Aspen Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $15,623,118 (2023)
• Success Rate: 56% (based on 2022 community grants)
• Decision Time: 3-4 months
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $35,000 (community grants); $15,000 - $25,000 (youth empowerment)
• Geographic Focus: Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys (Aspen to Parachute region), Colorado

Contact Details

Address: 455 Gold Rivers Ct., Ste. 515, Basalt, CO 81621
Phone: (970) 925-9300
Fax: (970) 920-2892
Email: info@aspencommunityfoundation.org
Website: www.aspencommunityfoundation.org
Grants Manager: Scott Kenner, scott@aspencommunityfoundation.org

Overview

Founded by Aspen Skiing Company in 1980, the Aspen Community Foundation (ACF) has distributed over $221 million in grants since its inception. With assets of $57 million and annual giving of $15.6 million (2023), ACF is dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and igniting collaborative action for positive change in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys, from Aspen to Parachute. The foundation has evolved from its early days selling Bronze Medallion Ski Passes for $32,475 in fundraising to becoming a major regional community foundation. In 2025, ACF focuses its competitive grantmaking on two priority areas: early childhood development (birth to age five) and youth empowerment (ages 6-24). The foundation operates as a place-based community foundation, emphasizing community-led change through strategic philanthropy and authentic collaboration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Early Childhood Grantmaking Program

• Timeline: Applications open April 28, 2025; close May 29, 2025; awards announced September-October 2025
• Focus: Three competitive programs supporting children birth to age five
  • Strengthening caregiver skills
  • Providing tuition assistance to increase access to quality care
  • Expanding childcare capacity in center-based and family childcare home environments
• Application Method: Online portal; fixed annual deadline; office hours offered May 1st & 6th, 2025

Youth Empowerment Grant Program

• Amount: $250,000 total distributed through 10-15 grants
• Grant Range: $15,000 - $25,000 per grant
• Timeline: Applications open late April 2025; close May 29, 2025
• Focus: Serves youth ages 6-24, particularly "disengaged youth" who do not regularly participate in programs beyond mandated school activities or are neither enrolled in education nor employed
• Priority Areas: Career-connected and experiential learning, postsecondary planning
• Application Method: Online portal; fixed annual deadline

Community Grantmaking

• Recent Activity: $835,000 distributed to 68 organizations (2023); $729,000 to 48 organizations (2022)
• Typical Request Range: $10,000 - $35,000
• Structure: Typically single-year grants rather than multi-year support

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Grants

• Aim to strengthen nonprofit organizations
• Goal to support diversity and equitable opportunities in the region

The Giving Network

• Member-directed giving circle program
• Recent awards: $575,250 to 15 nonprofits (August 2024); $675,000 total (another recent cycle)
• Over $3.1 million invested since 2016

Priority Areas

• Early childhood care and education (birth to age 5)
• Youth empowerment and engagement (ages 6-24)
• Mental health support for the region
• Community needs from Aspen to Parachute
• Organizations serving under-resourced people and geographies
• Programs with meaningful depth and duration of contact with those served

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside the Aspen to Parachute service area (specifically Pitkin and Garfield counties and the Roaring Fork Valley portion of Eagle County)
• Organizations that received a 2025 Jonathan D + Mark C. Lewis Foundation Youth Impact Grant (for Youth Empowerment program only)
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsor, unless they are government entities such as school districts
• Organizations with less than one year of operation
• Organizations that do not comply with nondiscrimination standards

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Erica Snow (appointed June 2022, succeeding Tamara Tormohlen who served 16 years as Executive Director)

Erica Snow brings over two decades of experience in philanthropy, health, and human services with expertise in strategic philanthropy, strong partnerships, and authentic collaboration. Prior to joining ACF, she had a 14-year tenure at Colorado Health Foundation. She holds a Master of Public Administration from University of Colorado, Denver, and a Master of Science in Community Mental Health from University of Vermont. She currently serves on the boards of Trailhead Institute and Philanthropy Colorado.

