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LARRK Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$10K - $1.0M
Decision Time
2w

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $929,675 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $13.96 million
  • Grant Range: Average $24,465 per grant
  • Total Grants Awarded: 38 grants (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Denver metro area (occasionally rural Colorado and out-of-state)
  • LOI Response Time: 14 business days

Contact Details

  • Website: www.larrk.org
  • Address: 1001 17th St Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202
  • Executive Director: Wendell Fleming
  • Email for Letters of Inquiry: wendell@larrk.org

Overview

The LARRK Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Since its founding, the foundation has invested over $15 million in Denver-Metro 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The foundation partners with nonprofits to provide resources for under-resourced youth in Denver, with a strategic focus on three key areas: mental health, early childhood education, and career and technical education as a post-secondary option. The foundation is led by Robert Jornayvaz III (President), Louisa Craft Jornayvaz (Secretary), and Wendell Fleming (Executive Director). The foundation has demonstrated significant commitment to youth mental health, including a notable $1 million grant in 2020 to the University of Denver to establish a faculty chair in perinatal to five mental health.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The LARRK Foundation operates through an invitation-only grant process. Organizations must first submit a letter of inquiry, and full proposals are solicited only from organizations that align with the foundation's mission. Grants average approximately $24,465, with 38 grants awarded in 2024 totaling $929,675.

Priority Areas

Mental Health: The foundation prioritizes mental wellbeing of children and youth, particularly behavioral and mental health services. They have demonstrated significant investment in perinatal to five mental health initiatives.

Early Childhood Education: Focus on high-quality education for under-resourced children that prepares them for post-secondary success.

Career and Technical Education: Support for career-connected learning and technical education as a post-secondary option for adolescents.

The foundation supports nonprofits that help under-resourced children and adolescents obtain a high-quality education that provides access to excellent behavioral and mental health services and prepares them for post-secondary success.

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status (unless operating under the umbrella of another 501(c)(3))
  • Unsolicited full proposals (must begin with letter of inquiry process)
  • Organizations working outside the three priority areas (mental health, early childhood education, career/technical education)
  • Primary geographic focus is Denver metro area, though exceptions are occasionally made for rural Colorado or out-of-state organizations with strong mission alignment

Past Grantees

Notable grantees include: Denver Public Schools Foundation, Children's Hospital Colorado, Kent Denver School, University of Denver, Denver Art Museum, Colorado Ballet, Central City Opera, Civic Center Conservancy, Baby Haven, Breakthrough, and numerous other Denver-area youth-serving organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Robert Jornayvaz III - President

Louisa Craft Jornayvaz - Secretary and Trustee. In speaking about the foundation's $1 million grant to the University of Denver, Louisa Jornayvaz stated: "The LARRK Foundation hopes to strengthen research and service in mental health to help even more families."

Wendell Fleming - Executive Director (Compensation: $142,162). Fleming has been active in Denver's nonprofit community and serves on the Board of Directors of Colorado Open Lands. She leads the foundation's grantmaking strategy and serves as the primary contact for organizations interested in funding.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The LARRK Foundation operates through an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited full proposals. Organizations interested in funding must follow these steps:

  1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Submit a letter of inquiry (maximum 250 words) to wendell@larrk.org describing your organization and how it aligns with the foundation's mission.

  2. Initial Review: The foundation will review the LOI and respond within 14 business days to indicate whether they are interested in learning more about your organization.

  3. Site Visit: If the board determines your work aligns with their mission, they will request a site visit to learn more about your organization and its programs.

  4. Full Proposal: Following the site visit, if they believe your organization fits within their current funding parameters, they will solicit a full proposal and provide a deadline for submission.

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Response: 14 business days
  • Full Proposal Timeline: Provided upon invitation
  • Overall Process: Multi-stage process including LOI review, site visit, and full proposal review

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization or operate under the umbrella of another 501(c)(3) organization
  • Geographic preference for Denver metro area, though rural Colorado and select out-of-state organizations may be considered if strongly aligned with mission
  • Work must align with one or more of the foundation's three priority areas

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 38 grants totaling $929,675 in 2024. Specific success rate data (percentage of applications funded) is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Organizations should inquire directly with the foundation.

Application Success Factors

Mission Alignment is Critical: The foundation emphasizes that they "solicit proposals from organizations that are aligned with their mission." Organizations must demonstrate clear alignment with mental health, early childhood education, or career and technical education priorities.

Focus on Under-Resourced Youth: Successful applicants serve under-resourced children and adolescents in Denver. The foundation seeks to "partner with grantees to better serve the most vulnerable youth in the Denver metro area."

Quality Education and Mental Health Access: The foundation looks for organizations that help youth "obtain a high-quality education that provides access to excellent behavioral and mental health services and prepares them for post-secondary success."

Long-Term Impact: The foundation has demonstrated commitment to sustained impact, as evidenced by their multi-year support for initiatives like the University of Denver's perinatal to five mental health specialty, which began with a grant in 2016 and was followed by a $1 million endowed chair in 2020.

Strong Leadership and Operations: The foundation conducts site visits before inviting full proposals, suggesting they value seeing operations firsthand and meeting leadership teams.

Relationship-Based Grantmaking: The invitation-only approach and site visit requirement indicate the foundation values building relationships with potential grantees before making funding decisions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Start with a concise LOI: Your first contact is a 250-word letter of inquiry—make it count by clearly demonstrating alignment with mental health, early childhood education, or career/technical education priorities.

  • Geographic focus matters: While exceptions exist, Denver metro area organizations have the strongest chance of success.

  • Be patient with the process: The multi-stage process (LOI, site visit, proposal invitation) requires time and relationship-building rather than quick turnaround.

  • Demonstrate service to vulnerable youth: Emphasize how your organization serves under-resourced children and adolescents with educational and mental health needs.

  • Expect relationship development: The foundation conducts site visits and builds relationships before making funding decisions—be prepared to invest time in getting to know foundation staff.

  • Average grant size is moderate: With an average grant of approximately $24,465, align your funding requests with realistic expectations based on the foundation's giving patterns.

  • Highlight post-secondary preparation: The foundation values programs that prepare youth for post-secondary success, whether through traditional education or career/technical pathways.

References

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