Thistle Foundation
Thistle Foundation is a private foundation, based in Vienna, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2024 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $94K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $100K. Net investment income was $3K.
Thistle Foundation at a glance
In short: Thistle Foundation gave $100K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $100K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $100,000
- -60.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- -50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $100,000
- -20.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $94,398
- -52.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Thistle Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Gonzaga ($100K).
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 3 grants of 3 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Thistle Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2025) to $250K (2024). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $100K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga Spokane, WA | Education | $100,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $94,398 | $3,098 | $106,790 | $100,000 | 1 | $106,791 | $3,098 | $4,606 |
| 2024 | $200,000 | $450,000 | $251,935 | $250,000 | 2 | $251,935 | — | $9,850 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thistle Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Thistle Foundation is led by Christopher Finlay, CEO on every filing since 2024 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christopher Finlay
CEO
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "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 Thistle Foundation
How much does Thistle Foundation give each year?
Thistle Foundation gave $100K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $250K across 2 grants.
How large is Thistle Foundation?
Thistle Foundation reported $94K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $107K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does Thistle Foundation operate?
Thistle Foundation has awarded grants in Virginia, Washington.
What is Thistle Foundation's EIN?
Thistle Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-2144281. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
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Figures come from Thistle Foundation'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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