Louis Calder Foundation
Denver, CO · EIN 13-6015562. Reported 226 grants totalling $40.0M to 115 recipients across tax years 2020-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Louis Calder Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $125,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $30,000 and $250,000; the smallest was $450 and the largest $1,000,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter Fund Inc | Broomfield, CO | $4,000,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Cambiar Education | Los Angeles, CA | $2,175,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Jeremiah Program | Minneapolis, MN | $1,600,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Springboard Collaborative | Philadelphia, PA | $1,600,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Array Education Inc | New York, NY | $1,500,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Instruction Partners | Nashville, TN | $1,400,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Achievement First Inc | New Haven, CT | $1,200,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| KIPP New York Inc | New York, NY | $1,200,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| New Schools for Alabama | Birmingham, AL | $1,050,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Together Education Inc | New York, NY | $1,000,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| KIPP Foundation | San Francisco, CA | $750,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Commonlit Inc | Washington, DC | $700,000 | 3 | 2 | 2021 |
| Excellent Schools New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM | $700,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Becoming Collegiate Academy Inc | Jacksonville, FL | $695,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| University Charter School | Livingston, AL | $695,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Impact Public Schools | Tukwila, WA | $650,000 | 5 | 4 | 2023 |
| Reach Institute for School Leadership | Alameda, CA | $650,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Clarksdale Collegiate | Clarksdale, MS | $605,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Nashville Classical | Nashville, TN | $605,000 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Building Responsible Intelligent Creative Kids | Newark, NJ | $600,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Colorado Schools Fund | Denver, CO | $600,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Reach Out and Read Inc | Boston, MA | $600,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Republic Schools Inc | Nashville, TN | $600,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Seton Education Partners | New York, NY | $600,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Teach for America Inc | New York, NY | $600,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Achievement First Rhode Island | Providence, RI | $500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Great Hearts America | Phoenix, AZ | $500,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| The Achievement Network Ltd | Boston, MA | $500,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| The Opportunity Trust | St Louis, MO | $500,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Tntp Inc | New York, NY | $465,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| University Preparatory Schools | Denver, CO | $457,500 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Dekalb Brilliance Academy Inc | Decatur, GA | $400,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| KIPP Colorado Schools | Denver, CO | $400,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Room to Grow National Inc | Bronx, NY | $400,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Ventoux Partnership Network Inc | Bronx, NY | $400,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Tulsa Honor Academy | Tulsa, OK | $330,000 | 3 | 2 | 2021 |
| KIPP Foundation | New York, NY | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Thomas B Fordham Institute | Washington, DC | $300,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Valley Settlement | Glenwood Springs, CO | $300,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Bellwether Education Partners Inc | Sudbury, MA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| El Education Inc | New York, NY | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| KIPP Enc Public Schools | Charlotte, NC | $250,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Libertas School | Memphis, TN | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Rocky Mountain Preparatory School | Denver, CO | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Third Future Schools | Colorado Springs, CO | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Vista College Preparatory Inc | Phoenix, AZ | $230,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | $210,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Allegiance Steam Academy Inc | Chino, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Avance Inc | San Antonio, TX | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Honor Preparatory Charter School | Midland, NC | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Invictus Nashville Charter School | Nashville, TN | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Miles Ahead Charter School Inc | Powder Springs, GA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Vocel Viewing Our Children As Emerging Leaders Nfp | Chicago, IL | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Zest Preparatory Academy Inc | Douglasville, GA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Strive Preparatory Schools | Denver, CO | $195,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Partnership Schools | New York, NY | $180,000 | 2 | 1 | 2020 |
| KIPP Jacksonville Inc | Jacksonville, FL | $175,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida | Jacksonville Beach, FL | $165,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Lift Inc | Washington, DC | $151,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Classical Charter Schools | Bronx, NY | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Dsst Public Schools Foundation | Denver, CO | $150,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Encompass Community School | Nashville, TN | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Episcopal Children's Services Inc | Jacksonville, FL | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Literacy Partners Inc | New York, NY | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rocketship Public Schools Texas | San Antonio, TX | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Rocketship Public Schools Texas | Redwood City, CA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| True North Classical Academy Inc | Miami, FL | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Valor Collegiate Academies | Nashville, TN | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Atlas Preparatory School Inc | Colorado Springs, CO | $130,000 | 2 | 1 | 2020 |
