The Gates Family Foundation concentrates philanthropic resources on higher education and research within Colorado, providing large project-focused grants to a small group of regional institutions. Its giving emphasizes major, strategic investments in academic programs and institutes rather than many small, general operating awards. The foundation repeatedly funds the same recipients, suggesting long-term partnerships aimed at institutional initiatives and capacity-building.
Highly concentrated: a small number of very large grants, often repeated to the same institutions (multi-grant relationships), focused on project support rather than many distributed small awards.
A $20,000,000 project-support grant to the University of Colorado Foundation in 2025 sits alongside another $20,000,000 award to the Gates Institute in 2024, showing the scale at which Gates Family Foundation backs Colorado institutions. The foundation’s recent giving centers on higher education, research, land, and civic infrastructure, with repeated support for the same recipients across multiple years. University of Denver has also received consecutive project-support grants of $2,800,000 in 2023, $2,150,000 in 2024, and $2,150,000 in 2025, pointing to sustained institutional partnerships rather than one-time awards. Other large grants go to schools and conservation organizations, including construction support for Thacher School and land-purchase funding for Palmer Land Conservancy and the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust. The pattern suggests a funder that uses sizable project grants, endowments, and acquisition support to move specific institutional and regional initiatives forward. It also makes program-related investments and is classified as a regular funder, which aligns with an established, ongoing grantmaking operation.
Higher education and research are central themes. The foundation gave $20,000,000 to the University of Colorado Foundation in 2025 for project support, and it also made multi-year project-support grants to the University of Denver. In education outside Colorado, it funded Thacher School with $1,750,000 in 2024 and $1,500,000 in 2023 for construction, plus a $750,000 endowment grant to Cardigan Mountain School in 2024. Land and conservation appear in another cluster of awards. Palmer Land Conservancy received $835,000 in 2024 and $685,000 in 2023 for land purchase, while Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust received $500,000 in 2024 and $500,000 in 2023 for the same purpose. The foundation also supports health and community infrastructure. Colorado Prevention Center received a $500,000 endowment grant in 2024, and High Line Canal Conservancy received $300,000 in 2024 for construction.
Typical grant size is concentrated in the mid-five-figure to low-six-figure range, with p25 at $15,000, median at $25,000, and p75 at $50,000. The recent list also shows larger project grants, endowments, construction support, and land purchases, so the foundation’s distributions extend well above the median when it backs specific institutional or asset-building work. Recurring support is common: several recipients appear in multiple years, including the University of Denver, Gates Institute, Lyra, Rooted, Palmer Land Conservancy, and Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust. Gates Family Foundation is a regular funder, makes program-related investments, and funds individuals only through organizations rather than directly.
$37.3M
$430.9M
$31.6M
$41.8M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 64% of grants go to recipients in CO.
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Notable grantees: Gates Institute, University of Colorado Foundation, University of Denver
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly in Colorado: 64% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Colorado is also the top state by grant count. Denver is the most visible city in the recent list, with awards to the Gates Institute, University of Colorado Foundation, University of Denver, Lyra, Rooted, Rose Community Foundation, and Colorado Media Project. Other Colorado recipients include Aurora, Colorado Springs, Centennial, Walden, and Del Norte. Outside the state, recent grants also reach Ojai, California, and Canaan, New Hampshire.
The recent record shows a strong emphasis on Colorado higher education and research institutions, plus land and conservation groups. It also funds schools, health-related institutions, and local civic organizations through project support, endowments, construction, operating grants, and land purchases.
Typical grants cluster at $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards, including $20,000,000 project-support grants and several seven-figure construction, land-purchase, and endowment grants.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated support to the University of Denver across 2023, 2024, and 2025, and to other organizations such as Lyra, Rooted, Palmer Land Conservancy, and Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust in multiple years. That pattern suggests ongoing institutional relationships.
Colorado is the top state by grant count, and 64% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Denver appears frequently in the recent list, along with Aurora, Colorado Springs, Centennial, Walden, and Del Norte.
Its recent grants include project support, construction, endowment, operating, and land-purchase awards. The list also includes asset-building grants such as building or land acquisition-related support, which indicates a mix of programmatic and capital-focused funding.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $20,000,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| CARDIGAN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL | CANAAN, NH | $2,000,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT |
| LYRA | DENVER, CO | $550,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| ROOTED | DENVER, CO | $400,000 | 2026 | OPERATING |
| ROSE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $383,333 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COLORADO SCHOOLS FUND | DENVER, CO | $300,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| RIVER NETWORK | BOULDER, CO | $250,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| ELEVATION COMMUNITY LAND TRUST | DENVER, CO | $200,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| RIO GRANDE HEADWATERS LAND TR A COL | DEL NORTE, CO | $200,000 | 2026 | LAND PURCHASE |
| COLORADO WATER TRUST INC | DENVER, CO | $200,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| AMERICA SUCCEEDS | DENVER, CO | $150,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATI | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| CONSERVATION COLORADO EDUCATION FUN | DENVER, CO | $150,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| WILLIAM J PALMER PARKS FOUNDATION I | COLORADO SPGS, CO | $150,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIO | FORT COLLINS, CO | $150,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION | MISSOULA, MT | $125,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD CO | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $121,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS |
| STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF COLORAD | DENVER, CO | $100,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COLORADO COALITION OF LAND TRUSTS | GOLDEN, CO | $100,000 | 2026 | OPERATING |
| ELEVATION COMMUNITY LAND TRUST | DENVER, CO | $100,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIO | FORT COLLINS, CO | $100,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $100,000 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| MONTEZUMA LAND CONSERVANCY | CORTEZ, CO | $100,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COLORADO COLLEGE TH | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $100,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIO | FORT COLLINS, CO | $100,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS |
| COMMUNITY BUILDERS | GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO | $95,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| LONG BEACH STATE FOUNDATION | LONG BEACH, CA | $90,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS |
| COMMUNITY BUILDERS | GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO | $90,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| NORTH PARK FIRE RESCUE AUTHORITY | WALDEN, CO | $80,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| KEYSTONE CENTER | KEYSTONE, CO | $80,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| MESA COUNTY LAND CONSERVANCY INC | GRAND JCT, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | LAND PURCHASE |
| MODERN CLASSROOMS PROJECT INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| BICYCLE COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| SOLID ROCK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CO | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | RENOVATION |
| COLORADO CHILDRENS CAMPAIGN INC | DENVER, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| TROUT UNLIMITED INC | ARLINGTON, VA | $75,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| EMPOWER SCHOOLS INC | BOSTON, MA | $75,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND | BOULDER, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| WATER FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COLORADO EDUCATION INITIATIVE | DENVER, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | TEMPE, AZ | $75,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COLORADO LEAGUE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS | DENVER, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| DENVER INDIAN HEALTH AND FAMILY SER | DENVER, CO | $75,000 | 2026 | CONSTRUCTION |
| COMMUN DENVER INC | DENVER, CO | $70,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| MUSLIM YOUTH FOR POSITIVE IMPACT | BROOMFIELD, CO | $65,000 | 2026 | BUILDING PURCHASE |
| MCA DENVER | DENVER, CO | $62,408 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE BATON ROUGE AREA FOUNDATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $62,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| SOUTHERN UTE INDIAN TRIBAL COUNCIL | IGNACIO, CO | $60,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| SONORAN INSTITUTE INC | TUCSON, AZ | $60,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COLORADO PLATEAU FOUNDATION | FLAGSTAFF, AZ | $60,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION
$20,000,000PROJECT SUPPORT
CARDIGAN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
$2,000,000ENDOWMENT
LYRA
$550,000PROJECT SUPPORT
ROOTED
$400,000OPERATING
ROSE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$383,333PROJECT SUPPORT
COLORADO SCHOOLS FUND
$300,000PROJECT SUPPORT
RIVER NETWORK
PROJECT SUPPORT
ELEVATION COMMUNITY LAND TRUST
$200,000PROJECT SUPPORT
RIO GRANDE HEADWATERS LAND TR A COL
$200,000LAND PURCHASE
COLORADO WATER TRUST INC
$200,000PROJECT SUPPORT
AMERICA SUCCEEDS
$150,000PROJECT SUPPORT
NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATI
$150,000PROJECT SUPPORT
CONSERVATION COLORADO EDUCATION FUN
$150,000PROJECT SUPPORT
WILLIAM J PALMER PARKS FOUNDATION I
$150,000PROJECT SUPPORT
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIO
$150,000PROJECT SUPPORT
NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION
$125,000PROJECT SUPPORT
PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD CO
$121,500SCHOLARSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF COLORAD
$100,000PROJECT SUPPORT
COLORADO COALITION OF LAND TRUSTS
$100,000OPERATING
ELEVATION COMMUNITY LAND TRUST
$100,000PROJECT SUPPORT
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIO
$100,000PROJECT SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION
$100,000RESEARCH
MONTEZUMA LAND CONSERVANCY
$100,000PROJECT SUPPORT
COLORADO COLLEGE TH
$100,000PROJECT SUPPORT
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIO
$100,000SCHOLARSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS
COMMUNITY BUILDERS
$95,000PROJECT SUPPORT
LONG BEACH STATE FOUNDATION
$90,000SCHOLARSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS
COMMUNITY BUILDERS
$90,000PROJECT SUPPORT
NORTH PARK FIRE RESCUE AUTHORITY
$80,000PROJECT SUPPORT
KEYSTONE CENTER
$80,000PROJECT SUPPORT
MESA COUNTY LAND CONSERVANCY INC
$75,000LAND PURCHASE
MODERN CLASSROOMS PROJECT INC
$75,000PROJECT SUPPORT
BICYCLE COLORADO
$75,000PROJECT SUPPORT
SOLID ROCK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CO
$75,000RENOVATION
COLORADO CHILDRENS CAMPAIGN INC
$75,000PROJECT SUPPORT
TROUT UNLIMITED INC
$75,000PROJECT SUPPORT
EMPOWER SCHOOLS INC
$75,000PROJECT SUPPORT
NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND
$75,000PROJECT SUPPORT
WATER FOUNDATION
$75,000PROJECT SUPPORT
COLORADO EDUCATION INITIATIVE
$75,000PROJECT SUPPORT
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$75,000PROJECT SUPPORT
COLORADO LEAGUE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS
$75,000PROJECT SUPPORT
DENVER INDIAN HEALTH AND FAMILY SER
$75,000CONSTRUCTION
COMMUN DENVER INC
$70,000PROJECT SUPPORT
MUSLIM YOUTH FOR POSITIVE IMPACT
$65,000BUILDING PURCHASE
MCA DENVER
$62,408UNRESTRICTED
THE BATON ROUGE AREA FOUNDATION
$62,000PROJECT SUPPORT
SOUTHERN UTE INDIAN TRIBAL COUNCIL
$60,000PROJECT SUPPORT
SONORAN INSTITUTE INC
$60,000PROJECT SUPPORT
COLORADO PLATEAU FOUNDATION
$60,000PROJECT SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Gates Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Qualified Colorado organizations and projects. Natural resources capital projects may include land conservation; public recreation facilities, outdoor spaces, and community gardens; and projects that acquire, construct, and improve parks, greenways, and trail systems.
Deadline: Twice yearly; next deadline referenced in content is September 1, 2026.
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