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Corio Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.2M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.8M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.2 million
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $750,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (strong focus on New Mexico, also CA, NY, MA, MN, WI, AR)

Contact Details

Location: Los Ranchos, NM

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information. All grants are made to preselected organizations only.

Overview

The Corio Foundation was established as a tax-exempt private independent foundation in January 2018 by Ron Corio, founder of Array Technologies and New Mexico's first billionaire, known as the "Godfather of Solar" for his contributions to renewable energy. With total assets of approximately $82 million and annual grant distributions of $3.2 million, the foundation focuses on education access, environmental conservation, healthcare, and humanitarian causes. Led by the Corio family—Ron as President, Michael as Vice President, Katherine as Secretary, and Philip as Treasurer—all serving without compensation, the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. Recent strategic focus has centered on expanding educational opportunities for underprivileged youth in New Mexico through transformative multi-year scholarship programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal named grant programs with open applications. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to preselected organizations. Recent major commitments include:

  • Corio Scholarship Program at Bosque School: $3.5 million over 7 years ($500,000/year) for need-based scholarships up to full tuition for students with greatest demonstrated need

  • Corio Aspiring Innovators Program at Menaul School: Multi-year commitment funding 24 scholarships covering 60-90% of tuition and boarding costs for high-potential students from under-resourced families

  • General Operating Support Grants: Median grant size of $100,000 for organizations across the foundation's priority areas

Priority Areas

Based on 2023 grantmaking patterns, the foundation supports:

  • Education Access: College-preparatory education and financial aid for underprivileged youth, particularly in New Mexico
  • Environmental Conservation: Climate change mitigation, environmental justice, and renewable energy initiatives
  • Healthcare: Medical research and humanitarian medical services
  • Humanitarian Aid: International relief and development organizations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from any organizations. They do not fund organizations outside their preselected network.

Governance and Leadership

Ronald P. Corio, President: Founder of Array Technologies, New Mexico's first billionaire, and recognized as the "Godfather of Solar" for his renewable energy leadership. Ron strongly believes in renewable energy and environmental stewardship. On the foundation's education priorities, he stated: "Our hope is for underprivileged students to be fundamentally equipped to successfully pursue a fulfilled and meaningful life."

Michael P. Corio, Vice President: Co-leader of the foundation's strategic initiatives alongside Ron.

Katherine G. Corio, Secretary: Family member serving in governance role.

Philip G. Corio, Treasurer: Family member managing financial oversight.

All officers serve part-time without compensation, reflecting the family's personal commitment to the foundation's mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Corio Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the foundation's trustees based on their strategic priorities and existing relationships.

Organizations are typically identified through:

  • The trustees' personal knowledge and involvement in specific causes
  • Existing relationships with the Corio family
  • Board members' connections in education, environment, and healthcare sectors
  • Direct outreach from foundation leadership to organizations they wish to support

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed as the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. Major multi-year commitments appear to be announced in alignment with recipient organizations' strategic planning cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation made 17 grants in 2023 and 17 grants in 2024, all to preselected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only structure.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only structure, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analyzing their grantmaking patterns reveals clear priorities:

Education Focus - Specific Characteristics They Fund:

  • Multi-year scholarship programs that provide substantial support (60-100% of tuition)
  • Programs serving "underprivileged youth" or students "with the greatest demonstrated need"
  • College-preparatory education emphasizing "whole person development"
  • Schools in New Mexico, particularly Albuquerque area

Environmental Grants:

  • National environmental organizations (Environmental Defense Fund, Earth Justice)
  • Focus on climate change and environmental justice
  • Organizations aligned with renewable energy values

Healthcare Support:

  • Major medical research institutions (Mayo Clinic)
  • International humanitarian medical organizations (Doctors Without Borders)

General Operating Support Preference:

  • Most grants designated for "GENERAL OPERATIONS" rather than restricted project funding
  • Suggests preference for supporting organizations' overall mission rather than specific programs

Ron Corio's Stated Values: As evidenced by his quote about education funding, the foundation prioritizes outcomes that enable individuals to "pursue a fulfilled and meaningful life" through access to transformative opportunities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications. They identify and select all grantees proactively.

  • Strong New Mexico focus: While the foundation funds nationally, major multi-year commitments have gone to New Mexico educational institutions, particularly in Albuquerque.

  • Education access is core: The largest grants support scholarship programs expanding access to quality education for underprivileged students, with substantial multi-year commitments ($3.5M over 7 years to Bosque; multi-year program at Menaul).

  • Environmental stewardship reflects founder's values: Ron Corio's leadership in solar energy translates to foundation support for major environmental organizations working on climate and conservation.

  • Multi-year, transformative gifts preferred: Recent major commitments are structured as multi-year programs designed to create lasting impact rather than one-time grants.

  • General operations funding: The foundation predominantly provides unrestricted general operating support, trusting organizations to use funds where most needed.

  • Family foundation structure: Decision-making rests with the Corio family trustees who bring their personal values and connections to grantmaking strategy.

References

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