Think Small
Think Small is a public charity based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, focused on early care and education. It supports children’s kindergarten readiness by working with families, child care providers, educators, and policymakers.
Think Small at a glance
In short: Think Small gave $8.7M across 135 grants in 2025 (avg $65K), mostly in Minnesota. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,729,155
- -66.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 135
- -44.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $64,660
- -40.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $14,139
- Total assets
- $8,749,664
- -17.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (23 of 96, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (85% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Think Small
- Contact
Mailing address: 10 Yorkton Court, Saint Paul, MN 55117
Phone: (651) 641-0305
Website: https://thinksmall.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Think Small funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was New Horizon Child Care Inc ($2.5M). Together the top 10 received $5.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 10 individual scholarships ($181,510), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,027 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 786 grants of 1,027 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In filing year 2025, 85% of grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients, 7% to Oregon, 6% to California, and 1% each to Illinois and Missouri. Think Small’s regional grant guide is for eligible child care programs in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 135 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Think Small open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 23 of 96 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $109K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $8.7M (2025) to $26.2M (2024). In 2025 it made 135 grants totaling $8.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Horizon Child Care Inc Plymouth, MN | Grant and Scholarships | $2,505,427 |
| KUEHG Corp Lake Oswego, OR | Grant and Scholarships | $628,962 |
| Lakeshore Learning Materials Carson, CA | Grant | $549,861 |
| Community Action Partnerships Ramsey & Washington Counties St. Paul, MN | Scholarships | $417,109 |
| La Creche Early Childhood Centers Minneapolis, MN | Scholarships | $396,328 |
| YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN | Scholarships | $334,298 |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN | Grant and Scholarships | $312,672 |
| Phyllis Wheatley Community Center Minneapolis, MN | Scholarships | $287,724 |
| Olus Center LLC Minneapolis, MN | Scholarships | $229,009 |
| The Family Partnership Minneapolis, MN | Grant and Scholarships | $222,061 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $8,749,664 | $20,729,232 | $22,246,980 | $8,729,155 | 135 | $166,190 |
| 2024 | $10,592,175 | $41,942,913 | $39,507,681 | $26,150,005 | 241 | $135,733 |
| 2023 | $9,957,686 | $37,375,201 | $36,122,189 | $23,581,626 | 235 | $81,571 |
| 2022 | $8,024,590 | $30,547,585 | $31,407,460 | $17,554,303 | 200 | $26,681 |
| 2021 | $8,914,729 | $26,632,964 | $26,515,746 | $15,215,766 | 216 | $106,705 |
| 2020 | $8,651,582 | $29,392,462 | $30,087,768 | $11,661,727 | 163 | $10,316 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Think Small’s mission is to advance quality care and education for children in their crucial early years. Its stated vision is to close economic and achievement gaps so every child is ready for kindergarten and can realize their full potential.
Think Small’s work includes supporting families, preparing child care providers, and catalyzing change through policy, research, and practice. It provides professional development, coaching, business tools, and financial support to educators and programs. Its Early Learning Scholarships help families access eligible child care and preschool programs; these payments are distinct from grants to outside organizations.
Grantees’ own missions illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. Phyllis Wheatley Community Center says its mission is to help individuals discover their strengths and take control of their futures. The Family Partnership describes its work as building strong families and vital communities, and supporting families experiencing deep poverty and trauma. Agape Child Development Center says it provides culturally relevant services focused on healing individuals, restoring families, empowering people, and strengthening communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Think Small reported 135 grants totaling $8,729,155. Grant amounts ranged from $5,034 to $2,505,427, with a median of $14,139. The largest awards included:
Think Small’s Child Care Services Regional Grant guide describes grants for eligible child care programs to support, sustain, and increase program quality. The guide says applicants must be actively providing early learning services, meet licensing or license-exempt eligibility requirements, and submit an online application with eligible expenditures. It lists purchase limits of up to $2,000 for family providers and $3,000 for center programs. The guide specifies applications are available beginning September 1 and due September 25; these dates are from the guide and may not describe current application timing.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing are Tracy Nordstrom, Chair; Jaylon Rosenblum, Vice Chair; Tanya Skogerboe, Treasurer; Margeaux King, Secretary; and directors Andrea Singh, Andrea Stern, Angela Bissen, Arthur Rolnick, Cory Padesky, and Dan Arom.
Think Small is led by Barbara Yates, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 9 of 23 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara Yates
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$192K (2020) → $119K (2025)
Cisa Keller
President & CEO
Senior Vice President Ec Quality Development → President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$106K (2020) → $202K (2025)
Nikki Darling-Kuria
Director of Think Small Institute & Redleaf President
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Tracy Nordstrom
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Nielsen
Director of Early Childhood Supports
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$104K (2024) → $113K (2025)
Andrea Stern
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Arthur Rolnick
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Sparks
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan Gunnar
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Singh
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cory Padesky
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela Bissen
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Molly Sullivan
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Arom
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelsey Deshler
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan May
Vice President of Innovation & Development
Vice President of Innovations & Development → Vice President of Innovation & Development, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$100K (2021) → $135K (2025)
Mark Cross
COO
Chief Operating Officer → COO, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$170K (2021) → $106K (2025)
Beth Haney
Vice President of Finance & Ops.
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$67K (2025)
Candace Yates
Vice President of Equity & Early Childhood Programs
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$117K (2025)
Jenni Haas
Human Resources Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$105K (2025)
Jaylon Rosenblum
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margeaux King
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tanya Skogerboe
Treasurer
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Andre D Dukes (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Fred Senn (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Robbin Johnson (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Yolanda J Majors (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Sarah Wade (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Trent Tucker (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Eric Johnson (2023) — Strategic Leader of Marketing & Communications
- Former: Weston Merrick (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Diane Haulcy (2021–2022) — Senior Vice President of Family Engagement
- Former: Karen Hilding (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Marilyn Burnett (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: E. Mark Cross (2020) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Mariam Mohamed (2020) — Director
- Former: Marshall Johnson (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $202K, to Cisa Keller (President and CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Think Small
How much does Think Small give each year?
Think Small gave $8.7M across 135 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $26.2M across 241 grants.
What is Think Small's typical grant size?
Think Small's median grant in 2025 was $14,139, and its average grant was $64,660, across 135 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Think Small that year got $9K on average.
Where does Think Small give grants?
Think Small gives mostly in Minnesota: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Oregon (7%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (43 grants), St. Paul, MN (17 grants), Plymouth, MN (9 grants) and Brooklyn Park, MN (5 grants).
Does Think Small give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 135 grants with a stated purpose on Think Small's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grant and Scholarships" (57 grants), "Scholarships" (56 grants) and "Grant" (22 grants).
Who are Think Small's largest grantees?
Think Small's largest 2025 grantees include New Horizon Child Care Inc ($2,505,427), KUEHG Corp ($628,962) and Lakeshore Learning Materials ($549,861), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 10 individual scholarships ($181,510), which are not listed by name. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Think Small?
Think Small reported $8.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $20.7M.
What does Think Small fund?
Think Small’s mission is to advance quality care and education for children in their crucial early years. Its stated vision is to close economic and achievement gaps so every child is ready for kindergarten and can realize their full potential. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Think Small?
Think Small has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check thinksmall.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Think Small's EIN?
Think Small's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1260581. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 26, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 3, 2023)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Think Small's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Think Small funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/think-small-morg_5c5603deece642ff94f71b39838a3907
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411260581_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Think Small funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/think-small-morg_5c5603deece642ff94f71b39838a3907},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Think Small'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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