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Tomlinson Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Tomlinson 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.

$1.8M
Granted FY2024still arriving
8
Grants FY2024still arriving
2
States reached
$500k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Health$3.8MHuman Services$3.4MYouth Development$2.3MEducation$265kHousing & Shelter$250kFood & Nutrition$220kReligion$104kCommunity Improvement$4k
02FY2024 · 8 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • $50k–250k4 grants · $483k
  • $250k+4 grants · $1.3M
$250,000
Median grant
2
States reached
$85M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
TERI CAMPUS OF LIFE$500,000
YMCA$300,000
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ADA COUNTY$250,000
INTERFAITH SANCTUARY HOUSING$250,000
VILLA ESPERANZA SERVICES$200,000
JUST IN TIME FOR FOSTER YOUTH$150,000
BLUUM INC (IDAHO CHARTER SCHOOL NETWORK)$83,333
TREASURE VALLEY FAMILY YMCA$50,000
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 (FY17–22, $1.1M) land where the poverty rate runs at 8%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 0% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%IDAHO YOUTH RANCH: $500k → 8%IDAHO YOUTH RANCH: $500k → 8%IDAHO YOUTH RANCH: $50k → 8%ELDERHELP OF SAN DIEGO: $1k → 11%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.
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.

94%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$9.7M · 12 repeat orgs$662k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +28% since the first grant, against -1% for those funded once.

12 repeat relationships: 7 still active in FY2024, 5 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

12
11

Total granted

$9.7M
$412k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+28%
-1%

Still filing today

75%
55%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 86% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $250k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Youth DevelopmentReligionHuman ServicesEducationFood & NutritionHealthOther
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

  • TI
    TERI Inc
    4× · 2020–2024 · $3.3M · revenue +19%
  • TY
    THE YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF BOISE CITY IDAHO
    3× · 2020–2024 · $2.3M · revenue +30%
  • IY
    IDAHO YOUTH RANCH INC
    3× · 2020–2022 · $1.1M · revenue +94%

Funded once

  • JC
    JACOBS & CUSHMAN SAN DIEGO FOOD BANKgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $220k · revenue +35%
  • BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 330 DANIEL WEBSTER COUNCIL INC
    one grant, 2017 · $70k · revenue -6%
  • BG
    BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SAN DIEGO
    one grant, 2017 · $50k
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
Channel Islands Young Men's Christian Association

The channel islands ymca is a charitable organization providing programs based upon christian principles to people of all ages, races, religious beliefs and economic status, to promote youth development, healthy living and social…

Human Services
2
Ymca of Southern Arizona

Ymca of southern arizona is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and helping all people realize their fullest potential through the development of spirit, mind and body. we are a powerful association of men, women and children,…

Human Services
3
Ymca of San Diego County

The ymca of san diego county is a nonprofit with a mission to nurture a healthy spirit, mind, and body so all can thrive while honoring our faith-based heritage.

Human Services
4
Young Adult Institute Inc

Yai's mission is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (i/dd) to live the lives they truly desire. we provide a wide range of supports and services that are person centered and person directed. by seeing beyond…

Human Services
5
The Arc of San Diego

The arc of san diego supports and empowers persons with disabilities to achieve their life goals.

Human Services
6
San Diego-Imperial Council Boy Scouts of America

To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

—
7
Los Padres Council Boy Scouts of America

To instill values in young people, to prepare them to make ethical choices during their lives, and to assist them in achieving their full potential.

—
8
Social Advocates for Youth San Diego Inc

To partner with youth, families, adults and communities to reach their full potential and is achieved through comprehensive and integrated programming in the areas of child and youth development; youth, adult and family wellness and…

Human Services
9
Southern Sierra Council Boy Scouts of America

The mission of the boy scouts of america is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the scout oath and law.

—
10
Inland Counties Regional Center Inc

Provide social services to people with developmental disabilities.

