Tomson Family Foundation Trust
The Tomson Family Foundation Trust is a private foundation established in Iowa and based in Mason City, Iowa. It operates as a family foundation focused on philanthropic giving across education, human services, and medical initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.6M
-5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+26.3% YoY
Grant Count
77
+11.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+13.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tomson Family Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- Education — particularly Lutheran colleges
- Human Services
- Medical support — funding to medical center foundations
- Science and STEM education
Grantmaking
The foundation also supported Wartburg College and provided funding for an exhibit and lecture series at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.
Average Grant
amounts are tracked but specific figures were not disclosed in available sources
Ready to take the next step with Tomson Family Foundation Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on:
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Georgia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $12,622,769
- Total giving: $1,156,510
- Total revenues: $459,789
- Total expenses: $1,244,453
- Investment income and dividends: $425,104
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,622,769 | $13,407,433 | $13,726,838 |
| Revenue | $459,789 | $1,067,232 | $1,522,172 |
| Expenses | $1,244,453 | $952,459 | $1,064,469 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,159,240 | $918,000 | $1,050,600 |
| Net Investment Income | $401,758 | $1,034,498 | $636,389 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,273,089 | $1,081,540 | $1,053,758 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
236 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include 43 North Iowa ($50,000), Clear Lake Classical ($50,000), Elca World Hunger ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 43 NORTH IOWA MASON CITY, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ALZHEIMERS DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS WEST DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN PASSENGER TRAIN HISTORY MUSEUM CHARLES CITY, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CARING PREGNANCY CENTER MASON CITY, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,500 |
| CASA OF NORTH CENTRAL IOWA DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| CEDAR SUMMERSTOCK THEATRE SAINT ANSGAR, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $27,400 |
| CEDAR VALLEY SEMINARY FOUNDATION OSAGE, IA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $5,000 |
| CERRO GORDO COUNTY SHERIFF MASON CITY, IA | SHERIFF'S DISCRETION | $2,000 |
| CHARLES CITY FAMILY YMCA CHARLES CITY, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CHARLES CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY CHARLES CITY, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders/Supporters:
- O. Jay Tomson
- Patricia (Pat) Tomson
O. Jay Tomson is a former Trustee of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and was part of an advisory group to organizational leadership in the early 2000s. The Tomsons are based in Mason City, Iowa.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| O JAY TOMSON | PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | 0.1 | — |
| PATRICIA A TOMSON | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Tomson Family Foundation has supported several notable initiatives:
Tomson family donation helps finish MercyOne Cancer Center expansion | NewsFunded an exhibit and lecture series called "Innovators & Inventors" at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum (opened 2021)
O. Jay and Pat Tomson: Dedicated to Helping People | Vesterheim Norwegian-AmericanProvided a challenge gift to Wartburg College for a new ministry scholarship
Tomsons\u2019 challenge gift will provide funds for new ministry scholarship\Contributed to the MercyOne Cancer Center expansion in Mason City
Tomson family donation helps finish MercyOne Cancer Center expansion | NewsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tomson Family Foundation Trust fund?
The foundation's giving priorities include: • **Education** — particularly Lutheran colleges • **Human Services** • **Medical support** — funding to medical center foundations • **Science and STEM education**
How do I apply for a grant from Tomson Family Foundation Trust?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 36 grants in 2024 • Total giving: $1,156,510 (2024) • Typical award range: $500–$400,000 • Median and average grant amounts are tracked but specific figures were not disclosed in available sources **Recent Grants (2024):** • University of Northern Iowa Foundation (Center for Violence Prevention): $250,000 • Clear Lake Classical Incorporated (Building Acquisition): $50,000 • 43 North Iowa (General Support): $50,000 The foundation also supported Wartburg College and pro…
Where does Tomson Family Foundation Trust make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on: • Iowa • Minnesota • Georgia
What size grants does Tomson Family Foundation Trust award?
In 2024, Tomson Family Foundation Trust awarded 77 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Tomson Family Foundation Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Tomson Family Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $1.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Tomson Family Foundation Trust's EIN?
Tomson Family Foundation Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-6947483. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tomson Family Foundation Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Main Street Fort Dodge Inc
FORT DODGE, IA
Assets
$315K
Grants
1
Total Given
$25K
John & Beverly Anderson Charitable Trust
VINTON, IA
Assets
—
Grants
18
Total Given
$22K
Daniel J & Ann L Krumm Charitable Trus
AMES, IA
Assets
—
Grants
21
Total Given
$228K
Barbara Jean Couturier Charitable T
DAVENPORT, IA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Change Happens Foundation
URBANDALE, IA
Assets
$17.8M
Grants
12
Total Given
$255K
The Joseph Andres Family Foundation
OKOBOJI, IA
Assets
—
Grants
6
Total Given
$7K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Tomson Family Foundation Trust 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 Tomson Family Foundation Trust to a real strategy.