Thornton Family Foundation Inc
Thornton Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Mt Airy, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $81K. Net investment income was $51K.
Thornton Family Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Thornton Family Foundation Inc gave $81K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Maryland. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $81,231
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- Average grant
- $13,539
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,535,094
- +2.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Maryland (61% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who Thornton Family Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Maryland Food Bank ($45K). Together the top 6 received $81K.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 25 grants of 25 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Thornton Family Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 4930% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 139% of 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2021) to $84K (2022). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $81K.
*2023: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Food Bank Baltimore, MD | Food Security | $44,500 |
| Humane Rescue Alliance Washington, DC | Food Security | $12,000 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Education | $10,000 |
| Radio Television Digital News Association Foundation Washington, DC | Education | $10,000 |
| Frederick Rescue Mission Frederick, MD | Food Security | $4,563 |
| Mt Airy Net Mt Airy, MD | Food Security | $168 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,535,094 | $51,990 | $104,272 | $81,231 | 6 | $103,041 | $50,759 | $74,172 |
| 2023* | $1,505,645 | $115,755 | $131,361 | $69,612 | 8 | $116,384 | $114,330 | $106,252 |
| 2022 | $1,439,531 | $81,579 | $151,431 | $83,823 | 10 | $107,699 | $80,371 | $78,786 |
| 2021 | $1,805,239 | $172,864 | $23,109 | $1,615 | 1 | — | $171,826 | $80,733 |
*2023: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thornton Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $74K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Thornton Family Foundation Inc is led by Marchelle Payne-Gassaway, President on every filing since 2021; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Marchelle Payne-Gassaway
President
On filings since 2021
6 hrs/week
$15K (2021) → $12K (2024)
Marc Levine Esq.
Secretary
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 $12K, to Marchelle Payne-Gassaway (President).
Frequently asked questions about Thornton Family Foundation Inc
How much does Thornton Family Foundation Inc give each year?
Thornton Family Foundation Inc gave $81K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $70K across 8 grants. The 2023 filing year covers 18 months because its fiscal year-end changed.
What is Thornton Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Thornton Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,539, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Thornton Family Foundation Inc give grants?
Thornton Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in Maryland: 61% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (27%) and Illinois (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Thornton Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Thornton Family Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Food Security" (4 grants).
Who are Thornton Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Thornton Family Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Maryland Food Bank ($44,500), Humane Rescue Alliance ($12,000) and Northwestern University ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Thornton Family Foundation Inc?
Thornton Family Foundation Inc reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $103K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $74K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Thornton Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Thornton Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2497767. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Thornton Family Foundation Inc funds
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