Aurora Foundation

The Aurora Foundation is a private family foundation with no public grant application process. Strategic approach considerations:

1. NO PUBLIC APPLICATION PROCESS: The foundation makes grants by invitation and through its own philanthropic priorities. Cold applications are unlikely to succeed.

2. RELATIONSHIP-BASED GRANTMAKING: As a Bronfman family foundation, grant decisions are driven by personal relationships and alignment with Jeffrey Bronfman's established philanthropic interests.

3. KEY ENTRY POINTS: - Environmental/conservation organizations, especially those with connections to indigenous communities or tropical ecosystems, have the strongest thematic alignment - Food system transparency and corporate accountability organizations (exemplified by US Right to Know grantee) are a clear funding priority - Organizations with New Mexico connections may have geographic affinity given Santa Fe operational base - Spiritual/religious freedom organizations, particularly those aligned with consciousness and indigenous spiritual practices

4. APPROACH STRATEGY: Given the private nature of the foundation, the best approach is through: - Personal introductions via shared networks (environmental law, conservation, food policy communities) - Demonstrating alignment with the Bronfman family's known interests - Connecting through organizations already in their portfolio (Amazon Conservation Team, US Right to Know, Just One Project)

Historical giving patterns for the Aurora Foundation (FY2024 fiscal year ending September):

FY2024: Revenue $2.43M | Disbursements $287K | 26 grants | Assets $2.19M FY2023: Revenue $2,124 | Disbursements $25,423 | Near-dormant year FY2022: Revenue $13,732 | Disbursements $30,989 FY2021: Revenue $150,657 | Disbursements $150,863 FY2020: Revenue $377,634 | Disbursements $449,365 FY2019: Revenue $510,195 | Disbursements $465,500 FY2018: Revenue $442,340 | Disbursements $514,165 FY2017: Revenue $666,950 | Disbursements $437,484 FY2015: Revenue $1,004,363 | Disbursements $779,472 FY2014: Revenue $507,632 | Disbursements $1,041,680 FY2013: Revenue $1,489,329 | Disbursements $908,982

KEY OBSERVATIONS: - Foundation receives irregular large contributions (100% from contributions), then disburses - FY2024 spike ($2.43M in) followed FY2023 near-dormancy ($2K in) — major recapitalization event - Historical grant range: $5,000–$109,000 per grant based on 2024 data - 26 grants in FY2024 averaging approximately $11,049 per grant - Compensation: $0 for all officers (all-volunteer leadership) - "Expenditure Responsibility Statement" appears in multiple filings — indicates some international grants - Foundation has been partially active since at least 2006 (tax-exempt since 1994) - Total disbursements appear to roughly track total contributions received

The Aurora Foundation is relatively modest in scale among environmental/spiritual funders, but its connections to the Bronfman family and established grantee relationships provide disproportionate influence in specific niches (food safety advocacy, Amazon conservation, UDV spiritual rights).

• FY2024 (ending Sept 2024): Major recapitalization event — received $2.39M in contributions (vs $2K in prior year)
• Filed 990-PF on August 13, 2025 for FY2024
• Made 26 grants totaling ~$287,275 in FY2024
• Top grant: $109,000 to The Just One Project (Las Vegas community organization)
• Continued support for US Right to Know ($22,000) — investigative journalism on food/corporate accountability
• Amazon Conservation Team ($20,060) — ongoing support for South American indigenous conservation
• Historical grantee Uniao de Vegetal (UDV) continued in portfolio
• Foundation registered address updated to Las Vegas, NV (previously operated from Santa Fe, NM area)
• Jeffrey Bronfman and Carol Cochran remain consistent leadership (30+ years of filings)

Since Aurora Foundation is a private family foundation with no public application process, these tips focus on how to build awareness and a relationship pathway:

1. DO NOT send unsolicited grant applications — the foundation has no public RFP, portal, or stated application process.

2. THEMATIC ALIGNMENT REQUIRED: Your organization must align with one of these core interests: - Environmental conservation, especially tropical/Amazon ecosystems or indigenous land rights - Food system transparency, corporate accountability, or food safety advocacy - Community development and civic engagement (particularly in Las Vegas/Southern Nevada or New Mexico) - Spiritual freedom, religious rights, or consciousness-related advocacy

3. BUILD PORTFOLIO CONNECTIONS: Organizations funded by The Just One Project, US Right to Know, or Amazon Conservation Team may be able to facilitate introductions.

4. GEOGRAPHIC ENTRY POINTS: Las Vegas, NV and Santa Fe/Albuquerque, NM are likely anchor geographies. Community organizations serving these areas with relevant missions have the best chance.

5. NETWORK APPROACH: The Bronfman family has extensive philanthropic networks. Engage with Bronfman-connected advisors, environmental law networks, or food policy advocacy circles to build organic relationships.

6. CORRECT WEBSITE NOTE: If you found this foundation via aurorafoundation.org, that website belongs to a DIFFERENT organization — the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation in Hartford, CT (EIN 06-1587403). The Las Vegas Aurora Foundation has no public website.

7. CONTACT: Phone (505) 988-5924 (Santa Fe, NM area code) is the best available contact. No email address is publicly listed.