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    Pema Chodron Foundation

    ActiveReligion-Related
    Steamboat Springs, COWebsite9704840945

    About Pema Chodron Foundation

    Dedicated to preserving and sharing Pema Chödrön’s teachings and inspiration, supporting Buddhist monastic communities, the training of Himalayan nuns, and community service initiatives that promote wisdom, compassion and healing.

    Focus Areas

    Buddhist/monastic educationwomen's education and empowerment (Himalayan nuns)prison outreach and rehabilitationcommunity service for at-risk populationseducation (schools, scholarships)environmental resilience in the Himalayas

    Who They Fund

    Buddhist nuns and monasticsyoung adult retreat participantsimpoverished children and orphans (Kenya, Nepal)incarcerated individuals/prisonerswomen ex-prisoners

    About Pema Chodron Foundation

    Pema Chodron Foundation’s giving is anchored by support for Buddhist monastic communities and Himalayan nuns, alongside community service work for at-risk populations. One large recent grant went to Drala Mountain Center in Red Feather, Colorado: $500,000 in 2023 for rebuilding after wildfire and COVID, followed by additional support in 2025 for operational needs and young adult retreats. That pattern shows a funder willing to pair recovery capital with ongoing program support. The foundation also gave $200,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025 to Mangala Shri Bhuti in Boulder for church support, indicating repeated support for the same religious institution across multiple years. Its portfolio includes monastic facilities, retreat centers, archives, sacred art, school and scholarship support, and prison rehabilitation. Recent grants also reached nuns’ training organizations, school programs in Kenya, and reentry-focused nonprofits. The result is a grantmaker that combines religious education, community service, and preservation of Buddhist teachings into a consistent pattern of direct project support.

    What Pema Chodron Foundation Funds

    In monastic education and retreat work, the foundation gave $100,000 in 2024 to Nagi Gompa Shedrub Developmt in Northampton, Massachusetts, for a retreat facility for nuns. In the same area, it funded Sravasti Abbey in Newport, Washington with $50,000 in 2025 for monastic support, and Dorje Khyung Dzong RetreatCtr in Gardner, Colorado received $30,000 in 2024 for retreat facility fire mitigation. For Himalayan nuns, the foundation has supported Tsoknyi Nuns in Crestone, Colorado with $110,000 in 2025 for support and education, plus another $50,000 in 2024 for the same purpose. In community service, Home Boy Industries in Los Angeles received $50,000 in 2025 for retraining for problem youth, while Malezi School in Tivoli, New York received $54,100 in 2024 for support for a Kenyan school.

    How Pema Chodron Foundation Gives

    The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $36,988 at the 75th percentile, though several grants are much larger. The recent record shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including Mangala Shri Bhuti, Drala Mountain Center, Malezi School, Tibetan Nuns Project, and Naropa University’s CT Legacy Foundation. Pema Chodron Foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Unsolicited applications are accepted for the book initiative, while the other listed programs are marked as not accepting unsolicited requests.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $1.1M

    Total Assets

    $6.3M

    Total Revenue

    $1.1M

    Total Expenses

    $1.9M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $10K and $37K, with a median of $20K.

    25th Percentile

    $10K

    Median

    $20K

    75th Percentile

    $37K

    Geographic Reach

    Regional9 states funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    Timothy Olmsted

    Accepts unsolicited proposals

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    EIN (Tax ID): 20-5958865Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $6.3M3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    religious institutions (churches, monasteries, retreat facilities)

    Funding Style

    direct service/supportinfrastructure & capital grantsdisaster recovery & resilienceeducation & training supportcultural heritage & archive preservation

    Topics

    monastic support and nuns' educationretreat centers and young adult retreatsreconstruction after wildfires and earthquakessupport for schools in Kenya and Nepal (including orphans)prison rehabilitation (meditation programs, books) and reintegration for women ex-prisonerspreservation of Buddhist sacred art and archivescommunity engagement and leadership development

    Where Pema Chodron Foundation Makes Grants

    Grants are national in scope, but Colorado receives the largest share by count, at 42% of grants in the HQ state. Recent Colorado recipients include Red Feather, Boulder, Crestone, and Gardner. Outside Colorado, grants reached Los Angeles, Newport, Northampton, Seattle, Provo, Tivoli, and Acton. The recipient-country distribution in the data is entirely U.S.-based, with 57 grants in the United States.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Pema Chodron Foundation

    What does Pema Chodron Foundation fund most often?

