Thelen Family Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Clarkston, MI EIN: 32-6456393

Thelen Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on Public, 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.

Key facts about Thelen Family Foundation

EIN: 32-6456393
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2023
Annual giving (2023): $181,850
Grants made (2023): 8
Average grant: $22,731
Median grant: $8,500
Total assets: $5,933,392
Primary geography: Michigan (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.

Who Thelen Family Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Thelen Family Foundation's 8 itemized 2023 grants were Michigan (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (3 grants). None of its 8 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.

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.

Next steps with Thelen Family Foundation

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Financial Overview

From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$5.9M

-0.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$182K

-23.0% YoY

Grant Count

-50.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$23K

+54.0% YoY

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.

About Thelen Family Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Public, Societal Benefit

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Michigan $182K (100%)

Share of all 8 itemized 2023 grant dollars.

States

Colorado Iowa Illinois Maryland Michigan Ohio Washington

Cities

DetroitAnn ArborCoopersvilleDexterPontiacBloomfield HillsHollyPortlandSeattleChicagoClarkstonClevelandClioColombusEast LansingEcorseGeneseeHarlanLansingOak Park

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2023	2022	2021
Total Assets	$5,933,392	$5,983,973	$5,289,574
Revenue	—	$1,168,122	$2,641,699
Expenses	$234,632	$264,995	$83,197
Qualifying Distributions	$225,150	$246,120	$83,058
Net Investment Income	$214,797	$635,322	$1,301,128
Distributable Amount	$270,082	$248,651	$224,290

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 8 recipients in 2023

Grant Size Distribution

46 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest recipients include Loyola High School ($86,400), Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency ($51,000), Dominican Sisters of Mary ($20,000).

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

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.

From 2023 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Kathleen Thelen	Trustee	2	—
Daniel Thelen	Trustee	5	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Public, Societal Benefit

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thelen Family Foundation?

Thelen Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on Public, Societal Benefit, based in Clarkston, MI. It holds $5.9M in total assets as of 2023.

How large is Thelen Family Foundation?

As of 2023, Thelen Family Foundation holds $5.9M in total assets. It awarded 8 grants totaling $182K in 2023.

Where does Thelen Family Foundation operate?

Thelen Family Foundation has awarded grants in Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Washington.

What size grants does Thelen Family Foundation award?

In 2023, Thelen Family Foundation awarded 8 grants totaling $182K — an average of about $23K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Thelen Family Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Thelen Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $270K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.