Thrivers Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Thrivers Foundation is a Delaware-incorporated private foundation (EIN 863415232) led by Elizabeth J. Brown and Vance F. Brown (Co-Presidents/Directors). Despite its Delaware legal address (Wilmington), all grant activity is concentrated in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with one exception: the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico (founded by Franciscan priest and spiritual writer Richard Rohr).

The grantee profile reveals a progressive-leaning family foundation focused on Colorado Springs community development and youth education, with a notable spiritual dimension through the Center for Action and Contemplation connection. The grantee list spans: community development corporations, parent support, charter schools, dream centers (homeless/addiction services), foundation for downtown development, and early childhood education.

Critical insight: This foundation is fully preselected. All grants go to Colorado Springs organizations the Brown family personally selects. No open application process exists.

The Center for Action and Contemplation grantee is notable — CAC is Richard Rohr's contemplative Catholic organization known for its "Universal Christ" theology and nondenominational spiritual formation. The largest single grant ($25,000 in 2024) going to CAC in Albuquerque suggests personal spiritual affiliation of the Brown family with Rohr's contemplative tradition.

Personal relationships in the Colorado Springs progressive nonprofit community (community development, downtown revitalization, youth charter schools) or through CAC's network are the primary pathways.

## Funding Patterns

The Thrivers Foundation began active grantmaking only recently, after a period of asset accumulation: - 2024: $135,000 (11 grants) - 2023: $90,000 (10 grants) - 2022: $10,000 (1 grant — Dream Centers) - 2021: $0 (no grants)

This pattern suggests the foundation was established and capitalized ($3.9M in 2021) but spent 2021-2022 figuring out its program strategy before ramping up in 2023-2024.

Grant structure (FY2024): 11 grants. Maximum $25,000 (Center for Action and Contemplation). Median $10,000. All grants are "General & Unrestricted" support — no project-restricted grants. This is an unusual and valuable feature for nonprofits seeking flexibility.

Asset trajectory: $3.95M (2021) → $3.06M (2022) → $3.55M (2023) → $3.76M (2024). Growing assets despite distributions suggest the foundation has been growing its investment returns faster than it distributes. This is a well-capitalized foundation in an early phase of ramping up grantmaking — giving levels are likely to increase over the next 3-5 years.

## Peer Comparison

For Colorado Springs community development, education, and youth organizations, the El Pomar Foundation (the largest private foundation in Colorado) and Pikes Peak Community Foundation are far more accessible alternatives. The El Pomar Foundation has an open application process and distributes tens of millions annually in Colorado.

For organizations aligned with contemplative Catholic/Christian spirituality, the Fetzer Institute and Lilly Endowment may be relevant alternatives at a national level.

## Recent Activity

FY2024 grants: - Center for Action and Contemplation (Albuquerque NM): $25,000 — general unrestricted - Parents Challenge (Colorado Springs): $20,000 - Solid Rock Community Development Corporation: $20,000 - Exponential Impact: $15,000 - Colorado Springs School of Technology: $10,000 - Dream Centers of Colorado Springs: $10,000 - Foundation for Colorado Springs Future Inc: $10,000 - Hillside Connection: $10,000 - Colorado Springs Child Nursery Centers Inc: $10,000 - Foundation of the Heart: $5,000 - Peak Education: $5,000

All grants are general, unrestricted support. The foundation has been awarding the same core set of Colorado Springs organizations since 2022-2023 with increasing grant amounts.

Notable addition: Peak Education (charter school) suggests educational access in Colorado Springs is a growing priority. Hillside Connection is likely a community connection program.

## Application Tips

Bottom line: Do not apply cold. The Thrivers Foundation is preselected with no open application process.

For Colorado Springs organizations that may have touchpoints with the Brown family:

1. Colorado Springs community development organizations: Solid Rock Community Development, Foundation for Colorado Springs Future, and Colorado Springs Community Ventures suggest the Browns are engaged in downtown revitalization and community economic development. Organizations working on housing, economic mobility, or neighborhood development in Colorado Springs may find introductions through these grantee organizations.

2. Dream Centers (homeless/addiction/transitional housing): Dream Centers of Colorado Springs is a recurring grantee. Organizations providing supportive services to unhoused or recovering individuals in Colorado Springs may be in the same network.

3. Early childhood education: Colorado Springs Child Nursery Centers and Peak Education suggest interest in both traditional ECE and innovative charter approaches. Early childhood programs or hybrid learning models in Colorado Springs may align.

4. Contemplative spirituality organizations: The CAC connection to Richard Rohr's work is the foundation's most distinctive giving. Organizations working at the intersection of spirituality and social justice, or contemplative programs in the Colorado Springs area, may be most likely to receive a personal introduction to the Brown family.

5. Parent support programs: Parents Challenge is a recurring grantee — programs supporting parenting skills, family stability, or parent education in underserved Colorado Springs communities may be in scope.

Monitor the Foundation's giving trajectory — 11 grants in 2024 at $135K suggests this foundation is still establishing itself and may expand its grantee pool in coming years.