Kindora
FeaturesSocial Enterprise FundingPricingFor FundersFor ConsultantsDevelopers
AboutLive Demos
Sign InSign Up
    Kindora
    FeaturesSocial Enterprise FundingPricingFor FundersFor ConsultantsDevelopers
    AboutLive Demos
    Sign InSign Up
    1. Home
    3. Foundations
    5. Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation
    Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation logo

    Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation

    ActivePhilanthropy & VoluntarismFunds Individuals
    DALLAS, TXWebsite2149717770

    About Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation

    The Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation’s recent giving reflects a single, large transfer to a philanthropic intermediary rather than direct programmatic funding. All reported grants were made to Schwab Charitable, suggesting the foundation is routing resources into donor-advised or regranting vehicles instead of operating or directly funding nonprofits. This indicates a focus on enabling flexible, donor-directed philanthropy rather than targeted program investments.

    Focus Areas

    Donor-advised fund contributions / philanthropic intermediary funding (Schwab Charitable)Philanthropic capital transfers and regranting mechanismsLikely support for donor-directed giving and future grantmaking via DAFs

    Who They Fund

    museums and exhibition organizersartists (emerging and established)academic researchers and scholars (pre-doctoral and post-doctoral)students/recipients of scholarshipsIndigenous artists and Indigenous-focused communities

    About Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation

    The Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation’s recent grantmaking is anchored by a sustained pattern of large transfers to Schwab Charitable, including $35.1 million in 2025 and 2024 and $20 million in 2023. That pattern matters because it sits alongside a broader mix of art, scholarship, and education support that appears across its recent grants. Beyond intermediary giving, the foundation funded Chicago Shakespeare Theater with $350,000 in 2025 and The Santa Fe Opera with $250,000 in 2024, while also supporting New Mexico State University with $300,000 in 2023. The grant list also includes support for museums, schools, and scholarship-related organizations, which points to a funder active across cultural and educational channels rather than a single program lane. Its portfolio reaches both institutions and individuals, and the recent awards show a range from six-figure institutional grants to smaller research and scholarship awards. The foundation’s named programs reinforce that mix: collections-related support, special project funding, and fellowships or awards for individual researchers all sit within its grantmaking structure.

    What Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation Funds

    One clear theme is support for art institutions and exhibitions. The foundation gave $250,000 to Portland Art Museum for Jeffrey Gibson biennale support, and $125,000 to Site Santa Fe for general support. It also awarded $100,000 to Georgia O’Keeffe Museum for general support, showing continued attention to museums tied to collection areas. A second thread is education and scholarships. New Mexico State University received $300,000 for general support, while Oklahoma State University Foundation received $111,200 in 2025. The grant list also includes a $123,197 scholarship award in Dallas, and the foundation’s active programs include scholarships and leadership-focused education support. In the performing arts, Chicago Shakespeare Theater received $350,000 in 2025 and another $124,700 tied to the deductible portion of a 2023 Spirit of Shakespeare host committee sponsorship. The Santa Fe Opera also appears in the recent grants list with $250,000 for its 2023 season sponsorship.

    How Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation Gives

    The typical grant size sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $24,000 at the median, and $60,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the recent grants list also contains large capital-style transfers. The foundation appears to make repeat awards: Schwab Charitable appears in multiple years, and several recipients recur across 2023 through 2025, including Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Golden Apple Foundation, New Mexico School for the Arts, Site Santa Fe, and New Mexico State University. It is a regular funder rather than a DAF vehicle, and it funds individuals directly. The active programs indicate both unsolicited and invited pathways, including awards portals and collaborative special project proposals.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $37.7M

    Total Assets

    $1.2B

    Total Revenue

    $151.4M

    Total Expenses

    $48.4M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $5K and $60K, with a median of $24K.

    25th Percentile

    $5K

    Median

    $24K

    75th Percentile

    $60K

    Geographic Reach

    National23 states funded

    About 15% of grants go to recipients in NM.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    CARL D THOMA

    PRESIDENT

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High

    Where Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation Funds

    Top 10 recipient countries by grant volume for Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation.

    RankCountryGrantsTotalShare
    1United StatesDomestic127$99.3M
    77.9%
    2Argentina

    Deep Analysis

    Unlock Deep Analysis

    Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.

    Get Started Free

    Similar Funders

    See Similar Funders

    Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.

    Get Started Free

    Explore related grant guides

    Grants in Texas

    Want a Personalized Pitch for Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation?

    Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.

