WC and EJ Thornton Foundation
Invitation OnlyDenver, Colorado · EIN 85-1286430 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$278K
Organizations funded30
Typical grant$1,000
Total assets$5.2M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $1,000 and $10,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
60% of grants went outside Colorado.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | 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 |
| Art from Ashes | Denver, CO | art for disadvantaged youth | $7,500 |
| Cleveland Classical Guitar Society | Cleveland, OH | arts and music | $7,500 |
| Education Through Music Colorado | Denver, CO | music for underfunded schools | $6,000 |
| Leap of Joy | Austin, TX | dance for underfunded youth | $5,000 |
| transformative justice project of c | Denver, CO | education assistance for youth experiencing instability in the denver area | $2,500 |
| Museum of Outdoor Arts | Englewood, CO | arts | $1,000 |
| National Center for Childrens Illu | Abilene, TX | literature and arts | $1,000 |
| Summit Artspace | Akron, OH | arts | $1,000 |
| Maine Blue Collar Scholarship Found | Gorham, ME | scholarships for education | $1,000 |
| 240 Strings | Portland, ME | music education for children | $1,000 |
| El Paso Society for Musicians of th | El Paso, TX | music education for youth | $1,000 |
| Talespinner Childrens Theater | Cleveland, OH | theatre for children | $1,000 |
| The Coastal Childrens Museum | Rockland, ME | education | $1,000 |
| Colorado Black Cube Museum | Denver, CO | arts | $1,000 |
| Western Maine Play Museum | Wilton, ME | education | $1,000 |
| ArtSpark | Austin, TX | arts | $1,000 |
| The Mayfly Project | Benton, AR | education and mentoring | $1,000 |
| Trekkers | Rockland, ME | Education and mentoring | $1,000 |
| The Macon Trust | Colorado Springs, CO | vocational education | $1,000 |
| Youth on Record | Denver, CO | music and education | $1,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $277,660 | 30 |
| 2023 | $243,481 | 46 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Oct 22, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202512969349100301
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 85-1286430
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.