Thompson Foundation | Improving Lives Through Education About the thompson Foundation Changing Lives Since 1999 Improving Lives One Education at a Time The Thompson Foundation established in 1999 initially concentrated on grantmaking initiatives aimed at alleviating human suffering fostering economic independence and expanding educational opportunities for lowincome youth and adults in the Detroit area. In 2002 the Thompsons formed the Thompson Schools Foundation formerly named the Thompson Educational Foundation dedicating its efforts exclusively to K12 education within Detroit. Over the years the Thompson Foundation transitioned its primary focus towards offering scholarships for students at select universities in Michigan and Northern Ohio. Its flagship postsecondary program the Working Families Scholarship Program was created in 2011.