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Rose Community Foundation

EIN 84-0920862 · Denver, CO

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O. Rose Community Foundation strives to advance inclusive, engaged and equitable Greater Denver communities through values-driven philanthropy. The Foundation envisions a thriving region strengthened by its diversity and generosity, and it utilizes the varied tools at its disposal - grantmaking, advocacy and philanthropic services - to advance this aspiration. Since its founding in 1995, the Foundation has granted more than $433 million to over 3,000 organizations and initiatives, including $79 million in facilitated grantmaking from donor-advised funds. The Foundation also supports nearly 100 nonprofit organizations in creating and growing endowments to sustain their vital work into the future, currently stewarding $76 million in endowed and designated assets. The Foundation has $400 million in total assets under management and deployed more than $32 million in discretionary, restricted and donor-advised grants in 2024.

Income
$48.0 million
Spending
$41.6 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
78.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 51%
Employees
36
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$386,963, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 78.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $37.1 million spent. Donor Development: Donor-advised fundholders contributed $9.3 million to their funds at the Foundation. Philanthropy is most powerful when it is rooted in a donor's values and connects generosity to community needs. Rose Community Foundation is committed to supporting our donors and fundholders in meaningful and purposeful philanthropic giving.Fund Distributions: Donor-advised fundholders recommended grants totaling $10.1 million to a broad range of community interests. The Foundation's philanthropy advisors help donors articulate values, narrow their philanthropic focus and identify goals and the impact they want to make through giving, as well as facilitate giving circles.Endowment Services: The Foundation received $1.6 million in contributions for new and existing permanent endowment and designated funds for local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation paid out $1.9 million to local nonprofit organizations who have established permanent endowments and designated funds at the Foundation. Our Endowment Building Pathways are designed to give nonprofit staff and board members the training and support to integrate endowment building and legacy giving into their development work and incentives to help launch or grow an endowment fund."
  2. Grantmaking: The Foundation distributed $10.4 million in discretionary grantmaking directed by Rose Community Foundation staff, committees and trustees. Grantmaking cycles included a focus on supporting Jewish life in the region, advancing economic opportunity, and investing in the policy and advocacy ecosystem that advances inclusive, engaged and equitable Greater Denver communities.
  3. Initiatives: Rose Community Foundation partnered with the city of Denver, state of Colorado and peer foundations on the Newcomers Fund which provides grants to local nonprofits that are providing services to new immigrants arriving from Central and South America. Grantmaking from that fund deployed $2.2 million to local nonprofits. The Foundation also partnered with funders statewide to launch the Colorado Safe Futures Fund which will distribute grants to support fire-arm related harm prevention. The Foundation was selected by the State of Colorado in 2022 to house the Refugee Integration Fund, which distributes federal dollars to local nonprofits serving eligible populations. The Foundation also is the fiscal sponsor for the Colorado Media Project, deploying grantmaking in support of local journalism.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.