Seay Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,089,169 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $234,000 - $855,000 (organizational grants)
• Geographic Focus: Colorado Springs, CO (primary); National (scholarships)

Contact Details

Address: 2 North Cascade Avenue, Suite 560, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Phone: 719-630-1186

Email: sf0014@questoffice.net

Overview

The Seay Foundation was granted charitable status in June 1965 and operates as a private foundation based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With total assets of approximately $25 million and annual distributions of $1.1 million, the foundation focuses on education, higher education, religion (particularly Christianity), human services, and youth development. The foundation is overseen by a single trustee, W. Bruce Kopper, who receives compensation of $50,000 annually. The foundation operates with two distinct grant programs: scholarships for higher education students and community assistance operational grants for nonprofit organizations, primarily within Colorado Springs. In 2023, the foundation made just two awards totaling over $1 million, indicating a strategic approach to grantmaking with significant funding per recipient.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Educational Scholarships: $234,120 (2023)

• Available for any college or university in the United States
• Nomination-only process (must be nominated by advisory committee member)
• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA required
• Annual deadline: May 1st

Community Assistance Operational Grants: $855,049 (2023)

• Focused on operational support for nonprofit organizations
• Application process not publicly disclosed
• Appears to be awarded through trustee discretion

Priority Areas

• Education and higher education
• Religion and Christianity
• Human services
• Youth development
• Community assistance programs
• Organizational operational support

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. The foundation appears to focus primarily on Colorado Springs-based organizations for community assistance grants.

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: W. Bruce Kopper (sole trustee, compensation: $50,000 annually)

The foundation also maintains an Advisory Committee that plays a critical role in the nomination process for educational scholarships, though the specific members of this committee are not publicly disclosed.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Scholarships (Individuals): The Seay Foundation operates a nomination-only scholarship program. Students cannot apply directly and must be nominated by a member of the Foundation's Advisory Committee. Once nominated, the application requires:

• Nomination form (provided by nominator)
• Completed application form
• Official transcript
• Photo
• Three references
• Deadline: May 1st annually

For Organizational Grants: The Seay Foundation does not have a public application process for community assistance or operational grants. Based on the limited number of grants awarded annually (2 grants in 2023), the foundation appears to operate through trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships. Organizations interested in funding should contact the foundation directly via email or phone to inquire about potential funding opportunities.

Getting on Their Radar

The Seay Foundation operates with an Advisory Committee structure for its scholarship program, which suggests that relationship-building with committee members may be important for organizational funding as well. Given the foundation's focus on Colorado Springs-based organizations, local nonprofit leaders may want to:

• Contact the foundation directly at sf0014@questoffice.net to introduce their organization and inquire about the foundation's current funding interests
• Establish connections within the Colorado Springs nonprofit and philanthropic community where Advisory Committee members may be active

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the May 1st deadline for scholarships, decisions for that program likely occur in late spring or summer. The timeline for organizational grants is not specified.

Success Rates

With only 2 grants awarded in 2023 from total distributions of $1,089,169, the foundation operates with a highly selective approach. Success rates and the number of applications received are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about the foundation's decision-making process, the following factors appear important based on the foundation's funding patterns:

• Geographic alignment: The foundation shows a strong preference for Colorado Springs-based organizations, though scholarships are available nationally
• Operational support focus: Recent grants indicate the foundation is willing to provide substantial operational funding rather than just program-specific grants
• Mission alignment: Organizations working in education, youth development, human services, and Christian/religious activities align with stated priorities
• Relationship-based grantmaking: The nomination-only scholarship process and limited number of organizational grants suggest pre-existing relationships may be critical
• Significant funding amounts: The foundation makes fewer, larger grants (median $544,584), suggesting they seek substantial impact with select partners

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Nomination-based access: Direct applications are not accepted for scholarships; organizational grant processes are unclear but likely relationship-driven
• High-dollar, low-volume strategy: With only 2 grants awarded in 2023, the foundation focuses on significant impact through larger awards rather than spreading funds across many recipients
• Local focus for organizations: Community assistance grants appear concentrated in Colorado Springs despite national scope for scholarships
• Operational support available: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to provide substantial operational funding ($855,049 in 2023)
• Limited transparency: Application processes, decision criteria, and timelines are not publicly documented; direct contact is essential
• Advisory Committee structure: Understanding and potentially connecting with Advisory Committee members may be valuable for both scholarship and organizational funding access
• Contact first: Given the lack of public application process, organizations should reach out via email (sf0014@questoffice.net) or phone (719-630-1186) before investing significant effort

References

• Grantmakers.io Profile - Seay Foundation: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/436055549-seay-foundation/ (Accessed January 18, 2026)
• Cause IQ - Seay Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/seay-foundation,436055549/ (Accessed January 18, 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Seay Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/seay-foundation (Accessed January 18, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Seay Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/436055549 (Accessed January 18, 2026)
• City Vision University - The Seay Foundation: https://library.cityvision.edu/orgs/seay-foundation (Accessed January 18, 2026)