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Bohemian Foundation

Annual Giving
$15.7M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
1mo

Bohemian Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $15,679,922 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $187,841,312 (2023)
  • Decision Time: 30 days (Event Funds); varies for Bohemian Fund
  • Grant Range: $500 - $50,000 (Bohemian Fund); $500 - $2,500 (Event Funds)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Poudre School District boundary area (Fort Collins/Larimer County, CO) for Community and Music programs; national for Civic programs; international for Global programs

Contact Details

Website: www.bohemianfoundation.org
Phone: 970-221-2636
Email: Contact through website form
Address: 262 E. Mountain Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm, Friday 8am-noon

Overview

Founded in 2001 by philanthropist Pat Stryker, granddaughter of Stryker Corporation founder Homer Stryker, the Bohemian Foundation has grown from a single responsive grantmaking program to a multifaceted foundation with $187.8 million in assets. The foundation takes its name and inspiration from the bohemian movement of 19th century Europe. In 2023, Bohemian Foundation distributed $15,679,922 in grants, making 252 awards in 2022 and 299 in 2021. Led by Executive Director Cheryl Zimlich since 2014, the foundation accomplishes its mission through grantmaking, programs, and events across four areas: Community, Music, Global, and Civic. The foundation believes in working together over time to move toward a community where everyone belongs, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Bohemian Fund (Annual, Local)

  • Amount: Up to $50,000
  • Application Method: Annual application cycle (typically opens in spring)
  • Focus: Organizations within Poudre School District boundary working on ensuring all youth thrive, promoting economic stability and mobility, and cultivating a vibrant, engaged, connected community
  • Grant Types: Program, Project (one-time), or General Support
  • Recent cycle awarded $605,000 to 41 local organizations

Pharos Fund (Local)

  • Amount: Up to $30,000
  • Focus: Organizations within Poudre School District boundary

Community Event Fund (Local - sunsetting in 2026)

  • Amount: $500 - $2,500
  • Application Method: Rolling basis
  • Focus: Single- and multi-day events that create meaningful connections between the community and local nonprofits in Poudre School District boundary area
  • Applications must be received at least 60 days prior to event date

Music Event Fund (sunsetting in 2026)

  • Amount: $500 - $2,500
  • Application Method: Rolling basis until funds are fully allocated
  • Focus: Music-related events

Global Programs

  • Application Method: Does not accept unsolicited proposals; invitation only
  • Focus: Organizations addressing challenges in health, poverty, and environment with scalable impact
  • Health Priority: Healthcare access and infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Recent grantees include MedGlobal, Kenya's Lwala Community Alliance, Pangaea Zimbabwe AIDS Trust, Educate Girls Globally, VisionSpring, and One Acre Fund

Civic Programs (National)

  • Application Method: Does not accept unsolicited proposals; invitation only
  • Focus: Strengthening democracy through economic opportunity (especially for justice-involved individuals and families) and civic engagement
  • Recent grantees include RepresentUs Education Fund, Democracy Now Productions, State Voices, Bell Policy Center, Bail Project, and Dream.Org

Priority Areas

Community Programs (Local):

  • Ensuring all youth thrive
  • Promoting economic stability and mobility
  • Cultivating a vibrant, engaged, connected, and resilient community

Recent local grantees include Catholic Charities & Community Services, Crossroads Safehouse Inc., Faith Family Hospitality of Fort Collins (dba Family Housing Network), Feeding Our Community Ourselves (FoCo Cafe), and Live the Victory Inc. (dba The Matthews House).

Music Programs:

  • Popular music and culture as tools for uniting, inspiring, and creating change
  • Recent grantees include Music Will, Beats by Girlz, A Noise Within (California), Music Bridge (Colorado), and Sound Affects Music

Global Programs:

  • Global health (particularly Sub-Saharan Africa)
  • Poverty alleviation
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Organizations on path to making scalable impact

Civic Programs:

  • Democracy strengthening
  • Economic opportunity for justice-involved individuals and families
  • Civic engagement

What They Don't Fund

Program and Project Types:

  • Single-day events (should apply to Event Funds instead)
  • Multi-year requests
  • Capital campaigns
  • Endowment funding
  • Debt reduction
  • Fundraising campaigns

Specific Activities:

  • Medical supplies, equipment, and medical devices
  • Support for individuals or teams to attend tournaments or competitions (athletic tournaments, academic competitions, band trips)
  • Awards to individuals

Political and Religious:

  • Activities that support a religious purpose
  • Political campaigns or legislative advocacy
  • Discriminatory programs
  • Faith-based organizations requiring faith-based programming participation

Organizational Types:

  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations (except eligible governmental units serving a charitable purpose)
  • Programs/projects of governmental entities that do not further a charitable purpose
  • Fiscally sponsored programs
  • Private schools
  • Private foundations
  • Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organizations

Governance and Leadership

Pat Stryker - Founder and President
Pat Stryker founded Bohemian Foundation in 2001 and continues to serve as president. As the granddaughter of Homer Stryker, who invented and patented medical devices before founding Stryker Corporation, Pat has donated more than $195 million to charity in her lifetime, mostly through the Bohemian Foundation. The foundation reflects her commitment to involving fellow citizens in the care and improvement of the community.

