FundersColorado

Sheila Fortune Foundation Inc

Boulder, CO · EIN 84-1467131. Reported 339 grants totalling $1,867,000 to 149 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$5,500median grant
$1,867,000granted, 2021-2024
149organizations funded
68%of grantees funded again the next year
$17.2Massets, latest filing

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. Sheila Fortune Foundation Inc did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $5,500. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $6,000; the smallest was $4,000 and the largest $10,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

$1,000 - $5,000
83 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
255 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
1 grant

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Ecoarts ConnectionsBoulder, CO$37,000442024
Kids Dance OutreachIndianapolis, IN$31,000442024
Blue Sage Center for the ArtsPaonia, CO$29,000442024
PlatteforumDenver, CO$29,000442024
Art Students League of DenverDenver, CO$27,000442024
Barnstone Art for KidsPhoenixville, PA$27,000442024
New Mexico Jazz Workshop IncAlbuquerque, NM$27,000442024
Denver Children's ChoirDenver, CO$23,000442024
Koresh Dance CompanyPhiladelphia, PA$23,000442024
Santa Fe Teen Arts CenterSanta Fe, NM$23,000442024
Spanish Danzart SocietySanta Fe, NM$23,000442024
Yes and Collaborative ArtsPhiladelphia, PA$23,000442024
Harrington Arts AllianceLoveland, CO$22,500332023
Rock to the FuturePhiladelphia, PA$22,500332023
Salida Circus Outreach FoundationSalida, CO$22,500332023
Art From Ashes IncDenver, CO$21,000442024
Darlington Arts CenterGarnet Valley, PA$21,000332023
Girls FirstNorristown, PA$21,000442024
San Miguel Mentoring ProgramTelluride, CO$21,000442024
The Clay StudioPhiladelphia, PA$21,000332023
Village Exchange Center IncAurora, CO$21,000442024
Embudo Valley Arts AssociationDixon, NM$19,500332023
Performing Arts AcademyHighlands Ranch, CO$19,500332023
Poetry HealsManitou Springs, CO$19,500332023
Vintage Theatre Productions IncAurora, CO$19,500332023
CmdanceDenver, CO$19,000442024
Denver Young Artists Orchestra AssociationDenver, CO$19,000442024
Expressive PathNorristown, PA$19,000442024
Keshet Dance CompanyAlbuquerque, NM$19,000442024
The Print CenterPhiladelphia, PA$19,000442024
Youth Employment AcademyDenver, CO$19,000442024
Allens Lane Art CenterPhiladelphia, PA$18,000332023
Backstory TheatreBroomfield, CO$18,000332023
Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne IncFort Wayne, IN$18,000332023
Creede Repertory Theatre IncCreede, CO$18,000332023
Curious Theatre CompanyDenver, CO$18,000332023
Mt Carmel Health Wellness and Community CenterTrinidad, CO$18,000332023
A Childs Song IncThornton, CO$16,500332023
Celebrate the BeatDenver, CO$16,500332023
Girls Rock PhillyPhiladelphia, PA$16,500332023
Mirror ImageArvada, CO$16,500332024
Moving Arts EspanolaVelarde, NM$16,500222022
Norris Square Neighborhood ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$16,500332024
Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing ArtsPhiladephia, PA$16,500332023
Philadelphia Young PlaywrightsPhiladelphia, PA$16,500332023
The Rock School for Dance EducationPhiladelphia, PA$16,500332023
The Venue TheatreConifer, CO$16,500332023
Wise Fool New MexicoSanta Fe, NM$16,500332023
Arts Council of Southern IndianaNew Albany, IN$16,000332024
Greater Philadelphia YMCAPhiladelphia, PA$16,000332024
Creative Strategies for ChangeDenver, CO$15,500332024
Commonwealth YouthchoirsPhiladelphia, PA$15,000332023
Vincent Village IncFort Wayne, IN$15,000332023
Asian Arts InitiativePhiladelphia, PA$14,500222022
Beyond the BarsPhiladelphia, PA$14,500332024
Concrete CouchColorado Springs, CO$14,500332024
Etm Colorado IncDenver, CO$14,500332024
Frequent Flyers Productions IncBoulder, CO$14,500332024
Five Star LifeElkhard, IN$14,500332024
Fresh ArtistsLafayette Hill, PA$14,500332024
Heart and Hand CenterDenver, CO$14,500222022
Lyra SocietyPhiladelphia, PA$14,500332024
National Institute of FlamencoAlbuquerque, NM$14,500332024
RoshniEnglewood, CO$14,500332024
Samuel S Fleisher Art Memorial IncPhiladelphia, PA$14,500332024
Settlement Music School of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$14,500332024
Unity Performing Arts Foundation IncFort Wayne, IN$14,500332024
Young Audiences of Indiana IncIndianapolis, IN$14,500332024
El Sistema IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN$13,500332023
Quintessence Theatre GroupPhiladelphia, PA$13,500332024
The Unscripted ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$13,500332023
Thorne Nature ExperienceBoulder, CO$13,500332023
Lighthouse Writers Workshop IncDenver, CO$12,000222024
Taller PuertorriqueoPhiladelphia, PA$12,000222023
Buildabridge InternationalPhiladelphia, PA$11,500222024
Canyon Concert BalletFort Collins, CO$11,500222022
El Sistema ColoradoDenver, CO$11,500222024
Liveconnections OrgPhiladelphia, PA$11,500222022
Taos Children's TheatreRanchos De Taos, NM$11,500222023
Angels of America's FallenColorado Springs, CO$10,500222022
Cherry Creek Arts Festival Dba CherryartsDenver, CO$10,500222022
Delta-Montrose Youth ServicesMontrose, CO$10,500222024
MusicopiaPhiladelphia, PA$10,500222024
Mighty WritersPhiladelphia, PA$10,500222022
Colorado Youth Symphony OrchestrasDenver, CO$10,000222024
Claude Mcneal's Musical Theatre Training Progam IIndianapolis, IN$9,500222022
Santa Fe Youth Symphony IncSanta Fe, NM$9,500222022
