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Galena Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.9M
Grant Range
$2K - $2.0M

Galena Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4.9 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation/trustee discretion only)
  • Decision Time: No fixed timeline (rolling basis)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $2,000,000
  • Grant Median: $50,000
  • Total Assets: $75.1 million
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Colorado, with select national organizations

Contact Details

Address: 5050 S Syracuse St Ste 700, Denver, CO 80237

Phone: (303) 761-5213

Contact: F. Steven and Abigail Mooney

Note: This is a private family foundation. No website or public email address available.

Overview

The Galena Foundation was established in December 1996 by F. Steven Mooney and his wife. F. Steven Mooney is a 1956 graduate of Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Geological Engineering and had a distinguished career in the mining industry, including founding Thompson Creek Companies, a leading global molybdenum supplier. He served two terms on the Colorado School of Mines Board of Trustees, including as Board President, and received the institution's Distinguished Achievement Medal in 1990.

The foundation operates as a private family foundation with approximately $75.1 million in assets as of 2024. The foundation made $4.9 million in total distributions in 2024. The foundation's grantmaking reflects the Mooney family's deep commitment to education (particularly institutions addressing learning differences), children's welfare, healthcare, and faith-based organizations. Major grants have included support for the Colorado School of Mines ($1.4 million for student scholarships and capital projects) and University of Denver (funding for programs supporting students with learning differences).

The foundation operates on a trustee-discretion basis, with grants awarded through specific requests rather than open application cycles.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but awards grants on a case-by-case basis through trustee discretion. Grant sizes vary significantly based on the project and organization:

  • Major Institutional Grants: $1,000,000 - $2,000,000 (typically for capital projects, endowments, or multi-year program support at universities and major nonprofits)
  • Substantial Program Grants: $50,000 - $500,000 (program development and operational support)
  • Smaller Grants: $2,000 - $25,000 (often for faith-based organizations and smaller community nonprofits)

Median Grant: $50,000

Application Method: Specific request basis only (invitation/trustee discretion)

Priority Areas

Based on 2024 grantmaking activity, the foundation prioritizes:

Education:

  • Higher education institutions in Colorado (University of Denver, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University)
  • K-12 schools, particularly those serving students with learning differences (Denver Academy)
  • Educational program development

Children and Youth Services:

  • Boys and Girls Clubs
  • Youth development organizations
  • Child welfare programs

Healthcare:

  • Women's health research (CU Center for Women's Health Research)
  • Rehabilitation services (Craig Hospital)
  • Medical research and services

Faith-Based Organizations:

  • Christian churches and ministries
  • Faith-based community services

Community Services:

  • Organizations serving disadvantaged populations
  • Community development initiatives

Most grants are designated for "PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT," indicating preference for funding that builds organizational capacity and creates sustainable impact rather than general operating support alone.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's giving history suggests they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their established areas of interest
  • International organizations (with very few exceptions)
  • Political organizations or advocacy
  • General operating expenses without program development component

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by three family trustees who serve without compensation:

Abigail S. Mooney - President

F. Steven Mooney - Trustee

  • Founder of the foundation
  • 1956 Graduate, Colorado School of Mines (Geological Engineering)
  • Founder of Thompson Creek Companies (major molybdenum producer)
  • Former President, Colorado School of Mines Board of Trustees
  • Recipient of AIME William Lawrence Saunders Gold Medal
  • Professional engineer with extensive mining industry experience
  • Resident of Cherry Hills Village, Colorado

Alice G. Harwood - Trustee

The foundation has no paid staff and operates through the trustees' direct involvement in grantmaking decisions. The trustees bring extensive business experience and deep roots in Colorado's educational and philanthropic community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Galena Foundation operates on a "specific request basis" and makes grants through trustee discretion. This means:

  • Grants are awarded to organizations known to the trustees or identified through their networks
  • There are no application deadlines or forms
  • Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals through a standard process
  • The foundation proactively identifies and reaches out to organizations that align with their interests

Getting on Their Radar

The Galena Foundation's giving reflects the personal interests and connections of the Mooney family, particularly their commitment to:

Educational institutions they have personal connections with: The foundation has made significant gifts to Colorado School of Mines (F. Steven Mooney's alma mater) and University of Denver. When making a major gift to University of Denver, Steve Mooney specifically noted the gift was made through their personal foundation and was inspired by the university's attention to students with learning differences.

Geographic focus: The vast majority of grants go to Colorado-based organizations, with concentration in the Denver metro area. Organizations serving Colorado communities, particularly in areas where the trustees have lived and worked (Denver, Cherry Hills Village area), are the primary beneficiaries.

Personal values and interests: The foundation supports causes that reflect the trustees' values, including education (especially addressing learning differences), children's welfare, healthcare, and Christian faith. The Mooneys have demonstrated particular interest in projects that have sustainable impact on students and young people.

Decision Timeline

No fixed timeline. The foundation makes grants on a rolling basis throughout the year as trustees identify organizations and projects of interest.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so there is no traditional success rate metric.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations do not submit applications in the traditional sense.

Application Success Factors

Since the Galena Foundation operates on an invitation/trustee-discretion basis, the traditional "application success factors" do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding share certain characteristics:

Strong Colorado connections: Nearly all grants go to Colorado-based organizations or national organizations with significant Colorado operations.

Educational mission or impact on students: A substantial portion of grantmaking supports educational institutions and programs, particularly those addressing learning differences or supporting student development. F. Steven Mooney has specifically mentioned that gifts through the foundation are inspired by programs with "potential impact on students with learning differences."

Established institutions with track record: The foundation tends to support well-established organizations with proven impact rather than startup ventures. Recipients include major universities, hospitals, and long-standing nonprofits.

Program development focus: The foundation emphasizes grants for program development rather than general operating support, indicating preference for funding that builds capacity and creates new or enhanced services.

Alignment with family values: Organizations reflecting Christian values, commitment to children and youth, healthcare advancement, and educational excellence align with the foundation's giving patterns.

Personal connection or awareness: Given the foundation's operating model, trustees must be aware of and interested in an organization, typically through personal experience, professional networks, or community visibility in Colorado.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is not a foundation you can apply to directly - The Galena Foundation operates entirely on trustee discretion without a public application process
  • Colorado focus is critical - The vast majority of grants support Colorado organizations, particularly in the Denver metro area
  • Education and children/youth are primary interests - Organizations serving educational institutions, students with learning differences, and youth development receive substantial support
  • Think large for major projects - The foundation makes grants ranging from $2,000 to $2 million, with a median of $50,000, indicating willingness to make significant investments in the right projects
  • Program development matters - Most grants specifically support program development rather than general operations
  • Family foundation with personal approach - The Mooney family directly makes all funding decisions based on their interests, connections, and values
  • Long-term institutional relationships - The foundation has made multiple grants to the same institutions over time, suggesting preference for sustained relationships with organizations they trust

References

Information accessed December 2024

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