Gates Family Foundation
Accepts applications
Gates Family Foundation is a private foundation in Denver, Colorado. In tax year 2025 it gave $36.3 million in 374 grants; the typical grant was $25,000 and the largest $20.0 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$36.3 million
- Number of grants374
- Typical grant$25,000
- Largest grant$20.0 million
- Assets$635 million
- New grantees48%
Giving in 2025 was down from $37.3 million the year before.
48% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $41.1 million | 372 | $583 million |
| 2024 | $37.3 million | 360 | $598 million |
| 2025 | $36.3 million | 374 | $635 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Gates Family Foundation 1390 Lawrence Street 400, Denver, CO 80204 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (303) 722-1881 |
| What to submit | Capital grant applicants should use the common grant application available on the foundation's website: www.gatesfamilyfoundation.org. Please reference our website for more information about our initiated grant making. |
| Deadlines | Proposal deadlines: march 15 and september 1. |
| Restrictions | The foundation supports capital projects, which are typically building purchase, construction, expansion, renovation, and/or land acquisition, as well as other forms of initiated grant making for capital, program, operating and other purposes in four priority areas - K-12 education, natural resources, community development, and informed communities. The foundation also makes recyclable commitments of capital in the form of program related investments in support of its objectives in the four priority areas for initiated activity. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Gates Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 24 states, the most to Colorado.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 249 | $31.2 million |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $2.0 million |
| California | 34 | $808,156 |
| Arizona | 15 | $456,461 |
| District of Columbia | 7 | $380,000 |
| Massachusetts | 5 | $328,220 |
| Hawaii | 25 | $256,500 |
| Virginia | 4 | $210,000 |
| Texas | 12 | $150,812 |
| Montana | 1 | $125,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Foundation | Project support | $20.0 million |
| Cardigan Mountain School | Endowment | $2.0 million |
| Lyra | Project support | $550,000 |
| Rooted | Operating | $400,000 |
| Rose Community Foundation | Project support | $383,333 |
| Colorado Schools Fund | Project support | $300,000 |
| River Network | Project support | $250,000 |
| Colorado Water Trust Inc | Project support | $200,000 |
| Elevation Community Land Trust | Project support | $200,000 |
| Rio Grande Headwaters Land Tr A Col | Land purchase | $200,000 |
| America Succeeds | Project support | $150,000 |
| Colorado State University Foundatio | Project support | $150,000 |
| Conservation Colorado Education Fun | Project support | $150,000 |
| National Fish and Wildlife Foundati | Project support | $150,000 |
| William J Palmer Parks Foundation I | Project support | $150,000 |
| National Forest Foundation | Project support | $125,000 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard Co | Scholarships/fellowships | $121,500 |
| Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts | Operating | $100,000 |
| Colorado College TH | Project support | $100,000 |
| Colorado State University Foundatio | Project support | $100,000 |
| Colorado State University Foundatio | Scholarships/fellowships | $100,000 |
| Elevation Community Land Trust | Project support | $100,000 |
| Montezuma Land Conservancy | Project support | $100,000 |
| State Historical Society of Colorad | Project support | $100,000 |
| University of Colorado Foundation | Research | $100,000 |
| Community Builders | Project support | $95,000 |
| Community Builders | Project support | $90,000 |
| Long Beach State Foundation | Scholarships/fellowships | $90,000 |
| Keystone Center | Project support | $80,000 |
| North Park Fire Rescue Authority | Project support | $80,000 |
| Arizona State University Foundation | Project support | $75,000 |
| Bicycle Colorado | Project support | $75,000 |
| Colorado Childrens Campaign Inc | Project support | $75,000 |
| Colorado Education Initiative | Project support | $75,000 |
| Colorado League of Charter Schools | Project support | $75,000 |
| Denver Indian Health and Family Ser | Construction | $75,000 |
| Empower Schools Inc | Project support | $75,000 |
| Mesa County Land Conservancy Inc | Land purchase | $75,000 |
| Modern Classrooms Project Inc | Project support | $75,000 |
| Native American Rights Fund | Project support | $75,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Dane Harbaugh
- Lauren Davis
- Wesley Brown
- Richard G Kiely
- Virginia C Bayless
- Rosemary Rodriguez
- Ernest House
- Thomas A Gougeon
- Leslie Sabin
Questions people ask
Does Gates Family Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Proposal deadlines: march 15 and september 1.
How much does Gates Family Foundation give?
$36.3 million in tax year 2025, across 374 grants, with a typical grant of $25,000.
Who runs Gates Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Dane Harbaugh (Trustee), Lauren Davis (Vice Chair), Wesley Brown (Treasurer) and Richard G Kiely (Chair) among 9 officers and trustees.
What does Gates Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, environment and conservation and community development.