Tilt Institute for the Contemporary ImagePhiladelphia, PA$9,500222023
A Precious ChildBroomfield, CO$9,000222023
High Valley Community Center IncDel Norte, CO$9,000222023
Indiana Performing Arts CentreIndianapolis, IN$9,000222023
SoarDenver, CO$9,000222023
The Learning CouncilPaonia, CO$9,000222023
Working ClassroomAlbuquerque, NM$9,000222023
YOUTHPOWER365Avon, CO$9,000222023
Fonseca Theatre CompanyIndianapolis, IN$8,500222022
National Dance Institute New MexicoSanta Fe, NM$8,500222022
Photography Without BordersPhiladelphia, PA$8,500222022
Salida Circus OutreachSalida, CO$8,500112024
Iam MusicDurango, CO$8,500222022
Artsmart New MexicoSanta Fe, NM$8,000112021
Darlington Fine Arts CenterGarnet Valley, PA$8,000112024
Georgia E Gregory Interdenominational School of MPhiladelphia, PA$8,000112021
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast IndianaFort Wayne, IN$7,000112024
Colorado Nonprofit Development CenterDenver, CO$7,000112022
Mount Carmel Wellness and Community CenterTrinidad, CO$7,000112024
Philadelphia Clef ClubPhiladelphia, PA$6,500112024
Taller Puertorriqueno IncPhiladelphia, PA$6,000112022
University City Arts LeaguePhiladelphia, PA$6,000112021
Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestras & EnsemblesDenver, CO$5,500112022
El Sistema IndianapolisIndianapolis, CO$5,500112024
Indianapolis Childrens ChoirIndianapolis, IN$5,500112024
Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading & Berks CountyReading, PA$5,500112021
The Learning Councilarts for AllPaonia, CO$5,500112024
Thorne Ecological InstituteBoulder, CO$5,500112024
Augustana Arts IncDenver, CO$5,000112023
Arts Alliance of Southern IndianaNew Albany, IN$5,000112022
Build-a-Bridge InternationalPhiladelphia, PA$5,000112022
Georgia E Gregory School of MusicPhiladelphia, PA$5,000112024
Indianapolis Children's ChoirIndianapolis, IN$5,000112023
Los Ninos Del TeatroRanchos De Taos, NM$5,000112021
Mas ComunidadPeasco, NM$5,000112024
Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCAConshohocken, PA$5,000112022
September Schools IncBoulder, CO$5,000112023
Santa Fe Youth Symphony AssociationSanta Fe, NM$5,000112024
Buildabridge InternationaPhiladelphia, PA$4,500112021
After Your School (ays)Indianapolis, IN$4,000112024
After-School All-StarsPhiladelphia, PA$4,000112024
Boys & Girls Clubs of HuntingtonHuntington, IN$4,000112024
Colorado Children's ChoraleDenver, CO$4,000112022
Colorado TintsSalida, CO$4,000112024
Colorado Youth Mariachi ProgramCommerce City, CO$4,000112022
Fort Wayne Dance CollectiveFort Wayne, IN$4,000112024
Georgia O'keeffe MuseumSanta Fe, NM$4,000112024
Georgia O'keeffe MusuemSanta Fe, NM$4,000112022
Gibault IncTerre Haute, IN$4,000112021
Indianapolis Art CenterIndianapolis, IN$4,000112022
Kids at Their BestFort Morgan, CO$4,000112021
Media Arts CouncilMedia, PA$4,000112024
Mobile StudioDenver, CO$4,000112024
Philadelphia Photo Arts CenterPhiladelphia, PA$4,000112021
Rocky Mountain Public MediaDenver, CO$4,000112022
September SchoolBoulder, CO$4,000112021
Spiral QPhiladelphia, PA$4,000112024
Temple University Music Preparatory DivisionPhiladelphia, PA$4,000112022
The Arts HubLafayette, CO$4,000112024
The Community Resource FundBelen, NM$4,000112024
Urban Musical TheatreIndianapolis, IN$4,000112024
Youth Club of TrinidadTrinidad, CO$4,000112024

99 of 149 (66%) received money in more than one year over the 4 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 68%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 268 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Arts & Culture
184 grants
Youth Development
28 grants
Education
18 grants
Human Services
10 grants
Crime & Legal
5 grants
Environment
4 grants
Community Improvement
4 grants
Health Care
3 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202187$457,500$5,000
2022101$538,000$5,000
202379$464,500$5,500
202472$407,000$5,500

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.

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 44% of this one's giving went to organizations in Colorado. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

Colorado
$828K
Pennsylvania
$596K
New Mexico
$232K
Indiana
$210K

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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 the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc42 shared recipientsFidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund42 shared recipientsColorado Gives Foundation36 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc35 shared recipientsThe Denver Foundation30 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust30 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $5,500. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Colorado.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

Foundations funding education in ColoradoEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding arts & culture in PennsylvaniaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding education in PennsylvaniaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding human services in PennsylvaniaEvery funder in this group, ranked

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from Sheila Fortune Foundation Inc's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: 1304 8TH Street, Boulder, CO, 80302. 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 84-1467131 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.