WC and EJ Thornton Foundation
The WC and EJ Thornton Foundation is a private foundation based in Denver, Colorado. Its 2025 grants supported arts and education, including scholarships, music education, and programs for youth and other groups described by grantees as underserved or disadvantaged.
WC and EJ Thornton Foundation at a glance
In short: WC and EJ Thornton Foundation gave $278K across 30 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), top state Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $277,660
- +14.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 30
- -34.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,255
- +74.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,750
- Total assets
- $5,220,440
- +67.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Colorado (48% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to WC and EJ Thornton Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 61000, Denver, CO 80206
Phone: (303) 619-9695
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who WC and EJ Thornton Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bold ($50K). Together the top 10 received $234K.
Grant Size Distribution
137 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 136 grants of 137 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado (48%), Maine (23%), Washington (16%), Ohio (6%), and Illinois (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 30 itemized grants.
Cities
How WC and EJ Thornton Foundation gives
- 93% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 74% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 138% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $62K (2021) to $278K (2025). In 2025 it made 30 grants totaling $278K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bold Denver, CO | arts and education scholarships | $50,000 |
| Alexander Hamilton Scholars Seattle, WA | education support for high achieving underfunded youth | $44,160 |
| Maine College of Art and Design Portland, ME | arts education and scholarships | $35,000 |
| Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra Portland, ME | music education for underfunded schools | $25,000 |
| Downtown Aurora Visual Arts Aurora, CO | arts for disadvantaged youth | $20,000 |
| Forward Steps Boulder, CO | support secondary education for former foster youth | $20,000 |
| Local Theater Company Boulder, CO | art and education for underfunded youth | $12,500 |
| Colorado Photographic Arts Center Denver, CO | art support for veterans | $10,000 |
| Fora Chicago, IL | education | $10,000 |
| College Now Greater Cleveland Cleveland, OH | education | $7,500 |
Ready to take the next step with WC and EJ Thornton Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,220,440 | $1,131,121 | $298,572 | $277,660 | 30 | $277,660 | $200,498 |
| 2024 | $3,117,986 | $50,892 | $260,939 | $243,481 | 46 | $243,481 | $148,229 |
| 2023 | $2,595,879 | $58,309 | $211,938 | $195,292 | 42 | $195,292 | $119,481 |
| 2022 | $3,060,644 | $1,047,617 | $171,985 | $159,855 | 12 | $159,855 | $78,981 |
| 2021 | $1,430,610 | $1,496,140 | $63,761 | $62,362 | 7 | — | $74,821 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, WC and EJ Thornton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $200K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to advance arts and education, support youth in underrepresented populations who demonstrate ability but lack resources, and provide grants to charitable organizations it designates. Its grants include support for education and scholarships, arts education, music education, and education programs.
The grantees’ own missions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. Alexander Hamilton Scholars says it empowers high-achieving, underserved students to succeed in college and career. Downtown Aurora Visual Arts describes its work as engaging diverse youth in arts education. The Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra says it enriches lives through music and encourages music learning, while Art from Ashes says it provides creative programs for struggling youth.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 30 grants totaling $277,660. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $1,750. Among the largest were Bold ($50,000 for arts and education scholarships), Alexander Hamilton Scholars ($44,160 for education support for high-achieving, underfunded youth), Maine College of Art and Design ($35,000 for arts education and scholarships), and Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra ($25,000 for music education in underfunded schools). Other grants included $20,000 each to Downtown Aurora Visual Arts and Forward Steps, and $12,500 to Local Theater Company.
The foundation also reported direct charitable activities supporting Alexander Hamilton Scholars’ scholarships, emergency funding, and annual scholar gathering; matching funds for educational support of art students at Maine College of Art and Design; and matching funds and support for the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s educational outreach program throughout Maine.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Christine Thornton is listed as Executive Director.
WC and EJ Thornton Foundation is led by Christine Thornton, Executive Director on every filing since 2021 — the only officer listed, and compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christine Thornton
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$11K (2022) → $20K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $20K, to Christine Thornton (Exec Dir).
