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Thunderbird Foundation a Trust

EIN 23-7163480 · Phoenix, AZ

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedToo small or too little detailImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE THUNDERBIRD FOUNDATION IS A CHARITABLE ARM OF THE THUNDERBIRDS THROUGH WHICH MONIES ARE DISBURSED TO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS BENEFITING AMATEUR ATHLETES, AMATEUR ATHLETIC TEAMS OR AMATEUR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AND EVENTS.

Income
$497,000
Spending
$502,993
Employees
0
Volunteers
4,500
Highest pay
$768,259, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Governance

This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $247,000 spent. THE THUNDERBIRD FOUNDATION PROVIDED GRANTS TO 236 HIGH SCHOOL AND 11 COLLEGIATE GOLF TEAMS FOR ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES IN THE AMOUNTS OF $236,000 AND $11,000 RESPECTIVELY.
  2. $244,000 spent. THE THUNDERBIRD FOUNDATION PROVIDED GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO 46 VARIOUS AMATEUR ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, ATHLETIC ORGANIZATIONS AND TEAMS TO FUND THEIR SPECIFIC PROGRAM NEEDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $244,000.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.

    The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1972.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.