| Denver Zoological Foundation Denver, CO | General Operations | $425,000 |
| Roundup River Ranch Gypsum, CO | General Operations | $320,000 |
| Warren Village Denver, CO | General Operations | $320,000 |
| High Line Canal Centennial, CO | General Operations | $315,000 |
| University of Denver Denver, CO | General Operations | $315,000 |
| Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity Greeley, CO | General Operations | $255,000 |
| We Don't Waste Denver, CO | General Operations | $237,500 |
| Craig Hospital Englewood, CO | General Operations | $225,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Schlessman Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $86,372,162 | $10,117,907 | $8,096,541 | $6,838,500 | 116 | $7,036,960 | $9,032,134 | $7,141,713 |
| 2024 | $84,366,246 | $6,575,232 | $7,149,722 | $6,162,333 | 112 | $6,350,611 | $5,796,197 | $5,959,706 |
| 2023 | $84,940,736 | $9,105,926 | $6,811,085 | $5,657,083 | 139 | $5,925,200 | $4,881,054 | $5,810,756 |
| 2022 | $82,645,895 | $9,127,697 | $9,901,908 | $8,529,096 | 184 | $8,707,511 | $6,065,633 | $6,481,762 |
| 2021 | $80,270,995 | $17,923,548 | $5,866,419 | $4,988,250 | 171 | — | $6,169,944 | $5,291,198 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Schlessman Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $7.1M 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 mission is to support strong nonprofits that uplift vulnerable Denver Metro residents and enrich the community. Its website identifies workforce development, education, senior care, food security, disability services, and homelessness support as impact priorities.
Its 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. YMCA of the Rockies says it puts Christian principles into practice through programs and facilities that build healthy spirit, mind, and body. The Fort Lewis College Foundation says it stewards gifts for scholarships, programs, and facilities at the college. Warren Village says it helps low-income, single-parent families achieve personal and economic self-sufficiency. Craig Hospital says it provides specialized care and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord and brain injuries.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 116 grants totaling $6,838,500. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $17,500. The listed grant purposes were general operations.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $1,000,000 to YMCA of the Rockies, $700,000 to the Fort Lewis College Foundation, $425,000 to the Denver Zoological Foundation, and $320,000 each to Roundup River Ranch and Warren Village.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lauren Watel as president; Gary Schlessman as vice president; Jennifer Bonicelli as secretary; and Eric Bennett as treasurer. Trustees listed are Margaret Schlessman Emmerich, Michael D Fredericks, Aaron Garnett, Benjamin Garnett, Colin Garnett, and Sandra Garnett.
Schlessman Foundation Inc is led by Gloria Price, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gloria Price
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$146K (2024) → $163K (2025)
Lauren Watel
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Garnett
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Garnett
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Colin Garnett
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dolores J. Schlessman
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Schlessman Emmerich
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael D. Fredericks
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Garnett
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Bennett
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Schlessman
Vice President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Bonicelli
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $163K, to Gloria Price (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Schlessman Foundation Inc
How much does Schlessman Foundation Inc give each year?
Schlessman Foundation Inc gave $6.8M across 116 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $6.2M across 112 grants.
What is Schlessman Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Schlessman Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $17,500, and its average grant was $58,953, across 116 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Schlessman Foundation Inc that year got $54K on average.
Where does Schlessman Foundation Inc give grants?
Schlessman Foundation Inc gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (76 grants), Englewood, CO (4 grants), Aurora, CO (4 grants) and Lakewood, CO (4 grants).
Does Schlessman Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 94% of Schlessman Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (109 of 116) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Schlessman Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Schlessman Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include YMCA of the Rockies ($1,000,000), Fort Lewis College Foundation ($700,000) and Denver Zoological Foundation ($425,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Schlessman Foundation Inc?
Schlessman Foundation Inc reported $86.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.1M (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 Schlessman Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support strong nonprofits that uplift vulnerable Denver Metro residents and enrich the community. Its website identifies workforce development, education, senior care, food security, disability services, and homelessness support as impact priorities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Schlessman Foundation Inc?
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 Schlessman Foundation Inc's EIN?
Schlessman Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-6030309. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Schlessman Foundation Inc 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 18, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Schlessman Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/schlessman-foundation-inc-morg_34f7582b1e4347bb83f40605be60592c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_846030309_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Schlessman Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/schlessman-foundation-inc-morg_34f7582b1e4347bb83f40605be60592c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Schlessman Foundation Inc'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.
Schlessman Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?