Gorham/McGee Early Learning Fund Program

The Gorham/McGee Early Learning Fund is administered by The Denver Foundation, a longstanding philanthropic institution dedicated to improving the well-being of communities throughout Colorado. Through this fund, the foundation demonstrates its commitment to early childhood education by supporting nonprofit organizations that work with children between the ages of 0 and 12. The fund places a particular emphasis on programming that advances literacy, engages children with the natural environment, or introduces them to the arts—including visual arts, music, and theater. The fund provides grants of $5,000 each, and typically awards four grants per cycle. While modest in amount, these grants are targeted and intentional, designed to support impactful programs that enhance the educational experiences of young children. The Denver Foundation makes clear that past recipients are not guaranteed future funding, which reinforces the competitive nature of this opportunity and the importance of aligning closely with the fund’s mission. Applicants must demonstrate a clear connection to the fund’s focus areas, which include literacy development, environmental education, and arts engagement. Organizations must either be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or operate under a qualified fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status. Importantly, all organizations must be located in Colorado and conduct their programming within the state. Collaborative applications are permitted, provided one 501(c)(3) entity assumes fiduciary responsibility and serves as the primary applicant. To apply, eligible organizations must register and submit an online application through The Denver Foundation’s grant portal. The application cycle opens on April 1, 2026, and closes on May 15, 2026. Submissions must be completed during this timeframe, and the portal requires account registration prior to submission. The foundation provides additional guidance through its Grant FAQs and welcomes questions about this opportunity via the fund-specific email address, [email protected]. The Gorham/McGee Early Learning Fund appears to operate on a recurring cycle, given its structured and repeated timeline. As such, organizations interested in future funding should anticipate the next application window to occur around the same time in 2027. Grant decisions are typically communicated within 8 to 12 weeks following the close of the application window, making award announcements likely by August 2026. Grantees will also be expected to submit final reports through The Denver Foundation's TDF Grant Manager platform, detailing how awarded funds were used to further educational access and development for young children in Colorado.