Frequently asked questions about WC and EJ Thornton Foundation
How much does WC and EJ Thornton Foundation give each year?
WC and EJ Thornton Foundation gave $278K across 30 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $243K across 46 grants.
What is WC and EJ Thornton Foundation's typical grant size?
WC and EJ Thornton Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,750, and its average grant was $9,255, across 30 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does WC and EJ Thornton Foundation give grants?
WC and EJ Thornton Foundation's top state is Colorado, with 48% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Maine (23%) and Washington (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (7 grants), Portland, ME (3 grants), Cleveland, OH (3 grants) and Boulder, CO (2 grants).
Does WC and EJ Thornton Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 30 grants with a stated purpose on WC and EJ Thornton Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (4 grants) and "Arts" (4 grants).
Who are WC and EJ Thornton Foundation's largest grantees?
WC and EJ Thornton Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Bold ($50,000), Alexander Hamilton Scholars ($44,160) and Maine College of Art and Design ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is WC and EJ Thornton Foundation?
WC and EJ Thornton Foundation reported $5.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $278K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $200K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does WC and EJ Thornton Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to advance arts and education, support youth in underrepresented populations who demonstrate ability but lack resources, and provide grants to charitable organizations it designates. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from WC and EJ Thornton Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is WC and EJ Thornton Foundation's EIN?
WC and EJ Thornton Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-1286430. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does WC and EJ Thornton Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in WC and EJ Thornton Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Colorado Gives Foundation
Arvada, CO
Colorado Gives Foundation funds nonprofits serving Jefferson County in areas including food security, early care and education, workforce development, housing, health and convenient neighborhoods; it also offers statewide nonprofit capacity-building support. Typical giving varies widely: its 2024 median grant was $17,814, while Thriving Jeffco Responsive Grant awards ranged from $2,500 to $100,000. It accepts applications through listed grant opportunities, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$527.1M
Grants
2,211
Total Given
$91.0M
The Denver Foundation
Denver, CO
The Denver Foundation supports nonprofits working in economic opportunity, environment and climate, housing, and youth well-being, with an emphasis on racial equity and historically underserved communities in the seven-county Metro Denver region. Its Community Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000; the 2024 median across reported grants was $26,500. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,184
Total Given
$131.7M
Maine Community Foundation Inc
Ellsworth, ME
Maine Community Foundation supports nonprofits and communities in Maine through grants for areas such as community building, arts, land and water, housing, and equity, as well as scholarships. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $17,500, though awards varied widely. The profile describes online applications for competitive grants but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$807.6M
Grants
1,161
Total Given
$57.6M
Davis Family Foundation
Yarmouth, ME
The Davis Family Foundation funds eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in education, health care, and arts and cultural activities, prioritizing Southern Maine and then the rest of Maine; projects elsewhere in New England must benefit Maine learners. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $400,000, with a median of $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$100.5M
Grants
92
Total Given
$3.2M
Mile High United Way Inc
Denver, CO
Mile High United Way funds nonprofit and community work focused on children’s development and education, basic needs, and economic opportunity, primarily in seven Metro Denver counties. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,022 to $2,001,772, with a median of $15,026. It offered a competitive Strategic Investment Grants application for the 2025–2027 cycle, but that cycle’s deadline has passed; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$80.2M
Grants
314
Total Given
$24.3M
Rose Community Foundation
Denver, CO
Rose Community Foundation funds nonprofits in the seven-county Greater Denver region across Jewish life, education and economic opportunity, health, and community wellbeing, with some statewide initiatives. Its 2024 itemized grants ranged from $5,050 to $1,348,353, with a median of $25,000; it accepts inquiries for listed funding opportunities, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally is not stated.
Assets
$399.6M
Grants
531
Total Given
$27.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Colorado
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). WC and EJ Thornton Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wc-and-ej-thornton-foundation-morg_8c9842be852d4ced84af57f910e8ec80
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_851286430_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{WC and EJ Thornton Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wc-and-ej-thornton-foundation-morg_8c9842be852d4ced84af57f910e8ec80},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from WC and EJ Thornton Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
WC and EJ Thornton Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?