The Thomas Munson Foundation is a not-for-profit USA nation-wide family organization of the descendants of Thomas¹ Munson (1612-1685) who established the family in the New Haven Colony. The Foundation was incorporated in 1984 under the laws of the State of Michigan.

The Foundation is governed by a comprehensive set of ByLaws and an eleven member Board of Directors elected by the Regular Members from among their own numbers.  The various directors are then chosen by the Board as the Foundation’s officers and chairpersons of standing committees.

The membership meets every two years to elect the directors and to conduct other business that comes before the membership.  The Board of Directors meet annually to conduct the affairs of the Foundation.

The mission of the Thomas Munson Foundation is to research and preserve the history of Thomas¹ Munson and his descendants; to foster the values to which the family has subscribed, including furthering educational opportunities; and to add to the current body of information regarding the  family, past, present and future.  In order to achieve this purpose, an extensive network has been developed, beginning with the organization of the family into clans; a geographical division of the United States into seven regions; governing board with specific duties and regularly scheduled meetings; a quarterly newsletter; reunions of the general membership; extending to a five volume genealogy, namely “The Munson Record.”

North Haveners Letter to British Commissary General 1779, Walter⁴ Munson

Treasures from the Ancestral Garret of Garry⁸ Munson, Springfield, MA

As stated in the ByLaws, the Thomas Munson Foundation has multiple purposes (The Munson Record, Volume III, p. v-vi).

a. To provide financial assistance to deserving students who are lineal descendants of Thomas¹ Munson (1612-1685), or their legally adopted children, for scholarships to pay for, or contribute toward their college or post-graduate education.

b. To research the history and development of the Thomas¹ Munson family for the purposes of publishing genealogical data and other family records and of identifying candidates eligible for the Foundation’s scholarship awards.

c. To provide a medium for recognition of achievements of lineal descendants of Thomas¹ Munson

d. To assist any organization or organizations engaged in the collection, restoration, or preservation of artifacts, documents, memorabilia, monuments, buildings, or land sites of historical interest to the citizens of the United States, provided that such organization are exempt organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (the “Code”).

e. To further knowledge and understanding of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States and The values and ideals expressed in these documents.

f. To solicit and receive funds and property to be used for any of these purposes.

g. To preserve family documents and historical materials for use by present and future family researchers.

The Foundation is governed by its membership through a Board of Directors consisting of twelve members plus a legal advisor who are elected every two years at the biennial membership and business meeting.   The 2021-2023 Board of Directors is:

The TMF Legal Advisor is shared with the TMF Scholarship Fund, Inc. Board of Directors

The Foundation is a non-profit organization.  Business is conducted as needed throughout the year by board members.  Decisions are governed by the adopted ByLaws. ByLaws are periodically modified, removed, and/or addas as circumstances warrant.  Changes bo ByLaws require majority vote of the directors.

Although our first ancestor, Thomas¹ Munson (generation 1), came from England and settled in the New Haven, Connecticut area in 1637, his descendants (currently at generations 15 and higher) have spread across the vast area of the United States. Because of this widespread dispersion of Munson cousins, the TMF divided the United States into seven geographic regions. These regions are designed or mapped to facilitate region-based annual and/or mini-reunions. Also, on a rotating basis, the regions serve as hosts to the annual national reunions and business meetings for the TMF and TMFSF membership and Boards of Directors.

The time period of registration and application submittal for a Thomas Munson Foundation Scholarship is November 15 to March 1. The application portal on the website will be opened on November 15 and promptly closed at 12:00am March 1st. No applications will be accepted after portal closure. Award selections are made and announced during the summer preceding the next academic year starting in the Fall. For example, applications for scholarships beginning in Fall 2026 must be submitted online between November 15, 2025 and March 1, 2026. Award selections will be made and announced by June, 2023.