The Patrick J and Janet L Thompson Family Foundation concentrates its giving on hunger relief, directing sizable grants to regional food banks that operate emergency food distribution and pantry programs. Grants are focused on serving needy families in the Upper Midwest, particularly Eastern Wisconsin and surrounding Heartland communities.
Patrick J and Janet L Thompson Family Foundation Inc gives in a tight band around basic needs, with emergency food distribution as the clearest throughline. Its largest recent grants went to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin in Milwaukee and Second Harvest Heartland in Brooklyn Park, both described as food programs for needy families. Those awards sit alongside repeated support for regional food banks and pantry networks that serve families in the Upper Midwest. The pattern is not limited to hunger relief, but that area anchors the foundation’s identity in the grants record. The foundation also funds organizations that meet immediate household needs and crisis situations. Leaven in Menasha appears in multiple years for assistance to people in financial crisis, while Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee received support for victims of domestic violence. Other recent grants extend to school-based food support, hygiene supplies, and services for children and youth. Across the record, the foundation favors direct-service organizations that distribute essentials or operate practical support programs for families under strain.
Hunger relief is the foundation’s clearest focus. It gave $80,000 to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin for food programs for needy families and $58,000 to Second Harvest Heartland for the same purpose. School food support is another visible line of giving. Blessings in a Backpack received $13,000 for food programs for school children of needy families, showing an emphasis on children’s access to meals outside the classroom. The foundation also supports crisis response and family stability. Leaven received $34,000 to assist needy people in financial crisis, and Sojourner Family Peace Center received $12,000 to assist victims of domestic violence. A smaller set of grants covers hygiene and basic household goods. Milwaukee Diaper Mission received $10,000 to provide free diapers for families in need, and Jakes Diapers Inc received $10,000 to provide hygiene products for families in need.
Typical grants cluster in the low five figures, with p25 at $5,000, a median of $8,000, and p75 at $10,000. The recent record also includes larger outliers such as $80,000 and $58,000, indicating a mix of core operating support and smaller program grants. Several organizations recur across 2023 and 2025, including Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Second Harvest Heartland, Leaven, and Sojourner Family Peace Center, which points to repeated support rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is a family foundation, does not fund individuals, and makes no program-related investments.
$464K
$9.7M
$967K
$542K
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$10K
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 FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated and focused: a small number of relatively large grants exclusively to food-bank organizations, indicating preference for direct support of established regional hunger-relief providers rather than many small or diverse causes.
Notable grantees: Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Second Harvest Heartland
Grantmaking is regional and heavily centered in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Wisconsin recipients appear often in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, Menasha, Franklin, Neenah, Appleton, and New London, while Minnesota grants reach Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Winona. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 62 grants in the United States. The top state by grant count is Minnesota, even though 79% of grants go to recipients in Wisconsin.
It most often supports food banks, emergency food programs, and direct-service organizations that help needy families. Recent grants also go to groups serving people in financial crisis, victims of domestic violence, schoolchildren needing food support, and organizations providing diapers or hygiene products.
The foundation’s recent grants cluster at modest amounts: p25 is $5,000, the median is $8,000, and p75 is $10,000. Larger awards do appear, including $80,000 and $58,000 for food programs.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Second Harvest Heartland, Leaven, Sojourner Family Peace Center, Salvation Army of Wi and Upper MI, Make-a-wish Wisconsin, Minnehaha Academy, and St Peters Lutheran School.
Its grants are regional and focused in the U.S., especially Wisconsin and Minnesota. Wisconsin recipients make up 79% of grants, and Minnesota is the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities include Milwaukee, Brooklyn Park, Menasha, Minneapolis, Waukesha, and Wauwatosa.
