Thoresen Foundation
The Thoresen Foundation is a private foundation based in Canton, Georgia. Its 2024 grants went to charitable organizations in several states and included support for healthcare, disability services, youth activities, conservation, and community needs.
Thoresen Foundation at a glance
In short: Thoresen Foundation gave $1.5M across 32 grants in 2024 (avg $46K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,471,000
- -36.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 32
- -27.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $45,969
- -12.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $22,000
- Total assets
- $39,138,731
- +2.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (44% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Thoresen Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: C/O M Thoresen 2725 Woodridge Cha, Canton, GA 30114
Phone: (828) 260-5480
Website: https://thoresenfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Thoresen Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Dolphin Swimming and Boating ($275K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
127 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 73 grants of 127 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest reported shares of grant dollars went to recipients in California (44%), North Carolina (26%), Florida (14%), Virginia (6%), and Mississippi (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 32 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Thoresen Foundation gives
- 53% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 113% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 78% 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 (2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $690K (2021) to $2.3M (2023). In 2024 it made 32 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dolphin Swimming and Boating San Francisco, CA | Operational Support | $275,000 |
| Parc Palo Alto, CA | Operational Support and Endowment | $120,000 |
| Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Boone, NC | Operational Support | $100,000 |
| Grandfather Mtn Stewardship Linville, NC | Operational Support | $100,000 |
| Moffitt Cancer Ctr Tampa, FL | Operational Support | $100,000 |
| Williams YMCA Jacksonville, FL | Operational Support | $100,000 |
| Fire in the Ring Brisbane, CA | Operational Support | $90,000 |
| Wildlife Restoration Fdn Arlington, VA | Operational Support | $90,000 |
| Community Youth Center Concord, CA | Operational Support | $50,000 |
| Lees Mcrae College Banner Elk, NC | Operational Support | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Thoresen Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $39,138,731 | $2,762,817 | $1,920,440 | $1,471,000 | 32 | $1,636,799 | $2,483,539 | $2,087,686 |
| 2023 | $38,213,845 | $528,684 | $2,755,233 | $2,323,000 | 44 | $2,484,469 | $565,318 | $1,930,663 |
| 2022 | $40,376,396 | $474,687 | $1,847,177 | $1,406,000 | 35 | $1,569,144 | $507,465 | $1,887,503 |
| 2021 | $41,666,168 | $3,625,486 | $1,227,031 | $690,000 | 6 | $847,045 | $3,409,732 | $2,124,955 |
| 2020 | $39,267,713 | $5,726,708 | $1,207,457 | $745,000 | 10 | — | $5,458,405 | $1,813,384 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thoresen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for organizations with varied purposes. For example, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System describes its mission as supporting high-quality, compassionate healthcare in its region; PARC describes providing services to children and adults with developmental disabilities; and Pheasants Forever describes working to conserve wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and advocacy. Other 2024 recipients include organizations whose stated missions address housing, food assistance, child welfare, and support for people in need.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 32 grants totaling $1,471,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $275,000, with a median of $22,000. In 2023, it made 44 grants totaling $2,323,000; in 2022, it made 35 grants totaling $1,406,000.
The largest 2024 grants included $275,000 to Dolphin Swimming and Boating for operational support; $120,000 to PARC for operational support and endowment; $100,000 each to Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Grandfather Mtn Stewardship, Moffitt Cancer Ctr, and Williams YMCA; and $90,000 each to Fire in the Ring and Wildlife Restoration Fdn. Other listed grants included $50,000 each to Community Youth Center, Lees Mcrae College, St Vincent De Paul Men's Club, and The Guardsmen.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Thoresen Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael Thoresen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$120K (2020) → $120K (2024)
Paul O'Connell
Trustee
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$120K (2020) → $120K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $120K, to Paul O'Connell (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Thoresen Foundation
How much does Thoresen Foundation give each year?
Thoresen Foundation gave $1.5M across 32 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.3M across 44 grants.
What is Thoresen Foundation's typical grant size?
Thoresen Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $22,000, and its average grant was $45,969, across 32 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Thoresen Foundation give grants?
Thoresen Foundation's top state is California, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were North Carolina (26%) and Florida (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Banner Elk, NC (4 grants), San Francisco, CA (3 grants), Boone, NC (2 grants) and Long Beach, MS (2 grants).
Does Thoresen Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 97% of Thoresen Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (31 of 32) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Thoresen Foundation's largest grantees?
Thoresen Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Dolphin Swimming and Boating ($275,000), Parc ($120,000) and Appalachian Regional Healthcare System ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Thoresen Foundation?
Thoresen Foundation reported $39.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.1M (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 Thoresen Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for organizations with varied purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Thoresen Foundation?
The foundation 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 Thoresen Foundation's EIN?
Thoresen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6102493. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Thoresen 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.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Thoresen Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Georgia
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Inc
Atlanta, GA
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta funds nonprofits across areas including health, education, human services, arts, housing, and civic engagement, with an emphasis on equity and shared prosperity. Its itemized 2024 grants had a median of $21,000, and over 64% of its 2024 grant support stayed in the 23-county metro Atlanta region, though it also funds organizations nationally and internationally. Nonprofits can apply through the foundation’s Grants Portal for competitive opportunities; it also makes donor-advised grants, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,414
Total Given
$152.3M
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Atlanta, GA
BGCA funds youth development through local Boys & Girls Clubs, supporting academic success, health, leadership, mentoring, and related programs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,047 to $2,704,861, with a median of $81,098, and went to communities across the United States, Native lands, and military installations. Whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$95.2M
Grants
797
Total Given
$120.5M
Habitat for Humanity International Inc
Americus, GA
Habitat for Humanity International funds affiliates and other organizations working on affordable housing, including homebuilding, housing preservation, coalition building and advocacy. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,027 to $6.37 million, with a median of about $48,700, supporting work across the U.S. and internationally; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$760.0M
Grants
719
Total Given
$101.6M
The Arthur M Blank Family Foundation
Atlanta, GA
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation funds work in Atlanta’s Westside, democracy, the environment, mental health and well-being, youth development, and founder initiatives, with a focus on Georgia and Montana and some national impact. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $20 million, with a median of $50,000. It makes grants by invitation and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$466.3M
Grants
586
Total Given
$212.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Georgia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Thoresen Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/thoresen-foundation-morg_71dcefb626db41d4bf16b0c6f1aeb1dd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366102493_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Thoresen Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/thoresen-foundation-morg_71dcefb626db41d4bf16b0c6f1aeb1dd},
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 Thoresen 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.
Thoresen Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?