    Get Started FreeView Pricing
    Free plan available
    No contracts
    Cancel anytime
    Free weekly newsletter

    The Grant Brief

    Weekly grant intelligence for social impact leaders. Curated opportunities, funding trends, and strategic insights — free.

    Join 500+ social impact leaders. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy

    Weekly grant intelligence in your inbox. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

    Kindora Logo

    Funders you can find. Funders you can reach.

    Get The Grant Brief — free weekly grant intelligence

    Quick Links

    • Features
    • Social Enterprise Funding
    • About Us
    • Where our information comes from
    • For funders
    • For consultants
    • Writing with AI, honestly
    • Success Stories
    • Mission
    • How It Works
    • Pricing
    • Developers
    • Sales deck
    • Live Demand Wall
    • Philanthropy Jobs
    • Nonprofit Compensation
    • Invest in Kindora
    • Live demo (every plan)
    • Individual prospecting demoBeta
    • Blog
    • FAQ
    • Getting Started

    Connect With Us

    LinkedIn

    Find Grants

    Grants by CauseGrants by StateFoundations by CityEducation GrantsHealth GrantsArts & Culture GrantsEnvironment GrantsCommunity Development GrantsYouth Development Grants

    © 2026 Kindora. All rights reserved.

    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceYour privacy choicesEnvironmental footprintSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 46-5446388Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $1.2B3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders

    Giving Approach

    Extremely concentrated giving: very large, few grants (three grants totaling $90.2M) all directed to a single intermediary. No evidence of repeat direct program support to operating nonprofits; funds appear routed for downstream distribution or donor-advised use.

    Funding Style

    general/unrestricted operating supportproject-specific exhibition sponsorshipfellowships and academic awards (pre-doc, post-doc)research and travel grantsconservation and preservation grants

    Notable grantees: Schwab Charitable

    Topics

    contemporary visual art exhibitions and biennalesmuseum publication and catalogue supportIndigenous art and futures programmingtextile heritage and cultural memory (Andean studies)artist support and awards (next-gen, travel, scholarships)conservation/preservation of collections

    Where Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation Makes Grants

    Grant recipients are spread nationally, with most awards landing in the United States and a smaller share going abroad. New Mexico stands out as the top state by grant count, with repeated awards in Santa Fe and Las Cruces, while Texas recipients include Dallas, Houston, and Roscoe. Other visible centers include Chicago, New York, Phoenix, Portland, and Boston. International recipients appear in the country distribution as Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, Colombia, and France.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation

    What kinds of work does the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation support?

    Its active programs cover art exhibitions and programs, artist support, education projects and scholarships, scholarly research, conservation, and publication support. Recent grants also show support for theaters, museums, universities, and scholarship organizations.

    Does the foundation support individual researchers or students?

    Yes. The foundation funds individuals and administers awards and fellowships for researchers. Its programs include research and travel awards in Art of the Spanish Americas, the Marilynn Thoma Fellowship, and scholarships for rural students.

    How does the foundation usually make grants?

    The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $24,000 at the median, and $60,000 at the 75th percentile. At the same time, the recent record includes larger awards in the six- and seven-figure range.

    Can organizations submit unsolicited proposals?

    Yes for several programs. The foundation accepts unsolicited applications for awards and fellowships, special project funding, research and travel awards, conservation grants, and collections-related grants for nonprofits.

    Which places receive the most grants?

    New Mexico is the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities in that state include Santa Fe and Las Cruces, and Texas cities in the recent list include Dallas, Houston, and Roscoe.

    Accepts unsolicited proposals
    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    12
    $111K
    7.4%
    3Peru7$83K
    4.3%
    4Japan3$35K
    1.8%
    5Ecuador3$6K
    1.8%
    6United Kingdom2$88K
    1.2%
    7Italy2$45K
    1.2%
    8Colombia2$13K
    1.2%
    9Spain2$7K
    1.2%
    10Mexico1$15K
    0.6%

    Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Varies

    Museum Loan Program

    Art of the Spanish AmericasDigital and Media ArtJapanese Bamboo+4 more

    Who can apply: Organizations must advance the Foundation’s mission, present innovative research or approaches in a collection area, establish effective presentation and communications, submit requests at least six months in advance, meet American Alliance of Museums facility standards, and propose a display period exceeding 90 days. Preference is given to requests for multiple artworks.

    Deadline: Requests must be submitted at least six months before the loan start date; proposed display must exceed 90 days.

    View & apply
    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Varies

    Digital Image and Research Requests

    Art researchArt educationScholarly publications+2 more

    Who can apply: Requests must be for scholarly, educational, exhibition, publication, research, or related communications purposes. Commercial use is prohibited. Applicants must provide appropriate credit and a copy or PDF of the completed project.

