PEMA Foundation’s giving is concentrated and place-based, with large gifts to Colorado faith-based and community institutions and targeted support for school choice and civic/public events. Major recurring recipients include a local Catholic philanthropy, K–12 scholarship provider(s), and the National Western Stock Show, while the foundation also directs substantial funding to a national public policy institute. The mix suggests priorities of religious support, education scholarships/school choice, and community/cultural institutions in Colorado, with occasional national policy giving.
Highly concentrated: a few very large grants account for most giving, repeated multi-grant support to select organizations (both local Colorado institutions and one national policy institute), favoring program and organizational support over many small gifts.
PEMA FOUNDATION INC is based in Denver, CO. It reported $12,055,693 in annual grants and $23,804,096 in total assets on its latest 990 filed for 2025. Its giving is concentrated in Colorado and centers on Catholic and other religious philanthropy, K–12 scholarship and school choice support, and community institutions and events. Recent grants show a pattern of large awards to a small set of repeat recipients. The largest grant listed is $4,250,000 to THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION (DENVER, CO) in 2025. Other major grants include $784,250 to ACE SCHOLARSHIPS (DENVER, CO) in 2023 and $532,600 to NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW (DALLAS, CO) in 2025. The foundation also gave $523,400 to NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW in 2024, $375,000 to AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE (WASHINGTON, DC) in 2023, and $372,000 to the same recipient in 2024. Additional recurring grants went to ST JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (DENVER, CO), ST JOHN PAUL THE GREAT CATHOLIC HS (DENVER, CO), ENDOW (GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO), and JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT (DENVER, CO).
Recent grantmaking spans religious philanthropy, education scholarships and school choice, and community/cultural events. Notable grants include $4,250,000 to THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION (DENVER, CO) for religious purposes, $784,250 to ACE SCHOLARSHIPS (DENVER, CO) for education, and $532,600 to NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW (DALLAS, CO) for community purposes. Other grants show support for conservative public policy and think-tank activity, including $375,000 to AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE (WASHINGTON, DC) and $68,000 to MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER (HERNDON, VA). The record also includes grants to ST JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, ARCHBISHOP'S CATHOLIC APPEAL, and NATIONAL CATHOLIC BIOETHICS CENTER.
PEMA FOUNDATION INC gives in a fairly concentrated way, with repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years. Typical grant size is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants range from $50,000 to $4,250,000 among the listed top awards. The foundation does not fund individuals and is classified as a regular funder. The grant list indicates project- and program-oriented support to religious institutions, schools, and community organizations.
$6.5M
$23.8M
$4.2M
$6.8M
Most grants fall between $3K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: The Catholic Foundation, ACE Scholarships, National Western Stock Show, American Enterprise Institute
PEMA FOUNDATION INC gives primarily in Colorado, where 62% of its grants go to recipients in the HQ state and where it gives most often by grant count. Recent Colorado recipients include THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION, ACE SCHOLARSHIPS, NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW, ENDOW, JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT, FOCUS, FAMILY FOR FAMILIES, and ST JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. Outside Colorado, the recent grant list includes grantees in Washington, DC; New Hampshire; Virginia; Michigan; and Pennsylvania. All recorded recipient-country grants are in the US.
The data provided does not state whether PEMA FOUNDATION INC accepts unsolicited applications. The grant record shows direct support to a defined set of recipients, including repeat awards to the same organizations.
PEMA FOUNDATION INC typically funds Catholic and other religious philanthropy, K–12 scholarship and school choice programs, community and cultural institutions, and some public policy organizations. Recent grants include THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION, ACE SCHOLARSHIPS, NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW, and AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE.
Typical grant size is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent listed grants include larger awards such as $4,250,000 to THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION and $784,250 to ACE SCHOLARSHIPS.
PEMA FOUNDATION INC gives most often in Colorado. Sixty-two percent of its grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the recent grant list also includes recipients in Washington, DC; New Hampshire; Virginia; Michigan; and Pennsylvania.
