The Gordon Foundation
The Gordon Foundation is a private foundation based in Castle Rock, Colorado. Its 2024 filing reports grants to organizations working in areas including wildlife and nature conservation, national parks, environmental education, health, and community services.
The Gordon Foundation at a glance
In short: The Gordon Foundation gave $11K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in District of Columbia. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,850
- +66.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +100.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,085
- -16.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $88,835
- +0.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (4 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (55% 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 The Gordon Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists an informal letter as the application material, David Gordon as the contact, and no stated award restrictions.
- Contact
Application contact: David Gordon
Mailing address: 950 Country Club Pkwy, Castle Rock, CO 80108
Phone: (214) 564-3035
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Gordon Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Defenders of Wildlife ($3K). Together the top 10 received $11K.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 42 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to recipients in Washington, DC (55% of grant dollars), Colorado (32%), Texas (9%), New York (2%), and Maryland (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Gordon Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 10 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $1K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 30% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 55% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 153% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $7K (2023) to $11K (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $11K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Defenders of Wildlife Washington, DC | General Support | $3,000 |
| HawkQuest Parker, CO | General Support | $1,500 |
| The Nature Conservancy Dallas, TX | General Purpose | $1,000 |
| Castle Rock Adventist Hospital Foundation Castle Rock, CO | General Support | $1,000 |
| Family & Intercultural Resource Center Silverthorne, CO | General Support | $1,000 |
| World Wildlife Fund Washington, DC | General Support | $1,000 |
| National Parks Foundation Washington, DC | General Support | $1,000 |
| National Parks Conservation Association Washington, DC | General Support | $1,000 |
| National Audubon Society New York, NY | General Support | $250 |
| American Cancer Society Hagerstown, MD | General Support | $100 |
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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 | $88,835 | $12,166 | $11,356 | $10,850 | 10 | $10,850 | $2,785 | $7,072 |
| 2023 | $88,025 | $8,700 | $6,586 | $6,500 | 5 | $6,500 | $2,835 | $6,547 |
| 2022 | $85,911 | $6,317 | $7,212 | $6,550 | 8 | $6,550 | $2,855 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $86,806 | $15,101 | $7,603 | $7,000 | 11 | $7,000 | $4,225 | $6,248 |
| 2020 | $79,308 | $13,124 | $11,339 | $10,744 | 8 | — | $2,254 | $5,537 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gordon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7K 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 for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for conservation and wildlife organizations, a hospital foundation, and a community resource center. Defenders of Wildlife describes its mission as protecting native animals and plants in their natural communities; HawkQuest says it provides educational opportunities about wild living things and the importance of preserving their environment. WWF describes its mission as conserving nature and reducing threats to life on Earth, while the National Parks Conservation Association says it works to protect America’s national parks. The National Audubon Society says it works toward a future where birds thrive across the Americas.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $10,850 through 10 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $3,000, with a median of $1,000.
Notable 2024 grants included $3,000 to Defenders of Wildlife, $1,500 to HawkQuest, and $1,000 each to The Nature Conservancy, Castle Rock Adventist Hospital Foundation, Family & Intercultural Resource Center, World Wildlife Fund, National Parks Foundation, and National Parks Conservation Association.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists David Gordon as president and Melissa Gordon as vice president.
The Gordon Foundation is led by David Gordon, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David Gordon
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Melissa Gordon
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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 The Gordon Foundation
How much does The Gordon Foundation give each year?
The Gordon Foundation gave $11K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7K across 5 grants.
What is The Gordon Foundation's typical grant size?
The Gordon Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,085, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Gordon Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does The Gordon Foundation give grants?
The Gordon Foundation gives mostly in District of Columbia: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (32%) and Texas (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does The Gordon Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Gordon Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Gordon Foundation's largest grantees?
The Gordon Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Defenders of Wildlife ($3,000), HawkQuest ($1,500) and The Nature Conservancy ($1,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Gordon Foundation?
The Gordon Foundation reported $89K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $11K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Gordon Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for conservation and wildlife organizations, a hospital foundation, and a community resource center. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Gordon Foundation?
The 2024 filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Gordon Foundation's EIN?
The Gordon Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 90-0915581. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
Live grants for the work The Gordon Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
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