The Thursday Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that facilitates volunteer efforts and grants supporting charitable activities connected with The Thursday Club, The Thursday Club Juniors, and the Professionals. The Foundation partners with established charitable organizations to improve the San Diego community, including support for Balboa Park projects and local nonprofits.
The Thursday Club Foundation’s recent giving is built around San Diego community institutions, with one especially large award standing out: $100,305 to Honor Flight San Diego in 2023 for general support. Across the grant list, the foundation backs organizations working in education, arts and culture, parks and wildlife, science and medicine, and social services, while also supporting Balboa Park projects through its annual proceeds distribution program. That mix shows a funder that connects volunteer-driven fundraising to practical local support. General support appears repeatedly, suggesting the foundation often gives flexible operating dollars rather than tightly restricted project funds. In 2025, it paired a $50,000 grant to Anybody Can Youth Foundation with a $35,700 grant to Starpal, both in San Diego, alongside smaller awards to organizations such as Just in Time for Foster Youth and Connect Med. The foundation also supports cultural and civic assets, including the San Diego Automotive Museum, the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, and Balboa Park Activity Center. Its grants are local and entirely concentrated in California, which fits its stated role in serving the San Diego community.
Education and youth development are visible in grants to Barrio Logan College Institute for general support, San Diego Refugee Tutoring for general support, and Girls Rising in Oceanside for general support. Those awards point to support for learning access and student-serving organizations across the San Diego area. The foundation also funds arts, museums, and cultural programming. Recent examples include Prophet World Beat Productions for general support, San Diego Junior Theatre for general support, and Village Arts and Education Foundation for general support. Alongside those, the foundation gave to the San Diego Automotive Museum and the San Diego Air & Space Museum, showing an interest in civic and educational cultural institutions. Community support and human services are another clear thread. Recent grants include Transfamily Support Services, Sharia's Closet, and Elderhelp of San Diego, each for general support. The foundation also backed Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and Cura Smiles Inc, indicating support for food access and health-related community services.
$203K
$637K
$374K
$221K
Most grants fall between $9K and $15K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Typical grant sizes cluster in the low five figures: the 25th percentile is $8,675, the median is $12,337, and the 75th percentile is $15,427. The recent grant list also shows a wider upper range, with a $100,305 award at the top and multiple grants around $15,000. The pattern looks like recurring annual local philanthropy rather than isolated gifts. Balboa Park Activity Center appears in both 2023 and 2025, and the foundation’s named programs include an annual Benevolence Grant and an Annual Rummage Sale proceeds distribution. It is classified as a regular funder, makes no program-related investments, and does not fund individuals. Unsolicited applications are accepted through both active grant programs.
The foundation’s giving is concentrated in California, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. San Diego is the clear center of activity: many grants go to San Diego-based organizations, including recipients in Balboa Park and other city neighborhoods. Outside the city, the recent list includes La Mesa, Carlsbad, and Oceanside, all still within the San Diego area. The distribution matches its local geographic scope and community-focused programs.
Its recent grants support education, arts and culture, parks and wildlife, science, technology and medicine, and social services. The foundation’s active programs also point to established charitable organizations serving the San Diego community and Balboa Park-related projects.
Typical awards are in the low five figures. The 25th percentile is $8,675, the median is $12,337, and the 75th percentile is $15,427.
Yes. Both active grant programs listed for the foundation accept unsolicited applications: the Benevolence Grant and the Annual Rummage Sale proceeds distribution program.
Its giving is local. All reported grants in the recent list go to recipients in California, and 100% of grants are in the HQ state.
Yes. Balboa Park Activity Center appears in both 2023 and 2025, and the foundation also operates named annual programs, including the Benevolence Grant and the Annual Rummage Sale — Proceeds Distribution.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Thursday Club Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits and serve the San Diego County community. Access is subject to space and date availability.
