Petri Dish Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Las Cruces, NM. IRS filing data is available from 2024 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2025, it made $100K in qualifying distributions. Net investment income was $40K.
Key facts about Petri Dish Foundation
- EIN
- 99-0659381
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Total assets
- $1,127,813
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1M
+113.2% YoY
Revenue
$679K
+19.4% YoY
Qualifying Distributions
$100K
+152.7% YoY
Expenses
$3
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Petri Dish Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How Petri Dish Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Ready to take the next step with Petri Dish Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $40K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 4 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for 2025.
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,127,813 | $529,027 |
| Revenue | $678,568 | $568,527 |
| Expenses | $3 | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | $99,825 | $39,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $39,915 | $233 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,074 | $2,554 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Petri Dish Foundation is led by James W Spence, President on every filing since 2024; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James W Spence
President
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia R Thurm
Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristi K Spence
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Petri Dish Foundation
How large is Petri Dish Foundation?
Petri Dish Foundation reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $100K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Petri Dish Foundation?
Petri Dish Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Las Cruces, NM. It holds $1.1M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Petri Dish Foundation operate?
Petri Dish Foundation has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia, New Mexico, Texas.
What is Petri Dish Foundation's EIN?
Petri Dish Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-0659381. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Here's the math on researching Petri Dish Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Petri Dish Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New Mexico
The Robert a Welch Foundation
Houston, TX
The Robert A. Welch Foundation funds basic chemical research and related fields at educational institutions in Texas. Research grants provide $117,000 per year; 2025 grants ranged from $25,000 to $7.96 million, with a median of $105,000. It accepts research grant proposals through its designated portal; departmental and Catalyst for Discovery proposals are by invitation.
Assets
$622.7M
Grants
69
Total Given
$38.3M
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
WaterStone supports domestic and international nonprofits, including Christian ministries and charitable and educational organizations, through donor-directed grants; eligible organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3)s whose mission aligns with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, with awards ranging from $5,028 to $11 million, and were concentrated in Texas and Colorado. Grant recommendations come from donor-advised fund holders; the profile does not state that it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
Wentz Family Foundation
Ransom Canyon, TX
The foundation supports Christian ministry and missionary work, education and tuition or camp programs, and clinic support, with occasional grants for related community services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $370,000, with a median of $2,400; most funding went to Texas, with smaller grants in other states. It says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and directs applicants to submit materials to its board.
Assets
$461K
Grants
23
Total Given
$573K
B Don & Becky Russell Charitable Foundat
College Station, TX
The foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, with most of its grant funding going to Texas; in 2024, grants ranged from $100 to $26,136, with a median of $3,213. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$389K
Grants
23
Total Given
$127K
Christian Community Foundation of Memphis
Memphis, TN
The foundation supports a broad range of U.S. charities through donor-advised funds, with a particular focus on Christian ministries and community transformation in Memphis; its Hope for Memphis Fund serves eligible Gospel-centered nonprofits in the Memphis metro area. Its 2025 grants had a median of $22,050, and it accepts applications for the Hope for Memphis Fund during its stated application cycle.
Assets
$229.0M
Grants
636
Total Given
$109.7M
Randolph Foundation for Higher
Lubbock, TX
Assets
$40.7M
Grants
3
Total Given
$2.2M
Ch Foundation Inc
Lubbock, TX
CH Foundation Inc funds exempt organizations working in agriculture and ranching, community development, arts and culture, education, health, human services, research, and youth services that benefit Lubbock and the South Plains of Texas. Its 2024 grants ranged from $3,995 to $1,326,510, with a median of $40,000. It accepts applications through its online system; requests are due by May 1 each year.
Assets
$175.3M
Grants
91
Total Given
$9.8M
The Collier Foundation
Lubbock, TX
The Collier Foundation funds religious and educational organizations and groups serving children and people in need, primarily in Texas, with some grants in New Mexico and Oklahoma. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $127,197, with a median of $8,850. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$306K
HDS Foundation
Lubbock, TX
The HDS Foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations across varied charitable fields, with most of its 2024 grant dollars going to Texas and additional grants reaching several other states. Its 114 grants ranged from $500 to $70,000, with a median of $5,000; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10.4M
Grants
114
Total Given
$902K
Fairwyn Fund
Carol Stream, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$156K
Dreamspring
Albuquerque, NM
DreamSpring primarily provides loans, training, and business support to underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses, rather than grants; recent filings report no grants, though a 2020 grant of $15,000 is recorded. It serves entrepreneurs in 27 states, and no typical grant size or process for unsolicited grant requests is stated.
Assets
$66.4M
Grants
356
Total Given
$4.8M
Santa Fe Community Foundation
Santa Fe, NM
The Santa Fe Community Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in health, education, economic opportunity, the environment, arts and culture, and other community priorities; its main focus is Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Santa Fe counties, though some funds support work statewide. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,250 to $1,517,500, with a median of $16,006. It accepts proposals through competitive grant cycles and fund-specific opportunities; no grants were open at the time described.
Assets
$144.1M
Grants
302
Total Given
$12.4M
More Funders in New Mexico
Petri Dish Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?