How Nonprofits Spend Money in Colorado

Nonprofit spending analysis for Colorado: 84% goes to programs, 11% to administration, 5% to fundraising. Based on 599 organizations.

9,990Total Nonprofits
599Report Spending
84%Avg Programs
11%Avg Admin
5%Avg Fundraising
$77.9BTotal Revenue
84% Programs
11% Admin
5% Fund

Spending Analysis

Among 9,990 nonprofits in Colorado, 599 report detailed spending breakdowns. On average, 84% of expenses go directly to charitable programs, 11% to administrative costs, and 5% to fundraising activities.

Colorado nonprofits demonstrate strong program efficiency, with the average organization directing 84% of spending to programs — above the widely-cited 75% benchmark used by charity watchdog organizations.

The 599 organizations collectively manage $77.9B in revenue and $169.6B in assets, making spending efficiency a critical metric for the charitable sector in Colorado.

Most Efficient Nonprofits in Colorado

#OrganizationProgram %RevenueScore
1Louis Calder Foundation100%$47.8M95/100
2Omar D Blair An Edison K 8 Charter100%$14.0M95/100
3Purgatorie River Volunteer Fire Department100%$1.5M95/100
4Andrew M Paul Fam Foundation Tr95%$1.5M75/100
5Heritage Park Preschool95%$660K95/100
6Christian P Anschutz Foundation95%$296K90/100
7Northern Colorado Xplosion95%$278K92/100
8Lynda M Goldstein Family Foundation95%$1.5M92/100
9Routt County 4 H Scholarship Fndtn95%$146K92/100
10Michael S Jacobs Foundation Inc95%$1.7M90/100
11Flatirons Elementary Pto95%$141K90/100
12Mercy Housing California Senior Properties95%$586K70/100
13Marvin Naiman And Margery Goldman Family Foundation95%$526K85/100
14Integrity Bank & Trust Charitabletrust95%$355K92/100
15International Midwife Assistance Inc90%$116K92/100
16Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc90%$3.7M95/100
17Cats League And Assistance Of The Western Slope90%$345K92/100
18Colorado Japanese School90%$212K92/100
19Canyon Cares Of Coal Creek Canyon90%$206K88/100
20Donor Sibling Registry90%$262K95/100
21Gunnison Trails90%$364K92/100
22Broomfield Rotary Foundation90%$373K95/100
23The Arc Of Larimer County Inc90%$1.1M95/100
24Rocky Mountain Honor Flight90%$369K95/100
25Marion Esser Kaufmann Foundation90%$2.1M95/100
26Research Administrators Certification Council90%$297K95/100
27Abram And Ray Kaplan Foundation90%$2.9M85/100
28Mpg Foundation Inc90%$493K85/100
29Bryant & Nancy Yunker Foundation Inc90%$269K90/100
30Abelow Family Foundation90%$337K92/100
31Charles Evans Hughes Memorial Fdn Inc90%$2.6M85/100
32American Association Of Neuropat90%$3.8M92/100
33Irene And Mac Schwebel Foundation Inc90%$065/100
34Joshua Nations International90%$1.6M92/100
35National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation90%$181K92/100
36Cool Science Company90%$139K90/100
37South Platte Water Related Activities Program Inc90%$1.7M95/100
38Soccer Partners America90%$9.2M85/100
39Grand Valley Catholic Outreach Inc90%$4.6M95/100
40Crossroads Ministries Usa Inc90%$317K92/100
41Mcdaniel Family Foundation90%$1.1M95/100
42Morgan Adams Foundation90%$3.4M95/100
43For His Glory Adoption Outreach90%$065/100
44One Nation Walking Together90%$262K90/100
45Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation90%$213K92/100
46Links International Inc90%$156K92/100
47Galkin Evangelistic Ministries90%$245K92/100
48Empowerment International Inc90%$191K92/100
49Urban Land Conservancy90%$22.5M92/100
50Lotus School For Excellence Inc90%$18.5M65/100

Least Efficient Nonprofits in Colorado

#OrganizationProgram %Revenue
1Genesis One Foundation10%$1.0M
2New Early Christian Church Charities19%$534K
3Alpha Phi International Fraternity Inc60%$1.1M
4Norwood Foundation70%$33.1M
5Dorothys Soft Touch Corp70%$1.1M
6Kissinger Family Foundation Inc70%$5.2M
7Dreams R Us Foundation70%$5.3M
8The Dillard Foundation70%$1.8M
9Alpha Phi International Fraternity Inc70%$906K
10Alpha Phi International Fraternity Inc70%$610K
11Telecompioneers70%$3.3M
12Lion Project70%$322K
13Cable Center70%$34.5M
14Heavens Hope Foundation70%$175K
15Family Policy Alliance70%$600K
16Mel Wolf Foundation70%$856K
17Rjc Family Foundation70%$170K
18Usa Team Handball70%$535K
19Conscious Capitalism Inc70%$2.0M
20Dharma Ocean Foundation70%$392K

Related Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Colorado nonprofits spend their money?

On average, Colorado nonprofits spend 84% on programs, 11% on administration, and 5% on fundraising. This is based on IRS 990 data from 599 organizations.

What is a good program expense ratio?

Most charity evaluators consider 75% or higher to be a strong program expense ratio. In Colorado, the average is 84%.

How can I find the most efficient nonprofits?

The table above ranks Colorado nonprofits by program spending percentage. You can also use our Rankings page to find the most efficient organizations nationally or by state.