T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation (Thornton S. Glide Jr. and Katrina D. Glide Foundation)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,133,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (187 awards made in 2023)
• Decision Time: Approximately 4 months (applications close August 15, awards announced December 15)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $50,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily California, also Colorado and New York
• Total Assets: $33.7 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 1710, Davis, CA 95617-1710
Office: 28120 Pierce Ranch Road, Davis, CA 95616
Phone: (530) 753-3803
Fax: (530) 753-3849
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.glidefoundation.org
Application Portal: https://glidefoundation.submittable.com/submit

Overview

The Thornton S. Glide, Jr. and Katrina D. Glide Foundation was established in July 1995 as a perpetual California charitable trust following the deaths of Thornton ("Tawny") S. Glide, Jr. and his wife, Katrina ("Scatter") Dangberg Glide, who were long-time residents of the T.S. Glide Ranch in Yolo County, California. With total assets of approximately $33.7 million, the foundation distributed $1,133,000 in grants in 2023, making 187 awards. The foundation's mission is to provide benefits for qualified organizations committed to animal protection, land and wildlife conservation, agricultural purposes, preservation of land in its natural state, and civic organizations such as opera and symphony. Recent grantmaking focuses almost exclusively on animal welfare and wildlife in California, though some grantees beyond this space also receive support. The foundation prioritizes specific capital acquisitions over operational costs, seeking to make significant contributions toward tangible and enduring capital needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Regular Grants: Up to $20,000

• Application Method: Online via Submittable portal during annual cycle (May 15 - August 15)
• Focus: Specific capital acquisitions with useful life of at least five years
• Priority given to California-based organizations

Major Grants: $20,000 - $50,000

• Application Method: Same online portal and timeline as Regular Grants
• Focus: Significant capital needs that support new services, sustainable expansion of existing services, or replacement/renovation of deteriorated capital assets
• Additional Requirement: Organizations may not have received a Major Grant from the foundation within the past three years (except under special circumstances at trustees' discretion)
• Average grant size across all programs: approximately $7,000

Priority Areas (in order of importance)

1. Animal Protection Organizations (highest priority)

   • Humane societies
   • Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
   • Animal rescue organizations
   • Wildlife conservation groups
   • Organizations caring for neglected and abused animals

2. Land and Wildlife Conservancy

   • Preservation of lands in natural state
   • Wetlands conservation
   • Wildlife habitat protection

3. Agricultural Purposes

   • Organizations committed to agricultural preservation and development

4. Civic Organizations

   • Opera companies
   • Symphony orchestras
   • Similar cultural institutions

Geographic Preference: California-based organizations receive priority over out-of-state organizations, though the foundation has funded projects in California, Colorado, and New York.

Recent Grant Examples: Grantees involved in wellbeing and conservation of wild animals include Elephant Aid International, Easter Sierra Wildlife Care, the Wild Spirit Wolf Foundation, and the Saffyre Sanctuary of Granada Hills, California.

What They Don't Fund

• Operational costs (administrative costs, general overhead, taxes, interest payments)
• Direct aid to individuals
• Scholarships
• Programs focused primarily on sports

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Russell E. White, Co-Trustee
• Sarah White, Co-Trustee
• Richard D. Bruga, DVM, Co-Trustee

Staff

• Marilyn Everett, Financial Officer

The foundation operates with lean governance, with co-trustees making all grant decisions. The presence of Dr. Richard Bruga, a veterinarian, as co-trustee reflects the foundation's deep commitment to animal welfare.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted ONLY through the online Submittable portal at https://glidefoundation.submittable.com/submit during the annual application window of May 15 - August 15.

Critical Application Window Details:

• May 15 - August 1: Submissions requiring corrections will be available for editing
• August 2 - August 15: Submissions containing errors may be immediately rejected without the opportunity to correct discrepancies or missing documentation
• August 15, 11:59 PM: Absolute deadline for all submissions and editing

Application Requirements:

• Must be a qualified 501(c)(3) organization under U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 23701(d)
• Organizations must have been in existence for at least two years prior to application
• Must have achieved a record of effective service
• Only ONE application per organization per grant cycle is accepted

Decision Timeline

• Application Period: May 15 - August 15
• Decision Notification: December 15 of the same year
• Total Timeline: Approximately 4 months from application deadline to decision

The foundation advises that early submission in the cycle is in the applicant's best interest, particularly to allow time for corrections before the August 2 deadline.

