Academic Opportunity of Arizona
Academic Opportunity of Arizona is a school tuition organization. As a local 501c3 non-profit, we provide scholarships and support for k-12th grade children living with disabilities and low-income hardships. Our 360 degree approach provides opportunities and experiences both inside and out of the classroom.
Academic Opportunity of Arizona at a glance
In short: Academic Opportunity of Arizona gave $39K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), top state Arizona. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $38,958
- +96.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,740
- -1.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,317
- Total assets
- $5,691,004
- -7.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Arizona (42% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Academic Opportunity of Arizona funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Special Olympics AZ Inc ($16K). Together the top 4 received $39K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 12 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Academic Opportunity of Arizona gives
- Giving grew 158% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2019) to $39K (2025). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $39K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Special Olympics AZ Inc Goodyear, AZ | Bear Aspen Event | $16,255 |
| United Healthcare Children's Fnd Minneapolis, MN | Support childrens medical needs | $8,608 |
| Science On Wheels Inglewood, CA | Mobile STEM learning for students | $8,025 |
| Others under threshold | — | $6,070 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,691,004 | $5,025,547 | $5,593,602 | $38,958 | 4 | $441,999 |
| 2024 | $6,122,226 | $4,684,341 | $3,455,849 | $19,850 | 2 | $220,439 |
| 2023 | $4,822,166 | $4,418,614 | $4,721,485 | $26,067 | 2 | $84,854 |
| 2022 | $4,815,876 | $3,984,501 | $2,162,677 | $15,078 | 1 | $46,000 |
| 2021 | $2,945,429 | $3,559,924 | $2,130,835 | $15,955 | 3 | $14,456 |
| 2020 | $1,337,566 | $1,692,458 | $719,067 | $5,000 | Total only | — |
| 2019 | $322,317 | $533,697 | $1,015,100 | $1,500 | Total only | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Academic Opportunity of Arizona
Based on IRS filings
Academic Opportunity of Arizona is a public charity focused on Education, based in Phoenix, AZ. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $39K. Net investment income was $442K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Academic Opportunity of Arizona is led by Chad E. Bays, President CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Chad E. Bays
President CEO
Treasurer → CEO & Treasurer, 2021
CEO & Treasurer → President CEO, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$54K (2019) → $184K (2025)
Kristina Celik
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert J. Smith
Vice President
President → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Strunk
Secretary
Secretary Started → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristi O'Connor
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: David S. Harkey (2019–2021) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $184K, to Chad E Bays (President CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Academic Opportunity of Arizona
How much does Academic Opportunity of Arizona give each year?
Academic Opportunity of Arizona gave $39K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $20K across 2 grants.
What is Academic Opportunity of Arizona's typical grant size?
Academic Opportunity of Arizona's median grant in 2025 was $8,317, and its average grant was $9,740, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Academic Opportunity of Arizona give grants?
Academic Opportunity of Arizona's top state is Arizona, with 42% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Minnesota (22%) and California (21%).
Does Academic Opportunity of Arizona give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Academic Opportunity of Arizona's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Academic Opportunity of Arizona?
Academic Opportunity of Arizona reported $5.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.0M.
What is Academic Opportunity of Arizona?
Academic Opportunity of Arizona is a public charity focused on Education, based in Phoenix, AZ. It holds $5.7M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Academic Opportunity of Arizona's EIN?
Academic Opportunity of Arizona's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4341333. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 28, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Academic Opportunity of Arizona funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Academic Opportunity of Arizona down — hundreds of funders to go?