The BeginningAdolph Coors Foundation, established by Joe and Bill Coors from the estate of their father, Adolph Coors, Jr. The founding Board of Trustees includes Bill, Joe, Jeff and Pete Coors. Bill Coors serves as Board Chair until 2004. Gordon Jones is the first Executive Director.
1976
School of MinesColorado School of Mines is presented its first grant from the Foundation. To date, the Foundation has awarded CSM over 100 grants totaling more than $14 million.
1977
Gertrude Steele CoorsThe Foundation receives a bequest from the estate of Gertrude Steele Coors. With this bequest, Reverend Robert Windsor, Gertrude’s grandson, joins the Board.
1983
Linda TafoyaThe Board promotes Linda Tafoya to Executive Director.
1983
A Vision for the FoundationThe Board adopts a vision for the Foundation which helps set the stage for future giving.
1985
Goodwill Industries of DenverThe Foundation grants $100,000 for the purchase and renovation of a facility to better accommodate a wide variety of programs employing and benefitting the disabled. Since then, Denver Goodwill has received 9 grants totaling over $387,000.
1986
Regis UniversityThe Foundation grants $750,000 for construction of Life Directions Center – a wellness center for students and faculty.
1988
Janet CoorsA gift made by Janet Coors is added to the Foundation’s fund to endow the Herman F. Coors Professorial Chair at the Colorado School of Mines. The chair was established in honor of her late husband, who spent much of his career involved in the field of ceramics.
1991
New Board MemberAmbassador Holland H. Coors joins the Board of Directors, replacing Joe Coors, Sr.
1991
Colorado State FairThe Foundation grants a $2 million economic development award to the Colorado State Fair Authority.
1992
Apollo AwardThe Foundation receives the American Optometric Association Apollo Award in recognition of its work to improve the lives of Colorado’s children by implementing vision screening in elementary schools.
1993
Castle Rock FoundationThe Castle Rock Foundation is established to support national public policy organizations that preserve our country’s democratic principles, ensure a limited role for government, promote understanding of the free enterprise system and encourage personal responsibility and leadership.
1993
Educational Options for Children (EOC)The Foundation initiates EOC to award partial scholarships to low-income families so their children can attend a school of choice. The program continued through 2009.
1994
Alma King CrystalA gift from the Foundation makes it possible for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to acquire the “Alma King”, a red translucent crystal that is the premier specimen of the Coors Mineral Hall at the Museum. Since the Foundation’s inception, the Museum has received 16 gifts totaling $6.6 million.
1997
Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference CenterThe Center receives a $75,000 grant for construction of a children’s museum to provide hands-on educational and artistic learning opportunities.
1999
Johnson & WalesJohnson & Wales opens the Denver campus with the assistance of a $3 million grant from the Foundation.
2000
Sally RippeyThe Board of Trustees promotes Sally Rippey to Executive Director.
2003
Children's HospitalThe Foundation gives $2 million to support the new Children’s Hospital facility in Aurora. Since 1976, 15 grants totaling $2.6 million have been given to Children’s Hospital Foundation.
2004
Peter H. Coors Becomes President and Chairman of the Board
2004
New Board MembersCecily Coors Garnsey and Melissa Coors Osborn join the Board.
2007
Eureka! McConnell Science MuseumThe Foundation makes its first grant to Eureka! McConnell Science Museum, a year-round math and science education program for students on Colorado’s western slope. Since 2007, the Foundation has given over $86,000 to this program.
2008
Wray Rehabilitation and Activities CenterThe Foundation gives a $12,500 grant to the Activities Center for a therapy pool. The Center received its first grant in 1989 and has since received more than $95,000 in grants.
2008
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro DenverThe Foundation makes a $150,000 capital grant for the construction of a new club in Brighton.
2009
John JacksonJohn Jackson, long-time consultant for the Castle Rock Foundation, becomes Executive Director.
2010
Revisiting Our VisionThe Foundation revisits its vision and renews its commitment to carry out the intent of its donors.
2010
Junior AchievementA $500,000 lead gift from the Foundation to Rocky Mountain Junior Achievement helps launch Igniting the American Spirit. Ignite received national attention and ultimately transformed JA’s approach to working in the schools.
2011
Bill and Rita CoorsBill and Rita Coors donate $10 million in support of the Foundation’s work to advance evidence-based research on integrative medicine.
2011
Integrative MedicineThe Foundation’s historic interest in integrative medicine is rekindled with projects designed to bring evidence-based integrative medicine into the medical mainstream.
2011
Castle Rock FoundationAt the end of fiscal year 2011, Castle Rock Foundation merges with the Adolph Coors Foundation.
2013
Veterans Integration ProgramThe Foundation makes a $300,000 grant for the ACF-initiated Veterans Integration Program, a veterans job placement program now housed at Mt. Carmel Center of Excellence.
2013
Save Our YouthThe ACF-funded school-based Mentor Mrachek Project, a Save Our Youth program, enters its third year of supporting and preparing students to be successful in high school. The Foundation gave a total of $693,500 over a four-year period.
2014
New LocationAdolph Coors Foundation opens its new building and moves into its permanent headquarters at 215 St. Paul Street in Denver.
2014
Thomas A. Roe AwardJeff Coors receives State Policy Network’s Thomas A. Roe Award for his work in advancing free market philosophy at the state level.
2015
Bridge HouseAdolph Coors Foundation makes its preliminary grant to Bridge House, a work-first self-sufficiency program. The Foundation has given over $1.75 million to date.
2017
New Board MembersCarin Coors Bremer and Christina Coors Williams join the Foundation Board.
2017
Becket Fund for Religious LibertyBecket Fund, a group that defends religious liberty for all, receives $100,000. Since 1999, the Foundation has granted Becket over $1.5 million.
2018
New Board MemberReverend Robert “Skip” Windsor retires from the Board and is replaced by his son, Benjamin R. Windsor.
2018
Venture PortfolioAdolph Coors Foundation explores pro-active grantmaking by seeking out nonprofits that have strong leadership, the potential to grow, scale up, and achieve significant changes that would be in keeping with the intent of the Foundation’s donors. Generation Justice, a group that is revamping the foster care system, becomes the first organization in ACF’s Venture Portfolio.
2019
Carrie TynanCarrie Tynan is promoted to Executive Director.
2019
New Board MemberMichael L. Garnsey joins the Board of Directors.
2020
Covid FundingThe Foundation grants $250,000 in Covid pandemic-related funding to Colorado nonprofits to help ensure they continue serving their communities.
2022
Excellence FirstThe Adolph Coors Foundation launches “Excellence First!”, a multi-year grantmaking strategy centered on the idea that excellence, not gender, skin color or political ideology should be the first consideration when making decisions in government, boardrooms, classrooms, or on the playing field. This project is about restoring the belief in American excellence...with education as the centerpiece of this effort.
