The Anschutz Foundation is a Denver-based private foundation supporting Colorado nonprofits in health, human services, education, youth development, quality of life, and values-based community work.
The foundation supports individuals and communities by funding nonprofit work that improves quality of life, expands access to services, strengthens community systems, and promotes opportunity across Colorado.
Founded in 1984 by Philip F. Anschutz, The Anschutz Foundation was established as a private charitable foundation. Its work has focused largely on Colorado, where it has supported hundreds of nonprofit organizations over more than four decades. The foundation reports that it currently makes more than 500 grants each year across areas including health and wellness, human services, youth development and education, quality of life and development, and values and relationships.
The Anschutz Foundation operates as a general-purpose private foundation. It primarily funds causes and organizations in Colorado, with emphasis on youth development and education, health and wellness, human services, improved quality of life, and personal values and responsibilities. New applicants are advised to submit a one- to two-page letter of inquiry because full proposal preparation can be costly. The foundation uses the inquiry as part of its screening process and may then provide access to an online application. Requests remain under consideration until the applicant is notified of a denial or award.
The foundation has supported hundreds of nonprofit organizations over more than four decades, with giving concentrated primarily in Colorado. Its major gifts helped shape the CU Anschutz Medical Campus as a major academic health center. The foundation also supports youth-serving infrastructure, community-based human services, cultural institutions, education, and quality-of-life initiatives.
The foundation’s official website lists recent major grantees across health, education, culture, youth development, and human services. Named organizations include American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado UpLift, CrossPurpose, Denver Art Museum, Denver Health Foundation, Denver Scholarship Foundation, Food Bank of the Rockies, Goodwill of Colorado, Junior Achievement, STEP Denver, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Urban Peak, Volunteers of America, and Warren Village.
The Anschutz Foundation states that it is separate from other Anschutz-related entities, including the Anschutz Family Foundation, The Anschutz Corporation, and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The foundation is listed on its 2023 Form 990-PF as a Section 501(c)(3) exempt private foundation and is registered or reports in Colorado. The same filing reports fair market value of total assets of $1.865B at year end, total net assets or fund balances of $1.653B, and qualifying distributions of $73.0M. The foundation’s publicly available grant information emphasizes letters of inquiry for new applicants and states that requests remain under review until applicants receive a denial or award notification.