The VF Foundation
The VF Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Its 2024 filing reports 44 grants totaling $3,422,000 to organizations working on activities including outdoor recreation, soil health, education, and community programs.
The VF Foundation at a glance
In short: The VF Foundation gave $3.4M across 44 grants in 2024 (avg $78K), top state Colorado. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,422,000
- -13.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- -18.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $77,773
- +5.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $32,500
- Total assets
- $23,674,421
- -5.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (11 of 42, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (23% 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 VF Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing directs applicants to the foundation’s application materials. Qualifying organizations must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Federal Tax Code or an international equivalent.
- Review Cycle
- January 1 through February 1, 2024.
- Deadline
- January 1 through February 1, 2024.
- Contact
Application contact: The Vf Foundation
Mailing address: 1551 Wewatta Street, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (720) 778-4000
Email: foundation@vfc.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The VF Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Denver ($380K). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
333 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 157 grants of 333 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Colorado (23%), New York (18%), California (12%), and North Carolina (11%). The filing also lists an unidentified category at 10%. Named 2024 recipients were located in several states, including Colorado, New York, California, North Carolina, Michigan, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The VF Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 42 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $59K; repeat grants $89K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 52% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 57% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 284% 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 $3.4M (2024) to $8.5M (2020). In 2024 it made 44 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Denver Denver, CO | Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry (LORI) Program | $380,000 |
| Soil Health Institute Morrisville, NC | U.S. Regenerative Cotton Fund (USRCF) | $250,000 |
| Trust for Public Land Los Angeles, CA | Tribal Community Schoolyards and National Trails Activation Fund | $250,000 |
| United Nations Foundation Inc Washington, DC | Resilience Fund for Women in Global Value Chains | $250,000 |
| Myriad USA Inc New York, NY | Increasing the Flexibility and Market-Responsiveness of Training Landscapes in Bangladesh and Honduras/Shimmy | $225,000 |
| Lewis College of Business Detroit, MI | PLC Program Pathway - VF x PLC Youth Summer Design Camp | $155,000 |
| YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund New York, NY | The VF Foundation x FSF Community Colleges Initiative: Sustaining Success | $150,000 |
| Protect Our Winters Europe - Association for Clima | Glacier Footprints | $142,000 |
| Environmental Learning for Kids Denver, CO | Outside Festival 2024 | $125,000 |
| Wateraid America Inc New York, NY | Championing sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for factory workers and communities in Cambodia | $125,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The VF 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 | $23,674,421 | $2,459,823 | $3,826,938 | $3,422,000 | 44 | $3,662,064 | $1,310,061 | $1,290,403 |
| 2023 | $25,041,536 | $901,954 | $4,416,635 | $3,972,500 | 54 | $4,258,707 | $755,864 | $1,318,166 |
| 2022 | $28,556,217 | $960,441 | $8,735,405 | $8,215,500 | 61 | $8,548,519 | $794,134 | $1,603,597 |
| 2021 | $36,331,181 | $3,298,154 | $8,556,805 | $7,990,000 | 78 | $8,335,738 | $3,106,275 | $2,164,942 |
| 2020 | $41,589,832 | $251,400 | $8,929,486 | $8,507,994 | 96 | — | $498,673 | $2,287,412 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The VF Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.3M 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
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants included support for the University of Denver’s Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry program, the Soil Health Institute’s U.S. Regenerative Cotton Fund, and the Trust for Public Land’s Tribal Community Schoolyards and National Trails Activation Fund.
Grantees describe their own work in varied terms. The Soil Health Institute says it conducts soil-health research and helps farmers and landowners adopt regenerative systems. Environmental Learning for Kids describes its mission as cultivating environmental stewards by increasing outdoor equity. Lewis College of Business describes a focus on making education and opportunities accessible.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 44 grants totaling $3,422,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $380,000, with a median of $32,500.
