The Thornburg Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1998 and based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The organization uses an evidence-based strategic approach to solve systemic problems that impact people and communities. The foundation operates from its headquarters at 2300 N Ridgetop Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87506-8361.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$179.4M
+22.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.4M
+10.5% YoY
Grant Count
144
+2.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$45K
+8.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thornburg Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Thornburg Foundation's mission is to use an evidence-based strategic approach to solve systemic problems that impact people and communities. The foundation makes grants to organizations aligned with its strategies, partners with grantees to share non-partisan research and build collective expertise on policy issues, and maximizes opportunities for systemic change by leveraging public and private dollars.
The foundation leads with expertise and collaborates with policy makers, issue experts, and other grant makers to identify, develop and advocate for nonpartisan policy solutions, while ensuring effective policy implementation.
Strategic Initiatives
Since 2013, the foundation has targeted its work to drive systems change through five primary focus areas:
Good Government Reform — Advancing more ethical, transparent government and supporting organizations that research, develop and foster evidence-based policies that make state government more equitable, accountable, and representative.
Early Childhood Education — Working to advance strategic investment and governance of early childhood care and education.
Food & Agriculture — Supporting ranchers and farmers with practices that return health to soil, watersheds, and families.
Water — Advancing water policy reforms and transforming water management in New Mexico (launched in 2021).
Community Funding — Supporting organizations in human services, education, homelessness, and policy that exhibit strong leadership, good financial management, a spirit of entrepreneurship, and a commitment to excellence.
Homelessness Initiative
The foundation is working to achieve "Functional Zero" in Santa Fe by 2026—ensuring homelessness is rare and brief, with ample, interconnected resources and service providers to help people experiencing homelessness get housed. This involves coordinating a community-based strategic plan, advancing a centralized data system, and increasing housing availability.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations whose work aligns with the foundation's current initiatives should contact the foundation directly at the provided email address.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Thornburg Foundation primarily funds organizations in New Mexico, with the vast majority of its grantees located throughout the state. The foundation has awarded grants to organizations in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, and numerous other New Mexico communities. While most grantmaking is concentrated in New Mexico, the foundation has made limited grants to organizations in other states including California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets (2023): $147 million
Revenue (2023): $12.9 million
Expenses (2023): $7.48 million
Total Liabilities (2023): $20.2 thousand
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation; tax-exempt since January 1999; EIN: 85-0457010
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $179,398,522 | $147,085,767 | $141,633,669 |
| Revenue | $15,189,769 | $12,925,067 | $12,636,727 |
| Expenses | $8,187,818 | $7,482,223 | $7,624,695 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,969,108 | $7,156,665 | $7,307,807 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,042,445 | $5,314,041 | $3,472,729 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,395,143 | $7,436,628 | $7,064,971 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Thornburg Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Catalyst Education ($200,000), Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation ($136,000), Campaign Legal Center ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AGRI-CULTURA COOPERATIVE NETWORK VIA LA COSECHA ALBUQUERQUE, NM | STRENGTHENING THE PATHWAY TO REGENERATIVE SMALL SCALE FARMING & RANCHING | $63,750 |
| AMIGOS BRAVOS TAOS, NM | STRENGTHENING WATERSHED AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY POLICY SOLUTIONS IN NM RIO GRANDE BASIN PROJECT | $75,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MOUNTAIN REGION SANTA FE, NM | GENERAL OPERATING | $10,000 |
| BIRD CONSERVANCY OF THE ROCKIES BRIGHTON, CO | COLLABORATIVE CONSERVATION TO ENHANCE WORKING RANGELANDS (GRASSLANDS) IN NORTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO PROJECT | $30,000 |
| CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING | $100,000 |
| CASA (COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN) SANTA FE, NM | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
| CATALYST EDUCATION NEW ORLEANS, LA | NM PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT- RESEARCH SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| CENTER OF SOUTHWEST CULTURE INC ALBUQUERQUE, NM | CODECE REGENERATION PROJECT | $25,000 |
| CENTER OF SOUTHWEST CULTURE INC ALBUQUERQUE, NM | PUEBLO RESURGENTS - REVITALIZING INDIGENOUS LANDS PROJECT | $20,000 |
| CHAMA PEAK LAND ALLIANCE CHROMO, CO | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Garrett Thornburg — Chairman of the Board and Founder. Thornburg is a recognized leader in innovative, actively managed investment strategies and is chairman of Thornburg Investment Management, Inc., which he founded in 1982. He received the Philanthropist of the Year award from the Journal Santa Fe in 2010 and the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. He holds a BA from Williams College and an MBA from Harvard University.