Human Services
11
New Vista Ranch Inc

New vista is committed to providing people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities, equitable opportunities, and supported living arrangements so that they may experience life to the fullest.

Human Services
12
Boys Republic

Boys Republic provides both residential and non-residential youth services to disadvantaged, at-risk young people throughout California. It operates six facilities, all in Southern California: a 200 acre residential campus, school, and…

Human Services
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Idaho Youth Ranch Inc; the most unlike its peers is Lamp Ministry Inc. 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

16 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. 16 of the 24 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)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
16/16
Grantees still filing
10/16
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF BOISE CITY IDAHO: $2,300,000 · OtherTHE YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF BO…YMCA: $1,085,000 · OtherYMCABLUUM INC (IDAHO CHARTER SCHOOL NETWORK): $250,000 · OtherBLUUM INC (IDAHO CHARTER SCHOOL NETWORK)+8 more: $198,100 · OtherTERI Inc: $3,300,000 · ReligionTERI Inc+1 more: $35,000 · ReligionJUST IN TIME FOR FOSTER YOUTH: $600,000 · Youth DevelopmentJUST IN TIME …BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF ADA CO ID: $530,000 · Youth DevelopmentBOYS AND GIRL…BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 330 DANIEL WEBSTER COUNCIL INC: $70,000 · Youth DevelopmentBOY SCOUTS OF…+1 more: $50 · Youth DevelopmentIDAHO YOUTH RANCH INC: $1,050,000 · Human ServicesIDAHO YOUTH…+1 more: $1,000 · Human ServicesVILLA ESPERANZA SERVICES: $410,000 · EducationCONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO: $15,000 · EducationINTERFAITH SANCTUARY HOUSING SERVICES INC: $250,000 · Housing & ShelterJACOBS & CUSHMAN SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK: $220,000 · Food & NutritionYOUNG SURVIVAL COALITION INC: $2,000 · Health
Other$3,833,100Religion$3,335,000Youth Development$1,200,050Human Services$1,051,000Education$425,000Housing & Shelter$250,000Food & Nutrition$220,000Health$2,000

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 budgetTERI Inc: $3,300,000 over 4y, 6.9% of budgetTHE YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF BOISE CITY IDAHO: $2,300,000 over 3y, 7.0% of budgetIDAHO YOUTH RANCH INC: $1,050,000 over 3y, 1.4% of budgetJUST IN TIME FOR FOSTER YOUTH: $600,000 over 4y, 3.8% of budgetBOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF ADA CO ID: $530,000 over 3y, 4.1% of budgetVILLA ESPERANZA SERVICES: $410,000 over 3y, 1.1% of budgetINTERFAITH SANCTUARY HOUSING SERVICES INC: $250,000 over 1y, 2.4% of budgetJACOBS & CUSHMAN SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK: $220,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetBOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 330 DANIEL WEBSTER COUNCIL INC: $70,000 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetLAMP MINISTRY INC: $35,000 over 2y, 5.2% of budgetSan Diego Brain Injury Foundation: $20,000 over 2y, 1.2% of budgetCONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO: $15,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetKIWANIS CLUB OF ESCONDIDO HIDDEN VALLEY: $6,000 over 2y, 17% of budgetYOUNG SURVIVAL COALITION INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetELDERHELP OF SAN DIEGO: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCALIFORNIA POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE: $50 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.

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.

The San Diego Foundat…American Endowment Fo…Renaissance Charitabl…The Blackbaud Giving …The Bank of America C…The Pfizer Foundation…American Online Givin…National Philanthropi…Donor Advised Charita…Vanguard Charitable E…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
The San Diego FoundationCA12.8× affinity4 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The San Diego Foundation · American Endowment Foundation · Renaissance Charitable Foundation Inc · The Blackbaud Giving Fund · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · The Pfizer Foundation Inc · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · 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 Tomlinson Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Tomlinson Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%5%10%15%20%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    9report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–20%
    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 Tomlinson Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to Tomlinson 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 24 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 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Tomlinson’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home