Community Foundation of Jackson Hole

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $44 million (2024)
Total Assets: $170 million
Success Rate: ~80% (based on recent Competitive Grants cycles)
Decision Time: Approximately 2 months
Grant Range: $1,000 - $30,000 (Competitive Grants); up to $1.5M (Catalyst Grants)
Geographic Focus: Teton County, Wyoming

Contact Details

Address: 245 E Simpson Ave, Jackson, WY 83001
Phone: (307) 739-1026
Email: info@cfjacksonhole.org
Grants Inquiries: grants@cfjacksonhole.org
Website: https://www.cfjacksonhole.org/
Application Portal: https://cfjh.smapply.org/

Overview

Founded in 1989 as a component fund of Wyoming Community Foundation and established as a separate entity in 1995, the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole has been serving Teton County for over 36 years. Managing more than $170 million in assets, the foundation awarded $44 million to local organizations in 2024 and received $68 million in gifts that same year. The foundation's mission is "to improve lives through philanthropic leadership" through superior donor services, community-impact grants, and acting as a catalyst for change. In December 2024, the foundation released its 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, focusing on three core areas: behavioral health, housing solutions, and education and families. The foundation is accredited by the Council on Foundations National Standards, demonstrating commitment to transparency and best practices. Old Bill's Fun Run, their flagship collaborative fundraising event, has raised over $306 million for local nonprofits since 1997.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Competitive Grants: $3,000 - $30,000
Annual cycle with application window opening late January/early February and closing in early March. Awards announced in early May. Total annual funding: $650,000 - $750,000. In 2025, supported 58 nonprofit organizations with $750,000. Average award: $12,900; median award: $12,000. Application via online portal.

Catalyst Grants: Variable amounts (recent awards totaled $1.1M - $1.5M)
Comprised of two complementary programs: Initiatives Grants and Opportunities Grants. Addresses complex community issues through innovative, systems-changing strategies and partnerships. Application reopens fall 2025. In recent cycle, supported 27 local organizations with over $1.1 million.

Initiatives Grants: Part of Catalyst Grants
Funded by private donors seeking catalytic community advancements in behavioral health, housing, and youth out-of-school learning. Supports the foundation's three strategic focus areas.

Opportunities Grants: Up to $300,000 total available (2025)
Part of Catalyst Grants channel. Prioritizes funding for compelling, high-impact proposals including systems change work and projects critical to meet pressing community needs outside the purview of Initiatives Grants.

Micro Grants: Up to $2,000
For urgent and unexpected needs. Organizations may apply once per calendar year for the first half of each month. Rolling basis. Proposals may be partially funded.

Youth Philanthropy Program: $500 - $4,000
Engages local high school students in hands-on philanthropy. Students review grant proposals and meet with applicants. Applications typically due in early January.

Professional Development Grants: Variable amounts
Support for nonprofit staff professional development.

Old Bill's Fun Run: Matching grant program
Participating nonprofits receive 100% of gifts designated for them plus matching grants. The first $30,000 of designated gifts eligible for matching at approximately 50% (in 2025, the match was 74.4%, providing an additional $22,310 to organizations raising $30,000 or more). Event raised $26.1 million in 2025. Application opens May 1, 2026.

Priority Areas

The foundation's 2025-2027 Strategic Plan identifies three core focus areas:

Behavioral Health: Mental health services, substance abuse support, community wellbeing
Housing Solutions: Affordable housing, housing security, workforce housing
Education & Families: Youth out-of-school learning, family support programs

Additional funding areas include:

Health & Human Services (including food security)
Arts & Culture
Conservation & Environment
Animals
Civic engagement
Recreation

The foundation emphasizes data-driven decision-making, multi-sector collaboration, and addressing systemic community challenges through strategic partnerships.

What They Don't Fund

General Restrictions (All Programs):

Debt retirement
Religious or political activities
Work primarily focused on influencing legislation
For-profit entities
Projects or training already completed
Work outside Teton County, Wyoming

Micro Grants Specific Exclusions:

Recurring operating expenses
Marketing/communications
Travel
Strategic planning
Youth scholarships
Requests submitted to or funded by the foundation within the past 12 months

Governance and Leadership

President: Laurie Andrews (assumed position March 2020)
Previously served as President of Jackson Hole Land Trust for 15 years. Andrews has stated: "The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole has transformed philanthropy in our community, activating and strengthening our nonprofit organizations in the Valley. I am excited by the opportunity to leverage the knowledge I've gained in my previous role... to create maximum impact for this community."

On the foundation's approach to community needs, Andrews noted: "Food support and food needs in our community are... kind of a canary in a coal mine. It tells us the pressure and financial needs of our community have increased to a breaking point." She described community support as a "three-legged stool" with free market, government, and nonprofit operations each "carrying their weight... providing support to the community" to create a thriving community.

Regarding recent Catalyst Grants, Andrews stated: "These 27 organizations exemplify the collaborative, innovative spirit that defines our community. By investing in solutions that tackle root causes—not just symptoms—we're supporting the changemakers who are building a more resilient, inclusive Teton County."

