The Thoracic Surgery Foundation
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) is a Chicago-based public charity that supports cardiothoracic surgery through research, education, innovation, and humanitarian outreach. Its programs include research awards, surgical training and educational opportunities, and funding for outreach in underserved areas.
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation at a glance
In short: The Thoracic Surgery Foundation gave $437K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $36K), top state North Carolina. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $437,200
- -33.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $36,433
- -44.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $11,401,896
- +14.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (3 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (16% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 633 N St Clair Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 202-5815
Website: https://thoracicsurgeryfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
24 open opportunities from The Thoracic Surgery Foundation
ACS Alley-Sheridan Scholarship
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Advanced Robotic Cardiac Surgery Fellowship Grant
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation
Amount
US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Betsy & Ryan Colwell Mentorship Scholarships for Women in Thoracic Surgery Grant
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation
Amount
Up to US $2,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Thoracic Surgery Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Duke University ($70K). Together the top 10 received $387K.
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 29 grants of 39 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing’s grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares were North Carolina and Texas at 16% each, followed by California at 11%, New Mexico at 9%, and Indiana at 8%. The foundation’s website describes humanitarian outreach awards as supporting work in underserved areas around the world.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Thoracic Surgery Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 12 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $39K. How we count
Medians: $35K first-time, $35K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $140K (2021) to $653K (2023). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $437K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Duke University Charlotte, NC | Every Heart Beat Matters | $70,000 |
| Peruvian American Medical Society Albuquerque, NM | Every Heart Beat Matters | $37,200 |
| Divine Will Foundation Encinitas, CA | Every Heart Beat Matters | $35,000 |
| James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association Inc Indianapolis, IN | Every Heart Beat Matters | $35,000 |
| Regents of the University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN | Every Heart Beat Matters | $35,000 |
| The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | Every Heart Beat Matters | $35,000 |
| University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | Every Heart Beat Matters | $35,000 |
| University of Washington Chicago, IL | Every Heart Beat Matters | $35,000 |
| UPMC Pinnacle Foundation Harrisburg, PA | Every Heart Beat Matters | $35,000 |
| Voom Foundation College Station, TX | Every Heart Beat Matters | $35,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that STS maintains its books and records and performs related managerial and administrative functions for compensation.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,401,896 | $3,052,190 | $1,992,015 | $437,200 | 12 | $237,331 |
| 2023 | $9,926,161 | $2,905,516 | $3,305,471 | $653,300 | 10 | $172,461 |
| 2022 | $8,089,405 | $2,542,826 | $1,621,236 | $245,000 | 7 | $-44,165 |
| 2021 | $7,716,279 | $3,432,295 | $1,131,926 | $140,000 | 3 | $457,718 |
| 2020 | $5,251,287 | $1,400,211 | $1,108,220 | $257,000 | 7 | $52,285 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
TSF states that its mission is to advance heart and lung health for all. Its granting pillars are research, education, innovation, and humanitarian outreach. Its programs include research awards for clinical, applied, and data-focused work; short-term traveling fellowships for surgeons; innovation awards; conference scholarships; and support for surgical outreach and training in underserved areas.
The foundation’s 2024 filing describes research awards, surgical outreach and educational awards, and other programs including awards recognizing women in cardiothoracic surgery, leadership scholarships, and a lecture award. The outreach and educational awards described in that filing include support for international surgical teams and volunteers, as well as conference scholarships for people from under-resourced institutions who treat underserved patients.
Among the 2024 grantees, the Peruvian American Medical Society describes its mission as improving medical education and cultural relations between Peru and the United States, and supporting programs to improve health and quality of life. The UPMC Pinnacle Foundation says it supports community benefit and education programs, hospital needs, and resources to improve access and care. Divine Will Foundation says it supports charitable programs in India providing free healthcare and education. James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association says it raises funds for Riley Hospital for Children’s care and research. William Novick Global Cardiac Alliance describes its mission as providing life-saving care for children born with heart disease, guided by collaboration, education, innovation, and sustainability.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, TSF reported 12 grants totaling $437,200. Grant amounts ranged from $15,000 to $70,000, with a median of $35,000. All 12 itemized grants listed “EVERY HEART BEAT MATTERS” as their purpose. The largest grants were $70,000 to Duke University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and $37,200 to the Peruvian American Medical Society in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ten other grants ranged from $15,000 to $35,000.
