Arizona Eastern Star Foundation
The Arizona Eastern Star Foundation (AESF) is a private foundation based in Phoenix, Arizona, established in 1959. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star. The foundation provides financial support to charitable organizations and offers scholarships to members and their descendants.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.2M
+6.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$130K
-20.5% YoY
Grant Count
33
-8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
-13.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Arizona Eastern Star Foundation reported a distributable amount of $155K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission of AESF is to provide aid and assistance by supporting Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that relieve human suffering caused by abuse, neglect, illness, or poverty throughout the state. The foundation supports:
- Hospitals and medical research organizations
- Scientific and medical research organizations focused on catastrophic diseases, including regenerative research
- Charitable, educational, literary, and scientific organizations
- Human services and poverty alleviation
- Food security initiatives
- Prison ministry and reentry support
- Healthcare and nursing services
- Scholarships for members and their descendants
Grantmaking
The foundation actively seeks grant applications from charitable organizations in Arizona and welcomes applications from 501(c)(3) organizations. Local Eastern Star chapters are encouraged to identify and sponsor grant applications from organizations they support.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Arizona, with some activity in New Mexico and Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total assets: $1,174,810
- Total giving: $130,000
- Total revenues: $179,974
- Total expenses: $143,682
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,174,810 | $1,099,685 | $1,039,245 |
| Revenue | $179,974 | $168,343 | $156,681 |
| Expenses | $143,682 | $169,493 | $140,972 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $130,424 | $163,914 | $133,143 |
| Net Investment Income | $165,322 | $163,179 | $148,748 |
| Distributable Amount | $154,645 | $150,573 | $143,164 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
133 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Grand Chapter of Arizona OES ($14,000), Ryan House ($10,000), Arizona Food Bank Network ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Chapter of Arizona OES Phoenix, AZ | See Stmt 127-3 | $14,000 |
| Ryan House Phoenix, AZ | See Stmt 127-5 | $10,000 |
| Arizona DeMolay Foundation Glendale, AZ | See Stmt 127-5 | $5,000 |
| Rob Morris Home Foundation Inc La Grange, KY | See Stmt 127-5 | $5,000 |
| Daughters of the Nile Foundation Albuquerque, NM | See Stmt 127-5 | $3,000 |
| Alices Place Winslow, AZ | See Stmt 127-5 | $4,000 |
| Amaranth Diabetes Foundation Woodbine, GA | See Stmt 127-5 | $5,000 |
| Matthew 25 Prison Ministry Inc Mesa, AZ | See Stmt 127-5 | $6,000 |
| Prescott Area Shelter Services Prescott, AZ | See Stmt 127-5 | $5,000 |
| Power Paws Assistance Dogs Inc Scottsdale, AZ | See Stmt 127-5 | $3,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shin Anderson | President | 2 | — |
| Tony DiCola | Vice President | 2 | — |
| Marc Ciccarone | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Kathy Lindstrom | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Debbie Rasberry | Director | — | — |
| Candace Leininger | Director | — | — |
| Doug Steele | Director | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported various charitable initiatives across Arizona, including:
Scholarships for students studying religious leadership through the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA
Arizona Eastern Star provides scholarships for students studying religious\A $50,000 donation to Eastern Arizona College for student scholarships
Local Order of the Eastern Star chapter donates $50,000 for EAC student scholarshipsSupport for therapy and service dog training programs at Yavapai College's Chino Valley Center
THERAPY & SERVICE DOG TEAM SKILLS AND SERVICE DOG ...A $75,000 donation to the Mogollon Rim General Hospital and Medical Center Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Arizona Eastern Star Foundation fund?
The mission of AESF is to provide aid and assistance by supporting Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that relieve human suffering caused by abuse, neglect, illness, or poverty throughout the state. The foundation supports: • Hospitals and medical research organizations • Scientific and medical research organizations focused on catastrophic diseases, including regenerative research • Charitable, educational, literary, and scientific organizations • Human services and poverty alleviation …
How do I apply for a grant from Arizona Eastern Star Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $500 to $19,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** In 2024, the foundation made 30 grants totaling $130,000. Recent grantees include: • Ryan House ($10,000) • Arizona Food Bank Network ($10,000) • Matthew 25 Prison Ministry ($6,000) The foundation actively seeks grant applications from charitable organizations in Arizona and welcomes applications from 501(c)(3) organizations. Local Eastern Star chapters are encouraged to identify and sponsor grant applicati…
Where does Arizona Eastern Star Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Arizona, with some activity in New Mexico and Kentucky.
What size grants does Arizona Eastern Star Foundation award?
In 2024, Arizona Eastern Star Foundation awarded 33 grants totaling $130K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Arizona Eastern Star Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Arizona Eastern Star Foundation reported a distributable amount of $155K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Arizona Eastern Star Foundation's EIN?
Arizona Eastern Star Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0131598. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Arizona Eastern Star Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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