Fulcrum Foundation funds a mix of local Denver social services and high-impact national/international organizations, prioritizing operating support across food security, homelessness and child welfare, plus environmental and global humanitarian causes. Grants are typically unrestricted program or operating support and span Denver-area nonprofits (food banks, shelters, child advocacy) and environmental/climate and rainforest conservation groups and relief organizations.
Fulcrum Foundation’s 2023 grantmaking shows a clear preference for operating support, with gifts reaching food banks, homelessness services, child advocacy groups, and environmental and humanitarian organizations. The largest recent grants were $150,000 each to Feeding America and Food Bank of the Rockies, both designated to fund operating budgets, which reflects the foundation’s focus on organizational capacity rather than project-only awards. Colorado organizations appear often in the recent grants list, but the portfolio is not limited to Denver-area institutions. Alongside local recipients such as Logan School for Creative Learning, Denver Children’s Advocacy Center, and Safehouse Denver, the foundation also backed national and international groups working on climate, conservation, and relief. Recent support included Climate Emergency Fund, Rainforest Foundation US, Clean Air Task Force, Save the Children, and Doctors Without Borders, all funded for operating budgets. The pattern across the year suggests a funder that uses flexible grants to support core functions in organizations serving basic needs, public-interest advocacy, and global humanitarian work. The grant list also includes public education, housing, and conservation groups, showing a broad but coherent set of priorities centered on infrastructure for mission-driven nonprofits.
Food security is a major theme in Fulcrum Foundation’s recent grantmaking. It gave $150,000 to Feeding America and $150,000 to Food Bank of the Rockies, both for operating budgets, and also supported Mile High United Way at $50,000 for the same purpose. Housing and homelessness services are another repeated emphasis. The foundation awarded $50,000 to Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, $30,000 to The Gathering Place, and $30,000 to Delores Project, each as operating support. Child and family services also appear in the portfolio. Denver Children’s Advocacy Center received $75,000 for its operating budget, while Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains received $50,000 and Denver Public School Foundation received $50,000, both for operating budgets. Environmental and conservation giving extends from local advocacy to rainforest protection. The Trust for Public Land received $75,000, and organizations such as Rainforest Trust, Rainforest Foundation US, and Clean Air Task Force each received operating support.
$2.8M
$25.7M
$1.3M
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Moderate number of mid-size unrestricted grants (most between $30k–$150k) spread across ~25 recipients; mixes a few larger, regionally focused commitments (two $150k food-sector grants) with many single-year operating grants to both repeat-style sectoral priorities and diverse national/international causes.
Notable grantees: Feeding America, Food Bank of the Rockies, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Climate Emergency Fund, Denver Children's Advocacy Center
Typical grant sizes cluster around the middle of the portfolio: the 25th percentile is $15,000, the median is $25,000, and the 75th percentile is $50,000. The 2023 list shows several awards above that range, including $75,000 and $150,000 grants, but the overall pattern still centers on modest, flexible operating support. The foundation appears to fund recurring relationships rather than one-off experiments; several organizations in the recent list align with the same issue areas described in its broader giving profile. It is a regular funder, not a DAF or program-related-investment vehicle. The grant language is consistent: the awards are directed to recipients’ operating budgets, which points to unrestricted or core support rather than tightly scoped project funding.
Grants are concentrated in the United States, with the recipient country distribution showing 60 grants and 100.0% in the US. Colorado is the top state by grant count, and 52% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state of Colorado. Within the recent grants list, Denver appears frequently: Food Bank of the Rockies, Logan School for Creative Learning, Denver Children’s Advocacy Center, Safehouse Denver, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Mile High United Way, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Denver Public School Foundation, and The Gathering Place all received support from the foundation. Outside Colorado, recipient cities include Chicago, Beverly Hills, Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Washington, and Fairfield.
Its recent grants are described almost entirely as support for recipients’ operating budgets. That pattern appears across food security, homelessness, education, environmental advocacy, and humanitarian organizations, indicating a preference for flexible core support rather than restricted project funding.
The grant-size distribution centers on $25,000, with a 25th percentile of $15,000 and a 75th percentile of $50,000. The recent list also includes larger awards such as $75,000 and $150,000, but the middle of the portfolio sits in that narrower range.
Colorado is the top state by grant count, and 52% of grants go to recipients in Colorado. Recent Colorado recipients include organizations in Denver such as Food Bank of the Rockies, Logan School for Creative Learning, Denver Children’s Advocacy Center, and The Gathering Place.
The recent grants focus on food security, homelessness services, child and youth support, environmental and rainforest protection, and humanitarian relief. Named recipients in those areas include Feeding America, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Denver Children’s Advocacy Center, Rainforest Trust, and Doctors Without Borders.
The recipient country distribution shows 60 grants, or 100.0%, in the US. The recent grants list therefore points to US-based recipients rather than non-US organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES | DENVER, CO | $150,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| FEEDING AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| DENVER CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER | DENVER, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER | LOS ANGELES, LA | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| COMMON CAUSE | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| LAWYERS FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| FLORENCE IMMIGRATION & REFUGEE RIGHTS PROJECT | TUCSON, AZ | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| SAFEHOUSE DENVER | DENVER, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| REPORTS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| DEMOCRACY FORWARD | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | DENVER, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| COLORADO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| MILE HIGH UNITED WAY | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| RAINFOREST TRUST | WARRENTON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAM USA | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN | FAIRFIELD, CT | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| UNICEF | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| CLEAN AIR TASK FORCE | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| GIVEDIRECTLY | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| RAINFOREST FOUNDATION US | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| HELEN KELLER INTERNATIONAL | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND LEGAL SERVICES (RAICES) | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| COALITION FOR RAINFOREST NATIONS | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| THE GATHERING PLACE | DENVER, CO | $30,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| DELORES PROJECT | DENVER, CO | $30,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| AFRICAN COMMUNITY CENTER | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| WARREN VILLAGE | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| CU ANSCHUTZ FUND FOR EXCELLENCE | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| WILD EARTH GUARDIANS | SANTA FE, NM | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| CLIMATE EMERGENCY FUND | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| USA FOR UNHRC | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| FLORENCE CRITTENTON SERVICES | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| HIAS | SILVER SPRING, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| NO KID HUNGRY | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF COLORADO | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| MIDDLE EAST CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE | BERKELEY, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| INDIGENOUS WOMEN RISING | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | ALBERT LEA, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| JOHNS HOPKINS CENTER FOR INDIGENOUS HEALTH | NRE YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
| EVIDENCE ACTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET |
BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE
$75,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
COMMON CAUSE
$75,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
FLORENCE IMMIGRATION & REFUGEE RIGHTS PROJECT
$75,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
REPORTS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
$75,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
DEMOCRACY FORWARD
$75,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
COLORADO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
$50,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$50,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
SAVE THE CHILDREN
$50,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
MAYO CLINIC
$50,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION
$50,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
$50,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
HELEN KELLER INTERNATIONAL
$50,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
COALITION FOR RAINFOREST NATIONS
$50,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
AFRICAN COMMUNITY CENTER
$25,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
CU ANSCHUTZ FUND FOR EXCELLENCE
$25,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
USA FOR UNHRC
$25,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF COLORADO
$25,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
INDIGENOUS WOMEN RISING
$25,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
$25,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET
JOHNS HOPKINS CENTER FOR INDIGENOUS HEALTH
$25,000TO FUND THE RECIPIENT'S OPERATING BUDGET