    Deadline: Requests should be submitted at least two weeks before the materials are needed.

    View & apply

    Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.

    Create a free account

    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    SCHWAB CHARITABLEORLANDO, FL$35,100,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB FKA REHABILITATION INSTITUTE OF CHICAGOCHICAGO, IL$1,000,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATERCHICAGO, IL$350,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY INC DBA SEO SCHOLARSSAN FRANCISCO, CA$250,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    SITE SANTA FESANTE FE, NM$125,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    ScholarshipsDallas, TX$123,1972025SCHOLARSHIPS
    OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONSTILLWATER, OK$111,2002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    NEW MEXICO SCHOOL FOR THE ARTSSANTE FE, NM$100,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATIONCHICAGO, IL$100,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    BUFFALO FINE ARTS ACADEMYBUFFALO, NY$100,0002025PUBLICATION GRANT
    UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDONLONDON$82,5082025POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
    SANTA FE OPERASANTE FE, NM$75,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT RIVERSIDERIVERSIDE, CA$75,0002025EXHIBITION SUPPORT
    THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ARTLOS ANGELES, CA$75,0002025EXHIBITION SUPPORT
    AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTEWASHINGTON, DC$50,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    HOOVER INSTITUTIONSTANFORD, CA$50,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    THE DALLAS FOUNDATIONDALLAS, TX$50,0002025EXHIBITION SUPPORT
    ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGOCHICAGO, IL$50,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUMMILWAUKEE, WI$50,0002025EXHIBITION SUPPORT
    THINK NEW MEXICOSANTE FE, NM$40,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    MUSEO DE ARTE DE LIMALIMA$40,0002025EXHIBITION SUPPORT
    UNIVERSIDAD DE INGENIERA Y TECNOLOGIALIMA$35,0002025CONSERVATION GRANT
    HILLSBORO MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATIONHILLSBORO, OR$32,5002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    CARLA GARCIABUENOS AIRES$32,5002025DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
    AMON CARTER MUSEUM OF ARTFORT WORTH, TX$30,0002025GENERAL & EXHIBITION SUPPORT
    DALLAS OPERADALLAS, TX$25,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    NEW MEXICO MUSEUM OF ARTSANTA FE, NM$25,0002025PUBLICATION GRANT
    FIGGE ART MUSEUMDAVENPORT, IA$25,0002025EXHIBITION SUPPORT
    NAKATOMI HAJIMETAKETA CITY$25,0002025NEXT GEN AWARD
    ELECTRONIC ARTS INTERMIXNEW YORK, NY$21,4002025PUBLICATION GRANT
    CANTOR ART MUSEUM STANFORD UNIVERSITYSTANFORD, CA$20,0002025PUBLICATION GRANT
    PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ARTPORTLAND, ME$20,0002025PUBLICATION GRANT
    UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOUNDATIONAUSTIN, TX$20,0002025EXHIBITION SUPPORT
    RODRIGO VILLALOBOS RUIZQUERETARO$15,0002025CONSERVATION GRANT
    CORNELL UNIVERSITYITHACA, NY$15,0002025EXHIBITION SUPPORT
    UTECLOWELL, MA$15,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    EWA KUBIAKLODZ$14,6002025RESEARCH & TRAVEL AWARD
    AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE PRADO MUSEUMMINNEAPOLIS, MN$12,5002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK STATESTONY BROOK, NY$12,0002025SEMINAR SUPPORT
    NEVADA MUSEUM OF ARTRENO, NV$10,0002025EXHIBITION SUPPORT
    SANTA FE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVALSANTE FE, NM$10,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    NASHER SCULPTURE CENTERDALLAS, TX$10,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ARTNEW YORK, NY$7,3442025GENERAL SUPPORT
    WATANABE CHIAKIYAMANASHI$5,0002025NEXT GEN AWARD
    KONDO MASSAYOBEPPUCITY$5,0002025NEXT GEN AWARD
    MODERN ART MUSEUM OF FORT WORTHFORT WORTH, TX$5,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    DALLAS ART MUSEUMDALLAS, TX$5,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    BAYLOR SCOTT FOUNDATIONFORT WORTH, TX$5,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    CARL & MARILYNN THOMA FOUNDATION - NEXT GEN AWARDSDALLAS, TX$5,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    SOFIA ORTEGA-GUERREROOAKLAND, CA$3,7502025EXPLORATORY TRAVEL

    SCHWAB CHARITABLE

    $35,100,000
    ORLANDO, FL2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB FKA REHABILITATION INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

