About Schlessman Foundation
The Schlessman Foundation concentrates large, Colorado-centered gifts on capital campaigns and organizational sustainability for institutions that serve children, families, and the general public. They favor repeat, multi-year pledge payments and sizable grants to libraries, family residential services, nature/children’s science centers, and outdoor youth camp programs in the Denver area.
Focus Areas
Capital support for public library infrastructure (Denver Central Library)Residential programs for at-risk youth and family stabilization (Savio House)Children’s nature and science education centers (Butterfly Pavilion)Preservation and capital campaigns for regional youth camps (YMCA Camp Chief Ouray, YMCA of the Rockies)
Who They Fund
students/scholarship recipientsfamilies in residential/supportive housing programspatients/clinic users and local health consumersanimals (through veterinary services infrastructure)
About Schlessman Foundation
Schlessman Foundation Inc’s recent giving shows a clear pattern of large, multi-year support for Colorado institutions that serve children, families, students, and the wider public. The foundation repeatedly backs capital campaigns and operating budgets for organizations that build or maintain core community infrastructure, from libraries and museums to residential family services and youth camps. In 2025, its largest grant went to YMCA of the Rockies for general operations, followed by a second award to the same organization tied to the campaign for Camp Chief Ouray’s second century. The same year also brought a $500,000 grant to Denver Public Library Friends Foundation for Denver Central Library and a $500,000 grant to Savio House for construction of its family residential program. These awards fit a broader pattern of pledged support paid in installments over multiple years, including funding for the Denver Central Library, Savio House, and the Denver Art Museum. The foundation also supports scholarships and institution-building at Colorado colleges, alongside grants connected to animal care, health sciences, and youth services.
What Schlessman Foundation Funds
One clear theme is capital support for public-serving institutions. Schlessman Foundation Inc gave $400,000 to Fort Lewis College Foundation for capital construction of the Health Sciences Center, and $400,000 to Denver Art Museum for North Building renovation. It also backed the Denver Zoological Foundation with $410,500 for the animal care and vet services entrance. Education is another recurring area: Colorado College received $450,000 for the Colorado Pledge Endowed Scholarship and $407,793 for the Cheryl Schlessman Bennett 77 Memorial Scholarship. The foundation also funded family and youth services, including $320,000 to Warren Village for general operations and $333,333 to Porter Hospice for general operations. These grants show support for facilities, scholarship endowments, and direct service organizations rather than only one program type.
How Schlessman Foundation Gives
Typical grant size is $7,500 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the recent grant list also includes much larger pledge installments and operating grants. The pattern in the recent data is recurring support: several grantees appear across multiple years, including YMCA of the Rockies, Savio House, Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Public Library Friends Foundation, Colorado College, Denver Zoological Foundation, and Denver Art Museum. The foundation gives through grant payments tied to named campaigns, installment pledges, operating support, and endowed scholarships. It funds individuals as well as organizations, and it does not make program-related investments.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$6.8M
Total Assets
$86.4M
Total Revenue
$10.1M
Total Expenses
$8.1M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $8K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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