About Vf Foundation
The VF Foundation concentrates giving on expanding outdoor access and strengthening the outdoor recreation sector, with a particular emphasis on youth engagement and industry leadership. Grants support program development (University of Denver's LORI), city- and school-based outdoor campus projects (Uvalde CISD), national youth outdoor engagement initiatives, and conservation‑oriented agricultural innovations like regenerative ranching. The foundation favors strategic, programmatic investments that build capacity across the outdoor ecosystem — from education and workforce leadership to on‑the‑ground conservation tools.
Focus Areas
Outdoor recreation industry leadership and workforce development (e.g., University of Denver LORI)Youth outdoor engagement and city-based programming (e.g., Thrive Outside / Thrive Denver)Outdoor learning and school campus outdoor infrastructure (e.g., Uvalde Moving Forward Elementary outdoor elements)Regenerative ranching and conservation technology/tool development (e.g., virtual fence guide)
Who They Fund
women in global value chains / women workersyouth and students (including summer camps and after-school programs)
About Vf Foundation
A $1,026,000 grant to the University of Denver for the Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry program is the clearest signal of The VF Foundation’s approach: it backs capacity-building work that strengthens the outdoor recreation ecosystem, not just one-off projects. Across the recent grants list, the foundation funds education, youth engagement, school-based outdoor spaces, conservation tools, and workforce development tied to the outdoor sector and VF’s broader operating communities. The foundation’s grantmaking also includes multi-year support for The Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside National Youth Engagement Initiative, awarded $500,000, and continued support for University of Denver’s LORI program in 2025 with a $380,000 grant. That pattern shows repeated investment in leadership development and youth access to outdoor experiences. Other grants point to a broader portfolio that reaches school campuses, trails, regenerative ranching, and inclusive outdoor participation. The VF Foundation is a regular funder, gives nationally, and supports individuals as well as organizations. Its portfolio includes both flagship institutional awards and a series of program-specific grants that align with its active grant programs.
What Vf Foundation Funds
In outdoor recreation industry leadership, The VF Foundation gave $1,026,000 to the University of Denver for the Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry program, then renewed support with $380,000 in 2025. In youth outdoor engagement, it awarded $500,000 to The Outdoor Foundation for the Thrive Outside National Youth Engagement Initiative, including Thrive Denver and Powering Thrive. The foundation also funds outdoor learning infrastructure. It gave $500,000 to Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation for outdoor elements in the Building a Brighter Future - Uvalde Moving Forward Elementary Campus project. In conservation and land stewardship, it supported the Nature Conservancy with $350,000 to refine, design, and activate a regenerative ranching toolbox and a virtual fence user guide. Those grants show a mix of education, access, and practical tools for the outdoor economy.
How Vf Foundation Gives
The VF Foundation’s typical grant size is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $60,000 at the median, and $126,500 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards range from six-figure grants for program platforms to smaller targeted awards, which suggests a layered portfolio rather than a single grant level. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it makes grants nationally. Several grantees recur across years, including the University of Denver, The Outdoor Foundation, Trust for Public Land, Soil Health Institute, and United Nations Foundation, indicating ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. It also funds individuals, but the recent-grants list here is dominated by organizational grants.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3.4M
Total Assets
$23.7M
Total Revenue
$2.5M
Total Expenses
$3.8M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $25K and $127K, with a median of $60K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$60K
75th Percentile
$127K
Geographic Reach
National20 states funded
About 0% of grants go to recipients in CO.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Where Vf Foundation Funds
Top 8 recipient countries by grant volume for Vf Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 145 | $14.7M | 91.2% |
| 2 | Switzerland | 4 |
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