The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado Inc is a public charity based in Denver, Colorado. Formed in 1986, it supports efforts to advance economic opportunities and security for Colorado women and their families through grantmaking, philanthropy, research, community engagement, and public policy work.
The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc at a glance
In short: The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc gave $2.6M across 93 grants in 2025 (avg $28K), mostly in Colorado. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,616,752
- -26.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 93
- -14.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $28,137
- -14.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $36,439,401
- +6.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (35 of 93, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (89% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
Organizations can apply directly to WINcome and the Women & Girls of Color Fund when application opportunities are available. Donor-advised funds and giving circles do not accept unsolicited proposals.
- Review Cycle
- The Women & Girls of Color Fund’s 2026 application cycle closes November 30, 2026.
- Deadline
- The Women & Girls of Color Fund’s 2026 application cycle closes November 30, 2026.
- Next open deadline
- December 31, 2026 (Women & Girls of Color Fund)
- Contact
Mailing address: 1901 East Asbury Avenue, Denver, CO 80208
Phone: (303) 285-2960
Website: https://wfco.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc
WINcome (Women + Income = Women Thriving)
The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Expected ~December
Based on past cycles
WINcome Grant
The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc
Amount
US $30,000 - US $60,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Women & Girls of Color Fund
The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Expected ~December
Based on past cycles
Who The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Project Worthmore ($100K). Together the top 10 received $759K.
Grant Size Distribution
511 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 440 grants of 511 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated program focus is Colorado statewide. In 2025, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado; other recipient states listed were Montana (4%), New York (2%), Illinois (2%), and Wisconsin (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 93 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 35 of 93 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $21K; repeat grants $33K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2020) to $3.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 93 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Project Worthmore Aurora, CO | Donor-Driven Grantmaking | $100,000 |
| Thunderheart Media Gallatin, MT | Donor-Driven Grantmaking | $100,000 |
| Redline Contemporary Art Center Denver, CO | Donor-Driven Grantmaking | $84,760 |
| Collaborative Healing Initiative Within Communities Aurora, CO | Community Investments & Grants | $75,500 |
| Colorado Nonprofit Development Center Denver, CO | Community Investments & Grants | $75,000 |
| Latina Safehouse Denver, CO | Community Investments & Grants | $75,000 |
| The Gathering Place Denver, CO | Donor-Driven Grantmaking | $75,000 |
| Cleo Parker Robinson Denver, CO | Donor-Driven Grantmaking | $60,000 |
| Colorado Latino Leadership Advocacy & Research Organization Denver, CO | Research | $58,500 |
| Alianza Norco Ft Collins, CO | Community Investments & Grants | $55,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,439,401 | $9,073,119 | $6,835,752 | $2,616,752 | 93 | $916,923 |
| 2024 | $34,082,156 | $6,118,523 | $7,132,651 | $3,579,788 | 109 | $808,725 |
| 2023 | $32,423,293 | $6,466,024 | $5,744,377 | $2,548,453 | 102 | $821,057 |
| 2022 | $34,098,337 | $6,584,660 | $4,297,228 | $1,963,005 | 75 | $1,169,050 |
| 2021 | $31,800,600 | $6,622,409 | $4,272,651 | $2,121,662 | 132 | $550,722 |
| 2020 | $23,114,901 | $4,309,833 | $3,349,146 | $1,057,753 | 59 | $718,626 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states its mission as “catalyzing community to advance and accelerate economic opportunities for Colorado women and their families.” Its filing describes grants supporting direct services such as job training, employment assistance, and holistic services for women and their families, as well as public policy work addressing economic security, poverty, childcare, and pay equity.
The foundation’s programs include WINcome, which supports organizations providing direct services and flexible cash assistance to women facing economic insecurity, as well as organizations working on policies and systems affecting financial security. Its Women & Girls of Color Fund partners with organizations led by women and gender-expansive people of color and focused on advancing the economic security of Colorado women and girls of color.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Project Worthmore says it serves Denver-area refugees through programs fostering community, self-sufficiency, and quality of life. Redline describes its work as fostering education and engagement between artists and communities to create positive social change. Latina SafeHouse Initiative says it provides bilingual and culturally sensitive services to Latina survivors of domestic violence and their families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 93 grants totaling $2,616,752. Grants ranged from $6,820 to $100,000, with a median award of $20,000. The foundation’s website separately reported investing over $3.8 million in 2024 through donor-advised funds, giving circles, board-controlled WINcome funding, and the Women & Girls of Color Fund.
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $100,000 to Project Worthmore and $100,000 to Thunderheart Media, both for donor-driven grantmaking; $84,760 to Redline Contemporary Art Center for donor-driven grantmaking; and $75,500 to Collaborative Healing Initiative Within Communities for community investments and grants. Other large awards included $75,000 each to Colorado Nonprofit Development Center, Latina SafeHouse, and The Gathering Place.
