Nonprofit · EIN 86-0373052
THE THUNDERBIRDS
Tax-exempt · PHOENIX, AZ 85020
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 2025 | 990 | $123,272,559 | $111,955,641 | $11,316,918 | $77,744,819 | $13,700,658 | $64,044,161 |
| May 31, 2024 | 990 | $117,217,368 | $102,916,230 | $14,301,138 | $66,570,797 | $16,212,740 | $50,358,057 |
| May 31, 2023 | 990 | $110,857,418 | $102,211,158 | $8,646,260 | $44,363,845 | $11,661,268 | $32,702,577 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended May 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $0
- Program service revenue
- $120,079,004
- Investment income
- $2,606,314
- Royalties
- $587,241
- Other revenue
- $587,241
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $12,894,047
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,064,914
- Other salaries and wages
- $5,923,394
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $7,914,158
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $21,616
- Accounting fees
- $59,170
- Occupancy
- $35,899
- Travel
- $180,283
- Depreciation
- $1,686,911
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $66,570,797
- Total assets, end of year
- $77,744,819
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $13,700,658
- Net assets, end of year
- $64,044,161
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $6,517,467
- Publicly traded securities
- $37,850,740
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $64,044,161
- Gross receipts
- $123,272,559
- Employees
- 220
- Volunteers
- 4,500
- Year formed
- 1979
- State of legal domicile
- AZ
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended May 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHANCE COZBY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 38 | $665,605 | $102,654 |
| MICHELLE SIMPSON | CFO Officer | 38 | $288,413 | $91,866 |
| JONATHAN JONES | EVENT BUILD MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $177,427 | $68,245 |
| CHERYL C HUSSEY | TOURNAMENT CHAIRMANS EXEC ASSIST Highest-paid employee | 40 | $160,935 | $62,753 |
| LAURA L MOORE | SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $170,374 | $48,714 |
| CHERYL R RUGGIERO | THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES COORDINATOR Highest-paid employee | 10 | $164,834 | $50,530 |
| JOHN WILLARD GOFF | EVENT BUILD MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $149,916 | $55,015 |
| GEORGE THIMSEN | BIG CHIEF 2024-25 Trustee or director, Officer | 8 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON ADLER | LITTLE CHIEF 2024-25 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN DAMIRIS | MEDICINE MAN 2024-25 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BRANDON STEIN | MIS CHIEF 2024-25 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM GRACE | SACHEM 2024-25 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT MOONEY | ACTIVE (TOURN CHAIRMAN) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BULL EARNHARDT | DIRECTOR - ACTIVE MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON PRITCHETT | DIRECTOR - ACTIVE MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
5 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TONY PETELIN | DIRECTOR-LIFE MEMBER 24-25 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CARLOS SUGICH | DIRECTOR-LIFE MEMBER 24-25 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JESSICA PACHECO | NON TBIRD DIRECTOR 5 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KELLY MOONEY | NON TBIRD DIRECTOR 3 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PAT WILLIAMS | 1ST PAST BIG CHIEF Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended May 31, 2024: 20 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHANCE COZBY | TB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 38 | $624,245 | $98,392 |
| MICHELLE SIMPSON | CFO Officer | 38 | $269,588 | $89,065 |
| CHERYL R RUGGIERO | THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES COORDINATOR Highest-paid employee | 10 | $157,011 | $57,402 |
| CHERYL C HUSSEY | TOURNAMENT CHAIRMANS EXEC ASST Highest-paid employee | 40 | $153,292 | $61,120 |
| LAURA L MOORE | SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $162,554 | $46,752 |
| JOHN WILLARD GOFF | EVENT BUILD MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $147,059 | $54,339 |
| JONATHAN JONES | EVENT BUILD MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $145,098 | $30,471 |
| PAT WILLIAMS | BIG CHIEF 2023-24 Trustee or director, Officer | 8 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID BAUM | LITTLE CHIEF 2023-24 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DARRYL BERGER | MEDICINE MAN 2023-24 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BRANDON BELL | MIS CHIEF 2023-24 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSH SWIFT | SACHEM 2023-24 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GEORGE THIMSEN | ACTIVE (TOURN CHAIRMAN) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSH ISNER | DIRECTOR - ACTIVE MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BLAKE MARUM | DIRECTOR - ACTIVE MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BRENT TALLY | DIRECTOR-LIFE MEMBER 2023-24 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDY MARKHAM | DIRECTOR-LIFE MEMBER 2023-24 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY MOONEY | NON TBIRD DIRECTOR 3 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR MICHAEL GOLDING | 1ST PAST BIG CHIEF Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JERI WILLIAMS | NON TBIRD DIRECTOR 4 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended May 31, 2023: 19 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEVEN C COZBY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 38 | $572,435 | $78,335 |
| MICHELLE SIMPSON | CFO Officer | 38 | $247,276 | $70,723 |
| CHERYL C HUSSEY | TOURNAMENT CHAIRMANS EXEC. ASST. Highest-paid employee | 40 | $138,200 | $47,163 |
| CHERYL R RUGGIERO | THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES COORDINATOR Highest-paid employee | 10 | $139,718 | $45,645 |
| LAURA L MOORE | SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $147,482 | $34,739 |
| JOHN WILLARD GOFF | EVENT MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $135,115 | $44,191 |
| DR MICHAEL GOLDING | BIG CHIEF 2022-23 Trustee or director, Officer | 8 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT MOONEY | LITTLE CHIEF 2022-23 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TIM CHESTER | MEDICINE MAN 2022-23 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON ADLER | MIS CHIEF 2022-23 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GEOFF TURBOW | SACHEM 2022-23 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAT WILLIAMS | ACTIVE (TOURN CHAIRMAN) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT JENKINS | PAST BIG CHIEF Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY MOONEY | NON TBIRD DIRECTOR 3 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BULL EARNHARDT | DIRECTOR - ACTIVE MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON WOOD | DIRECTOR - ACTIVE MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN KOPP | DIRECTOR-LIFE MEMBER 2022-23 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAN MAHONEY | DIRECTOR-LIFE MEMBER 2022-23 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JERI WILLIAMS | NON TBIRD DIRECTOR 4 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 7226 N 16TH ST STE 100, PHOENIX, AZ 85020-5254
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- GEORGE THIMSEN, 7226 N 16TH ST 100, PHOENIX, AZ 85020
- Signed the 990
- GEORGE THIMSEN, BIG CHIEF/PRESIDENT
- Phone
- (602) 870-0163
- Website
- WWW.WMPHOENIXOPEN.COM
- Return prepared by
- EIDE BAILLY LLP
Mission
THE PURPOSE OF THE THUNDERBIRDS SHALL BE TO PUBLICIZE THE CITY OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA, AND THE PHOENIX METROPOLITAN AREA, BY SPONSORING ATHLETIC EVENTS AND BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO AMATEUR ATHLETES AND YOUTH-ORIENTED CHARITIES.
Program accomplishments
- WITH THE GOAL TO PROMOTE THE PHOENIX METROPOLITAN AREA THROUGH SPORTS, THE THUNDERBIRDS PROMOTED AND PRODUCED THE WM PHOENIX OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT TO RAISE MONEY FOR ARIZONA CHARITIES, MOST OF WHICH PROVIDE PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT YOUTH. WASTE MANAGEMENT IS THE TITLE SPONSOR, AND THE TOURNAMENT IS HELD AT THE TPC SCOTTSDALE. THE TOURNAMENT GENERATED TOTAL REVENUES OF $121M WITH TOTAL EXPENSES OF $99M. RECENT BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE PHOENIX CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, FIRST TEE OF PHOENIX, JR. GOLF ASSN. OF AZ, SPECIAL OLYMPICS AZ, SUN ANGEL FOUNDATION, ST. MARY'S FOOD BANK, ARIZONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, AND BANNER HEALTH FOUNDATION.
- THE THUNDERBIRDS PROVIDED VOLUNTEERS AND OVER $10.6M SUPPORT FOR YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS.
- WE ALSO PROVIDED VOLUNTEERS AND $940K FOR HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND AMATEUR ATHLETICS.
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in May, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 31, 2026 | October 15, 2026 | Not on file |
| 2024 | May 31, 2025 | October 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | May 31, 2024 | October 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 86-0373052
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(6): Business league or chamber of commerce
- Donations deductible
- No
- Exempt since
- 1972
- Accounting year ends
- May
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $77,744,819
- Income (IRS master file)
- $123,272,559
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | May 2025 | $123,272,559 | $111,955,641 | $77,744,819 | XML |
| 990 | May 2024 | $117,217,368 | $102,916,230 | $66,570,797 | XML |
| 990 | May 2023 | $110,857,418 | $102,211,158 | $44,363,845 | XML |
| 990 | May 2022 | $84,390,943 | $77,664,373 | $33,696,955 | IRS |
| 990 | May 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | May 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | May 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | May 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 86-0373052).
Questions about THE THUNDERBIRDS
- What is the EIN of THE THUNDERBIRDS?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of THE THUNDERBIRDS is 86-0373052.
- Is THE THUNDERBIRDS tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(6) since 1972.
- Are donations to THE THUNDERBIRDS tax-deductible?
- No. The IRS master file says contributions to it are not deductible.
- Which annual return does THE THUNDERBIRDS file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of THE THUNDERBIRDS due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending May 31, 2026) is due October 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did THE THUNDERBIRDS last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended May 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of THE THUNDERBIRDS?
- The 990 for the year ended May 31, 2025 names GEORGE THIMSEN.
- Who are the officers and directors of THE THUNDERBIRDS?
- The 990 for the year ended May 31, 2025 lists 20 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $665,605 (CHANCE COZBY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does THE THUNDERBIRDS have?
- On its 990 for the year ended May 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $123,272,559, expenses of $111,955,641 and total assets of $77,744,819 at year end.
Other nonprofits in PHOENIX
- BANNER HEALTH EIN 45-0233470 · last filed 990 for 2024
- MERCY CARE EIN 86-0527381 · last filed 990 for 2025
- DIGNITY COMMUNITY CARE EIN 81-5009488 · last filed 990 for 2025
- COMMONSPIRIT HEALTH EIN 47-0617373 · last filed 990 for 2025
- GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY EIN 47-2507725 · last filed 990 for 2025
- COMMONSPIRIT WASHINGTON EIN 91-0564491 · last filed 990 for 2025
- BANNER UNIVERSITY FAMILY CARE EIN 46-3766901 · last filed 990 for 2024
- PHOENIX CHILDRENS HOSPITAL EIN 86-0422559 · last filed 990 for 2024