Thurston Family Foundation logo

Thurston Family Foundation

JACKSON, WY EIN: 45-6504582 Website

Thurston Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Jackson, Wyoming, with an additional office in Scottsdale, Arizona. Established in 2013, the foundation operates as an innovative family foundation model focused on strengthening nonprofit organizations through strategic systems, programs, and funding.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$2.4M

-30.3% YoY

Grant Count

6

-25.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$398K

-7.1% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's stated purpose is "Strengthening nonprofits through strategic systems and funding that delivers lasting impact." The foundation empowers nonprofits through strategic systems, programs, and funding that strengthen their capacity to deliver lasting impact.

Primary funding focus areas include:

  • Education
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
  • Human Services
  • Environmental Education
  • Community and School Gardens
  • Renewable Energy

Grantmaking

The foundation accepts applications and is possibly open to new applicants. The "Preselected Only" checkbox was not checked on recent filings, indicating openness to unsolicited proposals.

Grant Range

$93K–$161K

Ready to take the next step with Thurston Family Foundation?

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Arizona and Wyoming.

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Cities

ARLINGTONArlingtonBIG FORKBigforkCoronadoJACKSONJacksonMoosePHOENIXPhoenixSCOTTSDALEScottsdaleTUCSONTucsonWILMINGTON

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Giving (2023):

  • Total assets: $59.3M
  • Total revenue: $5.92M
  • Total expenses: $3.5M
  • Total liabilities: $0
  • Total giving: $3.4M

Historical Assets:

  • 2023: $59.3M
  • 2022: $60.3M

Tax Status:

  • EIN: 45-6504582
  • Tax-exempt since March 2013
  • Designated as 501(c)(3)
  • Files Form 990-PF
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.120202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$858K$2M$3M$3M26 grants202012 grants202110 grants20228 grants20236 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 6 recipients in 2024

Valley of the Sun YMCA$1.0MWomen's Board of Barrow …$1.0MCommunity Foundation of …$303KGenesis City$20KThe Society of St Vincen…$15KAbility360$15K

Grant Size Distribution

62 grants across all recorded years

33<$50K7$50–100K7$100–250K5$250–500K2$500K–1M8$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Valley of the Sun YMCA ($1,035,000), Women's Board of Barrow Neurologic ($1,002,858), Community Foundation of Jackson Hol ($302,857).

RecipientPurposeAmount
Community Foundation of Jackson Hol Jackson, WYCommunity Emergency response fund supporting vunerable populations$302,857
Genesis City Phoenix, AZEducation for disadvantaged youth$20,000
Women's Board of Barrow Neurologic Phoenix, AZMedical research$1,002,858
The Society of St Vincent de Paul Phoenix, AZSocial Services$15,000
Ability360 Phoenix, AZPromote independence, health, and overall well-being of people with disabilities.$15,000
Valley of the Sun YMCA Phoenix, AZPrograms and Services$1,035,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Board & Trustees:

  • Amy Thurston, Trustee
  • Wyatt N Thurston, Director
  • Matthew R Thurston, Director
  • Jackson Fonder, Chief (joined January 2026)

All listed board members and directors work approximately 2 hours per week with no reported compensation.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
Amy ThurstonTrustee2
Wyatt N ThurstonDirector2
Matthew R ThurstonDirector2

Contact Information

  • Website: thurstonfamilyfoundation.org
  • Phone: 480-922-4100
  • Address: 1200 Queens Ln, Jackson, WY 83001-9273
  • Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Thurston Family Foundation fund?

The foundation's stated purpose is "Strengthening nonprofits through strategic systems and funding that delivers lasting impact." The foundation empowers nonprofits through strategic systems, programs, and funding that strengthen their capacity to deliver lasting impact. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Environmental Education • Community and School Gardens • Renewable Energy

How do I apply for a grant from Thurston Family Foundation?

**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $2.4M–$3.4M (recent years) • Number of grants: 6–9 annually • Median grant size: $93K–$161K • Grant range: $10K–$2M • Giving rate: 5.8% of assets **Application Status:** The foundation accepts applications and is possibly open to new applicants. The "Preselected Only" checkbox was not checked on recent filings, indicating openness to unsolicited proposals. **Staffing:** The foundation operates with limited staffing, relying primarily on board members and tru…

Where does Thurston Family Foundation make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Arizona and Wyoming.

What size grants does Thurston Family Foundation award?

In 2024, Thurston Family Foundation awarded 6 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $398K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is Thurston Family Foundation's EIN?

Thurston Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-6504582. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Thurston Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

What could you do with Thurston Family Foundation on Grantable?

  • Assess strategic fit with your organization
  • Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
  • Find open RFPs from this funder
  • Monitor for new funding opportunities

Go from researching Thurston Family Foundation to a real strategy.

Plan your approach