    The foundation’s grantmaking centers on Buddhist and monastic education, training of Himalayan nuns, and community service for at-risk populations. Recent grants also include retreat facilities, archival preservation, school support, prison-related rehabilitation, and projects tied to wisdom and compassion.

    Does Pema Chodron Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

    Only the Pema Chödrön Foundation Book Initiative is marked as accepting unsolicited requests. The other listed programs are marked as not accepting unsolicited applications.

    Who are some of the foundation’s recent grantees?

    Recent grantees include Drala Mountain Center in Red Feather, Colorado; Mangala Shri Bhuti in Boulder, Colorado; Tsoknyi Nuns in Crestone, Colorado; Home Boy Industries in Los Angeles; and Malezi School in Tivoli, New York.

    Is the foundation’s giving concentrated in one state?

    Yes. Colorado is the top state by grant count, with 42% of grants in the HQ state. The foundation’s giving is national overall, but many recent grants went to Colorado recipients such as Red Feather, Boulder, Crestone, and Gardner.

    Does the foundation give recurring support to the same organizations?

    Yes. The recent grants list shows multiple years of support to several organizations, including Mangala Shri Bhuti in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Drala Mountain Center in 2023 and 2025; Malezi School in 2023 and 2024; and Tibetan Nuns Project in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Pema Chodron Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Books and CDs free of charge

    Pema Chödrön Foundation Book Initiative

    Buddhist teachingspersonal growthsupport for underserved populations+1 more

    Who can apply: Open to organizations; the form asks whether the applicant is a nonprofit and whether materials are approved to be received if the applicant is not the department head. Intended for groups serving people who cannot afford Pema Chödrön materials.

