Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity based in Dublin, Ohio. Founded in 1992, it works to increase adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care systems through programs, grants, awareness campaigns and resources for families and child welfare professionals.
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption at a glance
In short: Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption gave $31.4M across 135 grants in 2025 (avg $233K), top state Ohio. 14% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $31,403,584
- +18.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 135
- +0.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $232,619
- +17.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $95,000
- Total assets
- $117,306,202
- +9.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (19 of 134, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (27% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
- How to Apply
-
The National Grants Program is currently open. Application steps and required materials are not specified in the available program information.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4900 Tuttle Crossing Blvd, Dublin, OH 43016
Phone: (800) 275-3832
Website: https://davethomasfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Who Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Villages of Indiana Inc ($3.1M). Together the top 10 received $13.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
634 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 249 grants of 634 (39%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation describes its work as serving children in North America’s foster care systems. Its National Grants Program has a stated geographic scope of the United States. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to Ohio (27%), New York (12%), Indiana (10%), Colorado (7%) and Massachusetts (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 135 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 19 of 134 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $116K; repeat grants $254K. How we count
Medians: $75K first-time, $95K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $20.4M (2021) to $31.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 135 grants totaling $31.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Villages of Indiana Inc Bloomington, IN | Wendy's Wonderful Kids Grants | $3,056,524 |
| Caring for Kids Inc Stow, OH | Wendy's Wonderful Kids & Post-Permanency Grants | $2,116,250 |
| Raise the Future Denver, CO | Wendy's Wonderful Kids Grants | $2,060,348 |
| Massachusetts Department of Children and Families Boston, MA | Wendy's Wonderful Kids Grants | $1,251,562 |
| Adopt America Network Inc Toledo, OH | Wendy's Wonderful Kids & Post-Permanency Grants | $1,186,500 |
| Northeast Ohio Adoption Services Warren, OH | Wendy's Wonderful Kids Grants | $1,131,000 |
| Bethany Christian Services of Georgia Morrow, GA | Wendy's Wonderful Kids & Post-Permanency Grants | $954,800 |
| Franklin County Children Services Columbus, OH | Wendy's Wonderful Kids Grant | $557,800 |
| Children's Home of Wyoming Conference Binghamton, NY | Wendy's Wonderful Kids Grant | $550,000 |
| Gateway-Longview Inc Buffalo, NY | Wendy's Wonderful Kids Grant | $550,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $117,306,202 | $61,621,473 | $52,860,914 | $31,403,584 | 135 | $8,604,925 |
| 2024 | $107,334,376 | $56,121,707 | $44,555,925 | $26,514,341 | 134 | $4,290,037 |
| 2023 | $94,085,268 | $52,421,388 | $40,455,373 | $25,608,792 | 130 | $3,136,451 |
| 2022 | $82,316,858 | $45,774,004 | $36,840,238 | $24,718,449 | 122 | $453,436 |
| 2021 | $65,372,837 | $39,207,140 | $28,821,951 | $20,421,971 | 113 | $465,180 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to “dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care systems.” Its grantmaking supports foster care adoption and permanency, including specialized services for adoption communities, research and best practices, post-permanency support, child welfare policy and awareness.
Wendy’s Wonderful Kids grants go to public and private agencies to hire adoption professionals who use an evidence-based, child-focused recruitment strategy. The Foundation also supports national projects. Current examples include First Star Kent State Academy’s work to strengthen relationships between college-bound youth and caregivers, and Generations United’s work to identify ways to support kinship families after finalization. The National Adoption Association works to increase Black family and cultural connections in child welfare systems, while the National SOGIE Center provides technical assistance to help professionals serve LGBTQ+ youth and families. The Adoptee Mentoring Society supports an adoptee-led mentoring program, and the Center for Adoption Support and Education works to expand the number of adoption-competent mental health providers.
Among its 2025 grantees, The Villages of Indiana describes its mission as supporting families and communities to build brighter futures for children and youth. Caring for Kids says it provides adoption, foster care and behavioral health services, while Raise the Future’s mission is to connect every young person with a strong, stable and caring adult. Adopt America Network describes its mission as placing children from U.S. foster care into adoptive homes; Northeast Ohio Adoption Services says it provides placement with adoptive or foster parents.
The Foundation requires grantees to sign a non-discrimination statement to qualify for or continue receiving funding.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 135 grants totaling $31,403,584. Individual grants ranged from $7,500 to $3,056,524, with a median grant of $95,000. The largest awards included $3,056,524 to The Villages of Indiana for Wendy’s Wonderful Kids grants; $2,116,250 to Caring for Kids for Wendy’s Wonderful Kids and post-permanency grants; and $2,060,348 to Raise the Future for Wendy’s Wonderful Kids grants. Other large awards included $1,251,562 to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families and $1,186,500 to Adopt America Network.
