The Buell Foundation is thrilled to welcome John Farnam as our new Director of Responsive Grantmaking. John will report to Laura Carlson, Vice President of Programs, and be a member of the Programs Leadership Team. Among numerous other responsibilities, the director contributes to strategic discussions related to Foundation giving and ensures that responsive grantmaking is implemented with a high degree of attention to best practices, quality, consistency, and fit with the Foundation’s funding goals and priorities.
“It is an honor to join the team at the Buell Foundation,” said John. “Drawing on my many years of experience in similar community-based and philanthropic work, I’m excited to delve into the unique needs of early childhood in Colorado and guide our grantmaking in the most impactful ways possible for children and families in our state.”
John comes most recently from the Morgridge Family Foundation, where he served as Managing Director. During his impressive 15-year tenure, he oversaw more than $165 million in grants while cultivating innovative approaches to addressing complex social challenges.
His commitment to community impact is exemplified by his achievements in education and social services. John successfully raised $6.5 million to establish one of Aurora Public Schools’ first charter schools. As VP of Marketing for Goodwill Industries, he established the $10M Goodwill Endowment Fund. His transformative leadership as Executive Director of the Northern Colorado AIDS Project earned him the prestigious DoSomething Award. John and his husband Paul Heitzenrater grow and donate more than 2,000 pounds of produce every year. He was recently named 2024 9News Leader of the Year in Denver.
“John’s combination of expertise, proven leadership, and genuine commitment to philanthropy makes him an ideal addition to our team,” Carlson stated. “He will be a fantastic asset to the Foundation.”
Contact John at 303-744-1688 or grants@buellfoundation.org.