Become a Member

Membership in the Colorado Association of Funders is open to private foundations, community foundations, operating or supporting foundations, corporate funders, federated funds, governmental grantmaking agencies and workplace giving programs with a verifiable giving program within the State.

Learn more about the benefits of membership.

Membership Eligibility

Private foundations, community foundations, operating or supporting foundations, corporate funders, federated funds, governmental grantmaking agencies and workplace giving programs that have a verifiable giving program within the State.
The applicant organization must carry out a broad mission of philanthropy with greater than 50% of their organization's grant allocations awarded to unrelated organizations or greater than 50% to programs that support the greater nonprofit community.
Applicant organizations who raise funds as well as make grants must agree not to use the Association's programs, activities or membership lists to solicit members for funding.

Membership Dues
Membership dues are based on the organization's previous year discretionary grantmaking level. Foundation members based outside of Colorado pay dues based on the amount of grants awarded within Colorado. Dues for members with less than one year of grantmaking are based on five percent of assets until one full year of grantmaking has been established.

2013 Dues Schedule	Annual Dues
Grants up to $99,999	$485
Grants from $100,000 to $499,999	$605
Grants from $500,000 to $999,999	$1,455
Grants from $1,000,000 to $4,999,999	$2,150
Grants from $5,000,000 to $9,999,999	$3,655
Grants from $10,000,000 to $19,999,999	$5,355
Grants from $20,000,000 and up	$6,440

Membership is on a calendar year basis. Dues of new members are prorated based on the date of membership. Dues paid in excess of the minimum dues level may reasonably be reported as a grant rather than an administrative expense for purposes of completing Forms 990 or 990-PF. Upon request, a statement substantiation for dues paid on behalf of a member organization indicating the amount of the dues contribution that qualifies as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes.

To Apply
Please fill out our membership application and submit along with the following support materials. Applications are accepted at any time.

IRS determination letter OR copy of filed Form 1023 (if no determination letter)
Financial statements from the most recently completed fiscal year (e.g. Form 990 or 990-PF)
A complete listing of grants awarded in the past fiscal year (if no Form 990 or 990-PF)
Annual report or similar publication (if available)
List of governing body members (if applicable)
Any other supporting materials you feel are appropriate to your application

For questions regarding the application process or for more information about membership in the Colorado Association of Funders, please contact:

Joanne Kelley, Executive Director, 303-398-7454