Arizona Eastern Star Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker PHOENIX, AZ EIN: 86-0131598

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.

Key facts about Arizona Eastern Star Foundation

EIN
86-0131598
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$194,742
Grants made (2025)
42
Average grant
$4,637
Median grant
$3,000
Primary geography
Arizona (68% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.

Who Arizona Eastern Star Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Arizona Eastern Star Foundation's 42 itemized 2025 grants were Arizona (68%) and California (23%). The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (9 grants), Tucson, AZ (4 grants), Sierra Vista, AZ (2 grants) and Bullhead City, AZ (2 grants). 98% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

Annual Giving

$195K

+49.8% YoY

Grant Count

42

+27.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$5K

+17.7% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

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

17states

Share of all 42 itemized 2025 grant dollars.

Cities

PhoenixTucsonBullhead CityMesaSierra VistaKingmanPrescottScottsdalePaysonWashingtonLehiTempeLa GrangePeoriaSun CityWinslowWoodbineAlbuquerqueCamp VerdeCasa Grande

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
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.12019202020212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets———
Revenue———
Expenses———
Qualifying Distributions———
Net Investment Income———
Distributable Amount———

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$49K$97K$146K$195K26 grants201916 grants202018 grants202130 grants202236 grants202333 grants202442 grants2025

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Carsdisabled American Ve…$44KGrand Chpt of Arizona Oe…$13KRyan House$10KArizona Food Bank Network$10KOperation 132$10KMeals on Wheels Bullhead…$8KMatthew 25 Prison Minist…$7KSoldier's Best Friend$5KDaughters of the Nile Fo…$5KAmaranth Diabetes Founda…$5K

Grant Size Distribution

159 grants across all recorded years

159<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Carsdisabled American Veterans ($44,200), Grand Chpt of Arizona Oes - Scholar ($13,000), Ryan House ($10,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
CARSDISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS SAN DIEGO, CAPROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE TO THE INDIGENT POPULATION, SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT OF THE CHILDRENS PROGRAMS.$44,200
GRAND CHPT OF ARIZONA OES - SCHOLAR PHOENIX, AZPROVIDE AID AND ASSISTANCE FOR THE NEEDY MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR THROUGH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SCHOLARSHIPS. SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR. THE ORGANIZATION EXERCISED EXPENDITURE RESPONSIBILITY OVER THE RECIPIENT BY OBTAINING REGULAR REPORTS REGARDING THE USES OF THE FUNDS AND MONITORING THE ACTIVITES SUPPORTED WITH THE FUNDS.$13,000
RYAN HOUSE PHOENIX, AZPROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE TO THE INDIGENT POPULATION, SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT OF THE CHILDRENS PROGRAMS.$10,000
ARIZONA FOOD BANK NETWORK PHOENIX, AZPROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE TO THE INDIGENT POPULATION, SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT OF THE CHILDRENS PROGRAMS.$10,000
OPERATION 132 SIERRA VISTA, AZPROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE TO THE INDIGENT POPULATION, SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT OF THE CHILDRENS PROGRAMS.$10,000
MEALS ON WHEELS BULLHEAD CITY BULLHEAD CITY, AZPROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE TO THE INDIGENT POPULATION, SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT OF THE CHILDRENS PROGRAMS.$8,000
MATTHEW 25 PRISON MINISTRY INC MESA, AZPROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE TO THE INDIGENT POPULATION, SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT OF THE CHILDRENS PROGRAMS.$7,000
SOLDIER'S BEST FRIEND PEORIA, AZPROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE TO THE INDIGENT POPULATION, SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT OF THE CHILDRENS PROGRAMS.$5,100
DAUGHTERS OF THE NILE FOUNDATION ALBUQUERQUE, NMPROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE TO THE INDIGENT POPULATION, SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT OF THE CHILDRENS PROGRAMS.$5,000
AMARANTH DIABETES FOUNDATION WOODBINE, GAPROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE TO THE INDIGENT POPULATION, SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT OF THE CHILDRENS PROGRAMS.$5,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

From 2025 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
MARC CICCARONEPresident1—
DEBBIE RASBERRYVice President1—
SHIN ANDERSONSecretary5—
KATHY LINDSTROMTreasurer5—
RICK TANNERDirector——
DONNA DICOLADirector——
GILBERT MARRIOTTDirector——

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 scholarships

Support 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 2025, Arizona Eastern Star Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $195K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

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 2019–2025.

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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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