Ladybug Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,647,501 (2024)
• Average Grant Size: $58,517
• Assets: $41.8 million (2024)
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)
• Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Website: https://ladybugfound.org
Phone: (970) 458-4588
Address: 357 McCaslin Blvd Ste 200, Louisville, CO 80027
EIN: 82-3365292

Overview

The Ladybug Foundation Inc was established in 2018 as a private grantmaking foundation based in Louisville, Colorado. With assets totaling $41.8 million as of 2024, the foundation has consistently distributed approximately $4.5-4.7 million annually in grants since 2019, totaling over $25 million in grantmaking over its operational history. The foundation's mission reflects a deep commitment to addressing systemic challenges: "Recognizing that Earth and all life upon her are at a critical juncture, we are using our resources to help mitigate the negative effects of years of abuse and injustice to nurture systems change and healing." The foundation maintains an efficient operation with 89% of expenses dedicated to charitable disbursements, demonstrating a strong focus on its grantmaking mission.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with an average grant size of approximately $58,517. Based on recent activity, the foundation has distributed between 73-85 grants annually, supporting a diverse portfolio of organizations working on environmental protection, social justice, indigenous rights, and community development.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three interconnected areas:

Ecological Resilience and Regeneration

• Environmental protection and conservation
• Climate justice initiatives
• Biodiversity preservation
• Sustainable ecosystems

Creating a Peaceful World

• Conflict resolution and peacebuilding
• Community safety and justice reform
• Gun violence prevention
• Criminal justice reform

Promoting an Equitable World

• Social justice and civil rights
• Indigenous rights and sovereignty
• Racial and economic justice
• Community-based advocacy

Confirmed Grantee Partners

The foundation has supported a wide range of established organizations including:

• Environmental Organizations: Rainforest Action Network, Amazon Watch, Stand.earth, Center for Biological Diversity, Surfrider Foundation
• Indigenous Rights: Native American Rights Fund, First Nations Development Institute, Honor the Earth, Indigenous Environmental Network
• Social Justice: Inner City Law Center, Last Prisoner Project, Voto Latino Foundation, Common Cause Education Fund
• Public Health: Physicians for Social Responsibility, Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly specify explicit exclusions, but their focus on systemic change suggests they prioritize advocacy, policy change, and community-based initiatives over traditional service delivery or capital projects.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is led by a compact board of directors who serve without compensation:

Executive Director: Cynthia Dietrich (full-time, uncompensated)
Directors: Jay Christopher Hormel and Angela Nicole Ocone

The foundation's governance structure reflects a commitment to lean operations, with minimal administrative overhead allowing maximum resources to flow to grantmaking activities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grantmaking is by invitation only. The foundation explicitly states on its website: "We do not accept unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry."

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of directors, who proactively identify and invite organizations aligned with the foundation's mission to apply for funding.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, as the foundation operates through an invitation-only process where the board identifies and approaches potential grantees.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding their grantmaking patterns can be valuable:

Organizational Focus: The foundation prioritizes organizations working on systemic change rather than direct service delivery. Grantee partners are typically established advocacy organizations with track records in environmental protection, indigenous rights, or social justice.

Geographic Reach: The foundation supports organizations working across the United States, with grantees in major urban centers and communities nationwide.

Mission Alignment: The foundation's three-pillar approach—ecological resilience, peace, and equity—suggests they seek organizations where these values intersect. Many grantee partners work at the intersection of environmental justice and social equity.

Established Organizations: The foundation's grantee portfolio includes well-known national advocacy organizations with significant track records, suggesting they prioritize established entities with proven impact.

Systems-Change Orientation: The foundation's mission explicitly references "nurturing systems change," indicating a preference for organizations working on policy advocacy, institutional change, and long-term transformation rather than short-term interventions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-Only Model: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional application processes; organizations must be invited by the board
• Consistent Grantmaking: With $4.5-4.7 million distributed annually since 2019, the foundation maintains steady grantmaking despite declining assets
• Three-Pillar Mission: All grantmaking aligns with ecological resilience, peacebuilding, and equity—organizations working at these intersections are prioritized
• Average Grant Size: At approximately $58,500, grants are substantial enough to support significant organizational initiatives
• Systems-Change Focus: The foundation explicitly prioritizes systemic change and healing over traditional service delivery
• Established Organizations: Current grantee partners include well-known national advocacy organizations, suggesting preference for proven entities
• Diverse Portfolio: The foundation supports a wide range of issue areas within its mission, from environmental conservation to criminal justice reform to indigenous sovereignty

References

• Ladybug Foundation Official Website. "Ladybug Foundation." https://ladybugfound.org/ladybug-foundation. Accessed January 16, 2026.
• Ladybug Foundation Grantee Partners. "Our Grantee Partners." https://ladybugfound.org/our-grantee-partners. Accessed January 16, 2026.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Ladybug Foundation Inc - Form 990-PF Filings." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/823365292. Accessed January 16, 2026.
• Grantable. "Ladybug Foundation Inc | Foundation Profile & Grants." https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/ladybug-foundation-inc-us-foundation-823365292. Accessed January 16, 2026.
• CauseIQ. "Ladybug Foundation | Louisville, CO." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/thomas-d-hormel-foundation,823365292/. Accessed January 16, 2026.