The Anna and John J Sie Foundation
The Anna and John J Sie Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2003 and based in Denver, Colorado. The foundation serves as the founding donor of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, and provides support to various nonprofits in Colorado and around the world.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$38.3M
-2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.1M
+61.3% YoY
Grant Count
52
-8.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$98K
+76.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Anna and John J Sie Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary areas of grant giving include:
- Down Syndrome: A leader in funding programs and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of people with Down syndrome
- International Security and Diplomacy
- Education
- Arts and Culture
- Media
- Health: Particularly support for health organizations and children's hospitals
Grantmaking
The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only and does not accept unsolicited applications.
Grant Range
$500 to $1,437,696
Average Grant
amount: approximately $54,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Colorado, California, and Washington, which account for approximately 80% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 15 states, with concentration in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $38,261,211
- Total Revenues: $4,845,761
- Total Expenses: $5,780,857
- Total Giving: $5,073,043
Historical Context: Total assets have decreased from $74.8 million in 2011 to $38.3 million in 2024. The foundation has made 138 grants totaling $7.3 million across its history.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $38,261,211 | $39,196,307 | $40,648,196 |
| Revenue | $4,845,761 | $2,309,095 | $897,903 |
| Expenses | $5,780,857 | $3,760,984 | $2,908,364 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,661,714 | $3,660,189 | $2,802,301 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,764,139 | $2,228,300 | $816,840 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,680,907 | $1,752,469 | $1,918,411 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Global Down Syndrome Foundation ($1,437,696), Denver Film Society ($965,780), Children's Hospital Colorado ($847,016).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADAM'S CAMP ENGLEWOOD, CO | INTENSIVE THERAPY, FAMILY SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION CHICAGO, IL | FOR RESEARCH, CARE & SUPPORT PROGRAM | $5,000 |
| ARC THRIFTMETRO ASSOC FOR RC LAKEWOOD, CO | FOR INTELLECTUAL/DEV. DISABLED INDV. | $10,000 |
| BAL SWAN CHILDREN'S CENTER BROOMFIELD, CO | EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION | $5,000 |
| CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO ENGLEWOOD, CO | FOR CANCER RESEARCH & PROGRAMS. | $15,000 |
| CATHOLIC FAMILY AND HUMAN RIGHTS NEW YORK, NY | DEFEND LIFE AND FAMILY | $2,500 |
| CESASC LOS ANGELES, CA | ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS. | $2,500 |
| CHILDREN'S DIABETES FOUNDATION PHOENIX, AZ | FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES PROGRAMS. | $23,300 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COLORADO AURORA, CO | PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE | $847,016 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | SUPPORTING PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- John J Sie: Trustee
- Marisa Cucuzzella: Office Manager
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN J SIE | TRUSTEE | 25 | $12,000 |
| MICHELLE SIE WHITTEN | ED | 20 | $138,396 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in supporting Down syndrome research and advocacy initiatives. The Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome has received significant grants for international research studies. The foundation continues to support the Anna and John J Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children's Hospital Colorado, described as the largest multidisciplinary team focused on medical care for pediatric and adolescent patients with Down syndrome in the United States.
Crnic Institute receives $2.7 million grant for an international study ofSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Anna and John J Sie Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary areas of grant giving include: • **Down Syndrome**: A leader in funding programs and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of people with Down syndrome • **International Security and Diplomacy** • **Education** • **Arts and Culture** • **Media** • **Health**: Particularly support for health organizations and children's hospitals
How do I apply for a grant from The Anna and John J Sie Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $500 to $1,437,696 • Average grant amount: approximately $54,000 • Median grant amount: $10,000 • Annual giving: approximately $2.4 million to $5.1 million (varies by year) **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Global Down Syndrome Foundation: $1,437,696 • Denver Film Society: $965,780 • Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation: $847,016 • Denver Art Museum (largest grantee) • Denver Museum of Nature & Science • Colorado Symphony Orchestra **Applic…
Where does The Anna and John J Sie Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Colorado, California, and Washington, which account for approximately 80% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 15 states, with concentration in Colorado.
What size grants does The Anna and John J Sie Foundation award?
In 2024, The Anna and John J Sie Foundation awarded 52 grants totaling $5.1M — an average of about $98K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Anna and John J Sie Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Anna and John J Sie Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Anna and John J Sie Foundation's EIN?
The Anna and John J Sie Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-6058353. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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