The Benson Family Foundation concentrates on environmental and clean energy policy in the U.S. West, partnering repeatedly with regional advocacy groups to accelerate renewable energy deployment and natural resource protection. Its giving is focused and strategic — large, multi-year gifts to a small set of grantees, plus targeted support for an international agricultural development organization, indicating an interest in scalable climate- and livelihood-related solutions both domestically and abroad.
Highly concentrated: few, large grants with multiple repeat awards to the same regional advocacy organizations rather than many small, one-off gifts; strategic support aimed at policy and systems change.
Western Resource Advocates, Renewable Northwest, International Development Enterprises (IDE)
The Benson Family Foundation’s largest recent commitments have gone repeatedly to Western Resource Advocates, including $300,000 in both 2023 and 2024 and $150,000 in 2025 for program support. That pattern points to a funder that backs sustained policy and advocacy work over time rather than one-off awards. Their grant list also shows repeated support for Renewable Northwest, with gifts in 2023, 2024, and 2025, reinforcing a clear interest in renewable energy policy and regional clean-grid efforts. The foundation’s portfolio is concentrated in environmental and clean energy work in the U.S. West, but it also includes support for organizations tied to broader climate, conservation, and livelihood goals. Several recipients are Colorado-based, and the foundation has funded groups in Boulder, Golden, Denver, and Evergreen. Beyond the environmental portfolio, the grants include support for International Development Enterprises, indicating attention to market-based agricultural and income-generating technologies for smallholder farmers. The overall pattern is selective, with multiple awards to a relatively small set of organizations and amounts that often sit in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Environmental advocacy is a central theme in the foundation’s giving. It awarded $300,000 in 2023 and another $300,000 in 2024 to Western Resource Advocates for program support, then continued the relationship with $150,000 in 2025. Renewable energy policy is another visible priority. Renewable Northwest received $115,000 in 2025 after $100,000 grants in both 2023 and 2024, all as general support. The foundation also supports organizations working on practical community needs in Colorado. Metro Denver Habitat for Humanity received $50,000 in 2025, while World Central Kitchens was awarded $30,000 in 2025 for program support. Its interests extend outside the U.S. as well. International Development Enterprises received $100,000 in 2025 for general support, following $40,000 grants in 2024 and 2023.
Typical grant size sits at $15,500 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $40,000 at the 75th percentile, with some awards far above that range for long-term partners. The grant list shows repeated support across multiple years for several organizations, especially in Colorado and the Northwest, which suggests a recurring relationship model rather than isolated gifts. The foundation appears to use general support and program support most often, with some restricted program funding. It does not fund individuals and is not listed as making program-related investments.
$2.3M
$2M
$730K
$717K
Most grants fall between $16K and $40K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$16K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$40K
About 63% of grants go to recipients in CO.
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The foundation gives most often in Colorado, which accounts for 63% of grants. Recent recipients include Boulder, Golden, Denver, Evergreen, and Florissant, showing a strong Front Range and mountain-region footprint. Outside Colorado, grants went to Portland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Arlington, and Washington, DC. All recorded recent grants in the provided data went to US recipients.
The foundation supports environmental advocacy, renewable energy policy, natural resource conservation, and market-based agricultural and income-generation work for smallholder farmers. Recent grants also include community-serving organizations such as Metro Denver Habitat for Humanity, World Central Kitchens, and Mt Evans Home Health & Hospice.
Yes. Western Resource Advocates received $300,000 in 2023, $300,000 in 2024, and $150,000 in 2025. Renewable Northwest, International Development Enterprises, Planned Parenthood, Metro Denver Habitat for Humanity, and American Friends Service Committee also appear across multiple years.
The grant-size distribution centers on $15,500 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $40,000 at the 75th percentile. Several recurring partners receive larger awards, including $300,000 and $150,000 grants to Western Resource Advocates and a $115,000 grant to Renewable Northwest.
