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The Community Foundation of Utah

Annual Giving
$27.9M
Grant Range
$3K - $5.5M
Decision Time
2mo

The Community Foundation of Utah

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $27,918,187 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $188,525,314 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (2-6 weeks for competitive cycles)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $5,533,789
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Utah (with some grants in New York and California)
  • Number of Awards: 278 (2023)

Contact Details

Main Office:

  • Address: 1245 Brickyard Road, Suite 410, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
  • Phone: 801-559-3005
  • Email: info@utahcf.org
  • Website: utahcf.org

Overview

Founded in 2007 and beginning grantmaking in 2008, the Community Foundation of Utah (CFU) has emerged as one of the state's largest grantmakers, facilitating over $550 million in grants to more than 11,000 nonprofit organizations. With total assets of $188.5 million and annual grantmaking exceeding $27.9 million, CFU operates with a mission to "harness Utah's entrepreneurial spirit in service to the common good through smart philanthropy." The foundation primarily facilitates grantmaking through donor-advised funds (over 150 charitable funds) while also operating competitive grant programs and community impact funds focused on education, arts and culture, animal welfare, environmental conservation, human services, and capacity building for nonprofit organizations. CFU distinguishes itself through innovative programs like Invest in Success, which combines leadership training with mini-grants for rural nonprofits, and through its role as fiscal steward for major initiatives like the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Donor-Advised Funds

  • The majority of CFU's grantmaking flows through over 150 donor-advised funds
  • Grant recommendations made by individual fund advisors based on their interests
  • Nonprofits can be recommended for funding by existing donors
  • No public application process for general donor-advised fund grants

Ogden Circle of Giving

  • Spring Cycle: $10,000+ (rotating focus areas; 2024 focused on Advancement of Women)
    • Application opens mid-February, closes mid-March
    • Awards announced early May
  • Fall Cycle (Dr. Dumke Foundation Fund): $60,000 (2025 focus: Conservation and environmental projects in Greater Ogden area)
    • Application opens mid-September, closes mid-October
    • Awards announced on Giving Tuesday
  • Eligibility: Organizations based in and serving Ogden/Clearfield area
  • Over $200,000 granted collectively since 2019

Invest in Success

  • Leadership development program with $2,500 mini-grants
  • For rural Utah nonprofits (Southern Utah and Northern Utah cohorts)
  • Focus on organizations serving low-income communities in economic development or human services
  • Includes intensive coaching in board governance, organizational finance, and strategic management
  • Partnership with Center for Community Development at American Express
  • Application periods vary; interested parties should sign up for newsletter updates

Community Impact Funds

  • Silicon Slopes Computer Science Fund: K-12 computer science education outcomes statewide
  • Utah Impact Partnership Fund: Addresses homelessness through strategic, collective efforts
  • Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust: Wetland and habitat protection/restoration grants (CFU serves as fiscal steward; up to $3 million available in recent cycles)

Priority Areas

  • Education: K-12 computer science education, youth mentorship programs
  • Environmental Conservation: Great Salt Lake watershed enhancement, conservation projects, sustainability
  • Human Services: Homelessness solutions, support for low-income populations, family support
  • Arts and Culture: Civic engagement, arts programs
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building: Leadership development, organizational strengthening for rural nonprofits
  • Healthcare Access: For underserved populations
  • Advancement of Women: Leadership development, economic opportunity, personal safety

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed. As a community foundation operating primarily through donor-advised funds, funding priorities are largely driven by individual donor interests within the foundation's broad mission areas.

Governance and Leadership

Staff Leadership:

  • Alex Eaton, Chief Executive Officer (serves on Morgan Stanley's Community Development Advisory Board and Utah Foundation's Board of Trustees)
  • Yuki Novak, Chief Financial Officer
  • Micaela Weil, Director of Philanthropy
  • Brenna Moore, Philanthropy Manager
  • Kiki Potts, Marketing Manager
  • Keiko Yamaki, Accounting Manager
  • Kylie Harris, Program Manager
  • Gabrielle Ronna, Foundation Administrator

Board of Directors:

  • Trish Coughlin, Board Chair (VP, Accounting at Amazon; previously served as director and Executive Committee member)
  • Dr. Jennifer Robinson (Chief of Staff at Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute)
  • Chris Conard (Director of Full-Time MBA program at David Eccles School of Business; Chair of Philanthropy Committee)
  • Josh Kanter
  • Doug Hansen
  • Jensen Warnock
  • Jeramy Lund
  • Brad Dickson
  • Marty Tate
  • Ramez Halteh

