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    5. Schlessman Foundation
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    Schlessman Foundation

    ActiveMutual & Membership BenefitFunds Individuals
    DENVER, COWebsite3038315683

    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
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

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    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 84-6030309Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $86.4M4 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    individuals with autism and special-needs populations
    camp attendees / youth programs
    general community / library patrons and cultural audiences

    Giving Approach

    Concentrated, high-dollar grants with repeat funding to a small set of local institutions; emphasis on pledge fulfillment and capital/campaign support rather than many small awards or broad national funding.

    Funding Style

    capital construction / infrastructure fundingpledge-based / multi-year installment fundingendowed scholarships / long-term scholarship supportgeneral operations / unrestricted operating supportprogram-specific grants (training, clinics, campaigns)

    Notable grantees: Savio House, Denver Public Library Friends Foundation, Butterfly Pavilion, YMCA of the Rockies

    Topics

    capital projects for community institutions (libraries, health science centers, clinics)endowed and named scholarships for studentsfamily residential programs / supportive housing for familiesanimal care and veterinary services infrastructurehealth care access / clinic developmentspecial-needs services and training (advanced autism training)arts, science and education centers / cultural programming

    Where Schlessman Foundation Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is entirely Colorado-based in the data provided, with 100% of grants going to recipients in CO. The most frequent recipient cities include Denver, Estes Park, Westminster, and Colorado Springs, with additional grants in Durango, Greenwood Village, Gypsum, and Centennial. Denver appears often through recipients such as Denver Public Library Friends Foundation, Savio House, Denver Zoological Foundation, Denver Art Museum, and Warren Village. The foundation’s local scope is consistent across the recent grant list and recipient-country distribution.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Schlessman Foundation

    What types of organizations does Schlessman Foundation Inc support?

    The recent grants show support for libraries, family residential services, science and education centers, youth camps, museums, scholarships, animal care infrastructure, hospice care, and health sciences facilities. Examples include Denver Public Library Friends Foundation, Savio House, Butterfly Pavilion, YMCA of the Rockies, Colorado College, Denver Zoological Foundation, and Fort Lewis College Foundation.

    Does Schlessman Foundation Inc fund only one-time grants or repeat support?

    The data shows repeat support. Several recipients appear in 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. Some awards are installment payments tied to larger pledges or campaigns.

    What is the typical grant size?

    The foundation’s typical grant size is $7,500 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes larger awards, including several in the $400,000 to $1,000,000 range.

    Where does Schlessman Foundation Inc give?

    Its giving in the provided data is entirely in Colorado: 100% of grants go to recipients in CO. Recipient cities include Denver, Estes Park, Westminster, Colorado Springs, Durango, Greenwood Village, Gypsum, and Centennial.

    Does Schlessman Foundation Inc support scholarships?

    Yes. Colorado College received $450,000 for the Colorado Pledge Endowed Scholarship and $407,793 for the Cheryl Schlessman Bennett 77 Memorial Scholarship, showing support for both endowed and named scholarship funding.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

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

    Open Grant Opportunities

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

    Open nowCloses Nov 1, 2026May not accept unsolicited proposals

    Schlessman Family Foundation Annual Grant Cycle (Returning Grantees)

    Workforce developmentEducation and literacy (including adult learners)Elder / senior services+4 more

    Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations with at least a two-year history of operations in the seven-county Denver Metro area. Grants are not made to individuals or for scholarships to specific individuals. Public/independent/private/charter schools and churches generally not eligible (faith-based organizations that provide services to disadvantaged populations may be considered). Organizations new to Denver are not accepted unless specifically invited or have received a grant in the past 3 years.

    Deadline: Application cycle opens August 1 and completed applications must be submitted by November 1 for consideration in the annual cycle (final determinations in March; distributions March 31).

