Colorado School of Mines Foundation

Colorado School of Mines Foundation

The Colorado School of Mines Foundation was established in 1928 as the primary fundraising and investment vehicle for the Colorado School of Mines. It develops relationships with alumni and corporate partners to align gifts with institutional priorities in mining, energy, and materials science. The foundation holds commercial properties including the 1600 Jackson St. office building and Village at Mines Park student housing. It also owns the Mines Museum of Earth Science Collection of over 40,000 specimens and the Eric Long Mineral Collection valued at $3.2 million. Through Mines Venture Fund I it acts as limited partner in GelSana Therapeutics, Infinite Outdoors, XtremeX Mining Technology, and AndrenaM. Geographic exposure centers on Colorado and other U.S. locations. The foundation employs 55 staff and maintains relationships with auditors Forvis Mazars and investment advisor Innovest Portfolio Solutions. In January 2024 it sponsored the MINES@150 Campaign focused on endowment growth. It also participates in the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. Governance rests with a Board of Governors that includes Frances M. Vallejo as chair and members such as John K. Coors and Hugh E. Harvey, Jr. The structure separates philanthropic receipt from asset management through the dedicated property corporation subsidiary.