    Deadline: Accepting requests from organizations; no deadline stated.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    Drala Mountain CenterRed Feather, CO$300,0002025Operational support for retreat ctr
    Mangala Shri BhutiBoulder, CO$200,0002025Support for church
    Tsoknyi NunsCrestone, CO$110,0002025Support nuns & their education
    Drala Mountain CenterRed Feather, CO$75,3922025Young Adult Retreats
    Home Boy IndustriesLos Angeles, CA$50,0002025Retraining for problem youth
    Sravasti AbbeyNewport, WA$50,0002025Monastic support
    Konchok FoundationBoulder, CO$49,6292025Monastic support
    Malezi SchoolTivoli, NY$36,1002025Support Kenyan school
    Naropa Univ - CT Legacy FdnBoulder, CO$25,0002025Support archive - Trungpa Rinpoche
    Tibetan Nuns ProjectSeattle, WA$20,0002025Support of nuns in retreat
    Tergar InstituteBrattleboro, VT$20,0002025Scholarships for Buddhist study
    Berkana InstituteProvo, UT$20,0002025Community engagement & leadership
    Marpa Foundation EndowmentOtego, NY$15,6862025Monastic support
    Dorje Khyung Dzong RetreatCtrGardner, CO$15,0002025Retreat facility fire mitigation
    Himalayan Childrens FundBeverly Hills, CA$12,6242025Earthquake reconstruction
    Jhamtse Gatsal InternationalActon, MA$10,0002025Support impoverished children
    Profound Treasury Dharma FdnWest Bath, ME$10,0002025Buddhist Education
    LEAP for LadiesMiami, FL$10,0002025Assist women ex-prisoners
    House with HeartNew York, NY$10,0002025Support abandoned children
    Prison Mindfulness InstituteSouth Deerfield, MA$10,0002025Meditation in prisons
    Treasure Caretakers TrainingBoulder, CO$10,0002025Preserve Buddhist sacred art
    Mangala Shri BhutiBoulder, CO$200,0002024Support for church
    Nagi Gompa Shedrub DevelopmtNorthampton, MA$100,0002024Retreat facility for nuns
    Malezi SchoolTivoli, NY$54,1002024Support Kenyan school
    Konchok FoundationBoulder, CO$50,0002024Monastery construction
    Home Boy IndustriesLos Angeles, CA$50,0002024Retraining for problem youth
    Tsoknyi NunsCrestone, CO$50,0002024Support nuns & their education
    Drala Mountain CenterRed Feather, CO$30,3922024Young Adult Retreats
    Dorje Khyung Dzong RetreatCtrGardner, CO$30,0002024Retreat facility fire mitigation
    Drala Mountain CenterRed Feather, CO$25,0002024Rebuild from wildfire
    Naropa Univ - CT Legacy FdnBoulder, CO$25,0002024Support archive - Trungpa Rinpoche
    Tibetan Nuns ProjectSeattle, WA$20,0002024Support of nuns in retreat
    Pema CholingCrestone, CO$12,0002024Support nuns household in Colo
    House with HeartNew York, NY$10,0002024Support abandoned children
    LEAP for LadiesMiami, FL$10,0002024Assist women ex-prisoners
    Treasure Caretakers TrainingBoulder, CO$10,0002024Preserve Buddhist sacred art
    Prison Mindfulness InstituteSouth Deerfield, MA$10,0002024Provide books to prisoners
    Jhamtse Gatsal InternationalActon, MA$10,0002024Support impoverished children
    Manjushree School LTP FdnHewlett, NY$7,5002024Support school for orphans in Nepal
    Marpa FoundationOtego, NY$7,2002024Monastic support
    Himalayan Childrens FundBeverly Hills, CA$7,0002024Earthquake reconstruction
    Drala Mountain CenterRed Feather, CO$500,0002023Rebuild from wildfire & COVID
    Mangala Shri BhutiBoulder, CO$200,0002023Support for church
    Home Boy IndustriesLos Angeles, CA$50,0002023Retraining for problem youth
    Malezi SchoolTivoli, NY$32,6502023Support Kenyan school
    Naropa Univ - CT Legacy FdnBoulder, CO$30,0002023Support archive - Trungpa Rinpoche
    Treasure Caretakers TrainingBoulder, CO$25,0002023Preserve Buddhist sacred art
    Jhamtse Gatsal InternationalActon, MA$20,0002023Support impoverished children
    Tibetan Nuns ProjectSeattle, WA$20,0002023Support of nuns in retreat
    Drala Mountain CenterRed Feather, CO$15,0002023Young Adult Retreats