Cheryl Zimlich - Executive Director and Board Member
Cheryl Zimlich joined Bohemian Foundation in 2001 as a board director and strategy consultant, becoming executive director in 2014. She has been instrumental in the foundation's growth from a single responsive grantmaking program to four program areas. On her professional approach, Zimlich stated: "In every task, I attribute my effectiveness to listening, developing relationships, and staying in the background while focusing on the work." Regarding community collaboration, she noted: "The conversations with other members are incredibly valuable, connecting us and helping us do our work better."

Joe Zimlich - Board Member
Joe Zimlich serves on the board of directors alongside his wife Cheryl and founder Pat Stryker.

A committee of Bohemian Foundation board members, staff, and community members selects grantees through a competitive application process.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Bohemian Fund (Local, up to $50,000):

  • Annual application cycle, typically opening in spring (March) and closing in late February/early April
  • Applications submitted through online portal
  • Organizations limited to one application per round
  • Grant term cannot exceed 12 months and ideally aligns with organization's fiscal year
  • Applicant support available: workshops offered and staff available for questions at 970-221-2636

Pharos Fund (Local, up to $30,000):

  • Check website for current application status

Community Event Fund (up to $2,500):

  • Rolling applications accepted
  • Must be received at least 60 days prior to event date
  • Applications submitted through online form

Music Event Fund (up to $2,500):

  • Rolling applications accepted until funds are fully allocated for the grant year
  • Applications submitted through online form

Global Programs and Civic Programs:

  • Do not accept unsolicited applications
  • Invitation-only grantmaking based on foundation's strategic priorities

Decision Timeline

Community Event Fund:

  • Foundation responds within 30 days of receiving a completed application

Music Event Fund:

  • Foundation responds within 30 days of receiving a completed application

Bohemian Fund:

  • Specific notification timeline not publicly disclosed; varies based on annual cycle

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not publicly disclosed, available data shows the foundation made 252 awards in 2022 and 299 awards in 2021. A recent Bohemian Fund cycle awarded $605,000 to 41 local organizations, suggesting a competitive process. Insider sources describe the foundation as "an approachable, open-minded funder with deep pockets."

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not specifically detailed in public materials. Organizations are limited to one application per organization per round for Bohemian Fund. For specific guidance on reapplication, contact foundation staff at 970-221-2636.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Geographic Focus: For Community and Music programs, organizations must work within the Poudre School District boundary area. This geographic restriction is strictly enforced and is fundamental to eligibility.

Focus on Three Core Priorities: The foundation emphasizes ensuring all youth thrive, promoting economic stability and mobility, and cultivating a vibrant, engaged, connected, and resilient community. Applications should clearly demonstrate how proposed work advances one or more of these goals.

Commitment to DEIB: The foundation has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Applications should reflect awareness of and alignment with these values.

Relationship Building and Accessibility: Cheryl Zimlich's leadership philosophy emphasizes "listening, developing relationships, and staying in the background while focusing on the work." The foundation offers workshops and applicant support, and staff email addresses are publicly available. Taking advantage of these resources demonstrates seriousness and allows for relationship building.

Collaborative Approach: The foundation believes that "by working together over time, we will move toward a community where everyone belongs." Applications that demonstrate collaborative approaches or partnerships may be particularly compelling.

Clear Request Type: For Bohemian Fund, clearly specify whether requesting Program, Project (one-time), or General Support funding and ensure the request aligns with eligibility requirements (no multi-year requests, no capital campaigns, etc.).

Appropriate Fund Selection: Single-day events should apply to Community Event Fund or Music Event Fund, not Bohemian Fund. Ensure you're applying to the appropriate program for your needs.

Recent Examples of Funded Work: Local community organizations funded include those serving vulnerable populations (Catholic Charities, Crossroads Safehouse, Family Housing Network), innovative community programs (FoCo Cafe), and organizations supporting specific populations (The Matthews House). Understanding the foundation's current grantee portfolio can inform application strategy.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic specificity matters: For local programs, eligibility is strictly limited to organizations working within the Poudre School District boundary in Fort Collins/Larimer County area
  • Use available resources: The foundation offers workshops and staff support—take advantage of these to strengthen applications and build relationships
  • Match your request to the right program: Single-day events go to Event Funds ($500-$2,500); larger programmatic or operational requests go to Bohemian Fund (up to $50,000)
  • Time your submission carefully: Event Fund applications must be received at least 60 days before the event; Bohemian Fund has an annual cycle typically in spring
  • Understand what's invitation-only: Global and Civic programs do not accept unsolicited applications; focus on Community and Music programs if you're seeking open application opportunities
  • Demonstrate alignment with core values: Clearly show how your work advances youth thriving, economic stability/mobility, or vibrant/connected community, with commitment to DEIB
  • Be patient with Event Funds but note sunsetting: Community Event Fund and Music Event Fund will sunset in 2026, so plan accordingly for future funding needs

References

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