Thunderbirds Charities is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to distribute monies raised through the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament. Governed by a 15-member board from varying professional backgrounds, the organization supports Arizona-based organizations that assist children and families, help people in need, and improve the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. To date, the organization has raised over $226 million for Arizona charities.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.3M
+2.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.0M
+60.9% YoY
Grant Count
150
+19.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$73K
+35.1% YoY
About Thunderbirds Charities
Based on IRS filings
Thunderbirds Charities is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in PHOENIX, AZ. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $11.3M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 150 grants totaling $11.0M. Net investment income was $148K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,267,028 | $10,977,698 | $6,605,824 |
| Revenue | $11,425,404 | $11,298,081 | $8,136,388 |
| Expenses | $11,107,530 | $6,955,082 | $7,931,665 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $148,018 | $99,087 | $34,592 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Thunderbirds Charities
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley ($1,000,000), Banner Health Foundation ($472,500), Barrow Neurological Foundation ($230,107).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 100 CLUB OF ARIZONA PHOENIX, AZ | AT-RISK YOUTH & FAMILIES | $15,000 |
| 1N10 PHOENIX, AZ | AT-RISK YOUTH & FAMILIES | $20,000 |
| A NEW LEAF MESA, AZ | DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/HOMELESS/POVERTY | $200,000 |
| ABILITY360 SPORTS AND FITNESS CENTER PHOENIX, AZ | IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THE PHYSICALLY & MENTALLY CHALLENGED | $8,325 |
| ADVANCE COMMUNITY PHOENIX, AZ | COMMUNITY OUTREACH/QUALITY OF LIFE | $35,000 |
| AGUA FRIA FOOD & CLOTHING BANK INC AVONDALE, AZ | AT-RISK YOUTH & FAMILIES | $40,000 |
| AID TO ADOPTION OF SPECIAL KIDS PHOENIX, AZ | AT-RISK YOUTH & FAMILIES | $8,909 |
| ALL IN EDUCATION PHOENIX, AZ | EDUCATION | $25,000 |
| ALL SPORTS FOUNDATION MESA, AZ | COMMUNITY OUTREACH/QUALITY OF LIFE | $20,000 |
| ALS ARIZONA PHOENIX, AZ | IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THE PHYSICALLY & MENTALLY CHALLENGED | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGE THIMSEN | PRESIDENT | 1.5 | — |
| KELLY MOONEY | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MATT MOONEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR MICHAEL GOLDING | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PAT WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MELISSA GOLDENBERG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JESSICA PACHECO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRIS CAMACHO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOSH SWIFT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DODGE EARNHARDT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TOM HIGGINBOTHAM | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PHIL CALIHAN III | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GREG HOYT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID BRANNON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR WAYNE FRANKLIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHANCE COZBY | EXEC. DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| MICHELLE SIMPSON | CFO | 4 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thunderbirds Charities?
Thunderbirds Charities is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in PHOENIX, AZ. It holds $11.3M in total assets as of 2025.
How large is Thunderbirds Charities?
As of 2025, Thunderbirds Charities holds $11.3M in total assets with $11.4M in annual revenue. It awarded 150 grants totaling $11.0M in 2025.
Where does Thunderbirds Charities operate?
Thunderbirds Charities has awarded grants in Arizona, Massachusetts.
What size grants does Thunderbirds Charities award?
In 2025, Thunderbirds Charities awarded 150 grants totaling $11.0M — an average of about $73K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Thunderbirds Charities's EIN?
Thunderbirds Charities's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0560664. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Thunderbirds Charities's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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