Flora L Thornton Foundation
The Flora L Thornton Foundation is a private foundation based in San Francisco, California. In 2024, it reported $2,222,000 in grants to 67 recipients, including organizations working in environmental protection, conservation, public health, and other areas.
Flora L Thornton Foundation at a glance
In short: Flora L Thornton Foundation gave $2.2M across 67 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), mostly in California. 10% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,222,000
- -11.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 67
- -6.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $33,164
- -4.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $33,591,485
- -2.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (7 of 67, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (74% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Flora L Thornton Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2023 filing names Richard Galofaro as the contact and states that there is no specific form, no deadline, and no restrictions on awards. It also states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Contact
Application contact: Richard Galofaro
Mailing address: 333 S Hope St Suite 2900, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone: (213) 629-7600
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Flora L Thornton Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Greenbelt Alliance ($140K). Together the top 10 received $860K.
Grant Size Distribution
349 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 245 grants of 349 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 74% of grant dollars went to recipients in California. Other reported recipient-state shares were Virginia (7%), New York (6%), the District of Columbia (6%), and Vermont (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 67 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Flora L Thornton Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 67 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 87% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.1M (2021) to $2.5M (2023). In 2024 it made 67 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greenbelt Alliance San Francisco, CA | General Support | $140,000 |
| As You Sow Oakland, CA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Environmental Defense Fund San Francisco, CA | General Support | $100,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Los Angeles, CA | General Support | $90,000 |
| California Science Center Los Angeles, CA | General Support | $75,000 |
| Library Foundation of Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | General Support | $75,000 |
| African Wildlife Foundation Washington, DC | General Support | $70,000 |
| Center for Environmental Health Oakland, CA | General Support | $70,000 |
| Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America Los Angeles, CA | General Support | $70,000 |
| Southern Environmental Law Center Charlottesville, VA | General Support | $70,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Flora L Thornton Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $33,591,485 | $1,868,252 | $2,799,472 | $2,222,000 | 67 | $2,426,420 | $1,575,655 | $2,385,375 |
| 2023 | $34,522,705 | $1,993,804 | $3,108,521 | $2,498,500 | 72 | $2,723,077 | $1,713,988 | $2,289,240 |
| 2022 | $35,831,764 | $2,207,626 | $4,889,299 | $2,478,500 | 70 | $2,547,076 | $1,964,552 | $2,471,819 |
| 2021 | $38,514,045 | $4,746,575 | $2,724,043 | $2,112,000 | 68 | — | $4,423,131 | $2,687,609 |
| 2020 | $36,383,294 | $1,986,148 | $2,937,693 | $2,379,790 | 72 | — | $1,737,091 | $2,407,255 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in several areas. As You Sow describes its mission as promoting corporate responsibility on climate change, environmental health, racial justice, workplace diversity, and toxic ingredients in consumer products. The Southern Environmental Law Center says its mission includes protecting clean air, clean water, and a livable climate, and preserving natural treasures and biodiversity. The Center for Environmental Health says it protects people from toxic chemicals and promotes products and practices that are safe for public health and the environment.
Other 2024 grantees describe work in wildlife and land conservation (African Wildlife Foundation), family planning, gender equity, and sustainability (Population Media Center), and climate and energy policy (The Climate Center). These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions, not statements of the foundation’s mission.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 67 grants totaling $2,222,000. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $140,000, with a median of $25,000. Its largest reported grants included $140,000 to Greenbelt Alliance; $100,000 each to As You Sow and Environmental Defense Fund; and $90,000 to The Nature Conservancy. Other notable awards included $75,000 each to California Science Center and Library Foundation of Los Angeles, and $70,000 each to African Wildlife Foundation, Center for Environmental Health, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, and Southern Environmental Law Center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Laney Thornton, Jane Thornton Jones, Anne Chapman Thornton, Jennifer Thornton Wieland, Charles Thornton III, and Richard Galofaro as trustees. Russell Hamilton is listed as executive director.
Flora L Thornton Foundation is led by Russell Hamilton, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Russell Hamilton
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
25 hrs/week
$136K (2023) → $136K (2024)
Charles Thornton III
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Thornton Wieland
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laney Thornton
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Galofaro
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne Chapman Thornton
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Thornton Jones
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Kay Tornborg (2020–2022) — Executive Director · Filing note: Retired 10/31/2022
- Former: Russell Hamilton Hired (2022) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Edward A. Landry Dec'd (2020) — Trustee Emeritus
- Former: Elizabeth Thornton Troy (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Eric Small (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $136K, to Russell Hamilton (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Flora L Thornton Foundation
How much does Flora L Thornton Foundation give each year?
Flora L Thornton Foundation gave $2.2M across 67 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.5M across 72 grants.
What is Flora L Thornton Foundation's typical grant size?
Flora L Thornton Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $33,164, across 67 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Flora L Thornton Foundation that year got $16K on average.
Where does Flora L Thornton Foundation give grants?
Flora L Thornton Foundation gives mostly in California: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Virginia (7%) and New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (20 grants), Los Angeles, CA (15 grants), Washington, DC (5 grants) and New York, NY (5 grants).
Does Flora L Thornton Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Flora L Thornton Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (67 of 67) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Flora L Thornton Foundation's largest grantees?
Flora L Thornton Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Greenbelt Alliance ($140,000), As You Sow ($100,000) and Environmental Defense Fund ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Flora L Thornton Foundation?
Flora L Thornton Foundation reported $33.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Flora L Thornton Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in several areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Flora L Thornton Foundation?
The 2023 filing names Richard Galofaro as the contact and states that there is no specific form, no deadline, and no restrictions on awards. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Flora L Thornton Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Laney and Pasha Thornton Foundation
San Francisco, CA
The foundation supports early-stage research into low-cost energy for disadvantaged and low-income communities, along with charitable organizations in areas including arts and culture. In 2024, it made seven grants totaling $72,000, ranging from $1,000 to $25,000, with most funding going to California; it also distributed grants in Colorado and Delaware. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$8.5M
Grants
7
Total Given
$72K
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
The Ralph M Parsons Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation funds direct-service work in civic and cultural life, education, health, and human services, including general operating support, programs, and capital needs, for organizations serving Los Angeles County. In 2024, its grants ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $30,000. It accepts unsolicited requests year-round through an online Letter of Inquiry.
Assets
$452.4M
Grants
403
Total Given
$18.2M
The Ahmanson Foundation
Beverly Hills, CA
The Ahmanson Foundation funds Los Angeles County nonprofits in arts and humanities, education, health care, human services, homelessness, and environmental preservation, often for construction, equipment, or other one-time project costs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $6.3 million, with a median of $50,000. It encourages applicants to submit a Letter of Inquiry, but the profile does not explicitly state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
442
Total Given
$65.5M
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles supports human services, health, education, Jewish life, arts and culture, Israel-related work, and nonprofit capacity and capital projects, with a focus on Los Angeles and also giving in Israel and beyond. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. General Community grants are by invitation only and do not accept unsolicited applications; current procedures should be verified.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,063
Total Given
$142.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Flora L Thornton Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/flora-l-thornton-foundation-morg_f0b5480d4bc849c4a2e5dbd8892441d8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_953855595_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Flora L Thornton Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/flora-l-thornton-foundation-morg_f0b5480d4bc849c4a2e5dbd8892441d8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Flora L Thornton Foundation'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.
Flora L Thornton Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?