Brett Family Foundation
Accepts applications
Brett Family Foundation is a private foundation in Boulder, Colorado. In tax year 2025 it gave $481,000 in 46 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $90,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$481,000
- Number of grants46
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$90,000
- Assets$10.1 million
- New grantees19%
Giving in 2025 was down from $503,500 the year before.
19% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $494,000 | 47 | $8.8 million |
| 2024 | $503,500 | 49 | $9.1 million |
| 2025 | $481,000 | 46 | $10.1 million |
How to apply
| Contact | The Brett Family Foundation 1123 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO 80302 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (303) 442-1200, info@brettfoundation.org |
| What to submit | The foundation has no prescribed application form. First-time grant applicants should initially contact the foundation by letter of inquiry at least two months prior to the targeted application deadline. Please include the following information in the letter of inquiry: 1.) brief description of your organization; 2.) purpose of the program or project for which you are seeking funding and the amount being requested; 3.) outcomes anticipated and plans for assssing achievements; 4.) current organizational operating budget, plus a project budget if applicable; and 5.) copy of current 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS. The brett family foundation will send a letter to request a full proposal or decline your letter of inquiry. The foundation encourages the use of the Colorado common grant application format for full proposals. Please see our website for additional information (www.brettfoundation.org). |
| Deadlines | Grant cycle deadlines are according to program area. Please see website (www.brettfoundation.org). |
| Restrictions | The brett family foundation supports caring communities by investing in organizations throughout Colorado working for social justice, and boulder county nonprofits addressing the needs of underserved communities, primarily disadvantaged youth and their families. The foundation has two primary funding priorities: 1.) social justice (statewide): organizations throughout the state of Colorado working to address the root causes of social, economic, gender and racial inequities through strategies that empower affected communities to engage in the democratic process and advance progressive policy solutions. 2.) direct services (boulder county): boulder county nonprofits that provide direct services and support for underserved populations with an emphasis on programs for disadvantaged and high-risk youth and their families. The brett family foundation funds groups that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code. 3.) programs and services at the university of co. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Brett Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to Colorado.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 40 | $447,000 |
| New York | 3 | $17,500 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $7,500 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $5,000 |
| Wyoming | 1 | $4,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County | Brett - shoemaker fund: lyons community foundation | $90,000 |
| The Bell Policy Center | General support | $60,000 |
| New Era Colorado Foundation | General Support | $35,000 |
| University of Colorado Foundation | Center for African and African American Studies | $30,000 |
| Colorado Symphony Association | General Support | $15,000 |
| Colorado Times Recorder | General Support | $15,000 |
| Community Resource Center Inc | General support | $13,000 |
| Colorado Democracy Network | General support | $10,000 |
| Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition | General support | $10,000 |
| Conservation Colorado Education Fund | General support | $10,000 |
| Impact Charitable | Oxygen Fund | $10,000 |
| Progressnow Colorado Education | General Support | $10,000 |
| Public Broadcasting of Colorado Inc | General Support | $10,000 |
| University of Colorado Foundation | Cmdi | $10,000 |
| Colorado Immigrant Justice Fund | General support | $8,000 |
| Western Resource Advocates | General Support | $8,000 |
| Civic News Company | General support | $7,500 |
| Cobalt Foundation | General support | $7,500 |
| Common Cause Education Fund | General Support | $7,500 |
| Aspen Journalism | General Support | $5,000 |
| Colorado Civic Engagement Roundtable | General Support | $5,000 |
| Colorado Fiscal Institute | General support | $5,000 |
| Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Right | General Support | $5,000 |
| Florence Crittenton Services of Colorado | General Support | $5,000 |
| Futuro Media Group | General Support | $5,000 |
| Great Education Colorado Fund | General support | $5,000 |
| Impact on education INC | General support | $5,000 |
| Latino Community Foundation of Colorado Inc | Cifc | $5,000 |
| Mainstream Colorado Education | General Support | $5,000 |
| National Trust for Local News | General support | $5,000 |
| The Colorado Education Initiative | Colorado trustee network | $5,000 |
| Together Colorado | General support | $5,000 |
| Transformative Leadership for Change | General Support | $5,000 |
| University of Colorado Foundation | General Support | $5,000 |
| Western Colorado Alliance | General Support | $5,000 |
| Young Invincibles | General support | $5,000 |
| Rose Community Foundation | General support | $4,000 |
| University Of Wyoming Foundation | General support | $4,000 |
| Sopris Sun Inc | General Support | $3,500 |
| Colorado Freedom of Information Council | General Support | $3,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Linda J Shoemaker
- Stephen M Brett
Questions people ask
Does Brett Family Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Grant cycle deadlines are according to program area. Please see website (www.brettfoundation.org)..
How much does Brett Family Foundation give?
$481,000 in tax year 2025, across 46 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Brett Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Linda J Shoemaker (President) and Stephen M Brett (Chairman).
What does Brett Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly community development, education and human services.