On ACF's Mission: "Aspen Community Foundation's Community Grantmaking program personifies exactly the mission of ACF, which is to inspire philanthropy and ignite collaborative action that leads to community-led change." - Erica Snow

On Leadership: "It's an honor to be selected as the leader of Aspen Community Foundation, which has a strong history of bringing people together to solve problems. ACF plays a significant role in the region, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the community to expand ACF's influence and impact in ensuring all community members can thrive." - Erica Snow

Other Key Staff:

• Scott Kenner, Grants Manager (joined 2022) - First point of contact for grant applications
• Chief Financial Officer
• Chief Impact Officer
• Donor Relations Director
• Marketing Director
• Director of Community Initiatives (supports Career Exploration Network, Youth in Nature program, and Youth Empowerment Alliance)

The foundation has approximately 15 employees and operates with a board of trustees (specific board member names not publicly detailed in current materials).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Review Guidelines: Carefully review the grantmaking guidelines for your chosen program (available in English and Spanish for Early Childhood program)
2. Confirm Alignment: Ensure your organization aligns with ACF's priorities
3. Create Account: Navigate to the grant application platform and create an account in ACF's grant management system
4. Attend Office Hours: Optional Zoom office hours offered (May 1st & 6th, 2025 at 1:00 PM MT for Early Childhood program)
5. Submit Application: Complete application through online portal by deadline
6. Choose One Program: Applicants may only apply to ONE program per cycle (either Early Childhood OR Youth Empowerment, not both)

Important Note: Contact Scott Kenner (scott@aspencommunityfoundation.org) with questions about the application process before applying.

Decision Timeline

Early Childhood Program:

• April 28, 2025: Applications open
• May 1 & 6, 2025: Office hours (1:00 PM MT)
• May 29, 2025: Applications close
• June-August 2025: Staff review period
• September 2025: Board approves grants
• September-October 2025: Award notifications sent
• October 2025: Grant checks mailed

Youth Empowerment Program:

• Late April 2025: Applications open
• May 29, 2025: Application deadline
• Similar review timeline expected (approximately 3-4 months from submission to decision)

Success Rates

2022 Community Grantmaking: 86 nonprofits applied requesting $1,780,750 total; 48 organizations received funding totaling $729,000 - approximately 56% success rate

2024 Early Childhood: 19 requests totaling $505,900; $250,550 distributed (approximately 50% of requested amount funded)

2023 Community Grants: 68 organizations received $835,000

The foundation's programs are competitive, with not all requests receiving funding. However, ACF maintains a moderately favorable acceptance rate compared to many grant-making organizations, with approximately half to more than half of applicants receiving some level of funding.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly detailed in current materials. Prospective applicants should contact Scott Kenner for clarification on reapplication timelines and restrictions.

Application Success Factors

ACF evaluates applications using a scoring rubric based on specific criteria. Successful applications demonstrate:

1. Strong Alignment with ACF Priorities: "Alignment with one of ACF's priorities, commitment to serving under-resourced people and geographies" is explicitly evaluated

2. Meaningful Impact and Contact: Organizations must show "meaningful depth and duration of contact with those served" - not just surface-level programming

3. Clear Metrics and Demonstrated Outcomes: "Clearly articulated metrics and demonstrated impact and positive outcomes" are required. Be specific about how you measure success

4. Institutional Credibility: ACF considers "institutional relationships, historical grantmaking, financial health, need for funding, and fundraising capabilities" beyond just the application itself

5. Community Focus: Must serve the Aspen to Parachute region specifically (Pitkin and Garfield counties and Roaring Fork Valley portion of Eagle County)

6. Organizational Stability: Minimum one year of operation required; must demonstrate financial health

7. Equity and Inclusion: Commitment to serving under-resourced communities and compliance with nondiscrimination standards

Recent Funded Projects (2024):

