Thurston Family Foundation
Thurston Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Jackson, Wyoming. Its website describes its work as strengthening nonprofits through strategic systems, partners, and funding.
Thurston Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Thurston Family Foundation gave $2.4M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $398K), mostly in Arizona. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,390,715
- -30.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $398,453
- -7.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $161,429
- Total assets
- $53,407,722
- -10.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Arizona (87% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Thurston Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Its 2024 filing says to contact Amy Thurston with a written application describing the need and intended use of funds. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Amy Thurston
Mailing address: 1200 Queeens Lane, Jackson, WY 83001
Phone: (307) 699-2075
Email: amy@amythurston.com
Website: https://thurstonfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Thurston Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Valley of the Sun YMCA ($1.0M). Together the top 6 received $2.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 62 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 87% of grant dollars went to recipients in Arizona and 13% to recipients in Wyoming.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Thurston Family Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 87% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.4M (2024) to $3.4M (2023). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Valley of the Sun YMCA Phoenix, AZ | Programs and Services | $1,035,000 |
| Women's Board of Barrow Neurologic Phoenix, AZ | Medical research | $1,002,858 |
| Community Foundation of Jackson Hol Jackson, WY | Community Emergency response fund supporting vunerable populations | $302,857 |
| Genesis City Phoenix, AZ | Education for disadvantaged youth | $20,000 |
| The Society of St Vincent de Paul Phoenix, AZ | Social Services | $15,000 |
| Ability360 Phoenix, AZ | Promote independence, health, and overall well-being of people with disabilities. | $15,000 |
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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 | $53,407,722 | $2,782,775 | $2,625,697 | $2,390,715 | 6 | $2,390,715 | $2,742,374 | $2,745,939 |
| 2023 | $59,324,082 | $5,920,492 | $3,503,160 | $3,430,500 | 8 | $3,430,500 | $2,370,913 | $3,000,008 |
| 2022 | $60,278,662 | $1,617,071 | $3,232,816 | $3,203,200 | 10 | $3,203,200 | $1,506,339 | $3,286,290 |
| 2021 | $69,946,643 | $850,690 | $2,947,102 | $2,829,084 | 12 | $2,839,084 | $850,680 | $3,308,596 |
| 2020 | $62,837,882 | $24,325,855 | $2,991,071 | $2,655,955 | 26 | — | $19,511,265 | $2,146,612 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thurston Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website describes its aim as strengthening nonprofits through strategic systems, partners, and funding. The 2024 grant purposes included programs and services, medical research, community emergency response, education for disadvantaged youth, social services, and support for people with disabilities.
Among its grantees, Ability360 describes its mission as promoting programs that empower people with disabilities to pursue independent lifestyles in their communities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 6 grants totaling $2,390,715. Grant amounts ranged from $15,000 to $1,035,000, with a median of $161,428. The largest grants were $1,035,000 to Valley of the Sun YMCA for programs and services, $1,002,858 to Women’s Board of Barrow Neurologic for medical research, and $302,857 to Community Foundation of Jackson Hol for a community emergency response fund supporting vulnerable populations. Other reported grants were $20,000 to Genesis City for education for disadvantaged youth, $15,000 to The Society of St Vincent de Paul for social services, and $15,000 to Ability360 to promote independence, health, and well-being for people with disabilities.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Amy Thurston as Trustee and Wyatt N Thurston and Matthew R Thurston as Directors.
Thurston Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Matthew R Thurston
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Wyatt N Thurston
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Amy Thurston
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Ray R Thurston (2020–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $5K, to Wyatt N Thurston (Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Thurston Family Foundation
How much does Thurston Family Foundation give each year?
Thurston Family Foundation gave $2.4M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.4M across 8 grants.
What is Thurston Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Thurston Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $161,429, and its average grant was $398,453, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Thurston Family Foundation give grants?
Thurston Family Foundation gives mostly in Arizona: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Wyoming (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (5 grants).
Does Thurston Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Thurston Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Thurston Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Thurston Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Valley of the Sun YMCA ($1,035,000), Women's Board of Barrow Neurologic ($1,002,858) and Community Foundation of Jackson Hol ($302,857), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Thurston Family Foundation?
Thurston Family Foundation reported $53.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Thurston Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website describes its aim as strengthening nonprofits through strategic systems, partners, and funding. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Thurston Family Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does Thurston Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Thurston Family Foundation funds
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