GATES FAMILY FOUNDATION
Annual Giving
$37.3M-9% YoY
Grants
360
Median Grant
$25K
Organizations Funded
463
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The Gates Family Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for all people in Colorado through strategic philanthropy. The Foundation operates with four priority areas of Education, Natural Resources, Community Development and Informed Communities, with Foundation-wide priorities of addressing structural inequities and advancing climate solutions.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
2023 grants included $1.9M to 31 community development organizations, $1.6M in capital grants to 19 organizations, $1.75M in impact investments, $1.3M for land conservation in Southeast Colorado and San Luis Valley, $700K for mass timber industry advancement, and $533K in strategic grants to 13 organizations. Annual distribution exceeds $9M in grants plus $12M through family funds.
How to Apply
Capital grant applications reviewed twice yearly with September 1 and other deadlines. Initial contact with program officers encouraged. Must have 30% of project budget raised prior to consideration. Submit via email or mail.
Does Not Fund
Generally does not fund: general operating expenses unless initiated by foundation, loans/grants/scholarships to individuals, substantially completed projects, conferences/meetings/studies not initiated by foundation, more than one proposal per organization per year, other private foundations, debt retirement, vehicle purchases, office/computer equipment unless part of capital campaign, animal services, P-12 private schools, higher education facilities.
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$37.3M
Grants
360
Median
$25K
States
23
$41.1M
Grants
372
Median
$25K
States
23
$40.9M
Grants
357
Median
$25K
States
23
Grant Size Distribution
$25K
Typical Grant (Median)
$2K
Smallest
$14K
25th Pctile
$45K
75th Pctile
$20.0M
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $14K and $45K.
Largest Recent Grants
$20.0M
2024
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION
CO · PROJECT SUPPORT
$2.1M
2024
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
CO · PROJECT SUPPORT
$935K
2024
WILLIAM J PALMER PARKS FOUNDATION I
CO · LAND PURCHASE
$750K
2024
NORTH PARK FIRE RESCUE AUTHORITY
CO · PROJECT SUPPORT
$575K
2024
LYRA
CO · PROJECT SUPPORT
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.