Bee Vradenburg Foundation
Colorado Springs, CO · EIN 84-1579108. Reported 142 grants totalling $594,923 to 87 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
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. Bee Vradenburg Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $2,500. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,481 and $5,000; the smallest was $100 and the largest $75,497. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs Philharmonic | Colorado Springs, CO | $123,481 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region | Colorado Springs, CO | $47,134 | 7 | 5 | 2025 |
| Chamber Orchestra of the Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | $22,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Redline Contemporary Art Center | Denver, CO | $19,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Downtown Ventures (artspace) | Colorado Springs, CO | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Rocky Mountain Women's Film | Colorado Springs, CO | $15,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Trust for Public Land | Denver, CO | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Youth Documentary Academy | Colorado Springs, CO | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center | Colorado Springs, CO | $13,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| University of Colorado (uccs Galleries of Contemporary Art) | Colorado Springs, CO | $13,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum | Colorado Springs, CO | $10,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Ballet Folklorico De Barajas | Colorado Springs, CO | $10,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| University of Colorado (uccs Theatreworks) | Colorado Springs, CO | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ormao Dance Company | Colorado Springs, CO | $8,900 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Colorado College Summer Music Festival | Colorado Springs, CO | $8,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Colorado Springs Chorale | Colorado Springs, CO | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Educational Partnerships Immersive Concerts | Colorado Springs, CO | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Manitou Art Center | Manitou Springs, CO | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Millibo Art Theatre | Colorado Springs, CO | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Unity Project | Colorado Springs, CO | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Concrete Couch | Colorado Springs, CO | $7,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Knob Hill Urban Arts District | Colorado Springs, CO | $7,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Poetry Heals | Manitou Springs, CO | $7,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Rocky Mountain Highway | Colorado Springs, CO | $7,462 | 4 | 3 | 2025 |
| Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association | Colorado Springs, CO | $7,000 | 2 | 1 | 2025 |
| Dance Alliance of the Pikes Peak Region | Colorado Springs, CO | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Uccs Galleries of Contemporary Art | Colorado Springs, CO | $6,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Old Colorado City Partnership | Colorado Springs, CO | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Art Song Colorado | Highlands Ranch, CO | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Opera Theatre of the Rockies | Colorado Springs, CO | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Green Box Arts | Green Mountain Falls, CO | $5,384 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House | Colorado Springs, CO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Colorado Business Committee for the Arts | Denver, CO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Colorado Springs Conservatory | Colorado Springs, CO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cottonwood Center for the Arts | Colorado Springs, CO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Onebody Entertainment | Colorado Springs, CO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Onebodyent | Colorado Springs, CO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Public Broadcasting of Colorado Inc | Centennial, CO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Uccs Theatreworks | Colorado Springs, CO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Pikes Peak State College Foundation | Colorado Springs, CO | $4,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Downtown Ventures | Colorado Springs, CO | $4,462 | 3 | 2 | 2025 |
| Colorado Springs Chinese Cultural Institute | Colorado Springs, CO | $4,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Food to Power | Colorado Springs, CO | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Springs Ensemble Theatre | Colorado Springs, CO | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Thrive Colorado | Colorado Springs, CO | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Uccs Galleries of Contemporary Art in the Care of University of Colorado Fo | Colorado Springs, CO | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Arc of the Pikes Peak Region | Colorado Springs, CO | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Pikes Peak Pride | Colorado Springs, CO | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Converge Lecture Series | Colorado Springs, CO | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Educational Partnerships Immersive Concerts (epic) | Colorado Springs, CO | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Fiestas Patrias in the Care of Thrive Network | Colorado Springs, CO | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Brink Literacy Project | Denver, CO | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Communityworks | Colorado Springs, CO | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Creative Alliance Manitou Springs (crane) | Manitou Springs, CO | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Creative Alliance Manitou Springs 501(C)(3) | Manitou Springs, CO | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Palmer Lake Arts Council | Palmer Lake, CO | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Palmer Lake Restoration Project | Palmer Lake, CO | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Pikes Peak Community Foundation | Colorado Springs, CO | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Smokebrush Foundation | Ooltewah, TN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Uccs Theatreworks in the Care of University of Colorado Foundation | Colorado Springs, CO | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Art Students League of Denver | Denver, CO | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| From the Heart Foundation | Oxnard, CA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Pikes Peak Permaculture | Manitou Springs, CO | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Uccs Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience in the Care of University of | Colorado Springs, CO | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Alpenglow Music Program | Colorado Springs, CO | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble | Monument, CO | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Flying Pig Farm in the Care of Pikes Peak Permaculture | Manitou Springs, CO | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Art Exposure in the Care of Change Haven | Colorado Springs, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Awaken Creative Institute | Colorado Springs, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado | Boulder, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Chinese Cultural Institute | Colorado Springs, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Creative Alliance Manitou Springs (cra | Manitou Springs, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Inside Out Youth Services | Colorado Springs, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Lategro | La Junta, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Pikes Peak Library District Foundation (shivers Fund) | Colorado Springs, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Pikes Peak Musicians Association Local 154 | Colorado Springs, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Salida Circus Outreach Foundation | Salida, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Sherlock's Homes Foundation | Las Vegas, NV | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| THINK360 Arts for Learning | Denver, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| University of Colorado (heller Center) | Colorado Springs, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| African American Historical & Genealog | Colorado Springs, CO | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| African American Historical & Genealogical Society | Colorado Springs, CO | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Finding Our Voices | Colorado Springs, CO | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Indian Community of Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mountain Artists | Woodland Park, CO | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Rosaura Rojas-Dawson in the Care of Ballet Folklorico De Barajas | Colorado Springs, CO | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Pikes Peak Musicians Association | Colorado Springs, CO | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
29 of 87 (33%) received money in more than one year over the 5 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 30%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Downtown Ventures (artspace)
Art on the Streets Fellowship and Art on the Streets - Trust for Public Land
Capital: Panorama Park Art - University of Colorado (uccs Galleries of Contemporary Art)
Program: Gregg Deal and General Operations - Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Program: Day of Dance Family Fun Day - Manitou Art Center
Capital: Hagnauer Gallery restoraion - Rocky Mountain Women's Film
Program: Film in the Community
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 77 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 28 | $216,747 | $4,500 |
| 2022 | 38 | $134,984 | $2,250 |
| 2023 | 28 | $94,500 | $2,500 |
| 2024 | 21 | $75,768 | $2,500 |
| 2025 | 27 | $72,924 | $2,500 |
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.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Bee Vradenburg Foundation has 41 of them, worth $241,000. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Ventures | Colorado Springs, CO | $32,500 |
| Downtown Ventures (artspace) | Colorado Springs, CO | $15,000 |
| Colorado Springs Philharmonic | Colorado Springs, CO | $15,000 |
| Ormao Dance Company | Colorado Springs, CO | $15,000 |
| Colorado Springs Philharmonic | Colorado Springs, CO | $15,000 |
| Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region | Colorado Springs, CO | $10,000 |
| Colorado Springs Conservatory | Colorado Springs, CO | $10,000 |
| Pikes Peak State College Foundation | Colorado Springs, CO | $8,000 |
| Chamber Orchestra of the Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | $7,500 |
| Uccs Galleries of Contemporary Art | Colorado Springs, CO | $6,500 |
| Uccs Galleries of Contemporary Art | Colorado Springs, CO | $6,500 |
| Colorado Springs Conservatory | Colorado Springs, CO | $5,000 |
| Colorado Business Committee for the Arts | Denver, CO | $5,000 |
| Downtown Ventures | Colorado Springs, CO | $5,000 |
| Uccs Theatreworks | Colorado Springs, CO | $5,000 |
Where its money goes
99% of its giving went to organizations in Colorado. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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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 a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $2,500. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Colorado.
- 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.
- 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.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Bee Vradenburg Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 315 E Pikes Peak Ave 120, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903. 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 84-1579108 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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