Anschutz Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Anschutz Foundation supports health and wellness, human services, youth development and education, quality of life and development, and values and relationships in Colorado.

FUNDING AREAS: Health and wellness, human services, youth development and education, quality of life and development, values and relationships

IP TAKE: This funder has a conservative and faith-based approach to local grantmaking, so nonprofits should ensure their values align with Philip Anschutz’s before reaching out for support.

PROFILE: Established in 1984, the Anschutz Foundation is a private foundation based in Denver, Colorado. Philip F. Anschutz and Nancy Anschutz created this foundation, and through it, they have awarded over 500 grants per year to nonprofits. Philip Anschutz is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and faith-based activist with past ventures in oil, real estate, telecommunications, music, film, railroads, and sports teams. This foundation is separate from the Anschutz Family Foundation and the Anschutz Corporation. It aims to “strengthen individuals and communities to improve the quality of lives.” The foundation funds local efforts for health, wellness, human services, youth development, education, quality of life, development, values, and relationships.

The Anschutz Foundation awards health grants to expand access to services for Colorado residents. Human services grants focus on basic needs and urgent causes. Youth grants target high-quality educational programs in the state. Quality of life grants focus on developing the state’s infrastructure and supporting cultural institutions. Finally, the foundation awards grants that promote the values and types of relationships that the founders believe create the basis of a flourishing society. A majority of grants are in the form of general support. The foundation received the “Outstanding Foundation” award in 2016 on National Philanthropy Day in Colorado.

Grants range between about $10,000 and $1 million. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking primarily focuses on the state of Colorado. Past local grantees include the Denver Rescue Mission, Mile High United Way, Denver Art Museum, and the Children’s Hospital of Colorado.

According to recent tax records, this foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry from nonprofits. However, it does not provide grant seeker guidelines, deadlines, or application forms on its website. Instead, grant seekers should submit a brief letter of inquiry to the foundation by mail or email at any time of the year. Past proposals deadlines have been in mid-January, late-March, mid-July, and late-September. Direct general questions to the staff at taf-info@tac.denver.com or 303-308-8220.

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