Flora L Thornton Foundation
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$33.6M
-2.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.2M
-11.1% YoY
Grant Count
67
-6.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$33K
-4.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Flora L Thornton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to create a more sustainable and equitable world for future generations by protecting and preserving the planet's natural resources, and by investing in local organizations that promote access to the arts, nutrition, and conservation.
The foundation prioritizes:
- Environmental conservation and sustainability
- Arts access and support
- Nutrition initiatives
- Local community organizations
The foundation values integrity and transparency in grantmaking, evolution through learning from nonprofit best practices, and diversity in the selection of grantees across racial, cultural, ethnic, gender, and intellectual dimensions.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$1,000–$260,000
Review Cycle
- No stated restrictions
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations primarily in California, New York, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending November 2023:
- Total assets: $34,522,705
- Total revenues: $1,993,804
- Total expenses: $3,108,521
- Investment income and dividends: $622,247
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $1,369,384
- Number of employees: 1
As of Fiscal Year Ending November 2024:
- Total assets: $33,591,485
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $33,591,485 | $34,522,705 | $35,831,764 |
| Revenue | $1,868,252 | $1,993,804 | $2,207,626 |
| Expenses | $2,799,472 | $3,108,521 | $4,889,299 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,426,420 | $2,723,077 | $2,547,076 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,575,655 | $1,713,988 | $1,964,552 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,385,375 | $2,289,240 | $2,471,819 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Greenbelt Alliance ($140,000), As You Sow ($100,000), Environmental Defense Fund ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $70,000 |
| AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER (ACT) SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| AS YOU SOW OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| BAY AREA WARRIORS SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $70,000 |
| CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| COMMON ALLIANCE FOR FAMILY FARMERS WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Trustees:
- William Laney Thornton, Chair
- Jennifer Thornton Wieland
- Charles B. Thornton, III
- Anne C. Thornton
- Jane Thornton Jones
- Richard Galofaro
Staff:
- Russell Hamilton, Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LANEY THORNTON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JANE THORNTON JONES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANNE CHAPMAN THORNTON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER THORNTON WIELAND | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHARLES THORNTON III | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RUSSELL HAMILTON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 25 | $136,000 |
| RICHARD GALOFARO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Flora L Thornton Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to create a more sustainable and equitable world for future generations by protecting and preserving the planet's natural resources, and by investing in local organizations that promote access to the arts, nutrition, and conservation. The foundation prioritizes: • Environmental conservation and sustainability • Arts access and support • Nutrition initiatives • Local community organizations The foundation values integrity and transparency in grantmaking, evolution thr…
How do I apply for a grant from Flora L Thornton Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 92 grants in fiscal year 2023 • Made 67 grants in fiscal year 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $2,222,000 • Median grant amount: $25,000 • Grant range: $1,000–$260,000 **Recent Grants (2023):** • Ednovate: $200,000 (General Support) • Greenbelt Alliance: $140,000 (General Support) • As You Sow: $100,000 (General Support) **Application Process:** • No specific application form required • No stated deadlines • No stated restrictions
Where does Flora L Thornton Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations primarily in California, New York, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Flora L Thornton Foundation award?
In 2024, Flora L Thornton Foundation awarded 67 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $33K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Flora L Thornton Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Flora L Thornton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Flora L Thornton Foundation's EIN?
Flora L Thornton Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3855595. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Flora L Thornton Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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