| Fugees Family Inc | Columbus, OH | $130,000 | 2 | 1 | 2020 |
| Henderson Collegiate | Henderson, NC | $125,000 | 2 | 1 | 2020 |
| Independence Schools of Alabama | Fairfield, AL | $125,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| KIPP North Carolina Public Schools Inc | Durham, NC | $125,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| West Palm Golf Community Trust Inc | West Palm Beach, FL | $125,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Parentchild Plus Inc | Mineola, NY | $110,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Gem Prep Meridian North LLC | Meridian, ID | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Gem Prep Meridian South | Meridian, ID | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Pace Center for Girls Inc | Jacksonville, FL | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rocketship Education | Redwood City, CA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Traininggrounds Inc | Slidell, LA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Traininggroundsinc | Slidell, LA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Interfaith Neighbors Inc | Asbury Park, NJ | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| University Settlement Society of New York | New York, NY | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Visiting Nurse Assn of Central Jersey Inc | Holmdel, NJ | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Aequitas Education | Gallup, NM | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Alma Del Mar Foundation Inc | New Bedford, MA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Elan Academy Inc | New Orleans, LA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Ethos Classical Inc | Atlanta, GA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Future Public School Inc | Garden City, ID | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Mercy Center Corporation | Asbury Park, NJ | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Navigator Schools | Hollister, CA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Pataula Charter Academy Inc | Edison, GA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Public Preparatory Network Inc | Bronx, NY | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Sgms Foundation | Roswell, NM | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Woodlawn Community Charter School | Birmingham, AL | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Center for Creative Education | West Palm Beach, FL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community United Services Inc | Savannah, GA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Horizons National Student Enrichment Program Inc | Rumson, NJ | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Horizons National Student Enrichment Program Inc | Norwalk, CT | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Island Park Charter School | Island Park, ID | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Savannah Youth Development Foundation Inc | Savannah, GA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Red Bank Catholic High School | Red Bank, NJ | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Gem Prep Nampa Inc | Deary, ID | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Gem Prep Pocatello LLC | Deary, ID | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Peak Grantmaking Inc | Washington, DC | $11,250 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Philanthropy Colorado | Arvada, CO | $10,800 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Philanthropy Roundtable | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Grantmakers for Education | Portland, OR | $4,400 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| The 74 Media Inc | New York, NY | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Chalkbeat Inc | New York, NY | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Civic News Company | New York, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Teachers College Colombia University | New York, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Teachers College Columbia University | New York, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Philanthropy New York Inc | New York, NY | $450 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
56 of 115 (49%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 54%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Charter Fund Inc
GROWTH OF CHARTER SCHOOLS - Array Education Inc
FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE LITERACY GROUP, SCIENCE OF READING - Republic Schools Inc
OPENING OF REVIVE PREP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND GROWTH AT SMILOW COLLEGIATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN JACKSON, MS - Springboard Collaborative
EXPANSION OF EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM - Cambiar Education
FISCAL SPONSOR FOR MAGPIE LITERACY, SCIENCE OF READING - Achievement First Rhode Island
OPENING OF AF PROMESA AND ENVISION ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 200 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 67 | $8,924,340 | $100,000 |
| 2021 | 43 | $8,121,750 | $150,000 |
| 2022 | 43 | $7,854,785 | $150,000 |
| 2023 | 35 | $6,877,700 | $100,000 |
| 2024 | 38 | $8,196,825 | $150,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Louis Calder Foundation has 92 of them, worth $36.0M. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Charter Fund Inc | Broomfield, CO | $4,000,000 |
| Charter Fund Inc | Broomfield, CO | $3,000,000 |
| Charter Fund Inc | Denver, CO | $2,000,000 |
| Fbf Education Collective Inc | Brooklyn, NY | $2,000,000 |
| Array Education Inc | New York, NY | $1,250,000 |
| Charter Fund Inc | Denver, CO | $1,000,000 |
| Instruction Partners | Nashville, TN | $1,000,000 |
| New Schools for Alabama | Birmingham, AL | $900,000 |
| Jeremiah Program | Minneapolis, MN | $800,000 |
| Achievement First Inc | New Haven, CT | $700,000 |
| Colorado Schools Fund | Denver, CO | $600,000 |
| Cambiar Education | Los Angeles, CA | $600,000 |
| Building Responsible Intelligent Creative Kids | Newark, NJ | $500,000 |
| Array Education Inc | New York, NY | $500,000 |
| Tntp Inc | New York, NY | $465,000 |
Where its money goes
19% of its giving went to organizations in New York. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $125,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in New York.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Louis Calder Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2020-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 1331 17TH Street 602, Denver, CO, 80202. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 13-6015562 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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