The board also includes 11 Board Emeritus members, demonstrating long-term community engagement and sustained leadership.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Competitive Grant Programs:

Applications are available for specific competitive funds throughout the year. Organizations should:

  1. Subscribe to CFU's newsletter to receive notifications about upcoming grant cycles and deadlines
  2. Review eligibility requirements for specific programs (geographic focus, issue area alignment, organizational structure)
  3. Submit applications through the foundation's online portal during open application periods
  4. Contact CFU directly at info@utahcf.org or 801-559-3005 to inquire about current opportunities

For Donor-Advised Fund Grants:

There is no public application process. Grants are recommended by individual donor-advisors based on their interests. Nonprofits can:

  • Build relationships with existing donors who may have funds at CFU
  • Participate in CFU's educational programs and networking events to increase visibility
  • Contact CFU to inquire about being included in donor communications or resource directories

Specific Program Applications:

  • Ogden Circle of Giving: Online applications open mid-February (Spring) and mid-September (Fall)
  • Invest in Success: Nominations submitted through online form; applications open for specific cohorts
  • Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust: Applications obtained by emailing gslwet@audubon.org

Decision Timeline

Ogden Circle of Giving:

  • Spring Cycle: Applications close mid-March; decisions announced early May (approximately 6 weeks)
  • Fall Cycle: Applications close mid-October; decisions announced Giving Tuesday in early December (approximately 6-8 weeks)

Invest in Success:

  • Timeline varies by cohort; specific dates announced when applications open

Other Programs:

  • Decision timelines vary depending on the specific fund or program
  • Contact CFU directly for program-specific timelines

Success Rates

CFU does not publicly disclose success rates or the number of applications received versus grants awarded. In 2023, the foundation made 278 grants totaling $27,918,187 (up from 230 in 2022 and 196 in 2021), indicating growing grantmaking activity.

Reapplication Policy

CFU has not publicly disclosed a specific reapplication policy. Organizations should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication procedures for specific competitive programs.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Utah's Needs: CFU emphasizes "smart philanthropy" focused on Utah's specific communities and challenges. Applications should demonstrate deep understanding of local needs and how proposed projects address them.

Leverage and Innovation: The Family Support Center of Southwestern Utah example demonstrates CFU's interest in catalytic funding - their $2,500 Invest in Success grant helped the organization secure $212,150 in additional funding. Applications that show how CFU's investment will be leveraged for greater impact are valued.

Capacity Building Focus: Through programs like Invest in Success, CFU demonstrates commitment to strengthening nonprofit infrastructure, not just funding programs. Organizations that can articulate how funding supports organizational sustainability and leadership development may have stronger applications.

Collaborative Approach: CFU's community impact funds emphasize "pooling money and fostering collaboration among donors and nonprofits." Applications should demonstrate willingness to collaborate with other organizations and engage multiple stakeholders.

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Reflecting CFU's mission to "harness Utah's entrepreneurial spirit," the foundation values innovative approaches and creative solutions to community challenges.

Geographic Specificity: For Ogden Circle of Giving and other geographically focused programs, organizations must be based in and serving the specified area. Clear demonstration of local presence and impact is essential.

Focus Area Alignment: For competitive programs with rotating focus areas (like Ogden Circle of Giving), carefully review the current cycle's priority and ensure strong alignment before applying.

Serving Low-Income Populations: Programs like Invest in Success specifically target nonprofits serving low-income communities, indicating this is a strategic priority across CFU's work.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Understand the funding mechanism: Most grants come through donor-advised funds (no public application), while competitive programs have specific application windows - target your efforts accordingly
  • Subscribe to the newsletter: CFU announces grant opportunities and deadlines through their newsletter; staying informed is critical for competitive programs
  • Geographic focus matters: Many programs serve specific regions (Ogden area, rural Southern Utah, etc.) - ensure your organization meets geographic requirements
  • Think beyond one-time grants: CFU values capacity building and organizational strengthening; frame requests in terms of long-term sustainability and impact
  • Demonstrate leverage: Show how CFU's investment will catalyze additional funding or create outsized community impact
  • Engage with CFU's ecosystem: Participate in Utah Grantmakers Alliance events, nonprofit educational programs, and networking opportunities to build visibility with donor-advisors
  • Timing is everything: Competitive programs have specific application windows that don't necessarily repeat annually - plan ahead and act when windows open

References

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