WINcome’s current grant cycle runs from 2024–2026 and includes 23 grantee partners statewide. Its funding supports direct-service and public policy organizations working on priorities such as jobs, education and training, cash assistance, entrepreneur capital, childcare, and basic needs. The next anticipated open WINcome grant cycle is in 2027.
The Women & Girls of Color Fund offers multi-year grants of $10,000–$60,000, with an average award of $15,000; eligible grantees may renew for a second year. Applicants must be led by a woman or gender-expansive executive director of color, be Colorado-based and Colorado-focused, be nonprofit or fiscally sponsored, and use a gender lens. Its 2026 application cycle is open through November 30, 2026. The next cycle after 2026 is expected to open in 2028.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Tania Zeigler as board chair, Mary Ann Littler as vice chair, Courtney Allen-Lussenhop as secretary, Lori Feehan as treasurer, and Faye Tate as past chair. It also lists Sandy Cook, Helen Gair, Allison Gambill, Katherine Gold, and Debbie Hammons as board members.
The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc is led by Lauren Casteel - President, Chief Executive on the 2025 filing; 7 of 33 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lauren Casteel - President
Chief Executive
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$280K (2025)
Renee Ferrufino - President
Chief Executive
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$173K (2025)
Tania Zeigler
Board Chair
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Stoot- Vp Of Devas
Of Feb ' & Development Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$113K (2025)
Louise Myrland
Vice President of Programs
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$115K (2021) → $168K (2025)
Lisa Christie
Vice President of Communications
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$116K (2023) → $155K (2025)
Jennifer Kilpatrick
Chief Financial Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$128K (2025)
Tommie Mailey
Controller
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$114K (2025)
Faye Tate
Past Chair
Board Member → Chair, 2023
Chair → Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Helen Gair
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Allen-Lussenhop
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Debbie Hammons
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Gold
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Rosechild
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandy Cook
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Jones
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tara Smith
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allison Gambill
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carly Hare
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carly Wendt
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lori Feehan
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ann Littler
Vice Chair
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patty Salazar
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Rohs
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Omalley
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annie Lee
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Betsy Mordecai-Heyman
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cody Teets
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Bookhardt
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Davis
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Dunn
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jodi Rogers
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Mullaney
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (43)
- Former: Danielle Shoots (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Lauren Y. Casteel (2020–2024) — President & Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Renee Ferrufino (2020–2024) — Vice President of Development
- Former: Raynard Gray (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Raymond Foxworth (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Gerri Gomez-Howard (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jennifer Kilpatrick- Chief (2024) — Financial Officer
- Former: John Dobey- Chief (2024) — Financial Officer
- Former: Adrienne Mansanares (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Debbie Chandler (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Gracie Gallego (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jennifer Cottrell (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: John Dobey (2020–2023) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Joyce Vigil (2020–2023) — Past Chair
- Former: Sue Sharkey (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Elizabeth Wylie (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Julie Groves (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Gerri Gomez Howard (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Sonya Marques-Correia (2022–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Tania Ziegler (2022–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Brook Kramer (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Christina Ortiz (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Johanna Leyba (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Pat Kendall (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jamey Seely (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Reuter (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Ken Gart (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kim Tobin (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Katherine Kellen (2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Sue Wagner (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jennifer Colosimo (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Kami Guildner (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Katie Kellen (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Kelley Duke (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Kendra Oyen (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Kim Desmond (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Stephanie Bruno (2020–2021) — Past Chair
- Former: Cathie Bennett (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Eunice Kim (2020) — Board Member
- Former: John Ikard (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Lisa Pease (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Michelle Blessing (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Nancy Hartley (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $280K, to Lauren Casteel - President (Chief Executive (Thru Jan '25)). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc
How much does The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc give each year?
The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc gave $2.6M across 93 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.6M across 109 grants.
What is The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc's typical grant size?
The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $28,137, across 93 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc that year got $21K on average.
Where does The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc give grants?
The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc gives mostly in Colorado: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (42 grants), Aurora, CO (7 grants), Ft Collins, CO (4 grants) and Boulder, CO (3 grants).
Does The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 93 grants with a stated purpose on The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Investments & Grants" (40 grants), "Donor-Driven Grantmaking" (39 grants) and "Advocacy" (12 grants).
Who are The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc's largest grantees?
The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Project Worthmore ($100,000), Thunderheart Media ($100,000) and Redline Contemporary Art Center ($84,760), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc?
The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc reported $36.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.1M.
What does The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc fund?
The organization states its mission as “catalyzing community to advance and accelerate economic opportunities for Colorado women and their families.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc?
Organizations can apply directly to WINcome and the Women & Girls of Color Fund when application opportunities are available. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc's EIN?
The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1039305. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 27, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-women-s-foundation-of-colorado-inc-morg_dc71adce45554930b98e9edf65d71e6a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_841039305_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-women-s-foundation-of-colorado-inc-morg_dc71adce45554930b98e9edf65d71e6a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc'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 Women's Foundation of Colorado Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?