The Buell Foundation is a professional philanthropic organization supporting the positive development of children through grants and partnerships, focusing primarily on early childhood (birth to five) in the state of Colorado.
Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation’s largest recent award was a $1,000,000 grant to Colorado Forum Fund Inc for the Drive Initiative at the Colorado, a signal that the foundation backs statewide early childhood work at sizable levels when projects are tied to systems change. Across the recent grants list, the foundation consistently supports early childhood education and development in Colorado, with a clear emphasis on capital, workforce, mental health consultation, and community infrastructure for young children and caregivers. The grant record shows repeated support for facilities and center development, including awards to Buena Vista School District for a preschool capital project and to Vail Valley Foundation Inc for capital tied to the Avon childcare center. It also funds organizations building the early childhood workforce and network field, such as Clayton Early Learning and Colorado Community College System F. The pattern suggests a funder that combines program support with long-term investments in places, people, and local systems serving infants, preschool-aged children, and their families.
Early childhood facilities are a major theme. The foundation gave $330,000 to Buena Vista School District for a preschool capital project and $250,000 to Vail Valley Foundation Inc for capital for the Avon childcare center, showing direct support for physical capacity in local communities. It also backed childcare center development through Stratton Area Foundation 2 Inc with a $220,000 grant. Workforce development is another clear area. Colorado Community College System F received $200,000 for the Skills Instructor Pilot at four sites and another $200,000 for the Skills Instructor Pilot, indicating repeated support for training and instruction pathways. The foundation also funded Colorado Mountain College Foundation with $200,000 for multilingual learning ECE pathways. Mental health and trauma-informed practice appear in the grants to Centennial Mental Health Center Inc for early childhood mental health consultation and to Resilient Communities Resilient Fut for embedding trauma-informed practices.
Typical awards cluster in the mid-five-figure to low-six-figure range, with p25 at $15,000, median at $28,000, and p75 at $50,000. The recent grants list also shows a set of larger project grants at $170,000 to $1,000,000, especially for capital, workforce, and systems work. The foundation is a regular funder and funds individuals, but the data here does not show an application process. Grantmaking appears recurring rather than one-off in several cases: Clayton Early Learning, Centennial Mental Health Center Inc, Denver Health Foundation, and Colorado Community College System F each appear in more than one year or with more than one award.
$19.8M
$477.1M
$39.1M
$28.1M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $28K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$28K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 98% of grants go to recipients in CO.
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Colorado-focused: 98% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is CO. Recent awards land across Denver, Arvada, Sterling, Longmont, Avon, and Buena Vista, with additional support in smaller communities such as Alamosa, Idaho Springs, Stratton, Eagle, and Breckenridge. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 1,432 grants to U.S. organizations.
The foundation focuses on the positive development of children, especially early childhood from birth to age five. Recent grants center on early childhood education and development, workforce development for early childhood caregivers, mental health consultation, capital projects for early childhood facilities, and early childhood councils in Colorado.
The grant-size distribution is concentrated in mid-sized awards: p25 is $15,000, median is $28,000, and p75 is $50,000. The recent list also includes larger project grants above that range, including awards of $170,000 and higher for capital, workforce, and systems work.
Its giving is strongly Colorado-centered. The top state by grant count is Colorado, and 98% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grants list shown here is entirely U.S.-based.
The recent record includes preschool capital projects, childcare center development, family child care home facilities, multilingual ECE pathways, early childhood mental health consultation, and trauma-informed practice work. These grants show support for both facilities and field infrastructure.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years or multiple awards, including Clayton Early Learning, Centennial Mental Health Center Inc, Denver Health Foundation, and Colorado Community College System F. That pattern suggests recurring relationships rather than isolated one-time grants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLORADO FORUM FUND INC | DENVER, CO | $1,000,000 | 2025 | THE DRIVE INITIATIVE AT THE COLORADO |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE SAN LUI | ALAMOSA, CO | $300,000 | 2025 | ECE CAPITAL, TO BE PAID WHEN 50 OF C |
| VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION INC | AVON, CO | $250,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL FOR THE AVON CHILDCARE CENTE |
| STRATTON AREA FOUNDATION 2 INC | STRATTON, CO | $220,000 | 2025 | CHILDCARE CENTER DEVELOPMENT IN STRA |
| COLORADO STATEWIDE PARENT COALITION | DENVER, CO | $220,000 | 2025 | FFN CAREGIVER POLICY IMPLEMENTATION, |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL LEADERSHIP | ARVADA, CO | $200,000 | 2025 | THE FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME FACILITIE |
| COLORADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM F | DENVER, CO | $200,000 | 2025 | THE SKILLS INSTRUCTOR PILOT |
| MOUNTAIN TOTS PRESCHOOL | EAGLE, CO | $200,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL FOR NEW CHILD CARE CENTER |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL LEADERSHIP | ARVADA, CO | $200,000 | 2025 | FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME FACILITIES |
| COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE FOUNDATIO | GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO | $200,000 | 2025 | MULTILINGUAL LEARNING ECE PATHWAYS |
| TLC LEARNING CENTER | LONGMONT, CO | $200,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL FOR THE TLC EARLY LEARNING C |
| COLORADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM F | DENVER, CO | $200,000 | 2025 | THE SKILLS INSTRUCTOR PILOT AT FOUR |
| SUMMIT COUNTY GOVERNMENT | BRECKENRIDGE, CO | $198,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL FOR A NEW CHILD CARE CENTER |
| CLAYTON EARLY LEARNING TRUSTEE GE | DENVER, CO | $197,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RESILIENT COMMUNITIES RESILIENT FUT | DENVER, CO | $185,000 | 2025 | EMBEDDING TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES |
| CLAYTON EARLY LEARNING TRUSTEE GEOR | DENVER, CO | $175,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, TO BE PAI |
| CENTENNIAL MENTAL HEALTH CENTER INC | STERLING, CO | $170,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSUL |
| DENVER HEALTH FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $170,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS. |
| CENTENNIAL MENTAL HEALTH CENTER INC | STERLING, CO | $170,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS. |
| TEACHORG INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $169,000 | 2025 | TEACH COLORADO'S EXPANSION |
| WESTERN STOCK SHOW ASSOCIATION | DENVER, CO | $166,667 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP/NAMING RIGHTS |
| WESTERN STOCK SHOW ASSOCIATION | DENVER, CO | $166,666 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP NAMING RIGHTS FOR THE SC |
| HEALTH SOLUTIONS | PUEBLO, CO | $165,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS. |
| HEALTH SOLUTIONS | PUEBLO, CO | $165,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSUL |
| COLORADO STATEWIDE PARENT COALITION | DENVER, CO | $152,000 | 2025 | CIRCLE GRANT SUPPLEMENT |
| COLORADO CHILDRENS CAMPAIGN INC | DENVER, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL SAN LUIS VA | ALAMOSA, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSUL |
| HEALTHY CHILD CARE COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | THE PYRAMID COLORADO NETWORK HUB |
| WILD BEAR NATURE CENTER | NEDERLAND, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROG |
| CONFLUENCE CENTER OF COLORADO INC | GRAND JUNCTION, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL FOR STREAM PRESCHOOL, TO BE |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL OF LARIMER | FORT COLLINS, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS. |
| HAVEN HOUSE | MONTROSE, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL TO EXPAND CHILD CARE |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL OF LARIMER | FORT COLLINS, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSUL |
| COLORADO CHILDRENS CAMPAIGN INC | DENVER, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | TO BE PAID OVER TWO YEARS AND TO BE |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL SAN LIS VAL | ALAMOSA, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS. |
| RESILIENT COMMUTIES RESILIENT FUTU | DENVER, CO | $146,000 | 2025 | TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICES PROG. |
| TEACHORG INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $142,250 | 2025 | EXPANDING TEACH COLORADOS SUPPORT OF |
| JOINT INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH & FAMIL | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $132,703 | 2025 | CAREER NAVIGATION SYSTEMS BUILDING |
| HEALTHY CHILD CARE COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $125,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS. |
| BUELL EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERS NETWO | DENVER, CO | $125,000 | 2025 | THE BUELL EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERS NE |
| MONTESSORI INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNI | DENVER, CO | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, TO BE PAI |
| CARE INVESTMENT PARTNERS LP | SAN DIEGO, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | MISSION DRIVEN FINANCES COLORADO CAR |
| JOINT INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH FAMIL | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $125,000 | 2025 | INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS BUILDING |
| BUELL EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERS NETWO | DENVER, CO | $125,000 | 2025 | THE BUELL EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERS NE |
| MONTESSORI DEL MUNDO | AURORA, CO | $125,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL TO OPEN NEW ECE SLOTS |
| DENVER'S EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL | DENVER, CO | $125,000 | 2025 | INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS BUILDING |
| ARAPAHOE COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD COU | CENTENNIAL, CO | $125,000 | 2025 | INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS BUILDING, |
| JOINT INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH FAMILI | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $125,000 | 2025 | INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS BUILDING, |
