Theobald Foundation
Theobald Foundation is a private foundation based in Garden City, New York. Its 2023 filing is marked as a final return, and the foundation stated that its officers decided its charitable intent would be better served by distributing its assets to the Bessemer Gift Fund, an organization exempt under section 501(c)(3). The foundation therefore appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
Theobald Foundation at a glance
In short: Theobald Foundation gave $5.6M across 50 grants in 2023 (avg $112K), top state New Jersey. 22% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $5,583,966
- +2843.6% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 50
- -10.7% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $111,679
- +3196.8% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $2,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (11 of 50, 2023)
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (37% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Theobald Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its 2023 filing is marked as a final return.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1225 Franklin Avenue 500, Garden City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 508-9623
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Theobald Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Big Shoulders Fund ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $5.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
239 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 228 grants of 239 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
For 2023, reported grant dollars by recipient state were New Jersey (37%), Illinois (19%), Ohio (18%), Massachusetts (16%), and Colorado (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Theobald Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 11 of 50 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $368K; repeat grants $39K. How we count
Medians: $500K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 74% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- Giving grew 2742% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2022 it paid out 71% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2023). 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $190K (2022) to $5.6M (2023). In 2023 it made 50 grants totaling $5.6M.
*2021: Covers 14 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Big Shoulders Fund Chicago, IL | Operational | $1,000,000 |
| The Summit Country Day School Cincinnati, OH | Operational | $1,000,000 |
| Deborah Good Fund Woodbridge, NJ | Operational | $552,495 |
| David Theobald Fund Woodbridge, NJ | Operational | $502,496 |
| Fiona Theobald Fund Woodbridge, NJ | Operational | $502,495 |
| Fidelity Charitable Boston, MA | Operational | $500,000 |
| Schwab Charitable Fund Lone Tree, CO | Operational | $500,000 |
| Wellesley College Wellesley, MA | Operational | $410,000 |
| Daniel Theobald Fund Woodbridge, NJ | Operational | $252,495 |
| Thomas Theobald Fund Woodbridge, NJ | Operational | $229,685 |
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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 | — | $986,996 | $5,617,675 | $5,583,966 | 50 | $5,596,057 | $980,378 | — |
| 2022 | $4,630,513 | $99,176 | $222,358 | $189,700 | 56 | $199,711 | $87,807 | $282,205 |
| 2021* | $4,753,983 | $1,073,294 | $345,530 | $318,700 | 65 | $28,100 | $796,496 | $536,166 |
| 2020 | $4,253,004 | $199,891 | $222,628 | $196,500 | 68 | — | $191,601 | $261,515 |
*2021: Covers 14 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for education and community services. Big Shoulders Fund describes its work as supporting underserved schools that provide a quality, values-based education for children in Chicago. Wellesley College says it provides a liberal arts education for women, while Northwestern University describes a commitment to teaching, research, and student growth. Arlington Food Assistance Center says it provides free groceries to qualified families in Arlington, Virginia, and surrounding counties.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported 50 grants totaling $5,583,966. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $1,000,000, with a median of $2,500. The largest reported grants included $1,000,000 each to Big Shoulders Fund and The Summit Country Day School; $552,495 to Deborah Good Fund; $502,496 to David Theobald Fund; and $502,495 to Fiona Theobald Fund. These grants were listed as operational.
Other reported 2023 grants included $500,000 each to Fidelity Charitable and Schwab Charitable Fund, $410,000 to Wellesley College, $252,495 to Daniel Theobald Fund, and $229,685 to Thomas Theobald Fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Thomas C Theobald, deceased, and Stephen B Theobald as co-trustees.
Theobald Foundation is led by Stephen B. Theobald, Co-Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Stephen B. Theobald
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Thomas C. Theobald (2020–2023) — Co-Trustee · Filing note: Deceased
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 Theobald Foundation
How much does Theobald Foundation give each year?
Theobald Foundation gave $5.6M across 50 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $190K across 56 grants.
What is Theobald Foundation's typical grant size?
Theobald Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $2,500, and its average grant was $111,679, across 50 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Theobald Foundation that year got $368K on average.
Where does Theobald Foundation give grants?
Theobald Foundation's top state is New Jersey, with 37% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (19%) and Ohio (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (8 grants), Chicago, IL (7 grants), Woodbridge, NJ (5 grants) and Cincinnati, OH (3 grants).
Does Theobald Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Theobald Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (50 of 50) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Theobald Foundation's largest grantees?
Theobald Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Big Shoulders Fund ($1,000,000), The Summit Country Day School ($1,000,000) and Deborah Good Fund ($552,495), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What does Theobald Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for education and community services. Big Shoulders Fund describes its work as supporting underserved schools that provide a quality, values-based education for children in Chicago. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Theobald Foundation?
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Theobald Foundation's EIN?
Theobald Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7085378. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Does Theobald Foundation 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.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 7, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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Theobald Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?