Woodford Foundation
The Woodford Foundation for Limited Government is a private foundation located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, established in May 1995. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on promoting individual freedom, economic literacy, and limited government principles.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$57K
+97.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$368K
-2.0% YoY
Grant Count
58
-1.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
-0.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Woodford Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to preserve Religious, Political and Economic Freedom by promoting a gradual and significant reduction in the size and scope of both Federal and State governments.
Primary funding interests include:
- Promoting individual freedom and economic literacy
- Supporting organizations that advance free enterprise and responsible capitalism
- Community development
- Education initiatives aligned with limited government principles
- Scholarship programs and leadership development
The foundation is proactive in its grantmaking and will consider letters of inquiry, though it does not consider unsolicited grant requests.
Grantmaking
The foundation provides major ongoing financial support to the Center for the Study of Government and the Individual (CSGI) at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, with special focus on their Program for Preserving a Free and Prosperous Society.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations primarily in:
- Colorado (with particular emphasis on the Pikes Peak Region and El Paso County)
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- National organizations
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $28,705
- Total Revenues: $413,200
- Total Expenses: $399,490
- Total Liabilities: $0
Tax-Exempt Status: Granted May 1995 EIN: 84-6282092
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $56,681 | $28,705 | $14,995 |
| Revenue | $405,200 | $413,200 | $404,100 |
| Expenses | $377,224 | $399,490 | $438,411 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $376,124 | $398,490 | $437,411 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $1,571 | $1,526 | $1,511 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Colorado Foundation ($50,000), Institute for Justice ($25,000), State Policy Network ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACTON INSTITUTE GRAND RAPIDS, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| CAPITAL RESEARCH CENTER WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $750 |
| CATO INSTITUE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| FOUNDATION OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE GOLDEN, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE ARLINGTON, VA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| MERCATUS ARLIRLINGTON, VA | GENERAL PURPOSEGRADUATE STUDENTFELLOW PROGRAM | $2,500 |
| MOUNTAIN STATES LEGAL FOUNDATION LAKEWOOD, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| PERC PROPRTY AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH CENTER BOZEMAN, MT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by family members who comprise the Board of Directors. Joseph C. Woodford is identified as the major donor.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPH C WOODFORD | TRUSTEE | 10 | — |
| LINDA M WOODFORD | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DANIEL J WOODFORD | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| STEPHEN D WOODFORD | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOHN M WOODFORD | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| KRISTIN WOODFORD | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Woodford Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to preserve Religious, Political and Economic Freedom by promoting a gradual and significant reduction in the size and scope of both Federal and State governments. Primary funding interests include: • Promoting individual freedom and economic literacy • Supporting organizations that advance free enterprise and responsible capitalism • Community development • Education initiatives aligned with limited government principles • Scholarship programs and leadership develop…
How do I apply for a grant from Woodford Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 52 grants in the most recent reporting year • Typical grant awards range from $100 to $50,000 • Total giving: $375,550 (2023) **Recent Grantees Include:** • University of Colorado Foundation (Center for Study of Government and the Individual) - $50,000 • Judicial Watch - $25,000 • Conservative Partnership Institute The foundation provides major ongoing financial support to the Center for the Study of Government and the Individual (CSGI) at the University of Colorado-C…
Where does Woodford Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations primarily in: • Colorado (with particular emphasis on the Pikes Peak Region and El Paso County) • District of Columbia • Virginia • National organizations
What size grants does Woodford Foundation award?
In 2024, Woodford Foundation awarded 58 grants totaling $368K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Woodford Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Woodford Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Woodford Foundation's EIN?
Woodford Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-6282092. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Woodford Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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