Deadline: No deadline stated; availability varies by event date.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE THURSDAY CLUB | SAN DIEGO, CA | $180,944 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BALBOA PARK ACTIVITY CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GOODWILL | SAN DIEGO, CA | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ANYBODY CAN YOUTH FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STARPAL | SAN DIEGO, CA | $35,700 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHALLENGE CENTER | LA MESA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JUST IN TIME FOR FOSTER YOUTH | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,300 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BALBOA PARK ACTIVITY CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONNECT MED | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LEAP TO SUCCESS INC | CARLSBAD, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUM | SAN DIEGO, CA | $11,200 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NAVY MARINE CORPS PROUD FOUNDATION INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ELDERHELP OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO JUNIOR THEATRE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $8,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GOODWILL | SAN DIEGO, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SPRECKELS ORGAN SOCIETY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,019 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HONOR FLIGHT SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $100,305 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JUST CALL US VOLUNTEERS DBA YOUTH ASSISTANCE COALITION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $43,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRANSFAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES | SAN DIEGO, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHARIA'S CLOSET | SAN DIEGO, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BARRIO LOGAN COLLEGE INSTITUTE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LARRY HIMMEL NEIGHBORHOOD FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $16,500 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO REFUGEE TUTORING | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,517 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROPHET WORLD BEAT PRODUCTIONS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,337 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ANGELS FOSTER FAMILY NETWORK | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BALBOA PARK ACTIVITY CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SAN DIEGO MODEL RAILROAD MUSEUM INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JACOBS & CUSHMAN SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK | SAN DIEGO, CA | $12,337 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOMENS HISTORY PROJECT INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $12,337 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VILLAGE ARTS AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $9,877 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CURA SMILES INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $9,492 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RESOUNDING JOY INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $9,399 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIRLS RISING | OCEANSIDE, CA | $8,850 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DORIS HOWELL FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $8,850 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BIG SISTER LEAGUE OF SAN DIEGO INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $8,338 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO CIVIC YOUTH BALLET | SAN DIEGO, CA | $7,921 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO HISTORY CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $7,876 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GOODWILL | SAN DIEGO, CA | $7,500 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VOICES FOR CHILDREN CA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $7,358 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHORELINE COMMUNITY CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $6,370 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAINLY MOZART INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $6,143 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
THE THURSDAY CLUB
$180,944GENERAL SUPPORT
BALBOA PARK ACTIVITY CENTER
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GOODWILL
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
ANYBODY CAN YOUTH FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STARPAL
$35,700GENERAL SUPPORT
CHALLENGE CENTER
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
BALBOA PARK ACTIVITY CENTER
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CONNECT MED
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LEAP TO SUCCESS INC
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
$11,200GENERAL SUPPORT
NAVY MARINE CORPS PROUD FOUNDATION INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GOODWILL
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
SPRECKELS ORGAN SOCIETY
$5,019GENERAL SUPPORT
SHARIA'S CLOSET
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LARRY HIMMEL NEIGHBORHOOD FOUNDATION
$16,500GENERAL SUPPORT
SAN DIEGO REFUGEE TUTORING
$15,517GENERAL SUPPORT
BALBOA PARK ACTIVITY CENTER
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE SAN DIEGO MODEL RAILROAD MUSEUM INC
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WOMENS HISTORY PROJECT INC
$12,337GENERAL SUPPORT
VILLAGE ARTS AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$9,877GENERAL SUPPORT
CURA SMILES INC
$9,492GENERAL SUPPORT
RESOUNDING JOY INC
$9,399GENERAL SUPPORT
GIRLS RISING
$8,850GENERAL SUPPORT
DORIS HOWELL FOUNDATION
$8,850GENERAL SUPPORT
BIG SISTER LEAGUE OF SAN DIEGO INC
$8,338GENERAL SUPPORT
SAN DIEGO CIVIC YOUTH BALLET
$7,921GENERAL SUPPORT
SAN DIEGO HISTORY CENTER
$7,876GENERAL SUPPORT
GOODWILL
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
SHORELINE COMMUNITY CENTER
$6,370GENERAL SUPPORT
