The Bucksbaum family gives relatively large, targeted gifts to a small set of institutions spanning higher education, civic leadership, cultural museums, and regional youth sports. Grants are concentrated in a few repeat recipients (notably University of Denver and the Barack Obama Foundation) and include both national civic/cultural institutions and place-based recreational causes in Colorado. The foundation appears to favor institutional, program-level support rather than many small community grants.
John & Jacolyn Bucksbaum Family Found C/o Mb Investments LLC makes some of its largest recent gifts to the University of Denver, including $850,000 in 2023 and $825,000 in 2024. That scale, paired with repeat support for a small set of institutions, gives the foundation a clear institutional profile: it channels substantial money to established charities rather than spreading small grants broadly. Its recent grants also show continued commitments to the Barack Obama Foundation, The Field Museum, and Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club, alongside support for museums, civic organizations, arts institutions, and youth sports programs. The foundation’s giving is shaped by donor-intent restricted contributions, with grant language indicating that funds were made for the intent established by the receiving charities. The pattern points to program-level support for higher education, presidential legacy and civic work, cultural institutions, and regional recreation. Chicago appears frequently in the recipient list, but the foundation’s grantmaking is national and reaches institutions in Colorado, Maryland, New York, South Carolina, and Washington, DC. Across the recent grants, the Bucksbaum family’s approach is visible in repeated awards to the same organizations over multiple years and in a mix of large anchor grants and smaller targeted gifts.
In higher education, the foundation gave $850,000 in 2023 and $825,000 in 2024 to the University of Denver, making college and university support the clearest single thread in the recent record. Civic leadership and presidential legacy work also appears prominently: The Barack Obama Foundation received $250,000 in both 2023 and 2024. Cultural philanthropy is another recurring theme, with The Field Museum receiving $118,333 in 2023 and $86,334 in 2024. The family’s interests also extend to youth sports and recreation. Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club received $115,000 in 2023 and $105,000 in 2024, while related sports grants went to Podium Society, USA Cycling Foundation, Usopf, and Pedalgogy. Separate grants to The Focus Foundation Inc show targeted medical or research-oriented support, including $400,000 in 2023 and $50,000 in 2024.
$2.5M
$32.3M
$31.3M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Concentrated, high-dollar gifts to a small number of repeat and high-profile institutions (mix of multi-grant relationships and sizable one-off gifts), with an emphasis on institutional support over broad, dispersed small grants.
Notable grantees: University of Denver, The Barack Obama Foundation, The Field Museum, Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Typical grants are modest relative to the largest awards: p25 is $1,000, median is $2,500, and p75 is $5,000. The distribution is heavily tilted by a few large institutional gifts, but many smaller awards sit well below the median. Recipients also reappear across years, including multiple repeat grants to the same organizations in 2023 and 2024, which suggests ongoing support rather than isolated one-off gifts. The foundation is classified as a Regular Funder, with no individual giving and no program-related investments reported. The grant language indicates contributions were made for the intent established by the recipient charities, pointing to restricted, donor-directed charitable distributions rather than open applications.
Giving is national, and every grant in the recipient distribution goes to US organizations. The top state by recipient count is DC, while 45% of grants go to recipients in Illinois, the headquarters state. Recent recipient cities include Denver, Chicago, Aspen, Washington, DC, New York, and Colorado Springs. Colorado shows up often through Denver, Aspen, Snowmass Village, and Colorado Springs, while Washington, DC appears through several civic and cultural institutions.
The recent record centers on higher education, civic leadership, museums and cultural institutions, youth sports and recreation, and targeted health or medical philanthropy. Examples across the data include university support in Denver, civic/legacy work in Chicago, museum grants in Chicago and Washington, DC, and sports-related giving in Aspen and Colorado Springs.
The typical grant size is small compared with the largest awards: p25 is $1,000, median is $2,500, and p75 is $5,000. The distribution is skewed by a handful of much larger institutional gifts, including several six- and seven-figure grants.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including the University of Denver, The Barack Obama Foundation, The Field Museum, Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club, The Focus Foundation Inc, and The Chicago International Film Festival. That pattern points to recurring support rather than one-time grants only.
