The Thursday Club San Diego California
The Thursday Club San Diego California is a public charity based in San Diego, California. It supports charitable activity in the San Diego community through fundraising and grants, including proceeds from its annual rummage sale. The club says half of the sale proceeds benefit Balboa Park programs and projects, with the other half supporting San Diego community nonprofits.
Key facts about The Thursday Club San Diego California
In short: The Thursday Club San Diego California gave $206K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 95-1298035
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $205,812
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- Average grant
- $14,701
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $1,423,895
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Deadline
- The website listed July 15, 2026, as the deadline for the 2026–2027 application.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$1.4M
+11.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$206K
+296.0% YoY
Grant Count
14
+1300.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
-71.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to promote educational, cultural, social, moral, and civic activities to make the San Diego community a better place for all. Its website says grant beneficiaries have included organizations working in science, technology and medicine; education and sports; and parks and wildlife.
The 2025 grants illustrate support for a range of local organizations. For example, the Emilio Nares Foundation says it supports families navigating a child’s cancer or other life-threatening disease; Cesar Chavez Service Clubs says it provides K–12 leadership opportunities; and Coastal Roots Farm says it cultivates connected communities through sustainable agriculture and food justice. Support the Enlisted Project describes its work as helping enlisted service members, veterans, and families facing financial crisis, while Autism Tree Project describes its work as education, advocacy, and mentoring for families impacted by autism.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the club reported 14 grants totaling $205,812. Grant amounts ranged from $6,305 to $30,000, with a median of $15,000. The largest listed grants were $30,000 to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and $20,000 to Emilio Nares Foundation. Other listed awards included $15,000 each to Promises2Kids Foundation, New Beginnings Fund for Unhoused Youth, Autism Tree, Coastal Roots Farm, Support Enlisted Project, and Cesar Chavez Service Clubs.
The club’s website provides grant application guidelines. The 2025–2026 guidelines require a signed and dated application, supporting documentation, and proof that an applicant has been based in San Diego and held federal 501(c)(3) and California 23701d charitable status for at least two years. Approved applicants are encouraged to volunteer in support of the club’s fundraising efforts. Grants must benefit people in San Diego County, be spent only for the stated application purpose, and be reported with a balance sheet, income statement, and supporting documentation. The guidelines exclude general operating expenses, salaries and benefits, capital campaigns and construction, real estate acquisition, endowments, investment accounts, existing obligations, deficits, debts, leases, and reimbursements. Applicants funded in grant year 2024–2025 must wait two calendar years to reapply.
Review Cycle
The website listed July 15, 2026, as the deadline for the 2026–2027 application. This deadline has passed.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website’s guidelines require funded grants to be used within San Diego County to benefit its residents. All 2025 grant dollars were reported as going to California recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2023) to $206K (2025). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $206K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance ($30K). Together the top 10 received $168K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 16 (94%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance San Diego, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| Emilio Nares Foundation San Diego, CA | General Support | $20,000 |
| PROMISES2KIDS Foundation San Diego, CA | General Support | $15,000 |
| New Beginnings Fund for Unhoused Youth San Diego, CA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Autism Tree La Jolla, CA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Coastal Roots Farm Encinitas, CA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Support Enlisted Project San Diego, CA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Cesar Chavez Service Clubs San Diego, CA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Episcopal Community Services National City, CA | General Support | $14,500 |
| Mingei San Diego, CA | General Support | $13,258 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,423,895 | $413,550 | $270,526 | $205,812 |
| 2024 | $1,274,412 | $239,276 | $117,780 | $51,976 |
| 2023 | $1,201,285 | $232,737 | $105,032 | $30,000 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,423,895 | $1,274,412 | $1,201,285 |
| Revenue | $413,550 | $239,276 | $232,737 |
| Expenses | $270,526 | $117,780 | $105,032 |
| Net Investment Income | $19,858 | $3,149 | $480 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 23, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Marisa Fink as president; Janelle Helms as first vice president of programs; Merrilee Neal as second vice president of strategy and operations; Marilyn Foster as third vice president of philanthropy; Pam Volker as fourth vice president of membership; and Gayle Ganster as secretary. It also lists Rimah Khouri-Velez as director of service projects, Dawn Leahy as director of house, Lisa Viera as director of departments, and Katy Sanders as director of communications.