| ARAPAHOE COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD COU | CENTENNIAL, CO | $125,000 | 2025 | INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS BUILDING |
| BRIGHT FUTURES | TELLURIDE, CO | $123,000 | 2025 | TO BE PAID OVER TWO YEARS AND TO BE |
COLORADO FORUM FUND INC
$1,000,000THE DRIVE INITIATIVE AT THE COLORADO
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE SAN LUI
$300,000ECE CAPITAL, TO BE PAID WHEN 50 OF C
VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION INC
$250,000CAPITAL FOR THE AVON CHILDCARE CENTE
STRATTON AREA FOUNDATION 2 INC
$220,000CHILDCARE CENTER DEVELOPMENT IN STRA
COLORADO STATEWIDE PARENT COALITION
$220,000FFN CAREGIVER POLICY IMPLEMENTATION,
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL LEADERSHIP
$200,000THE FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME FACILITIE
COLORADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM F
$200,000THE SKILLS INSTRUCTOR PILOT
MOUNTAIN TOTS PRESCHOOL
$200,000CAPITAL FOR NEW CHILD CARE CENTER
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL LEADERSHIP
$200,000FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME FACILITIES
COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE FOUNDATIO
$200,000MULTILINGUAL LEARNING ECE PATHWAYS
TLC LEARNING CENTER
$200,000CAPITAL FOR THE TLC EARLY LEARNING C
COLORADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM F
$200,000THE SKILLS INSTRUCTOR PILOT AT FOUR
SUMMIT COUNTY GOVERNMENT
$198,000CAPITAL FOR A NEW CHILD CARE CENTER
CLAYTON EARLY LEARNING TRUSTEE GE
$197,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
RESILIENT COMMUNITIES RESILIENT FUT
$185,000EMBEDDING TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES
CLAYTON EARLY LEARNING TRUSTEE GEOR
$175,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, TO BE PAI
CENTENNIAL MENTAL HEALTH CENTER INC
$170,000EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSUL
DENVER HEALTH FOUNDATION
$170,000EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS.
CENTENNIAL MENTAL HEALTH CENTER INC
$170,000EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS.
TEACHORG INC
$169,000TEACH COLORADO'S EXPANSION
WESTERN STOCK SHOW ASSOCIATION
$166,667SPONSORSHIP/NAMING RIGHTS
WESTERN STOCK SHOW ASSOCIATION
$166,666SPONSORSHIP NAMING RIGHTS FOR THE SC
HEALTH SOLUTIONS
$165,000EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS.
HEALTH SOLUTIONS
$165,000EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSUL
COLORADO STATEWIDE PARENT COALITION
$152,000CIRCLE GRANT SUPPLEMENT
COLORADO CHILDRENS CAMPAIGN INC
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL SAN LUIS VA
$150,000EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSUL
HEALTHY CHILD CARE COLORADO
$150,000THE PYRAMID COLORADO NETWORK HUB
WILD BEAR NATURE CENTER
$150,000CAPITAL FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROG
CONFLUENCE CENTER OF COLORADO INC
$150,000CAPITAL FOR STREAM PRESCHOOL, TO BE
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL OF LARIMER
$150,000EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS.
HAVEN HOUSE
$150,000CAPITAL TO EXPAND CHILD CARE
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL OF LARIMER
$150,000EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSUL
COLORADO CHILDRENS CAMPAIGN INC
$150,000TO BE PAID OVER TWO YEARS AND TO BE
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL SAN LIS VAL
$150,000EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS.
RESILIENT COMMUTIES RESILIENT FUTU
$146,000TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICES PROG.
TEACHORG INC
$142,250EXPANDING TEACH COLORADOS SUPPORT OF
JOINT INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH & FAMIL
$132,703CAREER NAVIGATION SYSTEMS BUILDING
HEALTHY CHILD CARE COLORADO
$125,000EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONS.
BUELL EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERS NETWO
$125,000THE BUELL EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERS NE
MONTESSORI INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNI
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, TO BE PAI
CARE INVESTMENT PARTNERS LP
$125,000MISSION DRIVEN FINANCES COLORADO CAR
JOINT INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH FAMIL
$125,000INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS BUILDING
BUELL EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERS NETWO
$125,000THE BUELL EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERS NE
MONTESSORI DEL MUNDO
$125,000CAPITAL TO OPEN NEW ECE SLOTS
DENVER'S EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL
$125,000INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS BUILDING
ARAPAHOE COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD COU
$125,000INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS BUILDING,
JOINT INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH FAMILI
$125,000INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS BUILDING,
ARAPAHOE COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD COU
$125,000INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS BUILDING
BRIGHT FUTURES
$123,000TO BE PAID OVER TWO YEARS AND TO BE
Current and upcoming funding from Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants must align with the Foundation’s early childhood mission and general eligibility requirements.
Deadline: September deadline each year; 2026 deadline was Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Who can apply: Must be a licensed child care center and otherwise meet the foundation's early childhood funding guidelines.
Deadline: Uses the foundation's standard grant deadlines (mid-January, first business day of May, and first business day of September).
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.