Thagard Foundation
The Thagard Foundation is a private foundation based in Fontana, California. Its 2026 filing reports grants to charitable organizations in California, Texas, Arizona, and Indiana, including organizations working in health care, education, human services, animal welfare, and the arts.
Thagard Foundation at a glance
In short: Thagard Foundation gave $312K across 33 grants in 2026 (avg $9K), mostly in California. 16% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $312,000
- +20.9% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 33
- +3.1% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $9,455
- +17.3% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $3,562,154
- -3.5% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (5 of 32, 2026)
- Primary geography
- California (61% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Thagard Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 13733 Valley Blvd, Fontana, CA 92335
Phone: (714) 742-5401
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Thagard Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Shriners Hospital for Children ($38K). Together the top 10 received $171K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
165 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 165 grants of 165 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2026, California organizations received 61% of grant dollars, Texas organizations 32%, Arizona organizations 4%, and Indiana organizations 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Thagard Foundation open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 5 of 32 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 78% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving grew 46% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 117% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2026). 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $195K (2021) to $312K (2026). In 2026 it made 33 grants totaling $312K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shriners Hospital for Children Pasadena, CA | Provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. | $38,000 |
| Trinity School of Midland Midland, TX | To provide support to fullfil the organization's missision - provides a nuturing enviroment to enrich the mind, strenthen the body, enliven the soul, and inspire servant leadership. | $25,000 |
| Permian Basin Area Foundation-Clare Tompson Ellis Memorial Midland, TX | Provides this foundation the opportunity to sustain the vitality of West Texas communities through grants to non-profit organizations. | $20,000 |
| Kitten Clutter Rescue Laguna Niguel, CA | Help save the lives of cats in the California shelter system. We specialize in neonatal orphaned kittens. | $19,500 |
| Breaking Bread Ministries of Midland TX Midland, TX | Provide sleeping bags, coats, and nourishing meals every evening for the needy. | $14,000 |
| Menlo College Office of Advancement Atherton, CA | To support a top-ranked education and the personalized learning at the college. | $12,000 |
| Scottsdale Christian Academy Phonenix, AZ | To provide support for this k-12, private, non-denominational christian school. | $12,000 |
| YMCA of Midland Midland, TX | Provides financial assistance, scholarship support and childcare for needy families. | $10,000 |
| Garry Marshall Theatre Burbank, CA | Provides performing arts, theatre and arts education activities for the community. | $10,000 |
| Trabuco Presbyterian Church Trabuco Canyon, CA | Providing opportunities for children, students, and families to grow in faith, in community, and in service | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Thagard 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $3,562,154 | $278,515 | $407,251 | $312,000 | 33 | $372,690 | $253,087 | $319,719 |
| 2025 | $3,690,890 | $467,301 | $342,873 | $258,000 | 32 | $316,697 | $444,075 | $293,259 |
| 2024 | $3,566,462 | $262,354 | $307,295 | $222,000 | 33 | $280,786 | $239,584 | $266,844 |
| 2023 | $3,611,403 | $294,754 | $283,471 | $213,000 | 36 | $263,046 | $276,191 | $255,954 |
| 2022 | $3,600,120 | $307,916 | $278,211 | $195,000 | 31 | $249,947 | $289,364 | $274,971 |
| 2021 | $3,570,415 | $472,397 | $271,144 | $195,000 | 37 | — | $454,471 | $226,107 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thagard Foundation reported a distributable amount of $320K for 2026 — 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 separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations whose work spans several fields. For example, Shriners Hospital for Children describes its work as providing advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. The grantee Culver Educational Foundation says its mission is to educate students for leadership and responsible citizenship by nurturing the whole individual.
Other 2026 grantees describe work that includes supporting pregnant women and women with newborns (Casa Teresa), preserving local history and culture (Balboa Island Museum), and providing education, counseling, and intervention for people and families facing substance abuse, behavioral, and mental health challenges (California Youth Services).
Grantmaking
In 2026, the foundation reported 33 grants totaling $312,000. Individual grants ranged from $1,000 to $38,000, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest were $38,000 to Shriners Hospital for Children, $25,000 to Trinity School of Midland, $20,000 to Permian Basin Area Foundation-Clare Tompson Ellis Memorial, and $19,500 to Kitten Clutter Rescue. Other recipients included Breaking Bread Ministries of Midland ($14,000), Menlo College Office of Advancement ($12,000), and Scottsdale Christian Academy ($12,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists the following trustees: William N Ratkovic, Raymond G Thagard Jr, Belle L Ellis, John C Bagwell, George F Thagard III, Glen J Ellis Jr, Kirk A Vanmatre, V William Osier, and Bruce Robinson.
Thagard Foundation's 2026 filing lists 9 officers; all 9 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Belle L. Ellis
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $5K (2026)
George F. Thagard III
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $5K (2026)
Glen J. Ellis Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $5K (2026)
John C. Bagwell
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $5K (2026)
Kirk A. Vanmatre
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $5K (2026)
Raymond G. Thagard Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2021
3.3 hrs/week
$17K (2021) → $17K (2026)
V. William Osier
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $5K (2026)
William N. Ratkovic
Trustee
On filings since 2021
3.3 hrs/week
$17K (2021) → $17K (2026)
Bruce Robinson
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
$5K (2024) → $5K (2026)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Richard L. O'Connor (2021–2022) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $17K, to William N Ratkovic (Trustee). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Thagard Foundation
How much does Thagard Foundation give each year?
Thagard Foundation gave $312K across 33 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $258K across 32 grants.
What is Thagard Foundation's typical grant size?
Thagard Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $10,000, and its average grant was $9,455, across 33 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Thagard Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does Thagard Foundation give grants?
Thagard Foundation gives mostly in California: 61% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Texas (32%). The most frequent recipient cities were Midland, TX (6 grants), Orange, CA (3 grants), Santa Ana, CA (2 grants) and Costa Mesa, CA (2 grants).
Does Thagard Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 33 grants with a stated purpose on Thagard Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Thagard Foundation's largest grantees?
Thagard Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Shriners Hospital for Children ($38,000), Trinity School of Midland ($25,000) and Permian Basin Area Foundation-Clare Tompson Ellis Memorial ($20,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Thagard Foundation?
Thagard Foundation reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $373K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $320K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Thagard Foundation fund?
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations whose work spans several fields. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Thagard Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Thagard Foundation's EIN?
Thagard Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6225425. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Does Thagard Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS July 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Thagard Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Thagard Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/thagard-foundation-morg_2c420b9187f44af28ae8c7817e53c13e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_956225425_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Thagard Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/thagard-foundation-morg_2c420b9187f44af28ae8c7817e53c13e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Thagard 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.
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