Thelen Family Foundation
Thelen Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on public and societal benefit, based in Clarkston, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $5.9M in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 8 grants totaling $182K. Net investment income was $215K.
Thelen Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Thelen Family Foundation gave $182K across 8 grants in 2023 (avg $23K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $181,850
- -23.0% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 8
- -50.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $22,731
- +54.0% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $8,500
- Total assets
- $5,933,392
- -0.8% vs 2022
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who Thelen Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Loyola High School ($86K). Together the top 8 received $182K.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 46 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Thelen Family Foundation gives
- Giving grew 99% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 83% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $83K (2021) to $236K (2022). In 2023 it made 8 grants totaling $182K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Loyola High School Detroit, MI | Supporting Tuition for Students | $86,400 |
| Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency Pontiac, MI | Underprivileged Families | $51,000 |
| Dominican Sisters of Mary Ann Arbor, MI | Helping Catholic Nuns Spread Minmistry | $20,000 |
| Christian FAmily Movement Dexter, MI | Help Family Ministry | $10,000 |
| Archdiocese of Detroit Detroit, MI | Parish Ministry | $7,000 |
| Lori's Voice Coopersville, MI | Children with physical disabilities | $5,000 |
| Archdioces of Detroit Detroit, MI | Parish Ministry | $1,950 |
| St Ritas Parish Holly, MI | Parish Support | $500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5,933,392 | — | $234,632 | $181,850 | 8 | $225,150 | $214,797 | $270,082 |
| 2022 | $5,983,973 | $1,168,122 | $264,995 | $236,120 | 16 | $246,120 | $635,322 | $248,651 |
| 2021 | $5,289,574 | $2,641,699 | $83,197 | $83,058 | 16 | $83,058 | $1,301,128 | $224,290 |
| 2020 | $2,656,205 | $827,453 | $91,372 | $91,300 | 6 | — | $340,682 | $102,550 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thelen Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $270K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Thelen Family Foundation's 2023 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Daniel G. Thelen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen A. Thelen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Thelen Family Foundation
How much does Thelen Family Foundation give each year?
Thelen Family Foundation gave $182K across 8 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $236K across 16 grants.
What is Thelen Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Thelen Family Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $8,500, and its average grant was $22,731, across 8 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Thelen Family Foundation give grants?
Thelen Family Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (3 grants).
Does Thelen Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Thelen Family Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Thelen Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Thelen Family Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Loyola High School ($86,400), Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency ($51,000) and Dominican Sisters of Mary ($20,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is Thelen Family Foundation?
Thelen Family Foundation reported $5.9M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $225K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $270K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Thelen Family Foundation?
Thelen Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on public and societal benefit, based in Clarkston, MI. It holds $5.9M in total assets as of 2023.
What is Thelen Family Foundation's EIN?
Thelen Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 32-6456393. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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