Among the largest reported grants were $380,000 to the University of Denver for its Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry program; $250,000 to the Soil Health Institute for the U.S. Regenerative Cotton Fund; and $250,000 each to the Trust for Public Land for Tribal Community Schoolyards and National Trails Activation Fund, and to the United Nations Foundation for the Resilience Fund for Women in Global Value Chains. Other grants included $225,000 to Myriad USA for work involving training landscapes in Bangladesh and Honduras, and $155,000 to Lewis College of Business for the PLC Program Pathway and VF x PLC Youth Summer Design Camp.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing were Bracken Darrell, Chairman of the Board; Doug Hassman, Director and Treasurer; Brent Hyder, Vice-Chair of the Board; Jennifer S Sim, Director and Secretary; and Colin Wheeler, Director and President.
The VF Foundation is led by Colin Wheeler, Director & President on every filing since 2023; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Colin Wheeler
Director & President
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bracken Darrell
Chairman of the Board
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Hassman
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer S Sim
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brent Hyder
Vice Chair of the Board
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Laura C Meagher (2020–2023) — Director & Secretary
- Former: Luis Benitez (2020–2023) — President & Director
- Former: Anthony Cottonaro (2022–2023) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Craig Hodges (2023) — Director & President
- Former: Anita Z Graham (2020–2022) — Director & Vice Chair of the Board
- Former: Steven E Rendle (2020–2022) — Chairman of the Board & Director
- Former: Jenn Simm (2022) — Director & Secretary
- Former: Omorlie L Harris (2020–2021) — Treasurer & 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.
Frequently asked questions about The VF Foundation
How much does The VF Foundation give each year?
The VF Foundation gave $3.4M across 44 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.0M across 54 grants.
What is The VF Foundation's typical grant size?
The VF Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $32,500, and its average grant was $77,773, across 44 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The VF Foundation that year got $59K on average.
Where does The VF Foundation give grants?
The VF Foundation's top state is Colorado, with 23% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (18%) and California (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (8 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Los Angeles, CA (3 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does The VF Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of The VF Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 44) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The VF Foundation's largest grantees?
The VF Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Denver ($380,000), Trust for Public Land ($255,000 across 2 grants) and Soil Health Institute ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The VF Foundation?
The VF Foundation reported $23.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The VF Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants included support for the University of Denver’s Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry program, the Soil Health Institute’s U.S. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The VF Foundation?
The filing directs applicants to the foundation’s application materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The VF Foundation's EIN?
The VF Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2322084. 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The VF Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Western Union Foundation
Denver, CO
The Western Union Foundation, which closed at the end of 2025, funded workforce readiness, education, job creation, and economic opportunity programs, including support for migrants and displaced people. Its 2024 grants ranged from $50,000 to $500,000, with a median of about $125,000, and went to organizations in multiple U.S. states and around the world. It accepted only requests from preselected organizations and did not accept unsolicited applications.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
21
Total Given
$3.9M
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Gates Family Foundation
Denver, CO
Gates Family Foundation funds public education, natural resources, community development, and informed communities, with a focus on Colorado; capital grants support projects such as construction, renovation, and land acquisition. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,000 to $20 million, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited proposals for strategic grants, but qualified Colorado nonprofits can apply for capital grants.
Assets
$423.7M
Grants
374
Total Given
$36.3M
The Denver Foundation
Denver, CO
The Denver Foundation supports nonprofits working in economic opportunity, environment and climate, housing, and youth well-being, with an emphasis on racial equity and historically underserved communities in the seven-county Metro Denver region. Its Community Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000; the 2024 median across reported grants was $26,500. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,184
Total Given
$131.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Delaware
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The VF Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-vf-foundation-morg_7ddf29cbf4c040e5b73b647803b52c47
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_562322084_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The VF Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-vf-foundation-morg_7ddf29cbf4c040e5b73b647803b52c47},
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 The VF 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.
The VF Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?