Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation
The Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Mission Hills, Kansas. Its 2025 filing records grants for the scientific, artistic, religious, or literary purposes of recipient organizations.
Key facts about Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation
In short: Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation gave $430K across 34 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in Missouri. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 43-6445255
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $430,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 34
- Average grant
- $12,647
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (7 of 34, 2025)
- Total assets
- $5,504,086
- Primary geography
- Missouri (78% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.5M
+19.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$430K
+30.3% YoY
Grant Count
34
+21.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
+7.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $454K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 34 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 74% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 48% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% 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 (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The filing describes grant purposes using the general phrase “to further the scientific, artistic, religious, or literary purpose” of the recipient organization. Its 2025 grantees represent a range of activities. For example, Operation Breakthrough says it provides a safe, loving, and educational environment for children in poverty and empowers their families; the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts says it enriches community life through performing arts experiences; and Ability KC says it provides medical, therapeutic, educational, and vocational services for people with disabilities. Other grantees describe work in food and agriculture education, botanical gardens, public television, animal welfare, and scholarships for eligible military families and first responders.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 34 grants totaling $430,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $30,000, with a median of $10,000.
Among its largest 2025 grants were $30,000 each to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and Operation Breakthrough; $25,000 to the American Red Cross; and $20,000 each to Ability KC, KCPT, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and Vetrans Community Project. Other reported grants included $15,000 each to the American Royal Association, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City Ballet, Nelson Gallery Foundation, and The Jewel Ball. Powell Gardens and Wayside Waifs each received $10,000; Friends of OETA received $10,000; and Folds of Honor Foundation received $5,000.
How to Apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 78% of grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri. Other reported recipient-state shares were 6% each for the District of Columbia, Florida, and Oklahoma, and 2% for Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $290K (2022) to $430K (2025). In 2025 it made 34 grants totaling $430K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts ($30K). Together the top 10 received $210K.
Grant Size Distribution
146 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 144 grants of 146 (99%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Kansas City, MO | To further the scientific, artistic,religious,or literary purpose of the organization | $30,000 |
| Operation Breakthrough Kansas City, MO | To further the scientific, artistic,religious,or literary purpose of the organization | $30,000 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | To further the scientific, artistic,religious,or literary purpose of the organization | $25,000 |
| Ability KC Kansas City, MO | To further the scientific, artistic,religious,or literary purpose of the organization | $20,000 |
| KCPT Kansas City, MO | To further the scientific, artistic,religious,or literary purpose of the organization | $20,000 |
| Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art Kansas City, MO | To further the scientific, artistic,religious,or literary purpose of the organization | $20,000 |
| Vetrans Community Project Kansas City, MO | To further the scientific, artistic,religious,or literary purpose of the organization | $20,000 |
| American Royal Association Kansas City, MO | To further the scientific, artistic,religious,or literary purpose of the organization | $15,000 |
| Childrens Mercy Hospital Kansas City, MO | To further the scientific, artistic,religious,or literary purpose of the organization | $15,000 |
| Kansas City Ballet Kansas City, MO | To further the scientific, artistic,religious,or literary purpose of the organization | $15,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,504,086 | $1,405,727 | $521,710 | $430,000 |
| 2024 | $4,620,486 | $800,158 | $407,994 | $330,000 |
| 2023 | $4,228,700 | $321,682 | $395,798 | $330,000 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,504,086 | $4,620,486 | $4,228,700 |
| Revenue | $1,405,727 | $800,158 | $321,682 |
| Expenses | $521,710 | $407,994 | $395,798 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $437,706 | $337,650 | $337,510 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,342,240 | $738,684 | $266,444 |
| Distributable Amount | $454,332 | $423,326 | $367,715 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas J Wood III, Susan Wood Athens, Sharon Wood Orr, and Sally Wood Shaffer as trustees.
Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; all 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sally Wood Shaffer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Sharon Wood Orr
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Susan Wood Athens
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Thomas J. Wood III
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2025)
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 $3K, to Thomas J Wood III (Trustee). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 5819 High Dr, Mission Hills, KS 66208
Phone: (816) 860-7716
Frequently asked questions about Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation
How much does Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation give each year?
Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation gave $430K across 34 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $330K across 28 grants.
What is Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,647, across 34 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation that year got $11K on average.
Where does Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation give grants?
Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (6%) and Florida (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (23 grants) and West Palm Beach, FL (2 grants).
Does Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 34 grants with a stated purpose on Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts ($30,000), Operation Breakthrough ($30,000) and American Red Cross ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation?
Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation reported $5.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $438K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $454K (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 does Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation fund?
The filing describes grant purposes using the general phrase “to further the scientific, artistic, religious, or literary purpose” of the recipient organization. Its 2025 grantees represent a range of activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes 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 Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation's EIN?
Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6445255. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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