The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center
THE COLORADO NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT, based in Denver, Colorado, is a public charity that supports nonprofits through fiscal sponsorship. Its stated mission is to maximize nonprofits’ impact through fiscal sponsorship so that Colorado communities can thrive. The organization reports that it was formed in 1998 and describes itself as a partner to Colorado nonprofits since 2000.
Key facts about The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center
In short: The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center gave $273K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), mostly in Colorado. 90% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 84-1493585
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $272,500
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- Average grant
- $27,250
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 90% first-time grantees (9 of 10, 2024)
- Total assets
- $17,839,913
- Primary geography
- Colorado (87% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$17.8M
+30.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$273K
-6.0% YoY
Grant Count
10
+233.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
-71.8% YoY
Is The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center open to new grantees?
90%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 10 grantees (90%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to “maximize the impact of nonprofits through fiscal sponsorship to enable all Colorado communities to thrive.” Its website identifies inclusiveness and equity, partnership, respect, accountability, and learning as organizational principles.
In its 2024 filing, CNDC described projects including the Harm Reduction Action Center, which works to support the health and dignity of Denver residents who inject drugs; Assuring Better Child Health & Development, which helps identify potential developmental delays and connect children with services; and Families Forward Resource Center, which provides family case management, advocacy, counseling, and support groups.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, CNDC reported 10 grants totaling $272,500. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $82,500, with a median of $10,000. All 10 listed grants were for general support.
Review Cycle
in the available information.
Invitation Only
for fiscal sponsorship: submit an inquiry form, receive an invitation to apply, take part in a partnership discussion, and, if staff recommend approval, have the request considered by the board. The website says the inquiry form is intended to identify potential barriers and next steps, with a response expected within five business days. Eligibility includes benefiting Colorado communities, demonstrating charitable intent, having committed leadership, aligning activities with CNDC’s values, and being insurable under its policies. CNDC says it may be unable to sponsor medical or legal practices, programs involving one-on-one mentoring with children, or organizations that do not meet its insurance requirements, including the requirement for exclusive U.S. operations.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center
Ready to take the next step with The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CNDC’s website says its mission is to enable all Colorado communities to thrive, and its fiscal-sponsorship eligibility criteria require benefit to Colorado communities. In 2024, 87% of reported grant dollars went to Colorado recipients, 9% to Idaho recipients, and 4% to South Dakota recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $273K (2024) to $1.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $273K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Children's Hospital Colorado ($83K). Together the top 10 received $273K.
Grant Size Distribution
59 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 59 (71%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Hospital Colorado Aurora, CO | General Support | $82,500 |
| University of Northern Colorado Foundation Greeley, CO | General Support | $80,000 |
| Birdseed Collective Denver, CO | General Support | $25,000 |
| Music Movement Rexburg, ID | General Support | $25,000 |
| Tower Industry Family Support Charitable Foundation Watertown, SD | General Support | $10,000 |
| Brantleys Buddies Johnstown, CO | General Support | $10,000 |
| Ges Coalition Inc Denver, CO | General Support | $10,000 |
| Marshall Together Louisville, CO | General Support | $10,000 |
| Project Angel Heart Denver, CO | General Support | $10,000 |
| The Hadanou Collective Denver, CO | General Support | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $17,839,913 | $21,233,809 | $19,944,966 | $272,500 (10) |
| 2023 | $13,705,425 | $19,553,269 | $18,367,016 | $290,000 (3) |
| 2022 | $12,973,224 | $19,209,657 | $22,493,527 | $1,823,408 (17) |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,839,913 | $13,705,425 | $12,973,224 |
| Revenue | $21,233,809 | $19,553,269 | $19,209,657 |
| Expenses | $19,944,966 | $18,367,016 | $22,493,527 |
| Net Investment Income | $350,991 | $189,743 | $22,413 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- 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 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Rich Martinez as chair and Maribel Cifuentes as chair through May 2024. It lists Raymael Blackwell as vice chair, Maria Montoya as treasurer, Will Chan as secretary, and Taryn Fort, Melanie Bartlett, Noah Atencio, Monalisa Olarte, and Ann Hovland as directors.
The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center is led by Melinda Higgs, President on every filing since 2020; 7 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Melinda Higgs
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$218K (2020) → $257K (2024)
Rich Martinez
Chair
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Papa Dia
Project Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$119K (2020) → $137K (2024)
Eileen Bennett
Project Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$108K (2023) → $117K (2024)
Stephanie Knight
Project Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$134K (2023) → $198K (2024)
Ann Hovland
Director
Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Johnsen
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melanie Bartlett
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Taryn Fort
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monalisa Olarte
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Noah Atencio
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Van Vleet
CFO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$166K (2020) → $205K (2024)
Elizabeth Orare
Controller
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$115K (2023) → $120K (2024)
Nicole Leszman
Fiscal Spons
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$112K (2024)
Raymael Blackwell
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Montoya
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Will Chan
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Kaia Gallagher (2020–2024) — Director · Filing note: Thru 12/2024
- Former: Maribel Cifuentes (2021–2024) — Chair · Filing note: Thru 5/2024
- Former: Angela Schreffler (2020–2023) — COO · Filing note: Thru 62023
- Former: Kelli Pfaff (2023) — Project Director
- Former: Allison McGee Johnson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Andrew Ritz (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kelly Berg (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Stefan Stein (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Therese Ivancovich-Sissell (2020–2022) — Project Director
- Former: Luella Chavez Dangelo (2021–2022) — Project Director
- Former: Colleen Kazemi (2022) — Project Director
- Former: Rana Tyree Tarkenton (2022) — Project Director
- Former: Amy Rushneck (2020–2021) — Project Director
- Former: Erik Estrada (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Susan Williamson (2020–2021) — Project Director
- Former: Dudley Van Schoales (2020) — Project Director
- Former: Laurie Anderson (2020) — Director
- Former: Mark Sullivan (2020) — Director
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 $257K, to Melinda Higgs (President/Ce). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 18770, Denver, CO 80218
Phone: (720) 855-0501
Website: https://cndc.org
Frequently asked questions about The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center
How much does The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center give each year?
The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center gave $273K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $290K across 3 grants.
What is The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center's typical grant size?
The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $27,250, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center that year got $29K on average.
Where does The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center give grants?
The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center gives mostly in Colorado: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Idaho (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (4 grants).
Does The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center's largest grantees?
The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center's largest 2024 grantees include Children's Hospital Colorado ($82,500), University of Northern Colorado Foundation ($80,000) and Birdseed Collective ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center?
The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center reported $17.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $21.2M.
What does The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to “maximize the impact of nonprofits through fiscal sponsorship to enable all Colorado communities to thrive.” Its website identifies inclusiveness and equity, partnership, respect, accountability, and learning as organizational principles. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center?
The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cndc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center's EIN?
The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1493585. 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.
Here's the math on researching The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center by hand.
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