    Drala Mountain Center

    $300,000
    Red Feather, CO2025

    Operational support for retreat ctr

    Mangala Shri Bhuti

    $200,000
    Boulder, CO2025

    Support for church

    Tsoknyi Nuns

    $110,000
    Crestone, CO2025

    Support nuns & their education

    Drala Mountain Center

    $75,392
    Red Feather, CO2025

    Young Adult Retreats

    Home Boy Industries

    $50,000
    Los Angeles, CA2025

    Retraining for problem youth

    Sravasti Abbey

    $50,000
    Newport, WA2025

    Monastic support

    Konchok Foundation

    $49,629
    Boulder, CO2025

    Monastic support

    Malezi School

    $36,100
    Tivoli, NY2025

    Support Kenyan school

    Naropa Univ - CT Legacy Fdn

    $25,000
    Boulder, CO2025

    Support archive - Trungpa Rinpoche

    Tibetan Nuns Project

    $20,000
    Seattle, WA2025

    Support of nuns in retreat

    Tergar Institute

    $20,000
    Brattleboro, VT2025

    Scholarships for Buddhist study

    Berkana Institute

    $20,000
    Provo, UT2025

    Community engagement & leadership

    Marpa Foundation Endowment

    $15,686
    Otego, NY2025

    Monastic support

    Dorje Khyung Dzong RetreatCtr

    $15,000
    Gardner, CO2025

    Retreat facility fire mitigation

    Himalayan Childrens Fund

    $12,624
    Beverly Hills, CA2025

    Earthquake reconstruction

    Jhamtse Gatsal International

    $10,000
    Acton, MA2025

    Support impoverished children

    Profound Treasury Dharma Fdn

    $10,000
    West Bath, ME2025

    Buddhist Education

    LEAP for Ladies

    $10,000
    Miami, FL2025

    Assist women ex-prisoners

    House with Heart

    $10,000
    New York, NY2025

    Support abandoned children

    Prison Mindfulness Institute

    $10,000
    South Deerfield, MA2025

    Meditation in prisons

    Treasure Caretakers Training

    $10,000
    Boulder, CO2025

    Preserve Buddhist sacred art

    Mangala Shri Bhuti

    $200,000
    Boulder, CO2024

    Support for church

    Nagi Gompa Shedrub Developmt

    $100,000
    Northampton, MA2024

    Retreat facility for nuns

    Malezi School

    $54,100
    Tivoli, NY2024

    Support Kenyan school

    Konchok Foundation

    $50,000
    Boulder, CO2024

    Monastery construction

    Home Boy Industries

    $50,000
    Los Angeles, CA2024

    Retraining for problem youth

    Tsoknyi Nuns

    $50,000
    Crestone, CO2024

    Support nuns & their education

    Drala Mountain Center

    $30,392
    Red Feather, CO2024

    Young Adult Retreats

    Dorje Khyung Dzong RetreatCtr

    $30,000
    Gardner, CO2024

    Retreat facility fire mitigation

    Drala Mountain Center

    $25,000
    Red Feather, CO2024

    Rebuild from wildfire

    Naropa Univ - CT Legacy Fdn

    $25,000
    Boulder, CO2024

    Support archive - Trungpa Rinpoche

    Tibetan Nuns Project

    $20,000
    Seattle, WA2024

    Support of nuns in retreat

    Pema Choling

    $12,000
    Crestone, CO2024

    Support nuns household in Colo

    House with Heart

    $10,000
    New York, NY2024

    Support abandoned children

    LEAP for Ladies

    $10,000
    Miami, FL2024

    Assist women ex-prisoners

    Treasure Caretakers Training

    $10,000
    Boulder, CO2024

    Preserve Buddhist sacred art

    Prison Mindfulness Institute

    $10,000
    South Deerfield, MA2024

    Provide books to prisoners

    Jhamtse Gatsal International

    $10,000
    Acton, MA2024

    Support impoverished children

    Manjushree School LTP Fdn

    $7,500
    Hewlett, NY2024

    Support school for orphans in Nepal

    Marpa Foundation

    $7,200
    Otego, NY2024

    Monastic support

    Himalayan Childrens Fund

    $7,000
    Beverly Hills, CA2024

    Earthquake reconstruction

    Drala Mountain Center

    $500,000
    Red Feather, CO2023

    Rebuild from wildfire & COVID

    Mangala Shri Bhuti

    $200,000
    Boulder, CO2023

    Support for church

    Home Boy Industries

    $50,000
    Los Angeles, CA2023

    Retraining for problem youth

    Malezi School

    $32,650
    Tivoli, NY2023

    Support Kenyan school

    Naropa Univ - CT Legacy Fdn

    $30,000
    Boulder, CO2023

    Support archive - Trungpa Rinpoche

    Treasure Caretakers Training

    $25,000
    Boulder, CO2023

    Preserve Buddhist sacred art

    Jhamtse Gatsal International

    $20,000
    Acton, MA2023

    Support impoverished children

    Tibetan Nuns Project

    $20,000
    Seattle, WA2023

    Support of nuns in retreat

    Drala Mountain Center

    $15,000
    Red Feather, CO2023

    Young Adult Retreats