The Foundation also awards strategic national grants. Its website describes the National Grants Program as currently open, with support for projects advancing its mission and nurturing effective practices.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Rita L. Soronen as President and CEO; Robert Geen as Chairman; Kris Kaffenbarger as Vice Chair; Mike O’Malley as Secretary; and Richard Krumholz as Treasurer. Trustees listed include Julie Bieszczat, Laura Butrico, Rasheeda Clark and Eric Daly. Deepak Ajmani is listed as a Vice Chair who exited in August 2024.
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is led by Rita L. Soronen, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 11 of 35 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rita L. Soronen
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$424K (2021) → $490K (2025)
Robert Geen
Chairman
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Blair Miller
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Daly
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jhonny Mercado
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Bieszczat
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Butrico
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
M. Coley O'Brien
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Zak
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Farber
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Moeschberger
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Niklas
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tamika Williams
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Thomas Morse
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jelani Freeman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pete Suerken
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Welch
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Stigdon
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Ribas
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kirk Tanner
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rasheeda Clark
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Frissora
Senior Vice President & Business Development
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$174K (2021) → $154K (2025)
Jennifer Justice
Senior Vice President & Strategic Program Development
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$186K (2021) → $231K (2025)
Jill Crumbacher
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Development
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$185K (2021) → $229K (2025)
Julianne Nichols
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$121K (2021) → $162K (2025)
Melinda Haggerty
Senior Vice President & General Counsel
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$174K (2021) → $222K (2025)
Andrea Glass
Vice President & Programs
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$107K (2022) → $154K (2025)
Eric Spires
Senior Vice President & CFO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$130K (2023) → $204K (2025)
Dean Bring
Vice President & Development
Senior Director of Partnerships → Vice President & Development, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$112K (2023) → $150K (2025)
Andrea Williams
Vice President & Training
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$132K (2025)
Heather Miller
Senior Vice President & Human Resources
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$160K (2025)
Deepak Ajmani
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike O'Malley
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kris Kaffenbarger
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Krumholz
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (26)
- Former: Angela Marshall (2021–2024) — Director & Wendy's Wonderful Kids
- Former: Todd Penegor (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Melissa Eck (2024) — Senior Director & Data
- Former: Richard Krumholz Trustee (2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Brad Conner (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Josh Sell (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Kurt Kane (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Leigh Burnside (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Liliana Esposito (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Joe Turner (2022–2023) — Chairman
- Former: Deepak Ajmani Trustee (2023) — Vice Chair · Filing note: Thru
- Former: Gavin Waugh Ttee (2023) — Treasurer · Filing note: Thru 1/2023
- Former: Rich Krumholz (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Geen Vice Chairman (2023) — Chairman
- Former: Sye Cunningham (2023) — Vice President & Finance
- Former: Todd Penegor Trustee (2023) — Treasurer · Filing note: Thru
- Former: Gavin Waugh (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Maree Whitlow (2021–2022) — Vice President & Human Resources
- Former: Scott Kriss (2021–2022) — Senior Vice President & CFO
- Former: Jennifer Blank (2022) — Senior Director & Development
- Former: Joe Turner Vice Chairman (2021)
- Former: John Inwright (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Ken Strottman (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Mary Schell (2021) — Chairman
- Former: Robert Geen Trustee (2021) — Vice Chairman · Filing note: Thru
- Former: Todd Boehly (2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $490K, to Rita L Soronen (President & CEO). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
How much does Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption give each year?
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption gave $31.4M across 135 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $26.5M across 134 grants.
What is Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's typical grant size?
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's median grant in 2025 was $95,000, and its average grant was $232,619, across 135 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption that year got $116K on average.
Where does Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption give grants?
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's top state is Ohio, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (12%) and Indiana (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (5 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Chicago, IL (3 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (3 grants).
Does Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 135) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Wendy's Wonderful Kids Grant" (53 grants), "Wendy's Wonderful Kids Grants" (46 grants) and "Wendy's Wonderful Kids & Post-Permanency Grants" (8 grants).
Who are Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's largest grantees?
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's largest 2025 grantees include The Villages of Indiana Inc ($3,056,524), Caring for Kids Inc ($2,116,250) and Raise the Future ($2,060,348), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption?
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption reported $117.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $61.6M.
What does Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to “dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care systems.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption?
The National Grants Program is currently open. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's EIN?
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1356151. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dave-thomas-foundation-for-adoption-morg_18f28be91bcc4436bde8b9aaf0a5ce71
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311356151_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/dave-thomas-foundation-for-adoption-morg_18f28be91bcc4436bde8b9aaf0a5ce71},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption down — hundreds of funders to go?