The foundation’s website describes research awards as supporting cardiothoracic surgeons’ research, education awards as providing short-term fellowships to learn surgical techniques, and humanitarian outreach awards as funding surgical trips and training in underserved areas. Its 2024 filing says research applications are evaluated and scored by three research committee reviewers specializing in thoracic surgery. The filing describes application materials including the applicant’s and mentor’s CVs, a research description, a photo, and three recommendation letters from institutional leaders or sponsors. Research funds are restricted to direct project expenses; the website excludes indirect expenses and fringe benefits. For multi-year research awards, the filing says subsequent payments follow submission of a valid progress report.
The TSF Research Award is described as providing up to $85,000 per year for up to two years to early-career cardiothoracic surgeons; its webpage says it is currently closed. The program listings also describe a Resident Research Fellowship of up to $60,000 per year for two years and a Nina Starr Braunwald Research Fellowship of up to $55,000 per year for two years. Those listings specify 80% protected research time for the trainee fellowships.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Joseph A. Dearani as president, Virginia R. Litle as vice president, Anthony L. Estrera as treasurer, and Juan A. Crestanello as secretary. Directors listed include Carolyn A. Dubeau, Edward P. Chen, Elaine E. Tseng, Emily A. Farkas, Gorav Ailawadi, and Jennifer C. Romano. The filing notes that Farkas and Romano began serving as directors on January 26, 2024.
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation is led by Lee A Wiensch, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2022); none of the 18 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lee A Wiensch
Executive Director
Executive Director - → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$27K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Joseph A Dearani
President
Director → Vice President -, 2021
Vice President - → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott A LeMaire
Director
Secretary - → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas E MacGillivray
Director -
Director → Director -, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vinod H Thourani
Director -
Director → Director -, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward P Chen
Director
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melanie A Edwards
Director
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom C Nguyen
Director
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meena Nathan
Director
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn A Dubeau
Director
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elaine E Tseng
Director
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gorav Ailawadi
Director
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen M Kim
Director
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily A Farkas
Director - Started
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer C Romano
Director - Started
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony L Estrera
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Virginia R Litle
Vice President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juan A Crestanello
Secetary
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Secetary, 2024
On filings since 2021
12 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Jennifer S. Lawton MD (2020–2023) — Director -
- Former: Joseph E. Bavaria MD (2020–2023) — Director -
- Former: Lauren C. Kane MD (2020–2022) — Director -
- Former: Priscilla Kennedy (2020–2022) — Executive Director -
- Former: Sean C. Grondin MD (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Joseph F. Sabik III MD (2020–2021) — Director -
- Former: Keith S. Naunheim MD (2020–2021) — Vice President -
- Former: Shanda H. Blackmon MD (2020–2021) — Secretary -
- Former: Douglas Wood MD (2020) — Director
- Former: Robert Higgins MD (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 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $156K, to Lee Wiensch (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Thoracic Surgery Foundation
How much does The Thoracic Surgery Foundation give each year?
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation gave $437K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $653K across 10 grants.
What is The Thoracic Surgery Foundation's typical grant size?
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $35,000, and its average grant was $36,433, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Thoracic Surgery Foundation that year got $28K on average.
Where does The Thoracic Surgery Foundation give grants?
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation's top state is North Carolina, with 16% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Texas (16%) and California (11%).
Does The Thoracic Surgery Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on The Thoracic Surgery Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Every Heart Beat Matters" (12 grants).
Who are The Thoracic Surgery Foundation's largest grantees?
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Duke University ($70,000), Peruvian American Medical Society ($37,200) and Divine Will Foundation ($35,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Thoracic Surgery Foundation?
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation reported $11.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.1M.
What does The Thoracic Surgery Foundation fund?
TSF states that its mission is to advance heart and lung health for all. Its granting pillars are research, education, innovation, and humanitarian outreach. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Thoracic Surgery Foundation?
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check thoracicsurgeryfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Thoracic Surgery Foundation's EIN?
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3635910. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Thoracic Surgery Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-thoracic-surgery-foundation-morg_6b8194f79c644548a02d23793adbeade
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363635910_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Thoracic Surgery Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-thoracic-surgery-foundation-morg_6b8194f79c644548a02d23793adbeade},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Thoracic Surgery 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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