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· Private foundation

The Thorson Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$159k
Granted FY2023
52
Grants FY2023
15
States reached
$14k
Largest
01What it funds
0190% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2024.

Health$89kEducation$66kArts & Culture$48kCommunity Improvement$16kHuman Services$13kEnvironment$13kPublic Benefit$11kAnimals$11kOther$0
02FY2023 · 52 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2023

  • Under $10k48 grants · $108k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $50k
$1,500
Median grant
15
States reached
$2.3M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Alzheimers Foundation of America$14,160
ACCA Inc$14,000
Massachusetts General Hospital$11,500
Noble and Greenough School$10,500
Circus World MuseumWisconsin$9,300
ALS Therapy Development Institute$7,740
Family of the Americas Foundation$6,000
The American Legion$6,000
WFUV$5,750
Trustees of the Reservations$5,250
Blinded American Veterans Foundation$5,000
Jan Karski Educational Foundation$5,000
Wolf Trap Foundation$4,000
Lands Sake Farm$4,000
National Eating Disorder Assoc$3,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY23–23, $250) land where the poverty rate runs at 10%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%The Service Dog Project: $250 → 10%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

IL
WI
NY
MA
OH
NJ
CT
UT
VA
MD
TN
NC
DC
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

13%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$38k · 4 repeat orgs$267k to everyone else

4 repeat relationships: 4 still active in FY2023, 0 since wound down; 46 grantees were first funded in FY2023 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

4
50

Total granted

$38k
$129k

Still filing today

0%
0%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2023, 13% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $138k went to new ones.

50%100%’19’23
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’19’23
EducationArts & CultureHealthAnimalsEnvironmentPublic BenefitOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • MG
    MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
    2× · 2019–2023 · $27k
  • TO
    Trustees of the Reservations
    2× · 2019–2023 · $6k
  • SH
    Sacred Heart Schools
    2× · 2019–2023 · $6k

Funded once

  • AI
    ACCA, INC. FEED RUFFING SCHOLARSHIP FUND
    one grant, 2019 · $15k
  • AF
    ALZHEIMER'S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
    one grant, 2019 · $12k
  • CW
    CIRCUS WORLD MUSEUM
    one grant, 2019 · $10k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Boston Architectural College

The bac is committed to provide excellence in design education grounded in practice and accessible to diverse communities.

—
2
United States Naval Institute

Provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security.

—
3
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The mission of mit is to advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.

Education
4
University of New Haven

The University of New Haven is a student-centered comprehensive university with an emphasis on excellence in liberal arts and professional education. Our mission is to prepare our students to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in a…

Education
5
Furman University

The primary mission of furman as a liberal arts institution is to provide a distinctive education in fine arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics and the sciences, as well as selected professional disciplines.

Education
6
Wentworth Institute of Technology Inc

Wentworth institute of technology is a nationally recognized private coeducational and residential university of higher education with a mission to empower, inspire and innovate through experiential learning with a core purpose of career…

Education
7
The Trustees of Princeton University

Research, education and general - princeton university is a private not-for-profit, non-sectarian institution of higher learning with approximately 5,700 undergraduate and 3,300 graduate students. 2,500 students graduated in the 2024-2025…

Education
8
Manhattanville University

To educate students to be ethical and socially responsible leaders in a global community.

Education
9
Trustees of Boston University

Organization's mission: boston university is an international, comprehensive, private research university, committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in an interconnected world.…

—
10
Massachusetts Higher Education Assistance Corporation

The organization's primary exempt purpose is to provide access to and conduct activities in furtherance of higher education.

—
11
President and Fellows of Harvard College

Undergraduate, graduate, and professional education and research across a broad array of academic domains.

Education
12
President and Trustees of Bates College

Bates is a college of the liberal arts and sciences, and is a coeducational, nonsectarian, residential college with special commitments to academic rigor, and to assuring in all of its efforts the dignity of each individual, and access to…

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is New England Aquarium Corporation; the most unlike its peers is Arts Inn Collective. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

