Thorne Ecological Institute
Thorne's mission is to build earth stewardship by connecting youth to nature through joyful, hands-on, place-based environmental education experiences.
Thorne Ecological Institute at a glance
In short: Thorne Ecological Institute gave $139K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $138,835
- +23.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +75.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $19,834
- -29.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,125
- Total assets
- $7,411,716
- -10.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Thorne Ecological Institute
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Thorne Ecological Institute
Lafayette Nature Center Program Scholarships
Thorne Ecological Institute
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Nature Kids/Jóvenes de la Naturaleza (NKJN) Full Scholarships
Thorne Ecological Institute
Amount
Full scholarship coverage
Deadline
Deadline not published
Preschool Scholarships
Thorne Ecological Institute
Amount
Over $70,000 available annually
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Thorne Ecological Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cal-Wood Education Center ($44K). Together the top 7 received $139K.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 30 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Thorne Ecological Institute gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−1%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $57K (2020) to $464K (2019). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $139K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cal-Wood Education Center Jamestown, CO | Nature's Kids | $43,860 |
| Cottonwood Institute Denver, CO | Nature's Kids | $32,200 |
| YMCA of Boulder Valley Lafayette, CO | Nature's Kids | $21,500 |
| Wildlands Restoration Volunteers Longmont, CO | Nature's Kids | $13,125 |
| Keystone Science School Keystone, CO | Nature's Kids | $11,000 |
| City of Longmont Longmont, CO | Nature's Kids | $10,150 |
| Growing Gardens Boulder, CO | — | $7,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Thorne Ecological Institute?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,411,716 | $2,681,033 | $3,460,225 | $138,835 | 7 | $23,597 |
| 2024 | $8,241,355 | $3,270,743 | $3,574,915 | $112,148 | 4 | $41,751 |
| 2023 | $7,329,323 | $4,946,732 | $2,724,855 | $151,425 | 6 | $57,332 |
| 2022 | $4,978,223 | $3,202,535 | $2,234,422 | $139,915 | 6 | $34,101 |
| 2021 | $4,067,500 | $2,802,339 | $2,035,638 | $247,098 | 7 | $11,221 |
| 2020 | $3,207,075 | $1,022,609 | $1,032,182 | $57,324 | 7 | $47,299 |
| 2019 | $2,849,455 | $2,394,982 | $1,969,561 | $463,684 | 14 | $32,184 |
About Thorne Ecological Institute
Based on IRS filings
Thorne Ecological Institute is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Boulder, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $7.4M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $139K. Net investment income was $24K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Thorne Ecological Institute is led by John Ricotta, Chair since 2025 (on filings since 2024); 2 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John Ricotta
Chair
Board Member → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Desrosiers
Executive Di
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$107K (2019) → $175K (2025)
Leann Arend
Deputy Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$105K (2024) → $115K (2025)
Annika Paradise
Board Member
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Kirk
Board Member
Chair → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Micah Shagoury
Board Member
Board Member → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Ahrens
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Irizarry
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Luis Alvarez
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Hauck
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aidan Smith
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juana Mendoza
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leidy Pineda Flores
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Kathryn Wood
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Sense
Executive Di
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Schultz
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sari Long
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tammy Sandoval
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: David Brantz (2019–2024) — Chair
- Former: Amanda Dumenigo (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Lauren Koopman (2023–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Anne-Worley Moelter (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jacquie McKenna (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Jose Vieitez (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Sophie Ramus (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Pablo Hester (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Niki Koubourlis (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Christian Vargas (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Christine Berg (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Chris Jacobs (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Graham Casden (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jd Mangat (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kerry Merkel (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Amanda Paulson (2019–2021) — Chair
- Former: Brian Bagley (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Chad Arnold (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Duane Primozich (2019) — Member
- Former: Jenefer Donovan (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Michael O'Toole (2019) — Member
- Former: Susie Strife (2019) — Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $175K, to Keith Desrosiers (Executive Di). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Thorne Ecological Institute
How much does Thorne Ecological Institute give each year?
Thorne Ecological Institute gave $139K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $112K across 4 grants.
What is Thorne Ecological Institute's typical grant size?
Thorne Ecological Institute's median grant in 2025 was $13,125, and its average grant was $19,834, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Thorne Ecological Institute give grants?
Thorne Ecological Institute gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Longmont, CO (2 grants).
Does Thorne Ecological Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Thorne Ecological Institute's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Nature's Kids" (6 grants).
Who are Thorne Ecological Institute's largest grantees?
Thorne Ecological Institute's largest 2025 grantees include Cal-Wood Education Center ($43,860), Cottonwood Institute ($32,200) and YMCA of Boulder Valley ($21,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Thorne Ecological Institute?
Thorne Ecological Institute reported $7.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.7M.
What is Thorne Ecological Institute?
Thorne Ecological Institute is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Boulder, CO. It holds $7.4M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Thorne Ecological Institute's EIN?
Thorne Ecological Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-6029250. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 9, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 9, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 19, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 15, 2024)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Thorne Ecological Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Community Foundation Boulder County
Boulder, CO
Community Foundation Boulder County funds a broad range of causes, including education, health and human services, arts and culture, the environment, animal welfare, civic engagement, and programs for youth and specific communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,030 to $5,275,000, with a median of $16,480; discretionary grants support work in Boulder County or benefiting its residents. It does not accept unsolicited requests, letters of interest, or proposals outside grant application periods.
Assets
$95.9M
Grants
281
Total Given
$14.1M
AEC Trust
Wilmington, DE
AEC Trust’s 2024 grants supported nonprofits in areas including arts, human rights education, conservation, wildlife protection, and community services, with most funding going to Georgia and Oregon. It made 142 grants, with a median award of $15,000 and amounts ranging from $4,650 to $16,039,759. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$36.8M
Grants
142
Total Given
$24.1M
Lumen Clarke M Williams Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The foundation supports employee giving and volunteer programs, as well as K–12 classroom technology through its Teachers and Technology program. That program offers grants of up to $5,000 to eligible schools in 10 states; 2024 giving had a median grant of $6,110 and was concentrated in Delaware. It generally funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though eligible teachers could apply for the announced Teachers and Technology round.
Assets
$12.1M
Grants
4
Total Given
$971K
GR'S Foundation
Wichita, KS
GR’S FOUNDATION supports charitable organizations, including education, welfare, arts, and other public-benefit work, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Colorado organizations. Its 114 grants ranged from $500 to $15,000, with a median of $2,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$8.1M
Grants
114
Total Given
$330K
Collins Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The foundation’s recent grants have supported organizations addressing food access, housing, child advocacy, youth homelessness, and services for older adults, though these are grantees’ activities rather than stated priorities. In 2025, grants ranged from $3,000 to $7,500, with a median of $5,000; its 2024 filing restricts awards to Boulder County, Colorado. Application materials are available through Wells Fargo Wealth Management Group, with no deadlines stated; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not specified.
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
18
Total Given
$98K
Innovo Foundation
Boulder, CO
Innovo Foundation supports environmental and climate work, as well as civic engagement, human services, social issues, and arts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000; funding went mainly to organizations in Washington state, California, Washington, DC, Colorado, and Georgia. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.6M
Grants
18
Total Given
$436K
More similar funders
More Funders in Colorado
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Thorne Ecological Institute'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.
Thorne Ecological Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?