Leptas Foundation Trust

Quick Stats

• EIN: 47-0833530
• Annual Giving: $3,764,000 (2023)
• Number of Grants: 20 grants (2023)
• Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications
• Geographic Focus: Colorado, with emphasis on Denver/Littleton area
• Primary Beneficiary: Valor Christian Schools
• Foundation Type: Private Corporate Foundation

Contact Details

Address: 8181 E Tufts Ave Ste 600, Denver, CO 80237-2579

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funds.

Overview

The Leptas Foundation Trust was established in 2000 as a private corporate foundation based in Littleton, Colorado. The foundation primarily supports educational and religious organizations, with a strong focus on Christian agencies, churches, and educational institutions. With assets historically reported at over $47 million (2013 data) and annual giving of approximately $3.8 million in recent years, the foundation maintains a consistent grantmaking presence in the Colorado philanthropic landscape. The foundation is closely connected to the McVaney family, prominent Colorado philanthropists with deep ties to Valor Christian Schools. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations within their areas of interest.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Leptas Foundation Trust does not operate formal grant programs with open applications. Instead, the foundation identifies and invites organizations to receive funding based on trustee discretion and alignment with the foundation's mission.

Grantmaking Activity:

• 2023: 20 grants totaling $3,764,000
• 2022: 19 grants
• 2021: 16 grants
• 2020: 20 grants
• 2019: 17 grants

Priority Areas

• Christian Education: Primary focus on Christian educational institutions, particularly K-12 schools
• Religious Organizations: Support for Christian churches and faith-based agencies
• Valor Christian Schools: The foundation's corporate connection and primary beneficiary
• Colorado-based Organizations: Strong preference for organizations serving Colorado communities

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has explicitly stated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This means:

• Organizations without existing relationships or invitations
• Unsolicited grant applications
• Organizations outside their Christian education and religious focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Trustee

Kevin E. McVaney - Trustee

Kevin McVaney is a physician and community leader with deep roots in Colorado Christian education. He is the son of the late C. Edward "Ed" McVaney, co-founder of J.D. Edwards & Co. and a major philanthropic supporter of Valor Christian Schools. Kevin graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a B.S. in Molecular Biology, earned his M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine, and completed Emergency Medicine residency training at Hennepin County Medical Center. From 2010 to 2023, he served as Medical Director of the Denver Paramedic Division and is on the faculty at Denver Health Residency in Emergency Medicine. Kevin serves on the National Board of Directors for Young Life, and he and his wife, Colleen, have four children who are all Valor Christian alumni.

Family Connections

The foundation is part of the McVaney family's broader philanthropic activities in Colorado, which include:

• The late Ed McVaney's founding support of Valor Christian High School
• Kylee McVaney Lourie (Kevin's sister), who served as a founding board member of Valor's Board of Education
• Carole McVaney, who serves as trustee of the related TYL Foundation alongside Kevin and Kylee

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Leptas Foundation Trust only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded by invitation only, based on the discretion of the trustee and alignment with the foundation's mission and values. Organizations interested in the foundation's support cannot submit formal applications unless specifically invited to do so.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's close connection to Valor Christian Schools and the broader Christian education community in Colorado, organizations might position themselves within the foundation's awareness through:

• Valor Christian Schools Network: The foundation's primary connection is to Valor Christian Schools. Organizations that partner with, support, or operate in similar spaces to Valor may be more visible to the foundation. This could include Christian K-12 schools in Colorado, ministries that serve Christian school students, or organizations that align with Valor's mission.

• Young Life Connection: Kevin McVaney serves on the National Board of Directors for Young Life. Organizations working in youth ministry or that partner with Young Life may have natural connection points.

• Christian Education Sector: Active participation in Colorado's Christian education community, including conferences, collaborative initiatives, and sector-wide events, may increase visibility.

• Medical/Emergency Services Ministry: Given Kevin McVaney's extensive background as an Emergency Medicine physician and Medical Director, organizations at the intersection of faith and healthcare/emergency services may be of interest.

Important Note: Even with strategic positioning, there is no guarantee of invitation or funding. The foundation maintains strict control over its grantmaking decisions and does not accept unsolicited contact for funding purposes.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not have an open application process with published timelines. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustee throughout the year.

Success Rates

With approximately 16-20 grants made annually from an invitation-only pool, there are no publicly available success rate statistics, as the foundation does not accept competitive applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations do not apply or reapply but rather receive funding by invitation only.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, organizations that have historically received funding from the Leptas Foundation Trust share these characteristics:

• Strong Christian Mission: Organizations with clear Christian identity and religious educational or ministry purposes
• Colorado Presence: Geographic connection to Colorado, particularly the Denver/Littleton area
• Educational Focus: Emphasis on Christian K-12 education
• Established Relationships: Connection to the McVaney family network, Valor Christian Schools, or related institutions
• Alignment with Family Values: Organizations that reflect the values and priorities demonstrated through the family's other philanthropic activities

The foundation's giving pattern suggests a preference for supporting institutions and causes with which the McVaney family has personal connections and deep involvement.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Open Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests. Do not attempt to submit an application unless specifically invited.

• Invitation-Only Model: All grants are made to preselected organizations chosen by the trustee. Building awareness must be organic and relationship-based, not transactional.

• Valor Christian Connection: The foundation's primary focus appears to be Valor Christian Schools and related Christian educational institutions in Colorado.

• Family Philanthropy: This is family foundation philanthropy at its core - decisions are made based on personal connections, values, and the trustee's knowledge of organizations.

• Christian Education Priority: Organizations outside of Christian education and religious ministry are unlikely to be considered.

• Long-term Relationships: The consistent number of annual grants (16-20) suggests the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with a core group of beneficiaries rather than seeking new grantees.

• Geographic Focus: Colorado organizations, particularly in the Denver/Littleton area, receive priority consideration.

References

• Cause IQ Profile: Leptas Foundation Trust. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/leptas-foundation-trust,470833530/ (Accessed March 9, 2026)

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Leptas Foundation Trust (EIN 47-0833530). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/470833530 (Accessed March 9, 2026)

• Instrumentl 990 Report: Leptas Foundation Trust. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/leptas-foundation-trust (Accessed March 9, 2026)

• Grantmakers.io Profile: Leptas Foundation Trust. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/470833530-leptas-foundation-trust/ (Accessed March 9, 2026)

• GuideStar Profile: Leptas Foundation Trust. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/47-0833530 (Accessed March 9, 2026)

• Candid Foundation Directory: Leptas Foundation Trust. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=MCVA004 (Accessed March 9, 2026)

• Valor Christian Schools Directory: Kevin McVaney. https://govalor.com/about/directory/kevin-mcvaney/ (Accessed March 9, 2026)

• The Denver Post: "For Ed McVaney, Valor Christian High School is labor of love." December 4, 2011. https://www.denverpost.com/2011/12/04/for-ed-mcvaney-valor-christian-high-school-is-labor-of-love/ (Accessed March 9, 2026)

• The Denver Post: "Big donors not reason for quick success, Valor Christian officials say." December 4, 2011. https://www.denverpost.com/2011/12/04/big-donors-not-reason-for-quick-success-valor-christian-officials-say/ (Accessed March 9, 2026)

• Colorado PROFILES: Kevin McVaney. https://profiles.ucdenver.edu/display/230826 (Accessed March 9, 2026)