Sturm Family Foundation
The Sturm Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Denver, Colorado. In 2024, it reported 38 grants totaling $4,240,436 to charitable organizations, including organizations in health, education, cultural institutions, and Jewish community life.
Sturm Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Sturm Family Foundation gave $4.2M across 38 grants in 2024 (avg $112K), mostly in Colorado. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,240,436
- -45.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 38
- +18.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $111,590
- -54.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $37,500
- Total assets
- $159,131,870
- +44.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (4 of 24, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Sturm Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 3033 East First Avenue Suite 300, Denver, CO 80206
Phone: (303) 394-5005
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sturm Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was National Jewish Health (NJH) ($1.6M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $3.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
189 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 91 grants of 189 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado. Other recipient states included California (3%), Washington (1%), Minnesota (1%), and Maryland (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Sturm Family Foundation open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 24 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $78K; repeat grants $196K. How we count
Medians: $55K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 75% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 58% 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 (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.6M (2020) to $7.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 38 grants totaling $4.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Jewish Health (NJH) Denver, CO | Further Tax Exempt Purpose | $1,000,000 |
| National Jewish Health (NJH) Denver, CO | Further Tax Exempt Purpose | $600,000 |
| Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) Denver, CO | Further Tax Exempt Purpose | $596,399 |
| Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) Denver, CO | Further Tax Exempt Purpose | $298,419 |
| University of Colorado Foundation (Univcofound) Denver, CO | Further Tax Exempt Purpose | $250,000 |
| Judaism Your Way (JYW-Opermm) Denver, CO | Further Tax Exempt Purpose | $165,000 |
| DSST Public Schools Foundation (DSST) Denver, CO | Further Tax Exempt Purpose | $150,000 |
| Arapahoe Community College Foundation (Accf) Littleton, CO | Further Tax Exempt Purpose | $135,930 |
| Children's Museum of Denver (Children) Denver, CO | Further Tax Exempt Purpose | $100,000 |
| Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation (Saint) Denver, CO | Further Tax Exempt Purpose | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Sturm Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $159,131,870 | $13,945,982 | $6,357,150 | $4,240,436 | 38 | $4,560,891 | $4,228,675 | $7,827,574 |
| 2023 | $109,970,533 | $5,907,526 | $9,776,421 | $7,843,788 | 32 | $8,135,611 | — | $6,620,906 |
| 2022 | $102,342,439 | $11,006,600 | $5,545,239 | $4,210,845 | 48 | $4,541,443 | $5,001,668 | $6,047,060 |
| 2021 | $102,941,130 | $16,700,881 | $5,383,315 | $4,726,637 | 33 | $4,969,085 | $11,189,463 | $6,424,042 |
| 2020 | $97,703,873 | $14,617,218 | $4,698,053 | $3,622,291 | 38 | — | $5,720,834 | $5,550,616 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sturm Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.8M for 2024 — 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 is provided. The 2024 grants include support for organizations such as National Jewish Health, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the University of Colorado Foundation, Judaism Your Way, and DSST Public Schools Foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 38 grants totaling $4,240,436. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $37,500. Among the largest grants were $1,000,000 and $600,000 to National Jewish Health; $596,399 and $298,419 to Denver Museum of Nature & Science; and $250,000 to the University of Colorado Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Donald L. Sturm as chairman, Susan M. Sturm as vice chairman, Stephen F. Sturm as vice president and treasurer, and Emily Sturm Ehrens as president and CEO.
Sturm Family Foundation is led by Emily Sturm Ehrens, President & CEO on every filing since 2022; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Emily Sturm Ehrens
President & CEO
On filings since 2022
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donald L. Sturm
Chairman
Chairman, President & Treasurer → Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen F. Sturm
Vice President & Treasurer
Managing Director → Vice President & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan M. Sturm
Vice Chairman
V. Chair, V.p. & Secretary → Vice Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Emily S. Sturm (2020–2021) — Managing Director
- Former: John A. Fox (2020–2021) — Assistant Treasurer
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.
Frequently asked questions about Sturm Family Foundation
How much does Sturm Family Foundation give each year?
Sturm Family Foundation gave $4.2M across 38 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7.8M across 32 grants.
What is Sturm Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Sturm Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $37,500, and its average grant was $111,590, across 38 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sturm Family Foundation that year got $78K on average.
Where does Sturm Family Foundation give grants?
Sturm Family Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (27 grants) and Littleton, CO (3 grants).
Who are Sturm Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Sturm Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include National Jewish Health (NJH) ($1,602,000 across 3 grants), Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) ($894,818 across 2 grants) and University of Colorado Foundation (Univcofound) ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sturm Family Foundation?
Sturm Family Foundation reported $159.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.8M (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 Sturm Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants include support for organizations such as National Jewish Health, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the University of Colorado Foundation, Judaism Your Way, and DSST Public Schools Foundation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sturm Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sturm Family Foundation's EIN?
Sturm Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1483429. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Sturm 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sturm Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Boettcher Foundation
Denver, CO
The Boettcher Foundation funds Colorado community-building projects, rural and leadership organizational capacity, biomedical research, and scholarships for Colorado students. Program awards listed include $20,000–$75,000 for Community Connections and $1,000–$10,000 for Rural Catalyst and Leadership Practitioner Catalyst grants; no typical level is stated for all giving. It accepts grant inquiries for Community Connections and says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; other programs have separate application requirements.
Assets
$279.0M
Grants
1
Total Given
$10.2M
David and Laura Merage Foundation
Englewood, CO
The foundation supports early learning and childcare, contemporary art, community development, and leadership and community initiatives, with recent grants concentrated in Colorado and Pennsylvania. In 2025, grants ranged from $125 to $2.79 million, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$70.2M
Grants
21
Total Given
$3.8M
The Chotin Family Foundation
Centennial, CO
The Chotin Family Foundation funds Jewish causes, education, health and medical work, Israel-related programs, and arts and culture, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Colorado and nearly a third to New York. Its 2025 grants had a median of $2,500, though awards ranged from $36 to $289,940. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.0M
Grants
49
Total Given
$873K
Tuchman Family Foundation co Mantucket Capital Mgmt Corp
Englewood, CO
The foundation supports organizations working in education, health, community well-being, the arts, and gun-violence prevention, with most 2024 funding going to recipients in New York and Colorado. Its 50 grants ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$22.0M
Grants
50
Total Given
$1.1M
The Anna and John J Sie Foundation
Denver, CO
The Anna and John J Sie Foundation supports a range of charitable work, including Down syndrome research and care, children’s health, education, film, and arts and culture. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $1,437,696, with a median of $7,312, and 95% of grant dollars went to Colorado recipients. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$38.3M
Grants
52
Total Given
$5.1M
The Morgridge Family Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The Morgridge Family Foundation supports organizations addressing major societal challenges, with a primary focus on education and additional interests in conservation, health, wellness, and public benefit. Its 2024 grants ranged from $52 to $2.5 million, with a median of $6,400; about 90% of its investments are in the United States, with hubs in Colorado, Florida, and Montana. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$243.9M
Grants
158
Total Given
$13.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Colorado
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Sturm Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sturm-family-foundation-morg_649aee0ea14c477f97fb39fe29ba9b87
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_841483429_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sturm Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sturm-family-foundation-morg_649aee0ea14c477f97fb39fe29ba9b87},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Sturm 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.
Sturm Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?