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The Fries Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Fries Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$80k
Granted FY2025still arriving
4
Grants FY2025still arriving
2
States reached
$25k
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, FY2017 to 2025.

Education$5.1MArts & Culture$4.6MHuman Services$677kHealth$285kPhilanthropy$198kPublic Safety & Disaster$145kInternational$134kPublic Benefit$50kOther$0
02FY2025 · 4 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k1 grant · $5k
  • $10k–50k3 grants · $75k
$25,000
Median grant
2
States reached
$703k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
GLOBAL LIVINGSTON INSTITUTE$25,000
GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION$25,000
UNITE AMERICA INSTITUTE INC$25,000
GRACE WAY VILLAGE$5,000
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 (FY20–25, $660k) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%SELFLESS LOVE FOUNDATION INC: $250k → 11%GRACE WAY VILLAGE: $5k → 13%SELFLESS LOVE FOUNDATION INC: $250k → 11%SELFLESS LOVE FOUNDATION INC: $150k → 11%SELFLESS LOVE FOUNDATION INC: $5k → 11%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.
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.

71%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$6.6M · 9 repeat orgs$2.7M to everyone else

9 repeat relationships: 3 still active in FY2025, 6 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

9
30

Total granted

$6.6M
$2.7M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

0%
+41%

Still filing today

89%
90%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 94% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $5k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
EducationArts & CultureHealthRecreation & SportsHuman ServicesInternationalOther
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

  • SL
    SELFLESS LOVE FOUNDATION INC
    4× · 2020–2023 · $655k · revenue +162%
  • DP
    DSST PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
    3× · 2017–2023 · $225k · revenue +167%
  • S
    SERIESFEST
    4× · 2020–2024 · $145k · revenue +86%

Funded once

  • WU
    WESLEYAN UNIVERSITYgraduated
    one grant, 2023 · $1.5M · revenue +53%
  • WU
    WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY The Wesleyan Fund (obsolete)
    one grant, 2021 · $475k
  • FO
    FRIENDS OF KARDIAS FOUNDATION ATTN SERGIO LAGUNESgraduated
    one grant, 2022 · $100k · revenue +265%
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
International School of Denver

Our inclusive, globally-minded community develops highly motivated and academically successful bilingual learners. isd students are inter-culturally adept and make positive contributions in a complex world.

Education
2
Denver Academy Inc

Education of students with learning differences

Education
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
Colorado Museum of Natural History

Be a catalyst! Ignite our community's passion for nature and science.

Arts & Culture
5
Colorado Gives Foundation

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

Philanthropy
6
Colorado State University Foundation

See schedule o colorado state university foundation assists in the promotion, development, and enhancement of facilities and educational programs and enhancements of faculty, students, and alumni of colorado state university (csu). this is…

Education
7
Denver Botanic Gardens Inc

The mission of denver botanic gardens is to connect people with plants, especially plants from the rocky mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.

Environment
8
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
9
Colorado Association of School Executives

Empower colorado education leaders through advocacy, professional learning and networking to deliver on the promise of public education

—
10
Education Commission of the States

The mission of education commission of the states is to advocate for attaining educational excellence for all and to help state leaders identify, develop and implement public policy for education that addresses current and future needs of…

Education
11
Fund for the New School Boulder Country Day School

Boulder country day school provides a well-rounded education of academic excellence and character development in a safe environment, empowering our students to reach their full potential as lifelong learners and responsible, globally aware…

—
12
New York School of Interior Design

New york school of interior design provides the most innovative, immersive, and transformative interior design education in the world, demonstrating the impact of professionally designed interiors on the health, happiness, and well-being…

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is The Denver Foundation; the most unlike its peers is National Jewish Health. 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

