The Wolcott Family Foundation
The Wolcott Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Paonia, Colorado. It supports social change and environmental stewardship, with an emphasis on grassroots organizations and projects involving community empowerment, civil rights, community development, and environmental preservation.
The Wolcott Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Wolcott Family Foundation gave $95K across 22 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in Colorado. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $95,000
- +6.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 22
- -18.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $4,318
- +30.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,726,548
- -5.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (7 of 22, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% 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 Wolcott Family Foundation
- How to Apply
The 2023 filing says to submit a completed grant application cover letter, a cover letter, a program budget showing revenues and expenses, a copy of the applicant’s IRS 501(c)(3) exemption letter, two references, a…
The 2023 filing says to submit a completed grant application cover letter, a cover letter, a program budget showing revenues and expenses, a copy of the applicant’s IRS 501(c)(3) exemption letter, two references, a list of board members and their relevant activities, and key staff biographies. Repeat applicants should include progress reports. It recommends a two- or three-page project narrative covering whether the project is new or an expansion, its goals, objectives, strategies and timeline, whom it will serve, how it will be evaluated, and organizations working with the applicant.
- Review Cycle
- The 2023 filing says the deadline is generally the first Friday of September.
- Deadline
- The 2023 filing says the deadline is generally the first Friday of September.
- Contact
Application contact: The Wolcott Family Foundation
Mailing address: PO Box 147, Paonia, CO 81428
Phone: (303) 957-7747
Email: secretary@wolcottfamilyfoundation.org
Website: https://www.wolffoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Wolcott Family Foundation
Who The Wolcott Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was AVP Colorado ($5K). Together the top 10 received $50K.
Grant Size Distribution
123 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 123 grants of 123 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s grant-program descriptions identify Colorado as its geographic focus. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Wolcott Family Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 22 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. With only 22 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 109% 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 $79K (2022) to $116K (2021). In 2024 it made 22 grants totaling $95K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AVP Colorado Denver, CO | Community Development | $5,000 |
| Citizens for a Healthy Colorado Paonia, CO | Community Development | $5,000 |
| Colorado Immigrant Justice Fund Denver, CO | Community Development | $5,000 |
| Field Academy Denver, CO | Community Development | $5,000 |
| Fundamental Needs Dolores, CO | Community Development | $5,000 |
| Grand Valley Citizens Alliance Rifle, CO | Community Development | $5,000 |
| Groundwork Paonia, CO | Community Development | $5,000 |
| High Country Conservation Advocates Crested Butte, CO | Community Development | $5,000 |
| People and Pollinators Acton Network Niwot, CO | Community Development | $5,000 |
| Physicians for Social Responsibility Lafayette, CO | Community Development | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Wolcott Family 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 | $1,726,548 | $30,469 | $131,980 | $95,000 | 22 | $124,133 | $36,493 | $113,421 |
| 2023 | $1,828,059 | $70,135 | $128,027 | $89,500 | 27 | $120,401 | $62,509 | $107,414 |
| 2022 | $1,885,951 | $50,114 | $91,073 | $78,750 | 19 | $85,900 | $46,952 | $92,179 |
| 2021 | $1,921,336 | $231,464 | $131,192 | $115,945 | 28 | — | $226,946 | $118,582 |
| 2020 | $1,818,998 | $38,216 | $99,954 | $85,000 | 27 | — | $36,552 | $99,563 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wolcott Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $113K 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 foundation’s stated focus is social change and environmental stewardship. Its priorities include empowering individuals and communities to organize for social change; strengthening civil liberties and civil rights; supporting community development that addresses poverty, economic opportunity, and leadership in distressed communities; and backing collaborative approaches that connect ecosystems and economies. It also considers projects emphasizing environmental preservation, advocacy, and community involvement aimed at root causes of societal problems.
Its 2023 filing limits eligibility to nonprofit organizations exempt under section 501(c)(3) and excludes groups with annual budgets over $350,000, individuals, scholarships, capital campaigns, and endowments.
Examples among its 2024 grantees illustrate the kinds of organizations it supports. High Country Conservation Advocates describes its work as protecting public lands, waters, and wildlife in Colorado’s Gunnison Country. Fundamental Needs Inc. says it partners with underserved communities on access to clean water, electricity, education, and vocational opportunities. Physicians for Social Responsibility Colorado describes advocacy concerning health threats including hydraulic fracturing, the climate crisis, and toxic substances. The Colorado Immigrant Justice Fund says it provides legal education and resources to immigrants seeking refuge or asylum or facing removal proceedings.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $95,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $5,000, with a median award of $5,000. The 2024 filing lists the purposes of the largest grants as community development. Recipients receiving $5,000 each included AVP Colorado, Citizens for a Healthy Colorado, Colorado Immigrant Justice Fund, Field Academy, Fundamental Needs, Grand Valley Citizens Alliance, Groundwork, High Country Conservation Advocates, People and Pollinators Action Network, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Pikes Peak Justice and Pro Bono Center, and San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council.
The foundation’s 2023 filing describes one-year grants as generally ranging from $1,000 to $7,500; it says subsequent grants may be approved when a progress report for the prior year is filed. Its grant-program descriptions list an award range of $1,000 to $5,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Helen M. Wolcott as director and president; Oliver Wolcott, Elizabeth Wolcott, Jennifer Huggins, Andrew Wolcott, Kiva Williams, and Naomi Kasper as directors; Peter Wolcott as director and treasurer; Steven Wolcott as director and chairman; and Eli O. Lindsey-Wolcott as director and vice treasurer.
The Wolcott Family Foundation is led by Helen M. Wolcott, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 18 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Helen M. Wolcott
Director & President
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Wolcott
Director & Chairman
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Wolcott
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben D. Lindsey-Wolcott
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eli O. Lindsey-Wolcott
Director & Vice Treasurer
Director → Director & Vice Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Wolcott
Director
Director & Secretary → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jade W. Huggins
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jasmine Wolcott
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Huggins
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jordan W. Huggins
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kiva Williams
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Naomi Kasper
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Noah Wolcott
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Oliver Wolcott
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Wolcott
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Kasper
Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Devon Williams
Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Kasper
Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
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 Wolcott Family Foundation
How much does The Wolcott Family Foundation give each year?
The Wolcott Family Foundation gave $95K across 22 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $90K across 27 grants.
What is The Wolcott Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Wolcott Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $4,318, across 22 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Wolcott Family Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does The Wolcott Family Foundation give grants?
The Wolcott Family Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (4 grants), Paonia, CO (4 grants) and Colorado Springs, CO (2 grants).
Does The Wolcott Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on The Wolcott Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Development" (22 grants).
Who are The Wolcott Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Wolcott Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include AVP Colorado ($5,000), Citizens for a Healthy Colorado ($5,000) and Colorado Immigrant Justice Fund ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Wolcott Family Foundation?
The Wolcott Family Foundation reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $124K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $113K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Wolcott Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated focus is social change and environmental stewardship. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Wolcott Family Foundation?
The 2023 filing says to submit a completed grant application cover letter, a cover letter, a program budget showing revenues and expenses, a copy of the applicant’s IRS 501(c)(3) exemption letter, two references, a… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Wolcott Family Foundation's EIN?
The Wolcott Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1570728. 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Wolcott Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-wolcott-family-foundation-morg_789cc4e967a844f7bb315c72674eca1f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_841570728_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Wolcott Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-wolcott-family-foundation-morg_789cc4e967a844f7bb315c72674eca1f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Wolcott Family 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.
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