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The Cielo Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.1M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,139,803 (2023)
  • Total Awards: 24 awards (2023)
  • Grant Range: Up to $20,000 per scholarship
  • Scholarship Range: Up to $10,000 for vocational certification programs
  • Geographic Focus: Boulder & Denver metropolitan areas, Colorado; grants also made nationally
  • Assets: $75,081,628

Contact Details

Address: 6658 Gunpark Drive, Suite 202 #A, Boulder, CO 80301

Phone: 303-449-4707

Email:

Website: https://cielosch.org

Overview

Founded in 2007 and led by President Judith Cogen and Vice President Alan Cogen, The Cielo Foundation is a private independent foundation that focuses on providing need-based scholarships for vocational and technical education. With assets totaling over $75 million, the foundation distributed $7.1 million in 2023 through 24 awards. The foundation's distinctive approach emphasizes trade and technical schools as alternatives to traditional four-year colleges, helping individuals with demonstrated financial need enter the job market quickly and competitively without incurring significant debt. The foundation's name, "Cielo," means "sky" in Spanish, reflecting their tagline "The Sky's the Limit!"

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Vocational Training Scholarships: Up to $10,000 - $20,000

  • Need-based scholarships for trade school and technical certification programs
  • Focus on two-year or shorter vocational training programs
  • Covers certification programs at trade schools and community colleges
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
  • Open to applicants regardless of language spoken or documentation status

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes:

  • Trade and technical school education as alternatives to traditional college
  • Programs that lead directly to employment opportunities
  • Vocational training that allows students to enter the job market quickly
  • Certifications in skilled trades and technical fields
  • Community college vocational programs in Boulder and Denver areas
  • Training that reduces educational debt while increasing job market competitiveness

What They Don't Fund

  • Esthetician programs (currently not accepting applications for this field)
  • Traditional four-year college degree programs (focus is on vocational training)

Governance and Leadership

Judith Cogen, President (part-time, $30,000 compensation) Alan Cogen, Vice President (part-time, $30,000 compensation)

The foundation operates with a lean administrative structure, with both leaders working part-time to oversee the foundation's operations and grantmaking activities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Cielo Foundation accepts scholarship applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Prospective applicants should:

  1. Review the foundation's "What We Can and Cannot Do" document
  2. Review the Application Requirements document
  3. Complete the application in English (Spanish application coming soon)
  4. Contact the foundation with questions at 303-449-4707 or scholarships@cielosch.org

Application submissions: cieloedu@aol.com

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed as they are received, and scholarships are granted throughout the year. This rolling approach accommodates the varying start dates of different trade and technical school programs. Specific decision timeframes are not publicly documented; applicants should contact the foundation directly for timeline estimates.

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation made 24 awards totaling $7,139,803. Specific application numbers and acceptance rates are not publicly available.

Post-Award Requirements

Scholarship recipients must:

  • Attend class regularly
  • Receive passing grades
  • Complete their certificate program
  • Complete a brief survey for four years after receiving the award

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not specified on public-facing materials. Applicants should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication opportunities.

Application Success Factors

The foundation emphasizes several key factors for successful applications:

Demonstrated Financial Need: The foundation explicitly states they "work with people with demonstrated financial need to get into the job market quickly and competitively through trade and technical schools without going into debt."

Clear Career Path: Applications should demonstrate a strong desire to pursue certification in a vocational training program with direct employment opportunities.

Program Selection: Choose trade or technical programs that typically lead to employment after graduation. The foundation values programs where students can "study a subject of their passion while spending less money on tuition and increasing placement in jobs for which they are qualified."

Realistic Training Timeline: Programs should be completable within two years or less.

Geographic Fit: Priority appears to be given to programs in the Boulder and Denver metropolitan areas.

Commitment to Completion: Applicants must be willing to commit to attending class, achieving passing grades, and completing the certification program.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Note: This foundation provides scholarships directly to individuals rather than grants to organizations. The following takeaways apply to individual scholarship applicants:

  • The foundation has substantial assets ($75M+) and makes significant annual distributions ($7M+), indicating strong financial capacity
  • Focus on vocational training and trade schools rather than traditional college education
  • Applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis, providing flexibility for applicants with different program start dates
  • Financial need is a critical qualification factor
  • Open to all applicants regardless of language or documentation status
  • Four-year post-award follow-up requirement demonstrates the foundation's interest in long-term outcomes
  • Currently not accepting esthetician program applications - check with foundation for other program restrictions
  • Both foundation leaders (Judith and Alan Cogen) maintain modest salaries, suggesting a strong commitment to directing resources toward scholarships

References

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