    $1,000,000
    CHICAGO, IL2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER

    $350,000
    CHICAGO, IL2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY INC DBA SEO SCHOLARS

    $250,000
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SITE SANTA FE

    $125,000
    SANTE FE, NM2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    Scholarships

    $123,197
    Dallas, TX
    2025

    SCHOLARSHIPS

    OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

    $111,200
    STILLWATER, OK2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    NEW MEXICO SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

    $100,000
    SANTE FE, NM2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION

    $100,000
    CHICAGO, IL2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BUFFALO FINE ARTS ACADEMY

    $100,000
    BUFFALO, NY2025

    PUBLICATION GRANT

    UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

    $82,508
    LONDON2025

    POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

    SANTA FE OPERA

    $75,000
    SANTE FE, NM2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT RIVERSIDE

    $75,000
    RIVERSIDE, CA2025

    EXHIBITION SUPPORT

    THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART

    $75,000
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    EXHIBITION SUPPORT

    AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE

    $50,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    HOOVER INSTITUTION

    $50,000
    STANFORD, CA2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    THE DALLAS FOUNDATION

    $50,000
    DALLAS, TX2025

    EXHIBITION SUPPORT

    ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

    $50,000
    CHICAGO, IL2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

    $50,000
    MILWAUKEE, WI2025

    EXHIBITION SUPPORT

    THINK NEW MEXICO

    $40,000
    SANTE FE, NM2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MUSEO DE ARTE DE LIMA

    $40,000
    LIMA2025

    EXHIBITION SUPPORT

    UNIVERSIDAD DE INGENIERA Y TECNOLOGIA

    $35,000
    LIMA2025

    CONSERVATION GRANT

    HILLSBORO MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION

    $32,500
    HILLSBORO, OR2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CARLA GARCIA

    $32,500
    BUENOS AIRES2025

    DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

    AMON CARTER MUSEUM OF ART

    $30,000
    FORT WORTH, TX2025

    GENERAL & EXHIBITION SUPPORT

    DALLAS OPERA

    $25,000
    DALLAS, TX2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    NEW MEXICO MUSEUM OF ART

    $25,000
    SANTA FE, NM2025

    PUBLICATION GRANT

    FIGGE ART MUSEUM

    $25,000
    DAVENPORT, IA2025

    EXHIBITION SUPPORT

    NAKATOMI HAJIME

    $25,000
    TAKETA CITY2025

    NEXT GEN AWARD

    ELECTRONIC ARTS INTERMIX

    $21,400
    NEW YORK, NY2025

    PUBLICATION GRANT

    CANTOR ART MUSEUM STANFORD UNIVERSITY

    $20,000
    STANFORD, CA2025

    PUBLICATION GRANT

    PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ART

    $20,000
    PORTLAND, ME2025

    PUBLICATION GRANT

    UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOUNDATION

    $20,000
    AUSTIN, TX2025

    EXHIBITION SUPPORT

    RODRIGO VILLALOBOS RUIZ

    $15,000
    QUERETARO2025

    CONSERVATION GRANT

    CORNELL UNIVERSITY

    $15,000
    ITHACA, NY2025

    EXHIBITION SUPPORT

    UTEC

    $15,000
    LOWELL, MA2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    EWA KUBIAK

    $14,600
    LODZ2025

    RESEARCH & TRAVEL AWARD

    AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE PRADO MUSEUM

    $12,500
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK STATE

    $12,000
    STONY BROOK, NY2025

    SEMINAR SUPPORT

    NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART

    $10,000
    RENO, NV2025

    EXHIBITION SUPPORT

    SANTA FE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

    $10,000
    SANTE FE, NM2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    NASHER SCULPTURE CENTER

    $10,000
    DALLAS, TX2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

    $7,344
    NEW YORK, NY2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    WATANABE CHIAKI

    $5,000
    YAMANASHI2025

    NEXT GEN AWARD

    KONDO MASSAYO

    $5,000
    BEPPUCITY2025

    NEXT GEN AWARD

    MODERN ART MUSEUM OF FORT WORTH

    $5,000
    FORT WORTH, TX2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    DALLAS ART MUSEUM

    $5,000
    DALLAS, TX2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BAYLOR SCOTT FOUNDATION

    $5,000
    FORT WORTH, TX2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CARL & MARILYNN THOMA FOUNDATION - NEXT GEN AWARDS

    $5,000
    DALLAS, TX2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SOFIA ORTEGA-GUERRERO

    $3,750
    OAKLAND, CA2025

    EXPLORATORY TRAVEL