41 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. 41 of the 45 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.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
9
Early backer (in before they grew)
41/41
Grantees still filing
26/41
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK: $1,650,000 · EducationTHE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN T…WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY: $1,500,000 · EducationWESLEYAN UNIVERSITYDENVER BIENNIAL OF THE AMERICAS CORP: $235,000 · EducationDENVER BIENNIAL OF THE AMERICAS CORPDSST PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION: $225,000 · EducationDSST PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION+8 more: $379,167 · Education+8 moreMUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART DENVER: $3,075,000 · Arts & CultureMUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART DENVERSERIESFEST: $145,000 · Arts & Culture+7 more: $110,800 · Arts & CultureWESLEYAN UNIVERSITY The Wesleyan Fund: $2,030,595 · OtherWESLEYAN UNIVERSITY The We…WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY The Wesleyan Fund (obsolete): $475,000 · OtherWESLEYAN UNIVERSITY The We…+10 more: $153,600 · Other+10 moreSELFLESS LOVE FOUNDATION INC: $655,000 · Human Services+2 more: $15,000 · Human ServicesGLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION: $175,000 · HealthFRIENDS OF KARDIAS FOUNDATION ATTN SERGIO LAGUNES: $100,000 · HealthNATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH: $10,000 · HealthASPEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $100,000 · PhilanthropyCHAPEL & YORK US FOUNDATION INC: $88,160 · PhilanthropyTHE DENVER FOUNDATION: $10,000 · Philanthropy+1 more: $1,500 · PhilanthropySTREET CHILD US: $58,964 · InternationalCAMFED USA FOUNDATION: $25,000 · International
Education$3,989,167Arts & Culture$3,330,800Other$2,659,195Human Services$670,000Health$285,000Philanthropy$199,660International$83,964

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

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART DENVER: $3,075,000 over 7y, 22% of budgetTHE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK: $1,650,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetWESLEYAN UNIVERSITY: $1,500,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetSELFLESS LOVE FOUNDATION INC: $655,000 over 4y, 5.8% of budgetDENVER BIENNIAL OF THE AMERICAS CORP: $235,000 over 3y, 18% of budgetDSST PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION: $225,000 over 3y, 9.2% of budgetGLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION: $175,000 over 6y, 2.6% of budgetSERIESFEST: $145,000 over 4y, 5.8% of budgetASPEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $100,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetDENVER HYBRID COLLEGE: $100,000 over 1y, 9.0% of budgetSTANLEY BRITISH PRIMARY SCHOOL: $90,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetCHAPEL & YORK US FOUNDATION INC: $88,160 over 2y, 6.7% of budgetSTREET CHILD US: $58,964 over 1y, 6.8% of budgetALLIANCE FOR CHOICE IN EDUCATION: $50,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetUNITE AMERICA INSTITUTE INC: $50,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetGLOBAL LIVINGSTON INSTITUTE: $50,000 over 2y, 2.0% of budgetStrive Preparatory Schools: $50,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBig Green: $35,100 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetDENVER ART MUSEUM: $25,800 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCAMFED USA FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetEast High Angel Foundation: $10,000 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetTHE DENVER FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSchool in the Woods Montessori School: $10,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetPLATTEFORUM: $10,000 over 1y, 2.0% of budgetVISIONBOX STUDIO: $10,000 over 1y, 3.8% of budgetNATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF COLORADO INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetThe Palm Beach Police and Fire Foundation Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetUnited States Ski Team Foundation: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCIVIC CENTER CONSERVANCY: $10,000 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetNEW ALTERNATIVES FOR CHILDREN INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGRACE WAY VILLAGE INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetCONSERVATION COLORADO EDUCATION FUND: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHISTORIC DENVER INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetFRIENDS OF DENVER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS: $2,500 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetJUDI'S HOUSE INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetChildrens Garden Montessori School: $1,000 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.

Rose Community Founda…The Denver FoundationColorado Gives Founda…The Anna and John J S…Mile High United Way …The Anschutz Foundati…Xcel Energy FoundationGates Family Foundati…The Colorado Health F…Libertygives Foundati…The Janus Henderson F…Aspen Community Found…
Rose Community FoundationCO28.9× affinity12 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Rose Community Foundation · The Denver Foundation · Colorado Gives Foundation · The Anna and John J Sie Foundation · Mile High United Way Inc · The Anschutz Foundation · Xcel Energy Foundation · Gates Family Foundation · The Colorado Health Foundation · Libertygives Foundation · The Janus Henderson Foundation · Aspen Community 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 The Fries Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Fries Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%6%25%56%100%funder's share of their income ↑0%5%10%15%20%share of the org’s income from government →median 4%
  • Grace Way Village Inc: 4% of income from government
  • Wesleyan University: 1% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
2get no government money at all
9report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–20%
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 45 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 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Fries’ 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