Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund
The Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund was a private foundation based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Its 2021 filing was marked as a final return, so the fund appears to have wound down and stopped grantmaking. The filing states that it made its final distributions by December 31, 2021, and that no residual assets remained.
Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund at a glance
In short: Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund gave $219K across 11 grants in 2021 (avg $20K), top state Colorado. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $219,000
- +6157.1% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 11
- +1000.0% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $19,909
- +468.8% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $12,000
- Primary geography
- Colorado (38% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The fund does not accept unsolicited requests; it states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations. The fund’s 2021 filing was marked as final, and it reported that final distributions were made by December 31, 2021.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 771195, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
Phone: (970) 846-3509
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Earth Justice ($75K). Together the top 10 received $217K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 12 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The fund’s 2021 grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado (38%), California (34%), and Virginia (27%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund gives
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2020) to $219K (2021). In 2021 it made 11 grants totaling $219K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Justice Oakland, CA | Support of Music Programming | $75,000 |
| Trout Unlimited Arlington, VA | Conservation | $45,000 |
| Steamboat Art Museum Steamboat Springs, CO | Support of Art Center | $20,000 |
| Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | Land Preservation | $15,000 |
| Opera Steamboat Steamboat Springs, CO | Support of Music Programming | $15,000 |
| Kunc Greeley, CO | Support Public Broadcasting | $12,000 |
| Colorado Cattleman's Land Trust Steamboat Springs, CO | Land Conservation | $10,000 |
| Steamboat Springs Orchestra Steamboat Springs, CO | Support Music Programming | $10,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Youth Corps Steamboat Springs, CO | Educational Programs | $10,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club Steamboat Springs, CO | Youth Support | $5,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $7,097 | $225,172 | $219,000 | 11 | $219,000 | $7,097 | $10,039 |
| 2020 | $218,075 | $2,259 | $3,647 | $3,500 | 1 | — | $2,259 | $10,697 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund reported a distributable amount of $10K for 2021 — 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 fund is provided. Its 2021 grants included support for arts and music programming, conservation and land preservation, public broadcasting, educational programs, youth support, and assistance for people in need.
The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate some of the work supported. Steamboat Art Museum says its mission is to promote and present visual arts in Northwest Colorado, reflecting and enhancing the region’s culture and heritage. Opera Steamboat describes its mission as enriching community well-being through innovative, educational, and collaborative musical arts programs. Rocky Mountain Youth Corps says it engages young people in outdoor experiences and teaches responsibility through teamwork, service, and experiential education. Lift Up of Routt County describes itself as providing resources to meet basic human needs while strengthening self-sufficiency.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the fund gave 11 grants totaling $219,000. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $75,000, with a median grant of $12,000. Among the largest grants were $75,000 to Earth Justice, $45,000 to Trout Unlimited, $20,000 to Steamboat Art Museum, $15,000 to Nature Conservancy, and $15,000 to Opera Steamboat. The filing listed the purposes of the grants to Earth Justice and Opera Steamboat as support of music programming; Trout Unlimited’s grant was for conservation, and Nature Conservancy’s was for land preservation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing listed Dennis Swanson and Joyleen Swanson as trustees.
Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund's 2021 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Dennis Swanson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joyleen Swanson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund
How much does Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund give each year?
Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund gave $219K across 11 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $4K across 1 grant.
What is Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund's typical grant size?
Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund's median grant in 2021 was $12,000, and its average grant was $19,909, across 11 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund give grants?
Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund's top state is Colorado, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (34%) and Virginia (27%). The most frequent recipient cities were Steamboat Springs, CO (7 grants) and Arlington, VA (2 grants).
Does Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund's largest grantees?
Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund's largest 2021 grantees include Earth Justice ($75,000), Trout Unlimited ($45,000) and Steamboat Art Museum ($20,000), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 64% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What does Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund fund?
No mission statement for the fund is provided. Its 2021 grants included support for arts and music programming, conservation and land preservation, public broadcasting, educational programs, youth support, and assistance for people in need. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund?
The fund does not accept unsolicited requests; it states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund reported a distributable amount of $10K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund's EIN?
Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-7532621. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund 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-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 2020–2021
Live grants for the work Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund funds
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Wayne Swanson Charitable Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?