The Thursday Club San Diego California is led by Marisa Fink, President on the 2025 filing; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Marisa Fink
President
New on the 2025 filing
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Leahy
Director of House
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katy Sanders
Director of Communications
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Viera
Director of Departments
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rimah Khouri-Velez
Director of Service Projec
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris A. Erickson
Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$131K (2025)
Merrilee Neal
2nd Vice President - Strategy & Operations
Director of Departments → 1st Vice President - Programs, 2023
1st Vice President - Programs → 2nd Vice President - Strategy & Operations, 2025
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gayle Ganster
Secretary
Director of Departments → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn Foster
3rd Vice President - Philanthropy
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angela Steinberg
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janelle Helms
1st Vice President - Programs
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Volker
4th Vice President - Membership
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (32)
- Former: Anne Rauch (2021–2024) — Director of Communications
- Former: Carole Ledford (2022–2024) — President
- Former: Jill Sacket (2023–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Mari Fink (2023–2024) — 2nd Vice President - Rentals
- Former: Jeanne Smith (2024) — Director of House
- Former: Jody Hawkins (2024) — 1st Vice President - Programs
- Former: Julie Schrady (2024) — 4th Vice President - Membership
- Former: Megan Rebelo (2024) — Director of Departments
- Former: Wendy Ledford (2024) — Director of Service Projects
- Former: Beverly Klose (2023) — Secretary
- Former: Debra Heramb (2023) — President
- Former: Elizabeth Copley (2023) — Director of Service Projec
- Former: Joan Hiser (2023) — Director of House
- Former: Sandy Valone (2023) — 4th Vice President - Membership
- Former: Tracy Case (2023) — Director of Communications
- Former: Deby Heramb (2021–2022) — Director of Service Projec
- Former: Ruthie Churchill (2021–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Elizebeth Poe (2022) — Secretary
- Former: Elvira Gibbings (2022) — President
- Former: Kathy Hurder-Lauderbach (2022) — Director of House
- Former: Margaret Boyes (2022) — 1st Vice President - Programs
- Former: Megan Leer (2022) — Director of Communications
- Former: Patrish Butler (2022) — 2nd Vice President - Rentals
- Former: Peggy Sbardellati (2022) — 4th Vice President - Membership
- Former: Anne Tadder (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Gail Finkenberg (2021) — Director of Departments
- Former: Jan Darcy (2021) — 4th Vice President - Membership
- Former: Janet McKeown (2021) — 2nd Vice President - Rentals
- Former: Lynne Doyle (2021) — Director of House
- Former: Sharon Dick (2021) — 3rd Vice President - Philanthropy
- Former: Shelley Benoit (2021) — President
- Former: Tiffany La Marche (2021) — 1st Vice President - Programs
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $131K, to Chris a Erickson (Manager).
Contact
Mailing address: 1224 Santa Barbara Street, San Diego, CA 92107
Phone: (619) 208-1476
Website: https://thethursdayclub.org
Frequently asked questions about The Thursday Club San Diego California
How much does The Thursday Club San Diego California give each year?
The Thursday Club San Diego California gave $206K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $52K across 1 grant.
What is The Thursday Club San Diego California's typical grant size?
The Thursday Club San Diego California's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $14,701, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Thursday Club San Diego California give grants?
The Thursday Club San Diego California gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (11 grants).
Does The Thursday Club San Diego California give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Thursday Club San Diego California's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Thursday Club San Diego California's largest grantees?
The Thursday Club San Diego California's largest 2025 grantees include San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance ($30,000), Emilio Nares Foundation ($20,000) and PROMISES2KIDS Foundation ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Thursday Club San Diego California?
The Thursday Club San Diego California reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $414K.
What does The Thursday Club San Diego California fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to promote educational, cultural, social, moral, and civic activities to make the San Diego community a better place for all. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Thursday Club San Diego California?
The Thursday Club San Diego California has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check thethursdayclub.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Thursday Club San Diego California's EIN?
The Thursday Club San Diego California's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-1298035. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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