Success Rates

While specific acceptance percentages are not publicly available, the foundation made 187 awards in 2023 and 170 awards in 2022, suggesting they fund a substantial number of organizations annually. With total giving of $1,133,000 in 2023 and an average grant size of approximately $7,000, the foundation demonstrates consistent support for multiple organizations rather than concentrating resources on a few large grants.

Reapplication Policy

• For Major Grants: Organizations that have received a Major Grant may not apply for another Major Grant within three years (except under special circumstances at the trustees' sole discretion)
• For Regular Grants: No explicit waiting period for unsuccessful applicants
• Organizations may submit one application per annual grant cycle (May 15 - August 15)

Application Success Factors

The foundation has articulated specific preferences that directly impact application success:

Capital Focus is Critical

Grants are made only for or toward acquisition of specific capital items. The foundation seeks to fund tangible and enduring capital needs with a useful life of at least five years with reasonable care. Successful applications clearly demonstrate how the requested capital acquisition will:

• Support a new service
• Enable sustainable expansion of an existing service
• Replace or renovate deteriorated capital assets

California Priority

The foundation explicitly states that "California based organizations will take priority over out of state organizations." If your organization is based in California—particularly in Yolo County or surrounding areas—emphasize this connection prominently in your application.

Animal Welfare Alignment

Given the foundation's history (established by ranchers dedicated to animal protection) and recent grantmaking patterns (almost exclusively animal welfare and wildlife), applications from animal protection organizations have the strongest alignment with the foundation's mission. Use terminology that reflects the foundation's language: "animal protection," "rescue," "neglected and abused animals," "wildlife conservation."

Organizational Stability Matters

The requirement that organizations have been in existence for at least two years with a "record of effective service" suggests the trustees value proven track records. Applications should demonstrate:

• Established history of impact
• Sustainable operations
• Community support and recognition

Avoid Common Rejection Reasons

Based on the foundation's explicit exclusions:

• Do not request operational support (salaries, rent, utilities, overhead)
• Do not frame your request as general operating support
• Ensure your request is for a specific, identifiable capital asset
• Do not submit applications after August 2 if there are any errors, as you will not have time to correct them

Application Timing Strategy

The foundation's warning that "early submission in the cycle is in your organization's best interest" combined with the August 2 correction deadline suggests:

• Submit well before August 2 to allow time for corrections if needed
• Avoid last-minute submissions during the August 2-15 window when errors may lead to immediate rejection

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Capital only: This foundation funds capital acquisitions exclusively—equipment, buildings, renovations, vehicles—not operational costs or general support
• Submit early: Apply well before August 2 to preserve your ability to make corrections; applications with errors submitted after August 2 may be immediately rejected
• California advantage: California organizations receive priority; emphasize your California connection if applicable
• Animal welfare priority: Recent grantmaking focuses almost exclusively on animal welfare and wildlife; alignment with this area significantly increases chances
• Organizational maturity required: Two-year minimum operating history and demonstrated effective service are prerequisites
• One shot per year: Only one application per organization per cycle—make it count
• Major grant restrictions: If seeking a Major Grant (over $20,000), ensure your organization hasn't received one from this foundation in the past three years
• Four-month timeline: Expect approximately four months from the August 15 deadline to the December 15 award announcement

References

• T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation official website: https://www.glidefoundation.org/ (accessed January 21, 2026)
• Glide Foundation Submittable Application Portal: https://glidefoundation.submittable.com/submit (accessed January 21, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Thornton S Glide Jr And Katrina D Glide Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943276694 (accessed January 21, 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/thornton-s-glide-jr-and-katrina-d-glide-foundation (accessed January 21, 2026)
• Foundation Directory Online (Candid): https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=GLID003 (accessed January 21, 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy - T.S. and K.D. Glide Foundation: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-g/ts-and-kd-glide-foundationnbsp (accessed January 21, 2026)
• fundsforNGOs - Glide Foundation 2024 Cycle: https://www2.fundsforngos.org/latest-funds-for-ngos/glide-foundation-2024-cycle-regular-and-major-grants-for-the-us/ (accessed January 21, 2026)