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RK Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

RK Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$126k
Granted FY2024still arriving
21
Grants FY2024still arriving
3
States reached
$20k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2024.

Education$421kCommunity Improvement$93kEmployment$93kYouth Development$78kHealth$76kPhilanthropy$62kRecreation & Sports$53kHuman Services$34kOther$0
02FY2024 · 21 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k14 grants · $45k
  • $10k–50k7 grants · $80k
$5,011
Median grant
3
States reached
$1k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER FOUNDATION$20,011
YEAR ONE INC$10,011
FIRST DESCENTS$10,011
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION$10,011
EMILY GRIFFITH FOUNDATION INC$10,011
THE MASTERS APPRENTICE$10,011
DENVER METRO CHAMBER LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION$10,011
GREEN & GOLD FOUNDATION$7,511
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION$6,011
VETERANS COMMUNITY PROJECT$5,011
COLORADO VOLUNTEER TEAM$5,011
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY - ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPT$5,011
COLORADO WOMENS EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION INCORPORA$5,011
RK CARES HARDSHIP FUND$3,456
VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION INC$2,611
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY20–23, $10k) land where the poverty rate runs at 9%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 18% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%GREATER PARK HILL COMMUNITY INC: $511 → 12%FREEDOM SERVICE DOGS INC: $5k → 8%FREEDOM SERVICE DOGS INC: $2k → 8%BRANDON ROONEY MEMORIAL FOUNDATION INC: $611 → 7%COLORADO JUVENILE DEFENDER CENTER: $1k → 12%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

NY
CA
UT
CO
NE
MO
VA
MD
AZ
KS
DC
OK
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

78%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$764k · 26 repeat orgs$215k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +26% since the first grant, against +9% for those funded once.

26 repeat relationships: 14 still active in FY2024, 12 since wound down; 4 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

26
52

Total granted

$764k
$205k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+26%
+9%

Still filing today

85%
73%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 92% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $9k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23’24
EducationHealthHuman ServicesPhilanthropyCommunity ImprovementEnvironmentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • MS
    METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER FOUNDATION INC
    5× · 2020–2024 · $80k · revenue +209%
  • AT
    Amp the Cause
    4× · 2020–2023 · $62k · revenue +74%
  • TG
    THE GREEN & GOLD FOUNDATION
    5× · 2020–2024 · $38k · revenue +66%

Funded once

  • GS
    GIRL SCOUTS OF COLORADO
    one grant, 2022 · $25k · revenue -8%
  • THE COLORADO NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT CENTER
    one grant, 2023 · $11k · revenue +9%
  • DP
    DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2020 · $10k · revenue -1%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
The Colorado Health Foundation
Health
2
Colorado Gives Foundation

We connect people, ideas, and nonprofits to make good happen. our vision is that all of jeffco is thriving.

Philanthropy
3
Aia Colorado

AIA Colorado,is the voice of the architecture profession in Colorado. Through advocacy, leadership development, education and resources for architects, the organization supports architecture professionals in designing a better world where…

—
4
Denver Scholarship Foundation

Denver scholarship foundation (dsf) inspires and empowers denver public schools (dps) students to enroll in and graduate from postsecondary institutions of higher education by providing the tools, knowledge, and financial resources for…

Education
5
Colorado Health Institute
Health
6
Colorado Access Foundation
Health
7
University of Denver

The university of denver (du) is a higher educational institution, providing both undergraduate and graduate degrees - the mission of the university of denver is to promote learning by engaging with students (continued on schedule o)in…

Education
8
Colorado Legal Services

To provide meaningful access to high quality, civil legal services in the pursuit of justice for as many low income persons and members of vulnerable populations throughout colorado as possible.

Crime & Legal
9
Denver Health and Hospitals Foundation

Support the work of the denver health and hospital authority in its mission to sustain and advance the health and well-being of denver, colorado and the rocky mountain region.

—
10
Impact Development Fund

Impact development fund helps people within our underserved communities seek fulfillment for themselves and their families by providing access to affordable living. we create these opportunities by delivering flexible capital to nonprofit…

Housing & Shelter
11
Caring for Colorado Foundation

The foundation works to improve the lives of young people and their families in colorado through collaboration, partnership, shared knowledge and grant-making.

Health
12
The Colorado Parks Foundation Inc
Recreation & Sports
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Denver Public Schools Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Colorado Juvenile Defender Center Dba Transformative Justice Proj of Colo. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

69 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 69 of the 84 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
12
Early backer (in before they grew)
66/69
Grantees still filing
42/69
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION: $108,369 · EducationUNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATIONMETROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER FOUNDATION INC: $80,055 · EducationMETROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER…ALLIANCE FOR CHOICE IN EDUCATION: $35,033 · EducationALLIANCE FOR CHOICE IN EDUCATIONFood For Thought Denver: $30,044 · EducationFood For Thought DenverColorado Succeeds: $30,033 · EducationColorado SucceedsEMILY GRIFFITH FOUNDATION: $16,011 · Education+9 more: $42,399 · Education+9 moreAmp the Cause: $62,055 · OtherAmp the CauseSCHOOL DISTRICT 12 EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $30,033 · OtherSCHOOL DISTRICT 12 EDUCATION FOUNDATIO…COLORADO WOMENS EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION INCORPORA: $25,044 · OtherCOLORADO WOMENS EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATI…CITY YEAR INC: $20,022 · OtherCITY YEAR INCHABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF METRO DENVER INC: $16,033 · OtherLEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY - ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPT: $11,566 · OtherTHE MASTER'S APPRENTICE INC: $30,033 · OtherTHE MASTER'S APPRENTICE INC+44 more: $146,083 · Other+44 moreDENVER METRO CHAMBER LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION: $50,305 · PhilanthropyDENVER METRO…THE GREEN & GOLD FOUNDATION: $37,555 · PhilanthropyTHE GREEN & …DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION: $10,011 · PhilanthropyDENVER PUBLI…JUDI'S HOUSE INC: $5,011 · Philanthropy+1 more: $3,456 · PhilanthropyYEAR ONE INC: $37,555 · Youth DevelopmentYEAR ONE …GIRL SCOUTS OF COLORADO: $25,011 · Youth DevelopmentGIRL SCOU…GIRLS INCORPORATED OF METRO DENVER: $15,022 · Youth DevelopmentGIRLS INC…DENVER JUNIOR GOLF: $5,011 · Youth DevelopmentDENVER JU…FIRST DESCENTS: $30,033 · Recreation & SportsCOLORADO VOLUNTEER TEAM: $14,044 · Recreation & SportsCROSSPURPOSE: $20,022 · Community ImprovementTHE COLORADO NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT CENTER: $10,522 · Community ImprovementVAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION: $2,611 · Community ImprovementPROJECT ANGEL HEART: $2,511 · Community ImprovementWILDRIDGE TRAIL COALITION: $2,062 · Community ImprovementHOYA Foundation: $32,544 · EmploymentMT CARMEL VETERANS SERVICE CENTER: $5,011 · Employment
Education$341,944Other$340,869Philanthropy$106,338Youth Development$82,599Recreation & Sports$44,077Community Improvement$37,728Employment$37,555

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$10k$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetUNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION: $108,369 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetMETROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER FOUNDATION INC: $80,055 over 5y, 0.2% of budgetAmp the Cause: $62,055 over 4y, 2.0% of budgetDENVER METRO CHAMBER LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION: $50,305 over 5y, 0.6% of budgetTHE GREEN & GOLD FOUNDATION: $37,555 over 5y, 4.7% of budgetYEAR ONE INC: $37,555 over 5y, 0.2% of budgetALLIANCE FOR CHOICE IN EDUCATION: $35,033 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetHOYA Foundation: $32,544 over 5y, 2.3% of budgetFood For Thought Denver: $30,044 over 4y, 0.4% of budgetColorado Succeeds: $30,033 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetTHE MASTER'S APPRENTICE INC: $30,033 over 3y, 1.4% of budgetSCHOOL DISTRICT 12 EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $30,033 over 3y, 1.4% of budgetFIRST DESCENTS: $30,033 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetGIRL SCOUTS OF COLORADO: $25,011 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCITY YEAR INC: $20,022 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCROSSPURPOSE: $20,022 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetHABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF METRO DENVER INC: $16,033 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetEMILY GRIFFITH FOUNDATION: $16,011 over 2y, 0.6% of budgetGIRLS INCORPORATED OF METRO DENVER: $15,022 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetCOLORADO VOLUNTEER TEAM: $14,044 over 3y, 60% of budgetTHE COLORADO NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT CENTER: $10,522 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetAmerican Heart Association Inc: $10,122 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetDENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION: $10,011 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTACT KIDS INC: $10,011 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetAurora Public Schools Foundation: $10,011 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetCOLLEGE TRACK: $10,011 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFREEDOM SERVICE DOGS INC: $7,222 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetCOMMUNITY COLLEGE OF DENVER FDN: $6,522 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetGOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION: $5,033 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetCOLORADO RESTAURANT FOUNDATION: $5,011 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMT CARMEL VETERANS SERVICE CENTER: $5,011 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetROCKY MOUNTAIN CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER: $5,011 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetCOMMUNITY COLLEGE OF AURORA FOUNDATION: $5,011 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetLane Thomas Foundation: $5,011 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetK9S FOR WARRIORS INC: $5,011 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH: $5,011 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC: $5,011 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPROJECT HEALING WATERS FLY FISHING INC: $5,011 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetUTAH HONOR FLIGHT: $5,011 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetDENVER JUNIOR GOLF: $5,011 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetVETERANS COMMUNITY PROJECT: $5,011 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJUDI'S HOUSE INC: $5,011 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE 30 DAY FUND INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetRK CARES HARDSHIP FUND DBA RK CARES HE: $3,456 over 1y, 3.4% of budgetTom McMahon Construction Scholarship Fund: $3,022 over 2y, 5.7% of budgetVAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION: $2,611 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPROJECT ANGEL HEART: $2,511 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetDOWNTOWN DENVER EVENTS INC: $2,511 over 1y, 0.1% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Colorado Gives Founda…The Denver FoundationRose Community Founda…Xcel Energy FoundationDaniels FundThe Anschutz Foundati…The Colorado Health F…Mile High United Way …Denver Broncos Founda…Kenneth Kendal King F…Boettcher FoundationAnschutz Family Found…
Colorado Gives FoundationCO47.6× affinity27 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Colorado Gives Foundation · The Denver Foundation · Rose Community Foundation · Xcel Energy Foundation · Daniels Fund · The Anschutz Foundation · The Colorado Health Foundation · Mile High United Way Inc · Denver Broncos Foundation · Kenneth Kendal King Foundation · Boettcher Foundation · Anschutz Family Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization RK Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from RK Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%6%25%56%100%funder's share of their income ↑0%19%38%56%75%share of the org’s income from government →median 11%
  • Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc: 46% of income from government
  • City Year Inc: 11% of income from government
  • Wounded Warrior Project Inc: 0% of income from government
  • K9S for Warriors Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
22report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–75%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 84 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on RK’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home