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Thielen Foundation Inc

EIN 82-5085997 · Minneapolis, MN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE THIELEN FOUNDATION HAS BEEN FORMED TO HELP SERVE, EDUCATE AND INSPIRE THOSE IN NEED. WITH AN OVERARCHING THEME ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, THE THIELEN FOUNDATION AIMS TO CREATE PROGRAMS THAT WILL EQUIP AND EMPOWER KIDS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IN LIFE.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$597,634
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
48.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
0
Volunteers
40

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 48.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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 (3)
  1. $406,971 spent. HERE AT THE THIELEN FOUNDATION, WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF SPORT. THE POWER OF SPORT CAN CHANGE OUR SOCIETY BY SHOWCASING OUR DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES AND HOW WE CAN COME TOGETHER AS A TEAM TO ACHIEVE A GREATER GOAL. WE ALSO BELIEVE THE ZIP CODE YOU ARE BORN IN SHOULD NOT DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE POTENTIAL WHICH IS WHY WE DEVELOPED THE #CHANGETHRUSPORT CAMPAIGN. THE #CHANGETHRUSPORT PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED IN 2020 TO STAND IN THE GAP FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN THE UPPER MIDWEST. THE THIELEN FOUNDATION BOLDLY PUTS ITS PASSION INTO ACTION BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT, MUCH NEEDED SPORTS EQUIPMENT AND APPAREL, ALONG WITH HOPE AND INSPIRATION FOR YOUTH TO DREAM BIG AND ATTAIN THEIR GOALS ON AND OFF THE PLAYING FIELD AND SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS IN LIFE. IN 2024, THIELEN FOUNDATION TOOK ON TWO NEW PARTNER HIGH SCHOOLS, ONE IN ST. PAUL, MN (COMO HS) AND ONE IN CHARLOTTE, NC (MALLARD CREEK HS) -- AND DID A COMPLETE MAKEOVER OF THEIR WEIGHT ROOMS AND ADDED THEIR SCHOOLS TO OUR LEGACY PROGRAM OF GIVING $50,000 IN 5 - $1,000 STUDENT ATHLETES SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUALLY, OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. TO DATE, THE THIELEN FOUNDATION HAS DONATED TO YOUTH ATHLETIC TEAMS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WERE IN DIRE NEED OF FUNDING AND EQUIPMENT TO KEEP THEIR PROGRAMMING UP AND TO PROVIDE CONSISTENT TRAINING, DISCIPLINE AND POSITIVE CHARACTER BUILDING THROUGH COACHING
  2. $45,000 spent. THIELEN FOUNDATION PARTNERED WITH CRISIS ASSISTANCE MINISTRY IN CHARLOTTE, NC TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TOWARDS RENT AND ALSO A CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE WHERE FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO 'SHOP' FOR COATS AND TOYS. THIELEN FOUNDATION DONATED $45,000 TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN NEED IN PARTNERSHIP, INCREASING THE THIELEN FOUNDATION'S HOLIDAY GIVING PROGRAM THAT IS RAN ANNUALLY IN MINNESOTA WITH SALVATION ARMY (AN ADDITIONAL $10,000) FOR FAMILIES IN NEED.
  3. $100,000 spent. TF DONATED $100,000 TO THE COMPLETION OF ZANEWOOD YOUTH RECREATION CENTER. THE BROOKLYN PARK COMMUNITY DID NOT HAVE A FACILITY FOR YOUTH TO EXIST IN AND HAVE PROGRAMS FOR RECREATION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THIS DONATION FROM THIELEN FOUNDATION WILL OFFER FINISHING TOUCHES SUCH AS BLEACHERS IN THE GYM SPACE AND MORE AREAS FOR YOUTH TO GATHER IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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)(3) charitable 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? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    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 September 2018.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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