The Colorado Energy Foundation

Incorporated in 2019, the Colorado Energy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) subsidiary supported entirely by the oil and natural gas industry.

The foundation is devoted to amplifying the philanthropic efforts of the oil and gas industry in Colorado and developing new community partnerships through strategic investment. ​

As we deepen our understanding of inequity in our community, systemic barriers, and disproportionate impact, our mission has never been more important or relevant.  Through the Colorado Energy Foundation, the oil and gas industry leverages its established presence in Colorado as a philanthropic partner, and accelerates our impact directly to the most vulnerable and underrepresented members of our community.

The Colorado Energy Foundation is focused on community partners who meet the immediate needs of those in crisis while simultaneously investing in partners that remove systemic barriers to success.  This means supporting direct relief efforts, such as food insecurity and high housing costs, while also targeting resources to long-term outcomes and investment in education and workforce development.  This dual approach addresses immediate needs while also creating pathways to opportunity and reversing generational cycles of poverty and lack of economic advancement.

Our Work

The Colorado Energy Foundation fulfills its mission through three areas:

• Collaborative grant making to Colorado nonprofits who are advancing systemic change and addressing root causes of inequity
• Convening nonprofit and community leaders to better understand the impacts of public policy on our most vulnerable populations
• Education and capacity development for nonprofits to facilitate stronger networks and elevate the needs of their community

Colorado Disproportionate Impact Indicator

The Colorado Energy Foundation is firmly committed to community partnership and investment that is targeted and tailored to the unique needs of each community. To achieve this, the CEF has partnered with the Colorado Futures Center at Colorado State University to develop an interactive map that enables user to view multiple layers of data at the census tract level. The Colorado Disproportionate Impact Indicator (CODI Indicator) was developed and informed by a diverse group of nonprofit service providers, with data layers strategically prioritized to provide a comprehensive view of each community in Colorado and inform a greater understanding of relative need.

This online, interactive tool examines the intersection of several dimensions of community needs and builds on our understanding that challenges – and solutions – never happen in an isolated silo. The upstream determinants of equity are grounded in basics needs such as housing, food access, health care and affordable energy, while economic mobility and self-sufficiency requires investments in education and workforce development. All of these variables are interwoven and must be understood as a whole to create a unique profile of opportunity in each community.

Click here to request access to the CODI Indicator

Community Impact Report

Each year, the Colorado Energy Foundation co-produces an Annual Community Impact Report in partnership with the Colorado Oil & Gas Association. This report documents philanthropic investments, volunteerism and partnerships that define the industry’s commitment to Colorado. In addition, this report showcases the contributions of the oil and gas industry to local governments and funding for community infrastructure such as fire trucks, recreation centers, community theaters and more. Click here to view our most recent Community Impact Report.

Grant Seekers

Information regarding 2025 grant opportunities will be available in the summer of 2024.

Eligibility

To receive a notification email when the grant portal is open, please contact info@coga.org.

The Colorado Energy Foundation receives many requests for funding from worthy nonprofits who are serving our communities in a myriad of ways. Unfortunately, our resources are limited and we are unable to fund all organizations who apply. We understand the time and effort required to submit a grant application and want to ensure our nonprofit partners are dedicating their fundraising resources effectively. The CEF traditionally funds organizations that meet the following criteria:

• Based in Colorado, with statewide reach* and/or scalability
• Focused on household stabilization, which can include affordable housing and utilities, access to health care, food insecurity, and other basic needs necessary for long-term success
• Focused on workforce development and economic advancement in traditionally underserved communities. This can include early intervention programs to facilitate K-12 student achievement, targeted programming in historically underrepresented STEM fields, and workforce readiness opportunities through apprenticeship and vocational training

*Grant funding for more locally-based, regional nonprofits is also considered, particularly in disproportionately impacted communities and regions served by Colorado Oil & Gas Association chapters.

Our Leadership

• Jamie Jost Founder, Jost Energy Law
• Kim Mendoza-Cooke Director of Policy and Advocacy Occidental
• Katie Tate Senior Social Impact & Community Investment Specialist PDC Energy
• Liz Wright Media & Communications Specialist Liberty Oilfield Services
• Sara Reynolds Executive Director Colorado Energy Foundation

Click here to learn more about our leadership