Great cities need great art—and Opera Colorado has brought world-class opera to Denver and beyond since our founding in 1981. In addition to our mainstage performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House each season, we affirm our commitment to the future of the art form by exploring in-person and digital initiatives outside of the opera house; annually presenting new works; with our nationally recognized Artist in Residence Program that trains the next generation of opera performers; and by each year reaching more than 45,000 students and adults through our statewide education and community programs.
Opera Colorado Foundation’s latest filing shows a single 2024 grant of $246,253 to Opera Colorado for general operations, tying the foundation’s giving directly to the organization’s core opera work. That same recipient relationship is central to the funder’s identity: the foundation supports opera production, music and arts education, audience development, and community engagement through programs that reach Colorado audiences in and beyond Denver. Its active grant programs also point to a strong access-oriented model, with financial assistance tied to Opera on Tour for schools and community groups, plus support for an Artist in Residence Program that develops emerging operatic artists. The foundation’s work is local and entirely Colorado-based, with all recorded grants going to recipients in Colorado. The profile of support suggests a close relationship between the funder and the operating organization behind the performances, education initiatives, and touring activity described in its existing summary. This makes the foundation especially relevant to researchers tracking opera institutions that combine stage presentation with training, outreach, and community-facing programming.
A core theme is access to opera for Colorado schools and community groups. Opera Colorado Foundation runs financial assistance programs for Opera on Tour, including School Financial Assistance, Community Financial Assistance, and a combined Opera on Tour — Financial Assistance (School & Community) program, all focused on arts education, opera education, and access to cultural programming in Colorado. Another clear area is artist development. The Artist in Residence Program (Auditions) supports emerging operatic artists with performance opportunities on the mainstage, touring productions across Colorado, supporting and cover roles, and community engagement. These programs show a funder that backs both audience-facing education and the pipeline of performers who appear in the company’s productions.
The foundation’s recent grant size is uniform: p25, median, and p75 are all $246,253. The 2024 grant record shows one grant to one recipient, which indicates a concentrated pattern rather than a broad portfolio in the available data. The recipient appears in the recent grants list as Opera Colorado in Denver, and the foundation’s active programs are all tied to Opera Colorado’s own initiatives. It does not fund individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. The available records point to institutional support centered on the organization’s operating work and affiliated programs.
$569K
$7.2M
$547K
$689K
Most grants fall between $246K and $246K, with a median of $246K.
25th Percentile
$246K
Median
$246K
75th Percentile
$246K
MICHAEL BOCK
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Giving is fully concentrated in Colorado: 100% of recorded grants go to recipients in the HQ state, which is also the top state by grant count. The recent grant list names Denver, CO as the recipient location for Opera Colorado. The active programs are likewise Colorado-based, including Opera on Tour assistance for schools and community groups and the Artist in Residence Program in Colorado and Denver. No other recipient states or countries appear in the data.
Its active programs support Opera on Tour financial assistance for schools and community groups, plus the Artist in Residence Program. The listed focus areas include performing arts, opera, music, arts education, and community engagement, with beneficiary types including students, school-aged youth, and underserved or low-income audiences.
The typical grant size is $246,253, and the p25, median, and p75 are all the same amount. In the latest grant record, the foundation gave one $246,253 grant.
No. The foundation’s profile lists funds individuals as false, and its grant activity centers on organizational support and program-linked assistance.
Yes. The active Opera on Tour programs include School Financial Assistance, Community Financial Assistance, and a combined School & Community option, and each is marked as accepting unsolicited requests in Colorado.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Opera Colorado Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Available to groups booking Opera on Tour performances. Limited financial assistance may be available; details are provided through the application.
Deadline: Bookings are now open for fall 2026; early booking is encouraged. Receive $100 off when booked by December 31, 2026.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPERA COLORADO | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $569,338 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPERA COLORADO | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $314,328 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPERA COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $246,253 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |