The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc
THE JOSEPH H & ELLEN B THOMAS is a private foundation based in Pepper Pike, Ohio. It made 63 grants totaling $225,505 in 2024, with listed grant purposes including community health and educational purposes. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 65 grants totaling $308,558.
The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc gave $309K across 65 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Ohio. 11% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $308,558
- +36.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 65
- +3.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,747
- +32.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $400
- Total assets
- $3,480,763
- +0.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (7 of 61, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Any form of application is acceptable; the filing lists no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- Not applicable.
- Deadline
- Not applicable.
- Contact
Application contact: Joseph H Thomas
Mailing address: 50 Glenbrooke Chase, Pepper Pike, OH 44124
Phone: (216) 292-5971
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cleveland Clinic ($95K). Together the top 10 received $256K.
Organizations only. It also paid 4 grants to individuals ($12,450), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
287 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 283 grants of 287 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Ohio recipients accounted for 94% of grant dollars. The filing also lists shares for Massachusetts (2%), the District of Columbia (1%), Maryland (1%), and Virginia (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 65 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 61 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $275 repeat.
- 82% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 62% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 116% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $191K (2022) to $309K (2025). In 2025 it made 65 grants totaling $309K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH | Support for health care, medical research, and patient assistance programs. | $94,900 |
| Cleveland Institute of Music Cleveland, OH | Support for Music Education, Training, and Arts Programs. | $59,500 |
| Denison University Granville, OH | Support for higher education, academic programs, and student resources. | $25,000 |
| University Circle Cleveland, OH | Support for community development, cultural institutions, and educational programs. | $25,000 |
| United Way Cleveland, OH | Support for community health, education, and financial stability programs. | $10,500 |
| 3 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $12,350 |
| Nationwide Hospital Columbus, OH | Support for pediatric health care, medical research, and patient assistance programs. | $10,000 |
| University Hospitals Cleveland, OH | Support for health care, medical research, and patient assistance programs. | $10,000 |
| Yellowill Fund Columbus, OH | Support for Charitable Grantmaking and Community Benefit Programs. | $10,000 |
| Playhouse Square Cleveland, OH | Support for performing arts, arts education, and community cultural programs. | $6,000 |
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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 | $3,480,763 | $326,744 | $316,508 | $308,558 | 65 | $314,571 | $324,806 | $270,239 |
| 2024 | $3,471,950 | $247,580 | $234,105 | $225,505 | 63 | $225,505 | $238,980 | $260,748 |
| 2023 | $3,440,322 | $357,701 | $240,380 | $232,180 | 60 | $232,180 | $349,501 | $233,377 |
| 2022 | $2,976,340 | $636,910 | $198,975 | $190,775 | 49 | $190,775 | $430,356 | $237,896 |
| 2021 | $3,023,865 | $657,952 | $241,242 | $233,760 | 50 | $233,760 | $456,591 | $232,785 |
| 2020 | $2,722,551 | $-82,381 | $207,535 | $200,355 | 55 | — | $153,527 | $178,352 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $270K for 2025 — 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 2024 grants included support for community health and educational purposes. Among its grantees, the Cleveland Institute of Music describes its mission as empowering talented classical music students to fulfill their potential. The Cleveland Museum of Art says it serves as both a comprehensive art museum and a civic and cultural institution in Northeast Ohio. University Circle Incorporated describes the district as home to arts, educational, and medical institutions and public spaces.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 63 grants totaling $225,505. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $50,000, with a median grant of $400. The largest listed awards were $50,000 to University Circle for community health, $44,905 to Cleveland Clinic for community health, $25,950 to Children’s Guild for community health, and $25,000 to Denison University for educational purposes. Other listed grants included $10,000 each to an individual recipient for educational purposes and United Way for community health. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 65 grants totaling $308,558.
The foundation stated that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Any form of application is acceptable, and restrictions on awards are listed as not applicable.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Joseph H and Ellen B Thomas, Virginia H Wylder, and Elizabeth H Leathery as trustees.
The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth H. Leathery
Officer
Trustee → Officer, 2025
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Joseph H. And Ellen B. Thomas
Officer
Trustees → Officer, 2025
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Virginia H. Wylder
Officer
Trustee → Officer, 2025
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc
How much does The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc give each year?
The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc gave $309K across 65 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $226K across 63 grants.
What is The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $400, and its average grant was $4,747, across 65 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc that year got $3K on average.
Where does The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc give grants?
The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc gives mostly in Ohio: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (28 grants), Chagrin Falls, OH (4 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants) and Columbus, OH (3 grants).
Does The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 65 grants with a stated purpose on The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Cleveland Clinic ($94,900), Cleveland Institute of Music ($59,500) and Denison University ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 4 grants to individuals ($12,450), which are not listed by name. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc?
The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc reported $3.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $315K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $270K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for community health and educational purposes. Among its grantees, the Cleveland Institute of Music describes its mission as empowering talented classical music students to fulfill their potential. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc?
Any form of application is acceptable; the filing lists no restrictions on awards. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1615922. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 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 2025 (received by the IRS September 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-joseph-h-and-ellen-b-thomas-foundation-inc-morg_76274bac562a4a3eb507ccaf1cfe04f8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_341615922_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Joseph H \& Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-joseph-h-and-ellen-b-thomas-foundation-inc-morg_76274bac562a4a3eb507ccaf1cfe04f8},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-02. 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 Joseph H & Ellen B Thomas Foundation Inc'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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