This May, Thompson marks 140 years of serving children and families.
That’s a milestone worth honoring. But the real story isn’t about the past — it’s about what the organization is building next.
The need facing children and families today is growing. Meeting that need doesn’t just require heart; it requires scale, discipline, and the right partnerships.
The Defining Moment
Nine years ago, Thompson faced a defining crossroads. The organization was:
- Losing nearly $5 million annually
- Serving a limited number of families, with modest community reach
- Operating with approximately 185 full-time employees
The mission was powerful. But mission alone wasn’t enough to meet the growing need. What followed wasn’t a quick turnaround, it was a deliberate, years-long transformation.
How Has Thompson Grown Over the Past Decade?
The numbers reflect focused, intentional growth:
- Thompson expanded from a single-market organization to a regional provider across five states
- We grew from 185 to 600+ full-time employees
- We now serve thousands more children and families each year
This growth was never pursued for its own sake. It was pursued to meet the growing need and to do it well.
Why Does Scale Matter in Child and Family Services?
Growth in the nonprofit and social services sector is often misunderstood. But the logic is straightforward: when need increases, capacity must follow.
Every new program, every new community, every additional team member represents:
- A child who receives the support they need
- A family that finds stability
- A community that grows stronger
Scale isn’t about organizational size; it is about access.
Who Makes Thompson’s Work Possible?
This transformation has been powered by people. To every Thompson team member past and present, your commitment has made a lasting difference in the lives of real children and real families.
Thompson’s measure of success goes beyond services delivered. It includes the leaders developed along the way.
“If we’ve done this right, our greatest output won’t just be services – it will be leaders who continue to create impact.” Will Jones, CEO
The Community of Partners
Thompson’s growth has also been made possible by:
- Donors who invest in the mission
- Volunteers who give their time and energy
- Corporate and community partners who bring resources and visibility
- Board members – past and present, who provide governance and leadership
These partnerships don’t just fund the work. They help build something sustainable. Something that lasts.
What Is Thompson’s Five-Year Vision?
Thompson’s strategic plan sets a bold goal for the next five years:
Serving more than 8,000 youth annually along with their families across the Southeastern United States.
Achieving that goal will require:
- Expansion into high-need communities
- Continued investment in evidence-based and trauma-informed care
- Strong cross-sector partnerships
- Consistent focus on measurable outcomes and accountability
The need isn’t shrinking. Thompson’s response won’t either.
How Can You Get Involved?
The next chapter of Thompson’s impact won’t be built alone. It will be built through partnership.
There are meaningful ways to engage:
- Financial investment – fund programs that directly serve children and families
- Volunteer engagement – give your time where it matters most
- Corporate collaboration – align your organization with measurable community impact
Every form of partnership helps expand access to care, strengthen families, and change the trajectory of children’s lives.
Moving Forward: Thompson’s Legacy Is What’s Built Next
For 140 years, Thompson has been committed to serving children and families.
Today, Thompson is building a model designed not just to serve but to scale.
Because the legacy of this organization isn’t defined by what’s already been done. It’s defined by what we’re building next.