36 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 36 of the 101 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
36/36
Grantees still filing
23/36
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL: $26,500 · OtherMASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITALACCA, INC. FEED RUFFING SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $15,000 · OtherACCA, INC. FEED RUFFING SCHOLARSHIP FUNDACCA Inc: $14,000 · OtherACCA IncALZHEIMER'S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA: $12,300 · OtherALZHEIMER'S FOUNDATION OF AMERICACIRCUS WORLD MUSEUM: $10,000 · OtherCircus World MuseumWisconsin: $9,300 · OtherNOBLE AND GREENOUGH SCHOOL: $8,000 · Other+66 more: $127,235 · Other+66 moreALZHEIMER'S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA INC: $14,160 · HealthALZHEIMER'S…ALS THERAPY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION INC: $7,740 · HealthALS THERAPY…Family of the Americas Foundation Inc: $6,000 · HealthFamily of t…ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $2,000 · HealthST JUDE CHI…+1 more: $1,000 · HealthNOBLE AND GREENOUGH SCHOOL: $10,500 · EducationNOBLE AND…Fordham University: $6,350 · EducationFordham U…THE FESSENDEN SCHOOL: $2,500 · EducationTHE FESSE…CAL RIPKEN SR FOUNDATION INC: $2,000 · EducationCAL RIPKE…STEPPINGSTONE FOUNDATION INC: $1,500 · EducationSTEPPINGS…THE MOORINGS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 · Education+2 more: $950 · EducationWOLF TRAP FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: $4,000 · Arts & CultureWGBH Educational Foundation: $2,500 · Arts & CultureBLAIR HOUSE FOUNDATION: $2,500 · Arts & CultureWNET: $1,500 · Arts & CultureRIVERSIDE THEATRE INC: $1,000 · Arts & CultureMUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO: $1,000 · Arts & CultureTHE WANG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS INC: $1,000 · Arts & CultureARTS INN COLLECTIVE: $500 · Arts & CultureNEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION: $2,500 · AnimalsMASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $1,000 · AnimalsBEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY: $1,000 · AnimalsLINCOLN PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY: $1,000 · AnimalsBLINDED AMERICAN VETERANS FOUNDATION: $5,000 · Public BenefitMCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN INC: $1,500 · EnvironmentCHICAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: $1,500 · Environment
Other$222,335Health$30,900Education$24,800Arts & Culture$14,000Animals$5,500Public Benefit$5,000Environment$3,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetALZHEIMER'S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA INC: $14,160 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNOBLE AND GREENOUGH SCHOOL: $10,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetALS THERAPY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION INC: $7,740 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetFordham University: $6,350 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFamily of the Americas Foundation Inc: $6,000 over 1y, 7.2% of budgetBLINDED AMERICAN VETERANS FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 23% of budgetWOLF TRAP FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL EATING DISORDERS ASSOCIATION: $3,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE FESSENDEN SCHOOL: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWGBH Educational Foundation: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBLAIR HOUSE FOUNDATION: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCAL RIPKEN SR FOUNDATION INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE BASEBALL INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSTEPPINGSTONE FOUNDATION INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCHICAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWNET: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBACKPACKS FOR LIFE INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetRIVERSIDE THEATRE INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLINCOLN PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF NEW JERSEY INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE MOORINGS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetTHE WANG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGIRLS ON THE RUN OF CENTRAL OHIO: $1,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetDUKE UNIVERSITY: $700 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWALTHAM BOYS & GIRLS CLUB INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCommunity Foundation for MetroWest Inc: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetARTS INN COLLECTIVE: $500 over 1y, 2.9% of budgetSERVICE DOG PROJECT INC: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFairfield University: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds ALZHEIMER'S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA INC ↗
  • Who funds NOBLE AND GREENOUGH SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds ALS THERAPY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds Fordham University ↗
  • Who funds Family of the Americas Foundation Inc ↗
  • Who funds BLINDED AMERICAN VETERANS FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds WOLF TRAP FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ↗
  • Who funds NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS ASSOCIATION ↗
  • Who funds THE FESSENDEN SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds WGBH Educational Foundation ↗
  • Who funds NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION ↗
  • Who funds BLAIR HOUSE FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds CAL RIPKEN SR FOUNDATION INC ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Jpmorgan Chase FoundationNY10.7× affinity5 shared granteesties to 10 of 10Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · The Pfizer Foundation Inc · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · The Blackbaud Giving Fund · National Philanthropic Trust · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Thorson Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Thorson Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 60%2%6%14%25%funder's share of their income ↑0%19%38%56%75%share of the org’s income from government →median 4%
  • Waltham Boys & Girls Club Inc: 29% of income from government
  • New England Aquarium Corporation: 12% of income from government
  • Cal Ripken Sr Foundation Inc: 12% of income from government
  • The Wang Center for the Performing Arts Inc: 10% of income from government
  • Als Therapy Development Foundation Inc: 8% of income from government
  • Community Foundation for MetroWest Inc: 4% of income from government
  • The Baseball Inc: 1% of income from government
  • Wgbh Educational Foundation: 1% of income from government
  • Fairfield University: 1% of income from government
  • The Fessenden School: 0% of income from government
  • Steppingstone Foundation Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
6get no government money at all
4report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–75%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to The Thorson Foundation?

Find your warmest path to The Thorson Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 101 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2023, released 2023. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Possibly out of date. A more recent filing (FY2024) is on record and reports $161k of grant expense with no grantee named in the published copy. A private foundation itemizes every grant it makes, so a return carrying none has filed its list as an attachment that the public copy does not include. The figures above are therefore from FY2023, the most recent year this funder’s grantee list reached the public record.

Source object · view filing

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