Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona
Arts Foundation for Tucson is a public charity based in Tucson, Arizona. It provides funding and services to artists, arts organizations, and community members in Tucson, Pima County, and Southern Arizona, including through grantmaking, public art management, and collaboration.
Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona at a glance
In short: Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona gave $563K across 43 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in Arizona. 40% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $563,157
- +1.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 43
- -21.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,097
- +29.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $2,902,387
- +62.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (17 of 43, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 Operating Support Grant deadline was January 6, 2026. The 2027 stART Grant deadline is October 6, 2026.
- Deadline
- The 2026 Operating Support Grant deadline was January 6, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 525 N Bonita Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85745
Phone: (520) 624-0595
Website: https://artsfoundtucson.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Borderlands Theater Teatro ($25K). Together the top 10 received $180K.
Grant Size Distribution
169 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 160 grants of 169 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation states that it serves artists, arts organizations, and community members in the City of Tucson, Pima County, and the Southern Arizona region, seeking to engage urban and rural communities. Its 2025 grants were all to recipients in Arizona.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 17 of 43 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 42% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $123K (2022, 18 months) to $1.3M (2021). In 2025 it made 43 grants totaling $563K.
*2022: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Borderlands Theater Teatro Tucson, AZ | General Assistance | $25,000 |
| MOCA Tucson Tucson, AZ | General Assistance | $25,000 |
| Southern Arizona Arts and Cul Tucson, AZ | General Assistance | $25,000 |
| American Literary Translators Tucson, AZ | General Assistance | $15,000 |
| ArtMobile-AZ Inc Casa Grande, AZ | General Assistance | $15,000 |
| Community Performing Arts Ctr Green Valley, AZ | General Assistance | $15,000 |
| Esperanza Dance Project Tucson, AZ | General Assistance | $15,000 |
| Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation Tucson, AZ | General Assistance | $15,000 |
| Groundworks Tucson Tucson, AZ | General Assistance | $15,000 |
| Intl Sonoran Desert Alliance Ajo, AZ | General Assistance | $15,000 |
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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 | $2,902,387 | $3,299,176 | $2,073,010 | $563,157 | 43 | $29,508 |
| 2024 | $1,782,814 | $2,069,009 | $1,816,713 | $555,335 | 55 | $15,617 |
| 2023 | $1,403,900 | $831,060 | $871,727 | — | — | $320 |
| 2022* | $1,422,373 | $2,155,440 | $1,669,817 | $123,467 | 12 | $412 |
| 2021 | $962,823 | $2,764,591 | $2,690,162 | $1,290,320 | 59 | $330 |
*2022: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Arts Foundation’s mission is to “advance artistic expression, civic participation, and equitable economic growth of our diverse community by supporting, promoting, and advocating for arts and culture in our region.” Its stated vision emphasizes accountable leadership and systemic change toward an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and equitable local arts community.
Its grants support a range of arts organizations and activities. For example, grantee Saguaro City Music Theatre says it uses musical theatre to promote diverse artistic opportunities and community involvement. Lead Guitar describes its work as providing free in-school guitar programs for students facing socioeconomic challenges or other barriers. The Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation says it fosters community growth and connection through live arts experiences.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Arts Foundation reported 43 grants totaling $563,157. Grants ranged from $6,250 to $25,000, with a median of $15,000. The three largest listed awards were $25,000 each to Borderlands Theater Teatro, MOCA Tucson, and Southern Arizona Arts and Cul, all for general assistance.
Other listed 2025 awards included $15,000 each to American Literary Translators, ArtMobile-AZ, Community Performing Arts Center, Esperanza Dance Project, Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation, Groundworks Tucson, International Sonoran Desert Alliance, Jazz in January, and Lead Guitar. Jazz in January says it produces and promotes the Tucson Jazz Festival, including concerts, a free day-long festival, and educational outreach. Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation describes its work as presenting live arts experiences, while Groundworks Tucson describes itself as promoting Tucson’s youth-driven music and arts community.
The Foundation’s website describes a 2026 Operating Support Grant for eligible nonprofit arts organizations, including fiscally sponsored arts organizations that meet the other requirements. Applicants may request operating support for expenses related to hiring artists or delivering arts programming during the funding period. Complete, eligible applications go through competitive peer-panel review. The stated eligibility area includes the City of Tucson, Pima County, Southern Arizona, and Tribal Nations between the southern edges of the Gila River and the U.S.–Mexico border. The website also describes a 2027 stART Grant for individual artists and 501(c)(3) organizations, with Community Impact and Artist Development tracks and awards of up to $5,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Adriana Gallego as Executive Director; Richard Mark Ysmael as President; Stephanie Rosenberg and Cristal Franco as Vice Presidents; Tyler Miller as Secretary; Junior Roman as Treasurer; and Marcia Nedland, Eli Burke, Kelly Wiehe, and Elizabeth Denneau as Directors.
Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona is led by Adriana Gallego, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Adriana Gallego
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$97K (2025)
Richard Mark Ysmael
President
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcia Nedland
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eli Burke
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Denneau
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Wiehe
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cristal Franco
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Junior Roman
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Rosenberg
Vice President
Vice President → Director, 2023
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Miller
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Magdalena Verdugo (2021–2024) — President
- Former: Khalill Knight Papiannou (2022–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Eva Romero (2021–2023) — Past President
- Former: Khailill Knight-Papaioannou (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Marcos Ysmael (2021–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Alex Winkelman (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Celina Ramirez (2021) — Director
- Former: Ethan Orr (2021) — Director
- Former: Evan Mendelson (2021) — Past President
- Former: Lucinda Hughes - Juan Peace (2021) — Director
- Former: Michele Orduna (2021) — 1st Vice President
- Former: Paul Reimer (2021) — Director
- Former: Priscilla Fernandez (2021) — Director
- Former: Rey Robles (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Terrol Dew Johnson (2021) — 2nd Vice President
- Former: Tracy Taft (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $97K, to Adriana Gallego (Executive Dir.).
Frequently asked questions about Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona
How much does Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona give each year?
Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona gave $563K across 43 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $555K across 55 grants.
What is Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona's typical grant size?
Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $13,097, across 43 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona that year got $13K on average.
Where does Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona give grants?
Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona gives mostly in Arizona: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tucson, AZ (32 grants), Bisbee, AZ (2 grants), Nogales, AZ (2 grants) and Sierra Vista, AZ (2 grants).
Does Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (42 of 42) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona's largest grantees?
Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona's largest 2025 grantees include Borderlands Theater Teatro ($25,000), MOCA Tucson ($25,000) and Southern Arizona Arts and Cul ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona?
Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona reported $2.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.3M.
What does Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona fund?
The Arts Foundation’s mission is to “advance artistic expression, civic participation, and equitable economic growth of our diverse community by supporting, promoting, and advocating for arts and culture in our region.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona?
Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check artsfoundtucson.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona's EIN?
Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0465675. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/arts-foundation-for-tucson-and-southern-arizona-morg_2b72f66eaeda4edf909cadda3c0e4902
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_860465675_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/arts-foundation-for-tucson-and-southern-arizona-morg_2b72f66eaeda4edf909cadda3c0e4902},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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