The Anna and John J Sie Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on Down syndrome research, medical care and related advocacy, primarily in Colorado, while also supporting local cultural institutions. Most dollars go to a small set of repeat grantees—universities, hospitals and specialty nonprofits—indicating a strategy of deep, targeted investments rather than broad, one-off giving.
A defining thread in The Anna and John J Sie Foundation’s giving is long-term support for Down syndrome research, education, advocacy, and medical care, with major gifts concentrated in Colorado. The largest recent award in the data is $1,437,696 to Global Down Syndrome Foundation for research, education, advocacy, and grants, following a $1,192,480 grant the year before for the same purpose. That repeated backing points to a relationship built around a core mission rather than isolated project support. The foundation also funds clinical and academic partners tied to that work. Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation received $847,016 for pediatric health care, and the University of Colorado Foundation received $750,000 for Down syndrome research. Alongside those health and research grants, the foundation has supported Denver Film Society for audiences to discover film and Denver Art Museum for exhibitions, programs, and collection work, showing that its portfolio includes both specialized medical philanthropy and selected cultural investments. Most of the recent grants go to a compact set of repeat recipients, including hospitals, universities, and specialty nonprofits. That pattern suggests targeted, relationship-based grantmaking with a strong local center of gravity.
Down syndrome remains the clearest focus. The foundation gave $1,437,696 to Global Down Syndrome Foundation for research, education, advocacy, and grants, and also backed University of Colorado Foundation with $750,000 for Down syndrome research. Those grants connect biomedical work with education and advocacy. Clinical care is another major lane. Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation received $847,016 for pediatric health care, and Denver Health & Hospitals Foundation received $275,282 for Down syndrome medical care. A separate Denver Health grant of $87,867 supported a Down syndrome clinic. The foundation also supports post-secondary planning connected to inclusive education. Regis University received $334,980 for a post-secondary feasibility study, followed by additional grants of $149,194 and $132,575 for the same purpose. Beyond health and education, the portfolio includes arts access and audience development, such as $965,780 to Denver Film Society for audiences to discover film.
$5.1M
$38.3M
$4.8M
$5.8M
Most grants fall between $5K and $21K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$21K
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Concentrated, high-value grants to a small number of repeat grantees; heavy emphasis on research and clinical partners with occasional support for local arts/education projects.
Notable grantees: Global Down Syndrome Foundation, University of Colorado Foundation, Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation, Denver Film Society, Denver Health & Hospitals Foundation
Typical grants sit in a fairly tight band: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $21,000. At the same time, the recent grant list includes several much larger awards, showing that the foundation combines many smaller gifts with a few major commitments. The data points to recurring support rather than one-time awards: Global Down Syndrome Foundation, University of Colorado Foundation, Denver Health & Hospitals Foundation, Regis University, and Denver Art Museum all appear multiple times across different years. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. No application process is provided in the data.
Grantmaking is strongly Colorado-centered. The top state by grant count is CO, and 69% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Denver is the most frequent city in the recent-grants list, with additional Colorado recipients in Aurora. Outside Colorado, the recent-grants table includes recipients in Tampa, Austin, and Minneapolis, but all listed grants in the dataset are to U.S. organizations.
The foundation’s clearest focus is Down syndrome research, education, advocacy, and medical care. The data also shows support for pediatric health care, post-secondary feasibility work tied to inclusive education, and selected arts grants such as film and museum programming.
Yes. Colorado is the top state by grant count, and 69% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Denver and Aurora appear repeatedly among recipient locations in the recent-grants list.
The typical grant distribution is p25 $5,000, median $10,000, and p75 $21,000. The recent list also includes several six- and seven-figure grants, indicating a mix of many modest awards and a few major commitments.
Yes. Several recipients appear multiple times across different years, including Global Down Syndrome Foundation, University of Colorado Foundation, Denver Health & Hospitals Foundation, Regis University, and Denver Art Museum.
