James D & Bess S Polis Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting charitable, educational, and religious causes. Its mission reflects a commitment to enhancing community well-being through funding initiatives that address various social needs. The foundation primarily serves organizations that focus on education, religious activities, and charitable services, with a notable emphasis on supporting local nonprofits. While it has made grants to recipients in multiple states, a significant portion of its funding is directed towards organizations based in Wyoming.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small-to-midsize Wyoming nonprofit (often religious, educational, or local service providers) with an existing local reputation or referral into the foundation's network.
Good Fit
- • Located in Wyoming, especially Laramie/Cheyenne/Torrington communities.
- • Mission in charitable, religious, or educational services consistent with past grantees.
- • Existing relationship or referral to the trustee or known local intermediaries.
- • Request size aligned with past grants (roughly $5,000–$12,500).
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in Wyoming: roughly four out of five dollars went to WY recipients in the latest year, with most grants tied to Laramie-area organizations despite a small out-of-state presence.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows eight distinct grantees and a mix of returning and new recipients (four recurring grantees across years and four new in 2024), indicating a moderately diverse set for a small private foundation.
New Applicants
Although several new grantees appeared in the latest filing, the foundation explicitly indicates it funds only preselected applicants and no public application channel or contact route is visible, so an unfamiliar applicant is unlikely to access funding without a referral.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
