The Esther Foundation

DENVER, CO EIN: 84-1523209

The Esther Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in DENVER, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $198K. Net investment income was $1.9M.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$2.4M

+79.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$198K

-62.9% YoY

Grant Count

11

-15.4% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$18K

-56.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Esther Foundation reported a distributable amount of $189K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About The Esther Foundation

Based on IRS filings

The Esther Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in DENVER, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $198K. Net investment income was $1.9M.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

11states
+3 more states

Cities

AbileneAtlantaAzusaBoulderBozemanCharlotteColorado SpringsDeerfieldDenverGreenwood VillageHighlands RanchHollandHoustonKahuluiKellerKiheiLakewoodLos AngelesMadisonMakawao

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$527K$1M$2M$2M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$2,407,996$1,344,427$2,745,615
Revenue$1,580,277$-797,305$-507,896
Expenses$327,971$625,845$453,935
Qualifying Distributions$197,800$533,260$319,750
Net Investment Income$1,917,239$223,191
Distributable Amount$189,444$179,652$270,078

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$133K$267K$400K$533K11 grants202011 grants202112 grants202213 grants202311 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

ACE SCHOLARSHIPS$110KATHLETES IN ACTION$15KHOPE CHAPEL MAUI$15KINTERVARSITY$15KVERTICAL SPORTS MAUI$15KYOUNG LIFE STEAMBOAT$10KLOS ANGELES OPERA$8KHOPE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES$5KCHERRY HILLS COMMUNITY C…$3KFOCUS ON THE FAMILY$3K

Grant Size Distribution

58 grants across all recorded years

49<$50K3$50–100K5$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ace Scholarships ($110,000), Athletes in Action ($15,000), Hope Chapel Maui ($15,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
ACE SCHOLARSHIPS GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COCHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION$110,000
ATHLETES IN ACTION COLORADO SPRINGS, COCHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION$15,000
CHERRY HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH HIGHLANDS RANCH, COCHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION$2,500
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY COLORADO SPRINGS, COCHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION$2,500
HOPE CHAPEL MAUI KIHEI, HICHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION$15,000
HOPE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES SOLANA BEACH, CACHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION$5,000
INTERVARSITY MADISON, WICHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION$15,000
LOS ANGELES OPERA LOS ANGELES, CACHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION$7,500
POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY SAN DIEGO, CACHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION$300
VERTICAL SPORTS MAUI KIHEI, HICHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION$15,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
R SCOT SELLERSDIRECTOR & PRESIDENT2

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Esther Foundation?

The Esther Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in DENVER, CO. It holds $2.4M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is The Esther Foundation?

As of 2024, The Esther Foundation holds $2.4M in total assets with $1.6M in annual revenue. It awarded 11 grants totaling $198K in 2024.

Where does The Esther Foundation operate?

The Esther Foundation has awarded grants in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Texas, Wisconsin.

What size grants does The Esther Foundation award?

In 2024, The Esther Foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $198K — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Esther Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Esther Foundation reported a distributable amount of $189K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Esther Foundation's EIN?

The Esther Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1523209. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Esther Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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