The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation
The Thomas C. Ackerman Foundation is a private foundation based in La Mesa, California. Founded in 1991 with assets from Thomas C. Ackerman’s estate, it supports organizations in the San Diego community, with a particular interest in K–12 education, arts, music, and San Diego’s economic development.
The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation at a glance
In short: The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation gave $230K across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $230,400
- +53.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- +44.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,862
- +6.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $3,991,654
- +16.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Organizations must submit an online application and meet the foundation’s eligibility guidelines. The application must describe outcome-measurement metrics and measurable outcomes achieved to date; attendance or enrollment alone is not considered an outcome. Applicants must provide proof of current 501(c)(3) status and California charitable status, including IRS and Franchise Tax Board determination letters, identify whether they are a public charity or private foundation, submit a detailed organizational and project budget identifying other funding as committed, conditional, or potential, provide their latest Form 990, and include financial statements. The application is reviewed by the board at its next regularly scheduled meeting; review normally takes 6 to 12 weeks. The board may decline a request, invite a more extensive application, or award a grant based on the initial application. The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- August 15, 2026, for the 2026 grant cycle.
- Deadline
- August 15, 2026, for the 2026 grant cycle.
- Contact
Application contact: The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation
Mailing address: 3755 Avocado Blvd 518, La Mesa, CA 91941-7301
Phone: (619) 741-0113
Website: https://ackermanfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation
Who The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ocean Discovery Institute ($21K). Together the top 10 received $139K.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 73 grants of 79 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as serving the San Diego community. Its eligibility guidelines require an organization to have been established and operated within San Diego County for more than one year. All 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation gives
- 4% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 129% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $150K (2023) to $2.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $230K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Discovery Institute San Diego, CA | Education | $20,600 |
| Coastal Roots Farm Encinitas, CA | Cultural | $20,500 |
| ABC-Anybodycan Foundation San Diego, CA | Cultural & Education | $18,000 |
| California State University San Marcos San Marcos, CA | Education | $15,000 |
| San Diego Children's Discovery Museum Escondido, CA | Cultural | $12,500 |
| North County Education Foundation Escondido, CA | Education | $12,000 |
| Teens Rise Foundation La Jolla, CA | Cultural | $10,500 |
| Boys to Men Mentoring Network Inc Spring Valley, CA | Education | $10,000 |
| Cristo Rey San Diego High School Inc San Diego, CA | Education | $10,000 |
| Outside the Lens San Diego, CA | Education | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,991,654 | $959,635 | $405,656 | $230,400 | 26 | $230,400 | $295,402 | $178,841 |
| 2023 | $3,437,675 | $435,439 | $385,963 | $150,000 | 18 | $150,000 | — | $172,338 |
| 2022 | $3,388,199 | $-772,644 | $2,584,501 | $2,300,000 | 3 | $2,300,000 | $1,297,594 | $190,628 |
| 2021 | $6,745,344 | $1,033,458 | $401,388 | $252,000 | 10 | $252,000 | $1,035,843 | $302,246 |
| 2020 | $6,113,274 | $696,120 | $399,175 | $258,000 | 22 | — | — | $292,844 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $179K 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
The foundation says it seeks to help children reach their potential and to support organizations providing meaningful STEAM educational opportunities for youth where resources are most needed. It is especially interested in programs that prepare underserved students for educational success through K–12 and help lead to college admission and graduation. Its stated approach is to support projects that can become self-sustaining or secure other funding; it may make multi-year commitments when it considers the need compelling.
The 2024 grants included organizations whose own descriptions illustrate the range of recipients. Outside the Lens says it uses media arts to build young people’s confidence and support creative pathways and social change. The San Diego Automotive Museum describes itself as an educational and cultural institution preserving automotive arts and sciences. Teens Rise Foundation says it provides academic, athletic, and mental health resources for at-risk communities, while the North County Education Foundation says it supports charter schools offering educational alternatives in North County San Diego.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $230,400. Awards ranged from $1,500 to $20,600, with a median of $10,000. Notable grants included $20,600 to Ocean Discovery Institute for education; $20,500 to Coastal Roots Farm for cultural purposes; $18,000 to ABC-AnybodyCan Foundation for cultural and education purposes; and $15,000 to California State University San Marcos for education.
Other 2024 awards included $12,500 to San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, $12,000 to North County Education Foundation, $10,500 to Teens Rise Foundation, and $10,000 each to Boys to Men Mentoring Network, Cristo Rey San Diego High School, Outside the Lens, San Diego Automotive Museum, and South County Economic Development.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Zachary Copeland as president and director; H. Michael Collins as treasurer and CFO; Victoria Luntzel and T. Michelle Hauser as directors; and Lynne Newman Copeland as administrator.
The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation is led by Zachary Copeland, President & Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Zachary Copeland
President & Director
On filings since 2022
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
T. Michelle Hauser
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victoria Luntzel
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynne Newman Copeland
Administrator
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$36K (2020) → $96K (2024)
H. Michael Collins
Treasurer & CFO
Director → Treasurer & CFO, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Alexis Dixon (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Bryn Kathryn Kirvin (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: George Ramirez (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kenneth G. Coveney (2020–2021) — Secretary & Director
- Former: Linde L. Hotchkiss (2020–2021) — Treasurer & Director
- Former: Lori B. Thiel (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Neville Billimoria (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert G. Copeland (2020–2021) — President & Director
- Former: Saran L. Wiggins (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Christina P. Wilson (2021) — Director
- Former: Dennis Schoville (2021) — Director
- Former: Gail Naughton (2020) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $96K, to Lynne Newman Copeland (Administrator).
Frequently asked questions about The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation
How much does The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation give each year?
The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation gave $230K across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $150K across 18 grants.
What is The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation's typical grant size?
The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $8,862, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation give grants?
The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (14 grants), Encinitas, CA (2 grants), Escondido, CA (2 grants) and La Jolla, CA (2 grants).
Does The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 26 grants with a stated purpose on The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (13 grants) and "Cultural" (12 grants).
Who are The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation's largest grantees?
The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Ocean Discovery Institute ($20,600), Coastal Roots Farm ($20,500) and ABC-Anybodycan Foundation ($18,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation?
The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation reported $4.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $230K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $179K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation fund?
The foundation says it seeks to help children reach their potential and to support organizations providing meaningful STEAM educational opportunities for youth where resources are most needed. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation?
Organizations must submit an online application and meet the foundation’s eligibility guidelines. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation's EIN?
The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0477490. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 Thomas C Ackerman Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-thomas-c-ackerman-foundation-morg_c487314d7b714c9fb2e2d26876d7bd37
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_330477490_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-thomas-c-ackerman-foundation-morg_c487314d7b714c9fb2e2d26876d7bd37},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Thomas C Ackerman 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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