Well Told Grants

Foundations / Iowa

Thomson Charitable Foundation

Preselected recipients only Cresco, Iowa · EIN 421497057

Thomson Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Cresco, Iowa. In tax year 2025 it gave $181,344 in 30 grants; the typical grant was $1,000 and the largest $50,750. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was up from $132,443 the year before.

53% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$165,57622$3.5 million
2024$132,44333$3.7 million
2025$181,34430$4.4 million

How to apply

Thomson Charitable Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What Thomson Charitable Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 12 states, the most to Iowa.

StateGrantsAmount
Iowa18$163,039
West Virginia1$5,250
Tennessee1$5,000
New York2$1,250
Missouri1$1,000
Virginia1$250
District of Columbia1$225
Georgia1$225
Illinois1$150
Maryland1$150

Grants paid in 2025

All 30 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
City of Cresco
Cresco, IA
Scene Shop$50,750
Norman-Borlaug Heritage Foundation
Cresco, IA
General Operations$35,000
Floyd County Fair Society
Charles City, IA
General Operations$25,000
Northeast Iowa Community College Foundation
Calmar, IA
General Operations$20,000
Northeast Iowa Food Bank
Waterloo, IA
General Operations$6,000
Shriners Childrens Hospital
Ranson, WV
General Operations$5,250
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA
General Operations$5,000
Notre Dame Catholic Parish
Cresco, IA
Alumni Appeal$5,000
St Jude Children Research Hospital
Memphis, TN
General Operations$5,000
Cresco Elm Street Rentals
Cresco, IA
General Operations$5,000
Howard County Agrl Society
Cresco, IA
General Operations$4,100
Howard County Business and Tourism
Cresco, IA
Prairie Springs Recreation Trail$1,500
Howard County Community Schools Foundation
Cedar Falls, IA
General Operations$1,400
Oaklawn Cemetery Association Of Cresco IA
Cresco, IA
General Operations$1,000
Opportunity Homes Inc
Decorah, IA
General Operations$1,000
Midwest Mission Teens MBTC
Cresco, IA
General Operations$1,000
Covenant House International
New York City, NY
General Operations$1,000
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Kansas City, MO
General Operations$1,000
Special Needs Assocaition
Cresco, IA
General Operations$500
National Child Safety Council
Cresco, IA
General Operations$425
Make-A-Wish
Urbandale, IA
General Operations$300
SPCA
New York, NY
General Operations$250
Care
Merrifield, VA
General Operations$250
National Parks Conservation Association
Washington, DC
General Operations$225
Habitat for Humanity
Americus, GA
General Operations$225
Disabled Veteran National Foundation
Lanham, MD
General Operations$150
Scouting America National Council
Irving, TX
General Operations$150
Ronald McDonald House
Chicago, IL
General Operations$150
Paws for Purple Hearts
Canyonville, OR
General Operations$100
Northeast Iowa Communty Action Corp
Decorah, IA
General Operations$64

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Thomson Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does Thomson Charitable Foundation give?

$181,344 in tax year 2025, across 30 grants, with a typical grant of $1,000.

Who runs Thomson Charitable Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists John S Thomson (Director/President/Treasurer) and Stephanie C Thomson (Director/Secretary).

What does Thomson Charitable Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and health.

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