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
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
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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
No grants recorded for .
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
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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