Recent grantees include THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION, ACE SCHOLARSHIPS, NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW, AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE, ST JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, ENDOW, JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT, FOCUS, and NATIONAL CATHOLIC BIOETHICS CENTER.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $4,250,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW | DALLAS, CO | $532,600 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $256,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| ST JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | DENVER, CO | $250,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| SOPHIA INSTITUTE | MANCHESTER, NH | $150,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| ACE SCHOLARSHIPS | DENVER, CO | $124,250 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED | EVERGREEN, CO | $120,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT | DENVER, CO | $112,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| ENDOW | GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | $100,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER | HERNDON, VA | $68,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| ARCHBISHOP'S CATHOLIC APPEAL | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| NATIONAL CATHOLIC BIOETHICS CENTER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| FAMILY FOR FAMILIES | GOLDEN, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| DENVER ART MUSEUM | DENVER, CO | $30,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| CHOSEN AND DEARLY LOVED | BELLEVUE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| STEAMBOAT INSTITUTE | STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| SEEDS OF HOPE | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE | WINCHESTER, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| COMMON SENSE INSTITUTE | GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| DENVER RUSTLERS | DENVER, CO | $18,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES | DENVER, CO | $15,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH | DENVER, CO | $12,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| UNIVERSITY OF DENVER | DENVER, CO | $11,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| TAPS | ARLINGTON, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| SHADOW WARRIORS PROJECT | MONUMENT, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| MERCURY ONE | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| MIZEL INSTITUTE | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| MASTER'S TOURNAMENT FOUNDATION | AUGUSTA, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| COLORADO CONCERN | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| DENVER POLICE FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY | EXETER, NH | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN HYPERBARIC ASSOCIATION FOR BRAIN INJURIES | LOUISVILLE, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| CELL-CO REMEMBERS 911 | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| COLORADO DOMINICAN VOCATION FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $6,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| US SKI AND SNOWBOARD | PARK CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| FIRE FIGHTERS FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| THE ROSARY TEAM | LAFAYETTE, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL NAVY SEALS | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | MILITARY |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| INDEPENDENT WOMEN'S FORUM | WINCHESTER, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS | DENVER, CO | $3,750 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| OBLATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $3,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| THE LABOURE SOCIETY | ST PAUL, MN | $2,500 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| HISTORY COLORADO PHILANTHROPY | DENVER, CO | $2,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| USGA FOUNDATION | LIBERTY CORNER, NJ | $1,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | DENVER, CO | $600 | 2025 | MEDICAL |
| THE DAWN REDWOODS CHARITABLE TRUST | TIBURON, CA | $500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION
$4,250,000RELIGIOUS
NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW
$532,600COMMUNITY
ST JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$250,000EDUCATION
SOPHIA INSTITUTE
$150,000COMMUNITY
EDUCATION
DUCKS UNLIMITED
$120,000COMMUNITY
ARCHBISHOP'S CATHOLIC APPEAL
$50,000RELIGIOUS
NATIONAL CATHOLIC BIOETHICS CENTER
$50,000HEALTH
FAMILY FOR FAMILIES
$50,000COMMUNITY
CHOSEN AND DEARLY LOVED
$25,000COMMUNITY
SEEDS OF HOPE
$25,000COMMUNITY
INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE
$20,000COMMUNITY
DENVER RUSTLERS
$18,000COMMUNITY
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
$15,000COMMUNITY
NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH
$12,000HEALTH
SHADOW WARRIORS PROJECT
$10,000COMMUNITY
MIZEL INSTITUTE
$10,000EDUCATION
MASTER'S TOURNAMENT FOUNDATION
$10,000COMMUNITY
COLORADO CONCERN
$10,000COMMUNITY
PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY
$10,000CHARITABLE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HYPERBARIC ASSOCIATION FOR BRAIN INJURIES
$10,000HEALTH
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$10,000COMMUNITY SERVICE
CELL-CO REMEMBERS 911
$10,000COMMUNITY
COLORADO DOMINICAN VOCATION FOUNDATION
$6,000RELIGIOUS
US SKI AND SNOWBOARD
$5,000HEALTH
FIRE FIGHTERS FOUNDATION
$5,000COMMUNITY
THE ROSARY TEAM
$5,000RELIGIOUS
TRINITY LUTHERAN
$5,000RELIGIOUS
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
$3,750COMMUNITY
HISTORY COLORADO PHILANTHROPY
$2,500EDUCATION