    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
    YMCA OF THE ROCKIESESTES PARK, CO$1,000,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    FORT LEWIS COLLEGE FOUNDATIONDURANGO, CO$700,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    DENVER ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONDENVER, CO$425,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    ROUNDUP RIVER RANCHGYPSUM, CO$320,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    WARREN VILLAGEDENVER, CO$320,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    HIGH LINE CANALCENTENNIAL, CO$315,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    UNIVERSITY OF DENVERDENVER, CO$315,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    GREELEY-WELD HABITAT FOR HUMANITYGREELEY, CO$255,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    WE DON'T WASTEDENVER, CO$237,5002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    CRAIG HOSPITALENGLEWOOD, CO$225,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    DENVER BOTANIC GARDENSDENVER, CO$215,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCEDENVER, CO$200,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    SUN VALLEY KITCHEN AND COMMUNITY CENTERDENVER, CO$117,5002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    WOMEN'S BEAN PROJECTDENVER, CO$113,7502026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    CASA DE PAZAURORA, CO$110,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    COLORADO COLLEGECOLORADO SPRINGS, CO$100,0002026COLORADO PLEDGE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
    DENVER SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATIONDENVER, CO$100,0002026SCHLESSMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
    SCOTTISH RITEDENVER, CO$40,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    YOUNG AMERICAN'SDENVER, CO$38,0002026AMERITOWNE & YOUTHBIZ
    MINDS MATTER COLORADODENVER, CO$35,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    METRO CARINGDENVER, CO$30,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    WHIZ KIDSDENVER, CO$30,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    GIRLS INC OF METROPOLITAN DENVERDENVER, CO$25,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    ADAMS COUNTY EMERGENCY FOOD BANKCOMMERCE CITY, CO$25,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    DMNSDENVER, CO$25,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    KIDS FIRST HEALTH CARECOMMERCE CITY, CO$25,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    MILE HIGH MINISTRIESDENVER, CO$25,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    GRID ALTERNATIVES COLORADODENVER, CO$25,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    SEWALL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERDENVER, CO$25,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    THE LABORATORY TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKINGDENVER, CO$25,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    AMERICAN RED CROSSDENVER, CO$22,5002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    EMILY GRIFFITH FOUNDATIONDENVER, CO$22,5002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    MOUNTAIN RESOURCE CENTERCONIFER, CO$22,5002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    THE GATHERING PLACEDENVER, CO$21,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    SECOND WIND FUNDDENVER, CO$20,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    THE DELORES PROJECTDENVER, CO$20,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    RAISE THE FUTUREDENVER, CO$20,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    MI CASADENVER, CO$20,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    EARTHLINKSDENVER, CO$20,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATIONWHEAT RIDGE, CO$20,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTHDENVER, CO$20,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    KIDS IN NEED OF DENTISTRYCOMMERCE CITY, CO$20,0002026KIND ORAL HEALTH CENTERS
    FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIESAURORA, CO$20,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    READING PARTNERSDENVER, CO$20,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    ILIFF SCHOOL OF THEOLOGYDENVER, CO$19,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    HOPE HOUSE COLORADOARVADA, CO$18,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    THE COLORADO ASSOCIATION OF BLACK PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTSDENVER, CO$18,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    DENVER STREET SCHOOLLAKEWOOD, CO$18,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    PARKINSON ASSOCIATION OF THE ROCKIESDENVER, CO$18,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS
    HOPE COMMUNITIESDENVER, CO$18,0002026GENERAL OPERATIONS

    YMCA OF THE ROCKIES

    $1,000,000
    ESTES PARK, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    FORT LEWIS COLLEGE FOUNDATION

    $700,000
    DURANGO, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    DENVER ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

    $425,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    ROUNDUP RIVER RANCH

    $320,000
    GYPSUM, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    WARREN VILLAGE

    $320,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    HIGH LINE CANAL

    $315,000
    CENTENNIAL, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

    $315,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    GREELEY-WELD HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

    $255,000
    GREELEY, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    WE DON'T WASTE

    $237,500
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    CRAIG HOSPITAL

    $225,000
    ENGLEWOOD, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS

    $215,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE

    $200,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    SUN VALLEY KITCHEN AND COMMUNITY CENTER

    $117,500
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    WOMEN'S BEAN PROJECT

    $113,750
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    CASA DE PAZ

    $110,000
    AURORA, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    COLORADO COLLEGE

    $100,000
    COLORADO SPRINGS, CO2026

    COLORADO PLEDGE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

    DENVER SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

    $100,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    SCHLESSMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

    SCOTTISH RITE

    $40,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    YOUNG AMERICAN'S

    $38,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    AMERITOWNE & YOUTHBIZ

    MINDS MATTER COLORADO

    $35,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    METRO CARING

    $30,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    WHIZ KIDS

    $30,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    GIRLS INC OF METROPOLITAN DENVER

    $25,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    ADAMS COUNTY EMERGENCY FOOD BANK

    $25,000
    COMMERCE CITY, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    DMNS

    $25,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    KIDS FIRST HEALTH CARE

    $25,000
    COMMERCE CITY, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    MILE HIGH MINISTRIES

    $25,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    GRID ALTERNATIVES COLORADO

    $25,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    SEWALL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

    $25,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    THE LABORATORY TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

    $25,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    AMERICAN RED CROSS

    $22,500
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    EMILY GRIFFITH FOUNDATION

    $22,500
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    MOUNTAIN RESOURCE CENTER

    $22,500
    CONIFER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    THE GATHERING PLACE

    $21,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    SECOND WIND FUND

    $20,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    THE DELORES PROJECT

    $20,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    RAISE THE FUTURE

    $20,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    MI CASA

    $20,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    EARTHLINKS

    $20,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION

    $20,000
    WHEAT RIDGE, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH

    $20,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    KIDS IN NEED OF DENTISTRY

    $20,000
    COMMERCE CITY, CO2026

    KIND ORAL HEALTH CENTERS

    FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES

    $20,000
    AURORA, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    READING PARTNERS

    $20,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    ILIFF SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

    $19,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    HOPE HOUSE COLORADO

    $18,000
    ARVADA, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    THE COLORADO ASSOCIATION OF BLACK PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS

    $18,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    DENVER STREET SCHOOL

    $18,000
    LAKEWOOD, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    PARKINSON ASSOCIATION OF THE ROCKIES

    $18,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS

    HOPE COMMUNITIES

    $18,000
    DENVER, CO2026

    GENERAL OPERATIONS