Petri Dish Foundation
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.
Petri Dish Foundation at a glance
- Total assets
- $1,127,813
- +113.2% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $678,568
- +19.4% vs 2024
- Qualifying distributions (2025)
- $99,825
- +152.7% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $3
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Petri Dish Foundation funds
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%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $40K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TX | Support Christian Education | $25,000 |
| Mesilla Valley Christian School Las Cruces, NM | Support Christian Education | $7,000 |
| Council for Christian Colleges Washington, DC | Support Christian Education | $5,000 |
| Dallas Willard Ministries Agoura Hills, CA | Support Christian Ministries | $2,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,127,813 | $678,568 | $3 | — | — | $99,825 | $39,915 | $4,074 |
| 2024 | $529,027 | $568,527 | — | $39,500 | 4 | $39,500 | $233 | $2,554 |
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.
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.
Data update history
(3)
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
Live grants for the work Petri Dish Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Petri Dish Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Petri Dish Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?