No. The dataset says the foundation funds individuals: False and makes program-related investments: False.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $1,437,696 | 2025 | FOR RESEARCH/EDU/ADVOCACY/GRANTS. |
| DENVER FILM SOCIETY | DENVER, CO | $965,780 | 2025 | FOR AUDIENCES TO DISCOVER FILM. |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COLORADO FOUNDATION | AURORA, CO | $847,016 | 2025 | PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $750,000 | 2025 | FOR DOWN SYNDROME RESEARCH. |
| DENVER HEALTH & HOSPITALS FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $275,282 | 2025 | DOWN SYNDROME MEDICAL CARE |
| REGIS UNIVERSITY | DENVER, CO | $149,194 | 2025 | FOR POST SECONDARY FEASIBILITY STUDY |
| DENVER ART MUSEUM | DENVER, CO | $109,700 | 2025 | FOR EXHIBITIONS/PROGRAMS/COLLECTION. |
| MOFFITT CANCER CENTER FOUNDATION | TAMPA, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | CANCER RESEARCH |
| JUDAISM YOUR WAY | DENVER, CO | $60,000 | 2025 | CONNECT WITH ALL JEWS |
| DENVER SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $35,300 | 2025 | CORE VALUES EDUCATION. |
| VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA-COLORADO BRANCH | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR SERVICES TO WOMEN/CHILDREN/FAM. |
| MIZEL INSTITUTE-LYON GLOBAL FOUNDAT | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR PUBLIC SAFETY EDUCATION. |
| THE CABLE CENTER | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | CELEBRATE INNOVATIVE PEOPLE |
| SERIESFEST | DENVER, CO | $24,050 | 2025 | INSPIRE AND IMPACT AUDIENCES |
| CHILDREN'S DIABETES FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $23,300 | 2025 | FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES PROGRAMS. |
| MILE HIGH MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING | DENVER, CO | $15,000 | 2025 | FOR LOW INCOME CHILDREN'S EDUCATION. |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $15,000 | 2025 | EXPERIMENTAL EDUCATION UNIT |
| CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $15,000 | 2025 | FOR CANCER RESEARCH & PROGRAMS. |
| NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH | DENVER, CO | $12,000 | 2025 | FOR CLINICAL, RESEARCH & EDUCATION. |
| ARC THRIFTMETRO ASSOC FOR RC | LAKEWOOD, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR INTELLECTUAL/DEV. DISABLED INDV. |
| THE CHOSEN & DEARLY LOVED FOUNDER | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN CARE. |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION | PARKER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR DOWN SYNDROME INCLUSION. |
| SKANEATELES LAKE ASSOCIATION | SKANEATELES, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | QUALITY OF SKANEATELES LAKE |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR INSPIRATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ART. |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $8,900 | 2025 | EMPOWER YOUNG GIRLS |
| DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY OF PS | BELLEVUE, WA | $7,500 | 2025 | PROMOTE INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUND-COLORADO CHAPTER | GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | $7,125 | 2025 | FOR GRANTING CHILDREN'S WISHES. |
| ADAM'S CAMP | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | INTENSIVE THERAPY, FAMILY SUPPORT |
| ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR RESEARCH, CARE & SUPPORT PROGRAM |
| BAL SWAN CHILDREN'S CENTER | BROOMFIELD, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION |
| COLORADO BALLET | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR PERFORMANCES/TRAINING/EDUCATION. |
| GLOBAL LIVINGSTON INSTITUTE | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | AWARENESS, COLLABORATION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE |
| PARENT PROJECT FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY | HACKENSACK, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | IMPROVE TREATMENT PROGRAMS |
| NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR WARRIOR/VETERAN/FAMILY SUPPORT. |
| THE 1990 INSTITUTE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | SOLIDARITY OF THE YOUTH |
| JUDI'S HOUSE | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR SERVICES FOR GRIEVING FAMILIES. |
| LAST MILE4D | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WOMEN PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF DENVER - 2199 | DENVER, CO | $4,200 | 2025 | INTERNATIONAL STUDY OPPORTUNITIES |
| THE DENVER HOSPICE | BROOMFIELD, CO | $4,000 | 2025 | HOSPICE SUPPORT |
| COMMITEE OF 100 INC | NEW YORK, NY | $3,500 | 2025 | CHINESE AMERICAN ACTING |
| FIRE FOUNDATION OF DENVER | LITTLETON, CO | $3,000 | 2025 | FOR INCLUSIVE CATHOLIC EDUCATION. |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR SPORTS TRAINING/ATHLETIC COMP. |
| CESASC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| CATHOLIC FAMILY AND HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | DEFEND LIFE AND FAMILY |
| EASTER SEALS COLORADO | LAKEWOOD, CO | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR SERVICES FOR ALL DISABILITIES. |
| THE RISE SCHOOL OF DENVER | DENVER, CO | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDU. FOR ALL. |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR SPORTS TRAINING/ATHLETIC COMP. |
| IN COLORADO INITIATIVE FOR IHE | LITTLETON, CO | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTELLECTUAL DIS. |
| KROENKE SPORTS CHARITIES INC | DENVER, CO | $2,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION, HEALTH AND FITNESS |
GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION
$1,437,696FOR RESEARCH/EDU/ADVOCACY/GRANTS.