• Early Learning Center of Aspen (early childhood development)
• Mt. Sopris Montessori School (early childhood education)
• 14 organizations total received early childhood grants
• 15 nonprofits received Giving Network grants totaling $575,250

The foundation explicitly seeks organizations that are "responsive to community needs" and can demonstrate community-led change rather than top-down programming.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity is essential: Your work must clearly serve the Aspen to Parachute region; applications outside this service area will not be considered
• Pick one program only: You can only apply to either Early Childhood OR Youth Empowerment in a given cycle, not both - choose strategically based on strongest alignment
• Demonstrate depth of engagement: ACF values "meaningful depth and duration of contact" over broad, shallow programming - show sustained, deep impact
• Serve under-resourced communities: Explicitly highlight your commitment to and track record with under-resourced people and geographies
• Use the Grants Manager as a resource: Scott Kenner is available to answer questions - contact him before applying to confirm alignment and clarify any questions
• Attend office hours: ACF offers Zoom office hours during the application period - take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your application
• Request realistic amounts: Typical community grants range $10,000-$35,000; Youth Empowerment grants $15,000-$25,000 - requests outside these ranges may not be competitive
• ACF values partnership and collaboration: The foundation emphasizes "bringing people together to solve problems" and "community-led change" - show how you collaborate with others
• Expect single-year funding: ACF typically provides single-year grants rather than multi-year commitments - plan accordingly and be prepared to reapply
• Success rates are moderate: With a 56% acceptance rate in recent cycles, competition is real but not overwhelming - strong applications have good odds

References

1. Aspen Community Foundation - Apply for a Grant. https://aspencommunityfoundation.org/nonprofits/apply-for-a-grant/ (Accessed January 2026)

2. Aspen Community Foundation - Early Childhood Grantmaking Program. https://aspencommunityfoundation.org/nonprofits/apply-for-a-grant/early-childhood-grantmaking-program/ (Accessed January 2026)

3. "Aspen Community Foundation Selects 68 Organizations to Receive $835,000 in Community Grants." Aspen Community Foundation. https://aspencommunityfoundation.org/aspen-community-foundation-selects-68-organizations-to-receive-835000-in-community-grants-2/ (Accessed January 2026)

4. "Aspen Community Foundation Selects 48 Organizations to Receive $729,000 in Community Grants." Aspen Community Foundation. https://aspencommunityfoundation.org/aspen-community-foundation-selects-48-organizations-to-receive-729000-in-community-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)

5. "ACF Youth Empowerment Grant Program." GrantExec. https://grantexec.com/grants/267609fd-c1fa-4ea9-92d8-be4a0d780e95 (Accessed January 2026)

6. "About Us - Aspen Community Foundation." https://aspencommunityfoundation.org/about-us/ (Accessed January 2026)

7. "Aspen Community Foundation - Wikipedia." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen_Community_Foundation (Accessed January 2026)

8. "Executive Director Announcement - Aspen Community Foundation." https://aspencommunityfoundation.org/executive-director-announcement/ (Accessed January 2026)

9. "ACF Staff and Board - Aspen Community Foundation." https://aspencommunityfoundation.org/about-us/acf-staff-and-board/ (Accessed January 2026)

10. "Aspen Community Foundation | Basalt, CO | 990 Report." Instrumentl. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/aspen-community-foundation (Accessed January 2026)

11. "Aspen Community Foundation announces community grant success." Aspen Times. https://www.aspentimes.com/news/aspen-community-foundation-announces-community-grant-success/ (Accessed January 2026)

12. "Aspen Community Foundation Provides $250,550 in Grants to Nonprofits Supporting Healthy Development of Children in the Region." https://aspencommunityfoundation.org/aspen-community-foundation-provides-250550-in-grants-to-nonprofits-supporting-healthy-development-of-children-in-the-region/ (Accessed January 2026)

13. Cause IQ - Aspen Community Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/aspen-community-foundation,840829226/ (Accessed January 2026)

14. Foundation Directory - Candid. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=ASPE001 (Accessed January 2026)