The Ensign-Bickford Foundation Inc
Accepts applications
The Ensign-Bickford Foundation Inc is a private foundation in Denver, Colorado. In tax year 2025 it gave $215,425 in 49 grants; the typical grant was $900 and the largest $60,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$215,425
- Number of grants49
- Typical grant$900
- Largest grant$60,000
- Assets$5.1 million
- New grantees65%
Giving in 2025 was down from $372,664 the year before.
65% 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 | $548,562 | 94 | $4.2 million |
| 2024 | $372,664 | 73 | $4.6 million |
| 2025 | $215,425 | 49 | $5.1 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Nancy Hegele 999 17th Street Suite 900, Denver, CO 80202 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (303) 583-1355 |
| What to submit | 1. Scholarship program online application https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/ensignbickfordfdn/ required materials: current transcript of grades and sat/act test scores, if not included in transcript. 2. Employee matching program internal company electronic application required materials: copy of receipt for donation that includes the name, address, website address and tax id of charitable organization and an ach deposit form. 3. Grant program no formal application, if selected for a grant the grantee must provide organizational name, address, and tax id along with the ach deposit form. Grants are selected internally based on strategic and philanthropic goals of the company each year. |
| Deadlines | Scholarships - may 30th; employee matching - first week in december; grant program - none. |
| Restrictions | Awards are limited to eligible dependents of ensign-bickford industries & subisidaries (scholarships), eligible employees (matching gifts), and qualified tax-exempt organizations (GRANTS), with recipients selected using objective criteria (e.g., need/merit for scholarships and charitable purpose/qualification for grants). Scholarships and matching gifts are subject to maximum annual award and per-employee match limits and any applicable frequency limits. All awards and grants must comply with board-approved written eligibility and funding guidelines. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Ensign-Bickford Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 14 states, the most to Minnesota.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 3 | $70,000 |
| Connecticut | 18 | $61,276 |
| Illinois | 1 | $30,000 |
| Missouri | 7 | $27,000 |
| Maine | 3 | $17,903 |
| Tennessee | 3 | $3,350 |
| New Hampshire | 2 | $1,500 |
| Ohio | 2 | $1,268 |
| California | 3 | $1,100 |
| Colorado | 2 | $812 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarship America Inc | College scholarships | $60,000 |
| Connecticut Science Center | Education support | $30,000 |
| Society of Women Engineers | Education support | $30,000 |
| Foundation for Portland Public Schools | Education support | $17,000 |
| Southside Early Childhood Education Center | Education support | $10,000 |
| Colchester Alternative School-Age Total Learning Experience Inc Castle Inc | Education support | $5,000 |
| Community Foundation of the Ozarks | General operation support | $5,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Southwest New England | Education support | $5,000 |
| Scholarship America Inc | College scholarships | $5,000 |
| Scholarship America Inc | College scholarships | $5,000 |
| South Windsor High School | Education support | $5,000 |
| The Village for Families and Children | Behavior health services | $5,000 |
| Healing Meals Foundation Corp | Food pantry support | $3,500 |
| Pedigree Foundation | Animal rescue assistance | $3,150 |
| Alpha Kappa Educational Foundation | Education support | $3,000 |
| Drew Foundation Inc DBA Project Rise Aurora | Behavior health services | $3,000 |
| 3D Vision Basketball Academy | General operation support | $2,000 |
| City of Aurora | General operation support | $2,000 |
| Donald Danforth Plant Science Center | Education support | $2,000 |
| Kenway's Cause | Animal rescue assistance | $2,000 |
| Healing Meals Foundation Corp | Food pantry support | $1,500 |
| Pause for Parents Play for Kids Inc | General operation support | $1,018 |
| Connecticut Foodshare Inc | Food pantry support | $1,000 |
| First for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology | Education support | $1,000 |
| Helping Hands Chore Service Inc | Food pantry support | $900 |
| Dog Star Rescue Inc | Animal rescue assistance | $840 |
| Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program Inc | Food pantry support | $518 |
| American Cancer Society Inc | Medical research | $500 |
| Colorado Womens Education Foundation | Education support | $500 |
| First for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology | Education support | $500 |
| Gifts of Love | Basic needs assistance | $500 |
| Triumph Foundation | General operation support | $500 |
| Triumph Foundation | General operation support | $500 |
| Maine Roller Derby | General operation support | $385 |
| Delta Delta Delta Foundation | College scholarships | $364 |
| Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation | General operation support | $352 |
| Northfield High School Foundation | Education support | $312 |
| Live Like Becca Scholarship Fund | College scholarships | $300 |
| Mortar Board National Foundation | Fellowship assistance | $250 |
| Connecticut Science Center | Education support | $125 |
Officers and trustees
- Frederick Lovejoy III
- Bradley L Ellis II
- Dwmann
- CM Verschelden
- Robert J Martin
- Natalie Hess
Questions people ask
Does The Ensign-Bickford Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Scholarships - may 30th; employee matching - first week in december; grant program - none..
How much does The Ensign-Bickford Foundation Inc give?
$215,425 in tax year 2025, across 49 grants, with a typical grant of $900.
Who runs The Ensign-Bickford Foundation Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists Frederick Lovejoy III (Member), Bradley L Ellis II (Member), Dwmann (President) and CM Verschelden (Secretary) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does The Ensign-Bickford Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, science and research and health.