The Burdick-Thorne Foundation
The Burdick-Thorne Foundation is a private foundation based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Its 2024 grants supported organizations working in areas including the arts, education, health care, and human services.
The Burdick-Thorne Foundation at a glance
In short: The Burdick-Thorne Foundation gave $499K across 73 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Michigan. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $498,500
- +13.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 73
- +14.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,829
- -0.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $9,188,469
- +1.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (10 of 60, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (99% 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 The Burdick-Thorne 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: 136 East Michigan Avenue Suite 1201, Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3936
Phone: (269) 382-5800
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Burdick-Thorne Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra ($82K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $303K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($7,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
336 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 329 grants of 336 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan and 1% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 73 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Burdick-Thorne Foundation open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 60 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 82% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $407K (2020) to $532K (2021). In 2024 it made 73 grants totaling $499K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Kalamazoo, MI | Youth Concerts | $50,000 |
| Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Kalamazoo, MI | Community Engagement and Deia Programs | $25,000 |
| Milestone Senior Services Kalamazoo, MI | New Home, New Hope Campaign | $25,000 |
| WMU Foundation Kalamazoo, MI | Music Outreach Program | $25,000 |
| Kalamazoo Cultural Center Kalamazoo, MI | Anchoring the Arts Campaign for the Epic Center | $20,000 |
| Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition Kalamazoo, MI | Inspire Access to Arts & Innovation Capital Campaign | $20,000 |
| WMU Foundation Kalamazoo, MI | Burdick-Thorne Medallion Scholarship Program | $16,000 |
| Bronson Health Foundation Kalamazoo, MI | Urgent Care Center | $15,000 |
| WMU Foundation Kalamazoo, MI | Miller Auditorium Ada Restroom for Performers | $15,000 |
| Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo Kalamazoo, MI | Operating Support | $11,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Burdick-Thorne 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 | $9,188,469 | $770,920 | $635,550 | $498,500 | 73 | $596,396 | $739,440 | $602,546 |
| 2023 | $9,053,099 | $442,877 | $556,497 | $440,500 | 64 | $528,113 | $411,146 | $550,744 |
| 2022 | $9,166,719 | $299,655 | $637,027 | $494,000 | 66 | $587,410 | $270,186 | $569,926 |
| 2021 | $9,504,091 | $1,091,457 | $676,534 | $532,000 | 68 | $632,296 | $1,056,346 | $622,813 |
| 2020 | $9,089,168 | $439,340 | $522,254 | $406,500 | 65 | — | $403,370 | $527,293 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Burdick-Thorne Foundation reported a distributable amount of $603K 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 mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for arts and cultural organizations, educational programs and scholarships, health care, and social services. The organizations’ own descriptions illustrate this range: the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra says its mission is to serve the community through musical listening and learning experiences; the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo says it supports, promotes, and funds the arts in Kalamazoo County; and Family & Children Services says it strengthens the safety and well-being of children, individuals, and families through human services.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 73 grants totaling $498,500. Awards ranged from $500 to $50,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Among the largest grants were $50,000 and $25,000 to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, $25,000 each to Milestone Senior Services and the WMU Foundation, and $20,000 each to the Kalamazoo Cultural Center and Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition. Grant purposes included youth concerts, a senior services campaign, a music outreach program, and arts-related capital campaigns.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James C. Melvin as president and trustee; Loyal A. Eldridge III as vice president, secretary, and trustee; Betsy V. Thorne and Andrea M. Thorne as trustees; and Bradley E. Weller as vice president, treasurer, and trustee.
The Burdick-Thorne Foundation is led by James C. Melvin, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James C. Melvin
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea M. Thorne
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Betsy V. Thorne
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bradley E. Weller
Vice President, Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Loyal A. Eldridge III
Vice President, Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Burdick-Thorne Foundation
How much does The Burdick-Thorne Foundation give each year?
The Burdick-Thorne Foundation gave $499K across 73 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $441K across 64 grants.
What is The Burdick-Thorne Foundation's typical grant size?
The Burdick-Thorne Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,829, across 73 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Burdick-Thorne Foundation that year got $11K on average.
Where does The Burdick-Thorne Foundation give grants?
The Burdick-Thorne Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Kalamazoo, MI (60 grants), Portage, MI (5 grants) and Saugatuck, MI (2 grants).
Does The Burdick-Thorne Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 56% of The Burdick-Thorne Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (41 of 73) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Burdick-Thorne Foundation's largest grantees?
The Burdick-Thorne Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra ($82,000 across 3 grants), WMU Foundation ($68,000 across 6 grants) and Milestone Senior Services ($31,500 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($7,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Burdick-Thorne Foundation?
The Burdick-Thorne Foundation reported $9.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $596K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $603K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Burdick-Thorne Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for arts and cultural organizations, educational programs and scholarships, health care, and social services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Burdick-Thorne 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 The Burdick-Thorne Foundation's EIN?
The Burdick-Thorne Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2904527. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Burdick-Thorne 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Burdick-Thorne Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-burdick-thorne-foundation-morg_b2e418653aa94a35b167d29be08258bc
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_382904527_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Burdick-Thorne Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-burdick-thorne-foundation-morg_b2e418653aa94a35b167d29be08258bc},
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 The Burdick-Thorne 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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