Colorado is the top state by grant count, with 63% of grants going to recipients in that state. Recent Colorado recipients include organizations in Boulder, Golden, Denver, Evergreen, and Florissant.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WESTERN RESOURCE ADVOCATES | BOULDER, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RENEWABLE NORTHWEST | PORTLAND, OR | $115,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISES | GOLDEN, CO | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| METRO DENVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | DENVER, CO | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHENS | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY PARTNERS FBO COLLEGE MATCH | LOS ANGELES, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CO OUTDOOR ED CENTER | FLORISSANT, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA | BRECKENRIDGE, CO | $21,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MT EVANS HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE | EVERGREEN, CO | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN OUTREACH | EVERGREEN, CO | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN ACTION COUNCIL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $18,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DENVER INDIAN FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER | LAKEWOOD, CO | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLUE SPRUCE HABITAT FOR HUMANTIY | EVERGREEN, CO | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CARTER CENTER | ATLANTA, GA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BIG CITY MOUNTAINEERS | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| OUTDOOR LAB | EVERGREEN, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | PRO |
| WESTERN RESOURCE ADVOCATES | BOULDER, CO | $300,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RENEWABLE NORTHWEST | PORTLAND, OR | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISES | GOLDEN, CO | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | DENVER, CO | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| METRO DENVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | DENVER, CO | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY PARTNERS FBO COLLEGE MATCH | LOS ANGELES, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ASHOKA | ARLINGTON, VA | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MT EVANS HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE | EVERGREEN, CO | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CO OUTDOOR ED CENTER | FLORISSANT, CO | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA | BRECKENRIDGE, CO | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CARTER CENTER | ATLANTA, GA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN OUTREACH | EVERGREEN, CO | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DENVER INDIAN FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER | LAKEWOOD, CO | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLUE SPRUCE HABITAT FOR HUMANTIY | EVERGREEN, CO | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BIG CITY MOUNTAINEERS | DENVER, CO | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHENS | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN ACTION COUNCIL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $12,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WESTERN RESOURCE ADVOCATES | BOULDER, CO | $300,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RENEWABLE NORTHWEST | PORTLAND, OR | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY PARTNERS FBO COLLEGE MATCH | LOS ANGELES, CA | $40,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISES | GOLDEN, CO | $40,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ASHOKA | ARLINGTON, VA | $40,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| METRO DENVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | DENVER, CO | $40,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | DENVER, CO | $40,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $30,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN OUTREACH | EVERGREEN, CO | $28,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHENS | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MT EVANS HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE | EVERGREEN, CO | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CARTER CENTER | ATLANTA, GA | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BIG CITY MOUNTAINEERS | DENVER, CO | $20,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CO OUTDOOR ED CENTER | FLORISSANT, CO | $17,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
WESTERN RESOURCE ADVOCATES
$150,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
RENEWABLE NORTHWEST
$115,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISES
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
METRO DENVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHENS
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
COMMUNITY PARTNERS FBO COLLEGE MATCH
GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CO OUTDOOR ED CENTER
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA
$21,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MT EVANS HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BLUE MOUNTAIN ACTION COUNCIL
$18,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DENVER INDIAN FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BLUE SPRUCE HABITAT FOR HUMANTIY
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE CARTER CENTER
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BIG CITY MOUNTAINEERS
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
OUTDOOR LAB
$10,000PRO
WESTERN RESOURCE ADVOCATES
$300,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
RENEWABLE NORTHWEST
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISES
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
METRO DENVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY PARTNERS FBO COLLEGE MATCH
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ASHOKA
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MT EVANS HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CO OUTDOOR ED CENTER
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE CARTER CENTER
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DENVER INDIAN FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BLUE SPRUCE HABITAT FOR HUMANTIY
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BIG CITY MOUNTAINEERS
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHENS
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BLUE MOUNTAIN ACTION COUNCIL
$12,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WESTERN RESOURCE ADVOCATES
$300,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
RENEWABLE NORTHWEST
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY PARTNERS FBO COLLEGE MATCH
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISES
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ASHOKA
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
METRO DENVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
$28,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHENS
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MT EVANS HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE CARTER CENTER
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BIG CITY MOUNTAINEERS
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CO OUTDOOR ED CENTER
$17,000GENERAL SUPPORT