No. The profile indicates that Patrick J and Janet L Thompson Family Foundation Inc does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEEDING AMERICA EASTERN WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $80,000 | 2026 | FOOD PROGRAMS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES |
| SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND | BROOKLYN PARK, MN | $58,000 | 2026 | FOOD PROGRAMS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES |
| LEAVEN | MENASHA, WI | $34,000 | 2026 | ASSIST NEEDY PEOPLE IN FINANCIAL CRISIS |
| MINNEHAHA ACADEMY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $32,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY FDN | WINONA, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| HUNGER TASK FORCE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | FOOD PROGRAMS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES |
| CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY - ST PAUL | ST PAUL, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| ST PETERS LUTHERAN SCHOOL | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK | WAUKESHA, WI | $13,000 | 2026 | FOOD PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN OF NEEDY FAMILIES |
| SOJOURNER FAMILY PEACE CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $12,000 | 2026 | ASSIST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| MAKE-A-WISH WISCONSIN | WAUWATOSA, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | HELP GRANT WISHES OF CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN |
| SALVATION ARMY OF WI AND UPPER MI | WAUWATOSA, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE ASSITANCE FOR NEEDY PEOPLE |
| JAKES DIAPERS INC | NEENAH, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE HYGIENE PRODUCTS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED |
| MILWAUKEE DIAPER MISSION | FRANKLIN, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | PROVIDING A RELIABLE SOURCE OF FREE DIAPERS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED |
| OUR PACK ANIMAL RESCUE | NEW LONDON, WI | $9,500 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR ANIMAL RESCUE |
| CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY - WISCONSIN | MEQUON, WI | $9,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO ASSOC | MADISON, WI | $8,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2026 | TAKING CARE OF WILD AND HOMELESS ANIMALS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GTR MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR PROGRAMS |
| NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO | BALTIMORE, MD | $6,000 | 2026 | ASSIST INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | ST PAUL, MN | $6,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| TRI-COUNTY DENTAL | APPLETON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | VOLUNTEER-BASED DENTAL CLINIC FOR NEEDY FAMILIES |
| MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE FDN INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| CASA OF THE FOX CITIES INC | APPLETON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN |
| COTS INC | APPLETON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | HOMELESSNESS |
| FRIENDS OF WISCONSIN PUBLIC TV | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WI - WINNEBAGO | APPLETON, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF WI & UP | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | ASSIST NEEDY PEOPLE |
| FEEDING AMERICA EASTERN WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | FOOD PROGRAMS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES |
| SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND | BROOKLYN PARK, MN | $53,000 | 2025 | FOOD PROGRAMS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES |
| LEAVEN | MENASHA, WI | $34,000 | 2025 | ASSIST NEEDY PEOPLE IN FINANCIAL CRISIS |
| MINNEHAHA ACADEMY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $32,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY FDN | WINONA, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ST PETERS LUTHERAN SCHOOL | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY - ST PAUL | ST PAUL, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| HUNGER TASK FORCE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | FOOD PROGRAMS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES |
| SALVATION ARMY OF WI AND UPPER MI | WAUWATOSA, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE ASSITANCE FOR NEEDY PEOPLE |
| SOJOURNER FAMILY PEACE CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | ASSIST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE |
| BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK | WAUKESHA, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | FOOD PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN OF NEEDY FAMILIES |
| MAKE-A-WISH WISCONSIN | WAUWATOSA, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | HELP GRANT WISHES OF CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN |
| CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY - WISCONSIN | MEQUON, WI | $8,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $8,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO ASSOC | MADISON, WI | $8,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| OUR PACK ANIMAL RESCUE | NEW LONDON, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR ANIMAL RESCUE |
| WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | TAKING CARE OF WILD AND HOMELESS ANIMALS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GTR MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,000 | 2025 | TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | ST PAUL, MN | $6,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO | BALTIMORE, MD | $6,000 | 2025 | ASSIST INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM |
| CASA OF THE FOX CITIES INC | APPLETON, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | TO ASSIST ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN |
MINNEHAHA ACADEMY
$32,500EDUCATION
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY FDN
$25,000EDUCATION
HUNGER TASK FORCE
FOOD PROGRAMS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY - ST PAUL
$25,000EDUCATION
ST PETERS LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$25,000EDUCATION
SALVATION ARMY OF WI AND UPPER MI
$10,000PROVIDE ASSITANCE FOR NEEDY PEOPLE
PROVIDING A RELIABLE SOURCE OF FREE DIAPERS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED
OUR PACK ANIMAL RESCUE
$9,500TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR ANIMAL RESCUE
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY - WISCONSIN
$9,000EDUCATION
TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR PROGRAMS
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
$6,000ASSIST INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM
FRIENDS OF WISCONSIN PUBLIC TV
$5,000EDUCATION
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WI - WINNEBAGO
$3,000EDUCATION
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF WI & UP
$3,000ASSIST NEEDY PEOPLE
MINNEHAHA ACADEMY
$32,500EDUCATION
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY FDN
$25,000EDUCATION
ST PETERS LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$25,000EDUCATION
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY - ST PAUL
$25,000EDUCATION
SALVATION ARMY OF WI AND UPPER MI
$10,000PROVIDE ASSITANCE FOR NEEDY PEOPLE
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY - WISCONSIN
$8,500EDUCATION
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO ASSOC
$8,000EDUCATION
OUR PACK ANIMAL RESCUE
$7,500TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR ANIMAL RESCUE
TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR PROGRAMS
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
$6,000ASSIST INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM