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The New Horizons Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$21.2M
Decision Time
1w

The New Horizons Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $21,200,993 (2023)
  • Number of Awards: 280 grants (2023)
  • Grant Distribution Model: Fiscal sponsorship and donor-advised funds
  • Projects Supported: 1,000+ projects
  • Geographic Focus: International (140+ countries) and all 50 U.S. states
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 4-Star (95%)
  • Years Operating: 35+ years (founded 1989)

Contact Details

Address: 731 Chapel Hills Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Phone: 1-800-531-4075 (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Mountain Time)

Email: info@newhorizonsfoundation.com

Website: https://newhorizonsfoundation.com

Application Portal: https://newhorizonsfoundation.com/application/

Overview

Founded in 1989, The New Horizons Foundation Inc is a Colorado-based nonprofit, tax-exempt public charity that has distributed over $132 million throughout its history. With total assets supporting 1,000+ active projects across 140+ countries and all 50 U.S. states, the foundation operates as a hybrid organization combining the functions of a community foundation, fiscal sponsor, and traditional nonprofit. In 2023 alone, the foundation awarded $21.2 million through 280 grants. The organization's mission centers on helping individuals, families, 501(c)(3) organizations, and nonprofit corporations accomplish their charitable objectives in religious, educational, scientific, benevolent, and health-related activities. Led by President & CEO Steve Prensner, the foundation is recognized as one of the country's leading fiscal sponsors and maintains a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating with a 95% score.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The New Horizons Foundation operates through three primary models rather than traditional competitive grants:

Fiscal Sponsorship Program: $2,000 setup fee + 5% of donations received

  • Enables individuals, families, and nonprofits to launch charitable projects under NHF's 501(c)(3) status
  • Board approval required for all projects
  • Provides legal structure, tax compliance, and administrative support
  • Projects can launch within days after board approval

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)

  • Allows donors to make irrevocable, tax-deductible contributions
  • Donors recommend grant distributions to IRS-recognized public charities
  • Investment options range from low-risk to moderate-risk vehicles
  • Accepts cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, cryptocurrency, real estate, and farm stock
  • Online portal access for monitoring

Operating Projects

  • Direct charitable initiatives managed by the foundation
  • Charitable business enterprises with social impact focus

Priority Areas

The foundation's sponsored charities serve seven primary causes:

  1. Meeting Basic Needs - Food security, shelter, essential services
  2. Education - Educational access and quality improvement
  3. Healthcare - Medical services and health initiatives
  4. Economic Empowerment - Sustainable livelihood development
  5. Orphan Care - Support for vulnerable children
  6. Spiritual Development - Faith-based initiatives and religious activities
  7. Dignity of Life - Human rights and dignity preservation

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation's fiscal sponsorship model is broad, all projects must:

  • Align with IRS requirements for public charities
  • Receive board approval
  • Comply with charitable objectives in religious, educational, scientific, benevolent, or health-related activities
  • Not benefit private individuals or provide excess benefit to founders

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Steve Prensner - President & Chief Executive Officer

  • B.A. from Howard Payne College, M.B.A. from Southern Illinois University, Doctorate in Missiology from New Geneva
  • Serves on multiple nonprofit boards
  • Focuses on synergistic impact and staff development

Darius Rotea - Vice President of Operations

  • Bachelor's degree from Oral Roberts University (Business/Theology double major), MBA from ORU
  • Oversees project operations, building management, media, and onboarding
  • Rhema Bible College graduate

Chris Rosenhahn - Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Finance

  • With foundation since 2010
  • Manages Operating Projects, Donor Advised Funds, and Charitable Trusts
  • Background in banking and nonprofit finance

Greg Smith - Vice President of Outreach

  • With foundation since 2012
  • B.A. in Accounting and Economics from Anderson University
  • Focuses on capacity building and nonprofit partnerships

Board of Directors

Lauren Libby (Chair) - International President and CEO of Trans World Radio; agricultural economics and MBA background

Gary Daniel - CPA with taxation expertise from Golden Gate University

Ron Halverson - Certified Investment Management Analyst from Wharton School

Eric Danos - MBA from Stanford; CEO of Danos Corporation

Dave Gresham - International Development Director for The Navigators

Mutua Mahiaini - International President of The Navigators with extensive Africa leadership experience

Jerry White - Former Navigators President; retired Air Force Major General with aerospace engineering background

Leisle Chung - Co-founder of Vanguard Skin Specialists; Yale BA, Harvard MBA

Todd Jensen - Associate VP for Development at Texas State University

Kirk Humphreys - Chairman of Humphreys Capital; former Oklahoma City mayor

The board brings "varied and complementary backgrounds" and is responsible for setting policies, approving budgets, and determining long-range direction and philosophy. All new charitable projects require board approval before establishment.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The New Horizons Foundation does not operate a traditional open grant application process. Instead, they function primarily as a fiscal sponsor and donor-advised fund manager. Organizations and individuals do not apply for grants directly; rather, they either:

  1. Establish a fiscally sponsored project under NHF's 501(c)(3) umbrella, or
  2. Donors establish a donor-advised fund and recommend grants to qualified charities

For Fiscal Sponsorship Applicants:

Four required documents must be completed and submitted:

  1. Charitable Project Form - Contact information and legal details about nonprofit management
  2. Project Budget - Estimated startup costs required by IRS
  3. Case Statement - Justification for nonprofit status, support network, and project need
  4. Project Profile - Comprehensive snapshot of project information for donors and IRS

All forms must be submitted before processing begins. Confirmation emails are sent after each individual form submission. Applications are reviewed by the Board of Directors for approval.

Fees: $2,000 setup fee after approval + 5% on all donations received

Upon Approval: Applicants receive access credentials to online portal, project manager training resources, and detailed setup information. Optional website creation assistance is available.

For Donor-Advised Fund Holders:

Donors can recommend grants to virtually any IRS-recorded public charity at any time. The foundation handles all grant processing, paperwork, tax reporting, and IRS filing.

Decision Timeline

  • Fiscal Sponsorship: Projects can launch within "a few days" after board approval
  • DAF Grants: Donors can recommend distributions "at any time" after fund establishment
  • No specific timeline provided for board review of fiscal sponsorship applications

Success Rates

Specific approval rates for fiscal sponsorship applications are not publicly disclosed. The foundation currently sponsors 850-1,000+ active projects and has supported over 500 projects since inception, suggesting a substantial acceptance rate for qualified charitable initiatives.

Reapplication Policy

Information on reapplication for declined fiscal sponsorship applications is not publicly available. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation directly at 1-800-531-4075 to discuss project eligibility before submitting formal applications.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's structure and mission, the following factors are critical for successful fiscal sponsorship applications:

Alignment with Charitable Purposes

  • Projects must clearly fall within religious, educational, scientific, benevolent, or health-related activities
  • Alignment with one or more of the seven priority causes increases likelihood of approval
  • International scope is welcomed (140+ countries currently served)

Compliance and Structure

  • Complete and accurate completion of all four required application documents
  • Clear demonstration of project need through the Case Statement
  • Realistic budget projections that meet IRS requirements
  • Organizational structure that complies with nonprofit regulations

Board Approval Requirements

  • All projects require Board of Directors approval
  • Board members bring expertise in international development, finance, education, and nonprofit leadership
  • Board seeks "varied and complementary" projects that align with foundation's global impact mission

Fiscal Responsibility

  • Ability to sustain 5% ongoing fee on donations
  • $2,000 upfront setup fee demonstrates commitment
  • Clear fundraising strategy and donor base

Foundation's Stated Values

  • Focus on "synergistic impact" (per CEO Steve Prensner)
  • Projects that help "those in greatest need"
  • Initiatives that demonstrate "world impact" through charitable partnerships
  • Compliance with IRS regulations and transparency in operations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not a Traditional Funder: The New Horizons Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. They operate exclusively through fiscal sponsorship and donor-advised funds.
  • Fiscal Sponsorship Route: Organizations or individuals must apply to establish a project under NHF's 501(c)(3) status rather than request one-time grants. This requires $2,000 setup + 5% ongoing fees.
  • Donor-Advised Funds: If your organization is a qualified 501(c)(3), focus on cultivating relationships with donors who have DAFs with NHF—they can recommend grants to your organization.
  • Fast Timeline: Board-approved projects can launch within days, significantly faster than obtaining independent 501(c)(3) status.
  • Global Scope Welcome: With projects in 140+ countries, international initiatives are strongly encouraged and aligned with foundation priorities.
  • Seven Priority Causes: Frame your work within meeting basic needs, education, healthcare, economic empowerment, orphan care, spiritual development, or dignity of life.
  • Board Approval Critical: All projects require board approval—ensure your application demonstrates clear charitable purpose, compliance, and sustainable financial model.

References

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