Anschutz Family Foundation
| Formation | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Founders |
|
| Type | Private foundation |
| Tax ID no. | 74-2132676 |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) organization |
| Headquarters | Denver, Colorado, U.S.[1] |
| Method | Grants |
Key people | Sue Anschutz-Rodgers (president) |
| Endowment | $63 million (1982–2026)[2][update] |
| Employees | 5[3] |
| Website | anschutzfamilyfoundation.org |
The Anschutz Family Foundation is a Denver-based private foundation founded in 1982 by businessman Fred Anschutz and his wife, Marian Pfister Anschutz. The couple's daughter, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers, serves as the foundation's president. Since 1982, the Anschutz Family Foundation has distributed over 9,000 grants worth more than $63 million to nonprofit organizations.
The Anschutz Family Foundation focuses on "community development and programs aimed at the economically disadvantaged, children and youth, seniors, and people with disabilities",[4] though it has also donated to political organizations. The foundation is the sole donor to The Foundation for a Better Life, a nonprofit espousing "positive role models".[5]
History
[edit]The Anschutz Family Foundation was formed in 1982 by Colorado businessman Fred Anschutz and his wife, Marian Pfister Anschutz, who endowed $4.6 million to the foundation.[4] A year after its founding,[6] the couple's daughter, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers, was appointed executive director and president.[4][7]
Choosing to prioritize grants for communities outside of Colorado's densely-populated Front Range area, Anschutz-Rodgers established Colorado Rural Philanthrophy Days (CRPD) in 1991.[6] CRPD is a biannual conference where other "urban" foundations travel to various rural counties to "enhanc[e] nonprofit capacity".[4] Anschutz-Rodgers later gave the role of executive director to Abel Wurmnest, who works alongside two program officers and a grants manager.[4] The Anschutz Family Foundation has regularly donated to the Common Sense Institute, a conservative think tank.[8]
The foundation has over $66 million in assets and has given over $63 million in at least 9,000 grants.[2][9] In 2022, 43% of the foundation's funding was directed to rural Colorado.[2] In 2024, the Anschutz Family Foundation directed over 58% of grants towards rural communities or statewide services.[10] The foundation issues over $2 million worth of grants yearly,[10] nearly all of which are for less than $10,000 each.[6] As of 2021, four of Fred and Marian Anschutz's grandchildren and five of their great-grandchildren sit on the board of the foundation.[6]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Anschutz Family Foundation". Candid Foundation Center. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Ramirez, Martha (August 8, 2023). "Here are Some of the Rural Funders Working in the Mountain West". Inside Philanthrophy. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Anschutz Family Foundation". CauseIQ. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Adeniji, Ade (July 7, 2022). "A Wealthy Colorado Family Puts a Bullseye on the State's Rural Communities". Inside Philanthrophy. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Point Person: Our Q&A with Gary Dixon on promoting values". Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "Anschutz Family Foundation". Influence Watch. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Davidson: Sue Anschutz-Rodgers receives Cranmer Award for land preservation work". The Denver Post. December 6, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ Davis, Logan M. (April 7, 2026). "Common Dollars & Common Sense: Inside the Persuasion Machine Shaping Colorado Elections". Colorado Times Recorder. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ Romig, Suzie (January 19, 2017). "Colorado Business Hall of Fame Laureate Sue Anschutz-Rodgers". ColoradoBiz. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- 1 2 "Anschutz Family Foundation". Inside Philanthrophy. August 25, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2026.