Board of Directors (2025):

Chair: Betty Andrikopoulos
Vice Chair: Rev. Jimmy Bartz
Treasurer: Kathleen McCarragher
Secretary: Jane Hopkins Carey
Members: Orion Bellorado, Jenny Felsinger, Greg Gricus, Debbie Hechinger, Doug Henderson, Victor Hernandez, Ian MacLeod, Miriam Morillon, Stacey Morse, Bill Newton (Emeritus), Julie O'Halloran, Andy Schwartz, Janet Whitmire, and Scott Pierson (Chair of Community Foundation of Teton Valley)

Key Staff:

Communications Officer: Amy Golightly
Grants Officer: Mari Allan Hanna
Director of Housing Solutions: Wendy Martinez

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Community Foundation uses SurveyMonkey Apply online platform at https://cfjh.smapply.org/. Applicants create an account by clicking the green Register button or log in with existing credentials if previously applied.

Eligibility: Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, government entity, or other IRS-recognized charitable organization serving Teton County, Wyoming OR be fiscally-sponsored by an entity that meets these requirements. Grant funds must be used exclusively in Teton County, Wyoming.

The foundation strongly encourages organizations to review their Application Tip Sheet prior to applying and recommends contacting grants@cfjacksonhole.org to discuss project concepts before submission.

Decision Timeline

Competitive Grants:

Application window: Late January/early February through early March (approximately 5 weeks)
Decision announced: Early May (approximately 2 months from application close)
Reporting deadline: December 1 following the grant year

Micro Grants:

Apply during first half of each month
Rolling decisions

Catalyst Grants:

Application reopens fall 2025
Timeline varies by cycle

Success Rates

The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole has a notably high success rate compared to many grant-making organizations:

Competitive Grants (Most Recent Cycle):

71 applications received
58 organizations funded
Success rate: 82%
Total requests: $1,340,000
Total awarded: $750,000

Previous Cycle:

38 applications received
30 organizations funded
Success rate: 79%
Average award: $7,482

This indicates that approximately 80% of Competitive Grant applications receive funding, though awarded amounts may be less than requested.

Reapplication Policy

Micro Grants: Organizations may apply once per calendar year. Requests that have been submitted to and/or funded by the foundation within the past 12 months are typically not supported.

Competitive Grants: Proposals submitted or previously funded within the past 12 months cannot be resubmitted.

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants in other grant programs are not publicly documented. Contact grants@cfjacksonhole.org for clarification.

Application Success Factors

Grant Review Process: Competitive Grants are reviewed by a volunteer committee comprised of 28 community members, including four high school students. Grants are awarded based on community need and anticipated impact.

Preferred Characteristics:

Project or program-based requests with meaningful community benefit
Alignment with strategic focus areas (behavioral health, housing solutions, education/families)
Operations-related requests may be considered for unanticipated, one-time expenses
Systems change potential
Collaborative partnerships and multi-sector approaches
Data-driven approaches to addressing root causes rather than symptoms

Recent Funded Organizations by Category:

Arts & Culture: Art Association of Jackson Hole, Center for the Arts, Dancers' Workshop, Grand Teton Music Festival, History Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Book Festival, Off Square Theatre Company

Education: Coombs Outdoors, First in Family Jackson Hole, Fund for Public Education, Native American Jump Start

Health & Human Services: Wyoming Immigrant Advocacy Project, Voices Jackson Hole, Immigrant Hope-Wyoming/Idaho, Hole Food Rescue, One22 Resource Center, Mental Health & Recovery Services of Jackson Hole, Gender Diversity Wyoming

Conservation, Environment & Animals: Astoria Park Conservancy, Friends of the Bridger-Teton, Grand Teton National Park Foundation, Jackson Hole Land Trust, Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, PAWS of Jackson Hole, Teton Raptor Center

Housing Solutions: Jackson Hole Community Housing Trust, Jackson/Teton County Affordable Housing Department, One22 Resource Center, Shelter Jackson Hole

Key Themes from Leadership: President Laurie Andrews emphasizes addressing root causes and systems-level issues rather than treating symptoms. The foundation values collaborative, innovative approaches and organizations that demonstrate how their work creates lasting community impact. Andrews has highlighted the importance of responding to community needs holistically, recognizing interconnected challenges like food security, housing, and mental health.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Exceptionally high success rate: With approximately 80% of Competitive Grant applications funded, Teton County nonprofits have strong odds if they meet eligibility requirements and demonstrate community impact.
Geographic restriction is absolute: Grant funds must benefit Teton County, Wyoming exclusively—this is non-negotiable across all programs.
Pre-application consultation encouraged: The foundation explicitly recommends contacting grants@cfjacksonhole.org to discuss project concepts before submitting applications. Take advantage of this resource.
Strategic alignment matters for Catalyst Grants: The 2025-2027 Strategic Plan prioritizes behavioral health, housing solutions, and education/families. Projects addressing these areas—especially those tackling root causes through systems change—align with current priorities.
Multiple funding opportunities: Organizations can potentially access multiple grant streams. Competitive Grants provide baseline funding ($3,000-$30,000), while Catalyst Grants offer larger amounts for transformative work. Consider Old Bill's Fun Run for broader community fundraising with matching support.
Collaboration is valued: Recent Catalyst Grants emphasized "organizational partnerships" and "collaborative, innovative spirit." Multi-organization partnerships addressing complex issues receive priority.
Project-based proposals preferred: While one-time operational needs may be considered, project or program-based requests with measurable community benefit are preferred, particularly those demonstrating systems change potential.

References

Accessed: December 24, 2025