DENVER FILM SOCIETY
$965,780FOR AUDIENCES TO DISCOVER FILM.
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COLORADO FOUNDATION
$847,016PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION
$750,000FOR DOWN SYNDROME RESEARCH.
DENVER HEALTH & HOSPITALS FOUNDATION
$275,282DOWN SYNDROME MEDICAL CARE
REGIS UNIVERSITY
$149,194FOR POST SECONDARY FEASIBILITY STUDY
DENVER ART MUSEUM
$109,700FOR EXHIBITIONS/PROGRAMS/COLLECTION.
MOFFITT CANCER CENTER FOUNDATION
$100,000CANCER RESEARCH
JUDAISM YOUR WAY
$60,000CONNECT WITH ALL JEWS
DENVER SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
$35,300CORE VALUES EDUCATION.
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA-COLORADO BRANCH
$25,000FOR SERVICES TO WOMEN/CHILDREN/FAM.
MIZEL INSTITUTE-LYON GLOBAL FOUNDAT
$25,000FOR PUBLIC SAFETY EDUCATION.
THE CABLE CENTER
$25,000CELEBRATE INNOVATIVE PEOPLE
SERIESFEST
$24,050INSPIRE AND IMPACT AUDIENCES
CHILDREN'S DIABETES FOUNDATION
$23,300FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES PROGRAMS.
MILE HIGH MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING
$15,000FOR LOW INCOME CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION
$15,000EXPERIMENTAL EDUCATION UNIT
CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO
$15,000FOR CANCER RESEARCH & PROGRAMS.
NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH
$12,000FOR CLINICAL, RESEARCH & EDUCATION.
ARC THRIFTMETRO ASSOC FOR RC
$10,000FOR INTELLECTUAL/DEV. DISABLED INDV.
THE CHOSEN & DEARLY LOVED FOUNDER
$10,000FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN CARE.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION
$10,000FOR DOWN SYNDROME INCLUSION.
SKANEATELES LAKE ASSOCIATION
$10,000QUALITY OF SKANEATELES LAKE
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
$10,000FOR INSPIRATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ART.
GIRL SCOUTS OF COLORADO
$8,900EMPOWER YOUNG GIRLS
DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY OF PS
$7,500PROMOTE INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS
MAKE-A-WISH FOUND-COLORADO CHAPTER
$7,125FOR GRANTING CHILDREN'S WISHES.
ADAM'S CAMP
$5,000INTENSIVE THERAPY, FAMILY SUPPORT
ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION
$5,000FOR RESEARCH, CARE & SUPPORT PROGRAM
BAL SWAN CHILDREN'S CENTER
$5,000EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
COLORADO BALLET
$5,000FOR PERFORMANCES/TRAINING/EDUCATION.
GLOBAL LIVINGSTON INSTITUTE
$5,000AWARENESS, COLLABORATION
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES
$5,000SUPPORTING PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE
PARENT PROJECT FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
$5,000IMPROVE TREATMENT PROGRAMS
NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION
$5,000FOR WARRIOR/VETERAN/FAMILY SUPPORT.
THE 1990 INSTITUTE
$5,000SOLIDARITY OF THE YOUTH
JUDI'S HOUSE
$5,000FOR SERVICES FOR GRIEVING FAMILIES.
LAST MILE4D
$5,000HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WOMEN PROGRAMS
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER - 2199
$4,200INTERNATIONAL STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
THE DENVER HOSPICE
$4,000HOSPICE SUPPORT
COMMITEE OF 100 INC
$3,500CHINESE AMERICAN ACTING
FIRE FOUNDATION OF DENVER
$3,000FOR INCLUSIVE CATHOLIC EDUCATION.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS INC
$2,500FOR SPORTS TRAINING/ATHLETIC COMP.
CESASC
$2,500ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS.
CATHOLIC FAMILY AND HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE
$2,500DEFEND LIFE AND FAMILY
EASTER SEALS COLORADO
$2,500FOR SERVICES FOR ALL DISABILITIES.
THE RISE SCHOOL OF DENVER
$2,500FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDU. FOR ALL.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS WASHINGTON
$2,500FOR SPORTS TRAINING/ATHLETIC COMP.
IN COLORADO INITIATIVE FOR IHE
$2,500SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTELLECTUAL DIS.
KROENKE SPORTS CHARITIES INC
$2,000EDUCATION, HEALTH AND FITNESS