The Jonathan and Shari Fox Family Foundation is a small family funder that’s worth getting to know because of its highly local focus and willingness to support many different causes in Colorado. Although the Fox Family Foundation (FFF) has limited assets, it typically awards over a dozen grants each year, often for things that larger funders overlook or don’t consider supporting.
Here some tips for how to approach the Fox Family Foundation and receive a grant from this Fowler, Colorado-based funder.
Focus on southeastern Colorado
Jonathan Fox is the CEO and chairman of Fowler State Bank in Fowler, Colorado and has been on the board of directors of the Colorado Bankers Association. He and his wife, Shari, keep their grantmaking close to home, focusing on the following Colorado communities: Crowley County, Fowler, Las Animas, La Junta, Manzanola, Montrose and Rocky Ford. Recently, FFF has been awarding a large number of its grants to the Rocky Ford area, with funding going to grantees like the Rocky Ford Boxing Club, Rocky Ford Parks & Recreation and Rocky Ford Fire Department.
Request any kind of funding needed
In the past, FFF has awarded many grants to support the equipment needs of nonprofits, including via grants for park benches, chairs, tables and freezers. Note that most Colorado funders do not award grants for these purposes. FFF is a foundation that leaves the door open to many different types of funding, including program expenses, conference costs, general operating support and emergency needs. Other recent FFF grants have gone toward workshops, clothing for needy children, clean-up projects, travel expenses and royalties for music shows.
Request a small grant
FFF grants are usually between $500 and $1,000. Grantees that have recently received $1,000 awards include the Fowler Historical Society, Tri-County Family Care Center and the Blackburn-Dennis Community Center. Occasionally, the foundation awards smaller grants in the $250 to $350 range, but awards above $1,000 are very rare.
Apply by the end of October
This is an accessible foundation that accepts unsolicited funding requests and has a straightforward application process. The application window to submit a new request is between the beginning of September and the last Friday in October. Grantseekers can access FFF’s application form on the foundation website and submit completed materials via email, fax or mail. Upon review, FFF’s board of directors announces new awards by the end of the year and makes distributions shortly thereafter.
Read more about this grantmaker and others that give throughout Colorado in our Mountain States Funding Guide.