The grantmaking is national, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely US-based. Illinois is the main recipient state by share of grants at 45%, while DC is the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities include Chicago, Denver, Aspen, Washington, DC, New York, and Colorado Springs.
The grant descriptions repeatedly say contributions were made for the intent established by the various charities. Combined with the Regular Funder classification and the absence of individual giving or program-related investments, that points to restricted charitable distributions to established nonprofits.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEMPLE SHOLOM OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $515,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| PODIUM SOCIETY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASPEN VALLEY SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB | ASPEN, CO | $166,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| USA CYCLING FOUNDATION | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| MUSEUM OF LANGUAGE ARTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| CINEMA CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $55,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| CIVIC COUNSULTING ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| THE PERFORMANCE ZONE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $40,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| THE FIELD MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| MOADON KOL CHADASH | CHICAGO, IL | $28,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| PEOPLEFORBIKES FOUNDATION | BOULDER, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF DENVER | DENVER, CO | $22,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| US SKI & SNOWBOARD TEAM FOUNDATION | ISHPEMING, MI | $21,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| WORLD CUP DREAMS FOUNDATION | KEENE, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | ASPEN, CO | $20,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| NORDIC COMBINED USA | STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO | $20,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $17,500 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| INDEPENDENCE PASS FOUNDATION | ASPEN, CO | $16,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| BULAMU HEALTHCARE | PALO ALTO, CA | $16,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASPEN ALPINE CLUB INC | ASPEN, CO | $15,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| A THOUSAND SUMMERS (JACF) | DENVER, CO | $13,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| THE RESURRECTION PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $12,500 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| NAVY PIER | CHICAGO, IL | $12,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| US SKI & SNOWBOARD HALL OF FAME | ISHPEMING, MI | $11,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASPEN PUBLIC RADO | ASPEN, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| JCC CHICAGO CAMP CHI | NORTHBROOK, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| RED BRIDGE EDUCATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASPEN HALL OF FAME | ASPEN, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| MUSO | PASADENA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| JCC ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| CHRIS KLUG FOUNDATION | ASPEN, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ROARING FORK OUTDOOR VOLUNTEERS | CARBONDALE, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER | SNOWMASS VILLAGE, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL & SCHOOL | ASPEN, CO | $9,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| WTTW CHANNEL 11 | CHICAGO, IL | $7,500 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| HIGH JUMP | CHICAGO, IL | $7,500 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASPEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ASPEN, CO | $6,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| THE ARTS CAMPUS AT WILLITS (TACAW) | BASALT, CO | $5,200 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ACTORS TRAINING CENTER | WILMETTE, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| THE CIVIC FEDERATION | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| COLLEGE POSSIBLE | SAINT PAUL, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
TEMPLE SHOLOM OF CHICAGO
$515,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
PODIUM SOCIETY
$250,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
CINEMA CHICAGO
$55,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
MOADON KOL CHADASH
$28,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
US SKI & SNOWBOARD TEAM FOUNDATION
$21,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
WORLD CUP DREAMS FOUNDATION
$20,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
NORDIC COMBINED USA
$20,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
INDEPENDENCE PASS FOUNDATION
$16,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
BULAMU HEALTHCARE
$16,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ASPEN ALPINE CLUB INC
$15,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
A THOUSAND SUMMERS (JACF)
$13,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
US SKI & SNOWBOARD HALL OF FAME
$11,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ASPEN PUBLIC RADO
$10,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
JCC CHICAGO CAMP CHI
$10,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ASPEN HALL OF FAME
$10,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
MUSO
$10,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
JCC ROCHESTER
$10,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
CHRIS KLUG FOUNDATION
$10,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL & SCHOOL
$9,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
WTTW CHANNEL 11
$7,500ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ACTORS TRAINING CENTER
$5,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH
$5,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES