Schmitz Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,185,000 (2023)
• Total Assets: $302,000 (2024)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Grant Range: $2,000 - $4,000+ (for scholarship programs; institutional grants vary)
• Geographic Focus: Denver, Colorado metro area
• Number of Awards: 14 (2023)

Contact Details

Schmitz Family Foundation 3260 S Monroe Street Denver, CO 80210-6946 EIN: 84-1548781

Contact: Annie Mcbournie, President

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

The Schmitz Family Foundation was established in July 2000 as a private family foundation in Denver, Colorado. With total assets of approximately $302,000 and annual charitable disbursements of $2.39 million in 2024 (90.4% of expenses), the foundation focuses primarily on supporting Catholic education in the Denver metropolitan area. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. Leadership includes President Annie Mcbournie ($81,250 annual compensation), Vice Presidents Julie Bunsness and Richard Schmitz, and Secretary Pat Job. The foundation has demonstrated consistent commitment to Catholic schools through both institutional grants and scholarship programs administered in partnership with ACE Scholarships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Catholic School Scholarships (via ACE Scholarships)

• High School Level: $4,000 per student annually
• K-8 Level: Up to $2,000 per student annually
• Scholarships are renewable as long as families continue to meet income guidelines
• Based on family income levels, with consideration for middle-income families
• Students must maintain average to above-average academic records
• Application method: Through FACTS Financial Aid Application with ACE scholarship section

Priority Areas

The foundation gives primarily for:

• Catholic Education: Roman Catholic schools in the Denver area, including institutional support and scholarships
• K-12 Education: Both elementary and secondary Catholic schools

Known Beneficiaries Include:

• Holy Family High School (Denver)
• Denver Catholic Schools system
• St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
• Other Catholic schools in the Denver archdiocese

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside their preselected network
• Non-Catholic educational institutions
• Organizations outside the Denver metropolitan area
• Unsolicited requests from new organizations

Governance and Leadership

Officers:

• Annie Mcbournie, President
• Richard Schmitz, Vice President
• Julie Bunsness, Vice President
• Pat Job, Secretary

The foundation operates as a private family foundation with a small board focused on Catholic education in Denver. The leadership maintains direct oversight of grantmaking decisions, selecting beneficiaries based on family priorities and existing relationships within the Catholic education community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Schmitz Family Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

For Scholarship Applicants: While the foundation itself doesn't accept direct applications, families seeking scholarships should:

1. Apply directly through the Catholic school they wish their child to attend
2. Complete the FACTS Financial Aid Application including the ACE Scholarship section
3. Ensure at least one family member is employed
4. Submit federal income tax forms with the application

Scholarship applications are processed through individual schools and ACE Scholarships, not directly through the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable for institutional grants (invitation only).

For scholarships administered through schools: Timeline follows the school's financial aid calendar, typically processed during admissions cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation operates on a preselection basis with 14 awards made in 2023.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. For scholarship recipients, awards are renewable annually as long as families continue to meet income guidelines and students maintain required academic standards.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. The foundation's grantmaking decisions are made by trustees based on:

For Organizations:

• Pre-existing relationships with the Schmitz family
• Alignment with Catholic education mission
• Location within Denver metropolitan area
• Established track record in Catholic education

For Scholarship Recipients:

• Income level (middle-income families prioritized)
• Employment status (at least one family member employed)
• Student academic performance (average to above-average)
• Commitment to Catholic education
• Continued eligibility (renewable scholarships require ongoing qualification)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Applications: This foundation exclusively supports preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited grant proposals
• Catholic Education Focus: Nearly all funding supports Roman Catholic schools and education in Denver
• Scholarship Pathway: While organizations cannot apply directly, families can access foundation support through ACE Scholarships at participating schools
• Middle-Income Focus: The foundation is willing to consider scholarship applicants whose income may exceed standard ACE income guidelines
• Renewable Support: Both institutional grants and scholarships appear to support long-term relationships with consistent beneficiaries
• Small but Consistent: With 14 awards in 2023 and $2.19 million in grants, the foundation maintains focused, strategic support for select institutions
• Family Foundation: As a private family foundation, decisions are made by trustees based on family priorities and values

References

• Cause IQ. "Schmitz Family Foundation | Denver, CO." Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/schmitz-family-foundation,841548781/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Schmitz Family Foundation." Accessed January 21, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/841548781
• Holy Family High School. "Scholarships." Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.holyfamilyhs.com/admissions/scholarships
• Denver Catholic Schools. "Affordability." Accessed January 21, 2026. https://denvercatholicschools.com/why-catholic-education/affordability/
• St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School. "Tuition Assistance." Accessed January 21, 2026. https://svdpk8.com/index.php/tuition-assistance/
• Grantmakers.io. "Schmitz Family Foundation Profile." Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/841548781-schmitz-family-foundation/
• Instrumentl. "Schmitz Family Foundation | Denver, CO | 990 Report." Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/schmitz-family-foundation-co-annie-mcbournie