The Thompson Foundation Inc
THE THOMPSON FOUNDATION INC is a private foundation based in Birmingham, Alabama. It supports organizations, programs, and activities intended to improve quality of life in communities served by employees of affiliated companies, with grants spanning education, social welfare, community development, and other charitable areas.
Key facts about The Thompson Foundation Inc
In short: The Thompson Foundation Inc gave $893K across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $39K), mostly in Alabama. 4% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 72-1389140
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $892,545
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- Average grant
- $38,806
- Median grant
- $27,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 4% first-time grantees (1 of 23, 2024)
- Total assets
- $9,156,614
- Primary geography
- Alabama (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.2M
-1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$893K
-18.8% YoY
Grant Count
23
-4.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
-15.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Thompson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $542K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Thompson Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
4%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 23 grantees (4%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $250; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $250 first-time, $30K repeat.
- 91% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−14%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 181% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to improve quality of life in communities served by its employees by investing in organizations, programs, and activities that strengthen the social framework, education, and sense of community. Its stated focus areas are education and STEM; environmental and cultural resources preservation; health and social welfare; civic and community development; and arts and recreation.
The foundation says its grants often support organizations employees volunteer with, and it also makes matching grants. It prioritizes STEM-related requests and supports STEM education through grants, scholarships, classroom activities, and field trips.
Examples of supported organizations include United Way Inc, which describes its mission as improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities; HUNGER INC, which says it provides groceries to families in need through contributions and volunteer efforts; RESEARCH INC, which says it promotes research and educational programs; and CHILDREN’S SERVICES INC, which says it provides shelter for children and sponsors a family day-care program.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 23 grants totaling $892,545. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $152,062, with a median of $27,000. Its largest reported grants included $152,062 to United Way, $103,000 for religion, $79,500 for children’s programs, $75,000 for hunger, and $73,250 for K–12.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its mission in terms of communities served by its employees and says its grants and scholarships reach communities across its affiliated companies’ footprint. Its 2024 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Alabama.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 23 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
116 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNITED WAY Various, AL | CHARITABLE | $152,062 |
| RELIGION Various, AL | CHARITABLE | $103,000 |
| CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS Various, AL | CHARITABLE | $79,500 |
| HUNGER Various, AL | CHARITABLE | $75,000 |
| K-12 Various, AL | CHARITABLE | $73,250 |
| CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE Various, AL | CHARITABLE | $62,000 |
| HIGHER EDUCATION Various, AL | CHARITABLE | $59,433 |
| ENVIRONMENTALPARKS Various, AL | CHARITABLE | $57,500 |
| BASIC NEEDS Various, AL | CHARITABLE | $52,000 |
| RESEARCH Various, AL | CHARITABLE | $42,700 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,156,614 | $1,054,425 | $1,151,330 | $892,545 |
| 2023 | $9,248,812 | $719,180 | $1,284,327 | $1,099,285 |
| 2022 | $9,811,081 | $1,292,972 | $1,256,284 | $1,047,103 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,156,614 | $9,248,812 | $9,811,081 |
| Revenue | $1,054,425 | $719,180 | $1,292,972 |
| Expenses | $1,151,330 | $1,284,327 | $1,256,284 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $980,884 | $1,155,146 | $1,101,113 |
| Net Investment Income | $389,083 | $77,740 | $159,212 |
| Distributable Amount | $542,484 | $495,402 | $516,843 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael D Thompson as president; Lisa Thompson-Smith as secretary/treasurer; Lucy Thompson Marsh, Jacob Marsh, Benjamin H Thompson, and Netagene R Thompson as directors; and Annie Thompson Somerville as executive director.
The Thompson Foundation Inc is led by Annie Thompson Somerville, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Annie Thompson Somerville
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$64K (2020) → $67K (2024)
Michael D. Thompson
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin H. Thompson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jacob Marsh
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lucy Thompson Marsh
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Netagene R. Thompson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Thompson-Smith
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Hall Thompson Jr. (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Patricia A. Thompson (2020–2021) — 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
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 10367, Birmingham, AL 35202-0367
Phone: (205) 848-3973
Website: https://thompsonengineering.com
Frequently asked questions about The Thompson Foundation Inc
How much does The Thompson Foundation Inc give each year?
The Thompson Foundation Inc gave $893K across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 24 grants.
What is The Thompson Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Thompson Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $27,000, and its average grant was $38,806, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Thompson Foundation Inc that year got $250 on average.
Where does The Thompson Foundation Inc give grants?
The Thompson Foundation Inc gives mostly in Alabama: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The Thompson Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on The Thompson Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (23 grants).
Who are The Thompson Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Thompson Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include United Way ($152,062), Religion ($103,000) and Children's Programs ($79,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Thompson Foundation Inc?
The Thompson Foundation Inc reported $9.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $981K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $542K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Thompson Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to improve quality of life in communities served by its employees by investing in organizations, programs, and activities that strengthen the social framework, education, and sense of community. Its stated focus areas are education and STEM; environmental and cultural resources preservation; health and social welfare; civic and community development; and arts and recreation. The foundation says its grants often support organizations employees volunteer with, a…
How do I apply for a grant from The Thompson Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Thompson Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Thompson Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-1389140. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Thompson Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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