Blair C. Naylor — Vice Chair. Naylor is the founder and Managing Member of Palace Capital Management LLC, a registered investment advisor and family office based in Santa Fe.
Leslie Garcia — HR Director & Community Funding Officer.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALLAN OLIVER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $259,933 |
| GARRETT THORNBURG | PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| BLAIR NAYLOR | DIRECTOR/VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JIM MINICH | DIRECTOR/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| FRED NATHAN | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| BRIAN BOYD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALON KASHA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELLIOT THORNBURG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LLOYD THORNBURG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Thornburg Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary in November 2024 with a luncheon and conversation featuring board members, staff, fellow foundations, and grantees.
Thornburg Foundation founder points to successes as organization marks 25thThe foundation commissioned a report titled "Impact of Federal Funding Changes on New Mexico's Philanthropic Sector" in partnership with the Santa Fe Community Foundation and Anchorum Health Foundation. The nonpartisan report, prepared by The Grant Plant Inc., examines the effects of federal funding suspensions on New Mexico's nonprofit sector, noting that 37% of nonprofits in New Mexico rely on government grants—tying the state for the 6th highest rate in the nation.
Thornburg Foundation founder points to successes as organization marks 25thSince 2013, the foundation's grantmaking has helped fuel significant non-partisan policy achievements in New Mexico, including:
**Education:** The NM Teacher Residency Program now prepares more than 400 teacher residents annually, representing one-third of all licensed teachers. The foundation also supported the creation of the Early Childhood Education and Care Department and funding of early-childhood programs.
**Homelessness & Housing:** The foundation demonstrated flexibility in responding to urgent community needs, such as providing $250,000 to match federal food assistance for New Mexico tribes and pueblos during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thornburg Foundation Announces $240,000 in Grants to New Mexico Non-ProfitsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Thornburg Foundation fund?
The Thornburg Foundation's mission is to use an evidence-based strategic approach to solve systemic problems that impact people and communities. The foundation makes grants to organizations aligned with its strategies, partners with grantees to share non-partisan research and build collective expertise on policy issues, and maximizes opportunities for systemic change by leveraging public and private dollars. The foundation leads with expertise and collaborates with policy makers, issue experts,…
How do I apply for a grant from Thornburg Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations whose work aligns with the foundation's current initiatives should contact the foundation directly at the provided email address. Over the past 25 years, the Thornburg Foundation has awarded more than 1,700 grants totaling $67 million to New Mexico nonprofits. In the last 10 years alone, the foundation has made more than $42 million in grants to nonprofits across New Mexico. The foundation maintains a grantee database searchabl…
Where does Thornburg Foundation make grants?
The Thornburg Foundation primarily funds organizations in New Mexico, with the vast majority of its grantees located throughout the state. The foundation has awarded grants to organizations in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, and numerous other New Mexico communities. While most grantmaking is concentrated in New Mexico, the foundation has made limited grants to organizations in other states including California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, D.C.
What size grants does Thornburg Foundation award?
In 2024, Thornburg Foundation awarded 144 grants totaling $6.4M — an average of about $45K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Thornburg Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Thornburg Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Thornburg Foundation's EIN?
Thornburg Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-0457010. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Thornburg Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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