Desert Financial Credit Union
Desert Financial Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 1939 by 15 schoolteachers with an initial pooled investment of $78.75, it has grown to become Arizona's largest locally-based credit union, serving more than 450,000 members. The organization is designated as a 501(c)(14) state-chartered credit union and is federally insured by the NCUA.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.8B
+0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.1M
+20.0% YoY
Grant Count
59
+13.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+5.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Desert Financial's mission centers on fostering success through meaningful relationships and sharing financial prosperity with members, community, and team. The organization prioritizes:
- Education and Early Childhood Development: Supporting K-12 education, early learning programs, and youth-support initiatives across Arizona
- Financial Well-Being: Providing educational resources, workshops, webinars, and articles on financial topics to help members and community members reach their goals
- Community Strengthening: Supporting local nonprofits and individuals to strengthen financial capability through education and scholarships
- Teacher Support: Recognizing and supporting Arizona educators through classroom supply donations and appreciation initiatives
Grantmaking
Desert Financial makes grants through both the credit union directly and through its affiliated foundation, Desert Financial Foundation (established 2015).
Review Cycle
- In 2024, the organization awarded $541,000 in grants (including an 85th anniversary gift)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Desert Financial's grantmaking and community involvement activities are focused primarily on Arizona, with particular emphasis on serving Arizonans through education and financial capability programs.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Desert Financial Credit Union (2024):
- Total Revenue: $529 million
- Total Expenses: $457 million
- Total Assets: $8.78 billion
- Total Liabilities: $8.1 billion
- Employees: 1,251
Desert Financial Foundation (2024):
- Total Assets: $1,128,647
- Total Giving: $1,232,637
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,783,626,770 | $8,710,563,794 | $8,192,281,897 |
| Revenue | $529,188,472 | $454,305,678 | $376,561,824 |
| Expenses | $456,971,364 | $369,011,260 | $290,538,957 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $131,349,264 | $106,694,825 | $111,341,943 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
236 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Desert Financial Credit Union
Adult Learners Scholarship
DESERT FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION
Amount
$3,000 - $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Arizona Breaking Barriers Scholarship Grant
DESERT FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION
Amount
Up to US $3,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Service Scholarship
DESERT FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION
Amount
$3,000 - $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Desert Financial Foundation ($278,251), Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation ($116,815), A New Leaf ($94,532).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A NEW LEAF MESA, AZ | GRANT, BOARD SERVICE DONATION, DOLLARS FOR DOERS INCENTIVE PROGRAM | $94,532 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION TEMPE, AZ | BOARD SERVICE DONATION, DONATION, EVENT SPONSORSHIP, FUNDRAISING MATCH | $91,967 |
| ARIZONA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION PHOENIX, AZ | EVENT SPONSORSHIP, DOLLARS FOR DOERS INCENTIVE PROGRAM | $75,190 |
| ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY PHOENIX, AZ | DOLLARS FOR DOERS INCENTIVE PROGRAM, YEARS OF SERVICE INCENTIVE PROGRAM | $7,810 |
| ASIS INTERNATIONAL PHOENIX, AZ | ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP | $10,000 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF PHOENIX PHOENIX, AZ | EVENT SPONSORSHIP, DONATION, DOLLARS FOR DOERS INCENTIVE PROGRAM | $40,620 |
| ASU FOUNDATION TEMPE, AZ | BOARD SERVICE DONATION, EVENT SPONSORSHIP, YEARS OF SERVICE INCENTIVE PROGRAM | $42,500 |
| BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF CENTRAL NORTHERN ARIZONA PHOENIX, AZ | BOARD SERVICE DONATION TO KIVA PHOENIX HUB | $25,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL ARIZONA PHOENIX, AZ | DOLLARS FOR DOERS INCENTIVE PROGRAM, EVENT SPONSORSHIP | $5,040 |
| BILLY'S PLACE GLENDALE, AZ | GRANT, DOLLARS FOR DOERS INCENTIVE PROGRAM, EVENT SPONSORSHILP | $56,745 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEVIN HASKEW | CHAIRPERSON | 1 | $52,109 |
| JEFFREY SMITH | DIRECTOR | 1 | $47,910 |
| LAURA WATSON | TREASURER | 1 | $43,653 |
| JANET BIOLETTO | SECRETARY | 1 | $43,288 |
| MATTHEW FEHLING | DIRECTOR | 1 | $30,742 |
| CLAUDETTE GRONSKI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICHARD JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $30,888 |
| CHRISTOPHER MINER | VICE CHAIRPERSON | 1 | $48,566 |
| CARRIE YOUNG | DIRECTOR | 1 | $34,000 |
| DONNA FAGAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $31,333 |
| DAVID HAWKINS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $17,299 |
| JEFFREY D MESHEY | CEO | 40 | $2,279,550 |
| JACKIE L BIGGS JR | EXECUTIVE VP CFO | 40 | $794,557 |
| RONDLE K AMSTUTZ | EXECUTIVE VP | 40 | $989,172 |
| CATHLEEN GRAHAM | EXECUTIVE VPS | 40 | $1,018,134 |
| ANDREA MOSHER | CHIEF LENDING OFFICER | 40 | $493,155 |
| JEFFREY S BUTLER | CEO - SWITCHTHINK SOLUTIONS | 1 | — |
| LAURA WALLACE | SVP CHIEF ENGAGE OFFICER | 40 | $554,393 |
| RONALD H PARKER | COO - SWITCHTHINK SOLUTIONS | 1 | — |
| THOMAS MARLOWE | SVP OPERATIONS | 40 | $558,894 |
| PAUL WINTERMANTEL | FINANCIAL ADVISOR II | 40 | $802,142 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**December 2025:** Desert Financial Credit Union renewed $292,500 in grants to 23 Arizona nonprofits for education programs, continuing a two-year grant cycle. Notable recipients included Southwest Human Development ($15,000 to support 188 children and families through Educare Arizona's early learning and family services).
Desert Financial Credit Union Renews $292,500 in Grants for 23 ...**2025:** Released comprehensive Social Impact Report documenting community contributions and impact metrics across all giving channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Desert Financial Credit Union fund?
Desert Financial's mission centers on fostering success through meaningful relationships and sharing financial prosperity with members, community, and team. The organization prioritizes: • **Education and Early Childhood Development**: Supporting K-12 education, early learning programs, and youth-support initiatives across Arizona • **Financial Well-Being**: Providing educational resources, workshops, webinars, and articles on financial topics to help members and community members reach their g…
How do I apply for a grant from Desert Financial Credit Union?
Desert Financial makes grants through both the credit union directly and through its affiliated foundation, Desert Financial Foundation (established 2015). **Recent Grant Activity:** • In 2025, Desert Financial renewed $292,500 in grants to 23 Arizona nonprofits supporting education programs, marking the second year of a two-year grant cycle • In 2024, the organization awarded $541,000 in grants (including an 85th anniversary gift) • In 2023, Desert Financial made grants totaling over $693,665 …
Where does Desert Financial Credit Union make grants?
Desert Financial's grantmaking and community involvement activities are focused primarily on **Arizona**, with particular emphasis on serving Arizonans through education and financial capability programs.
What size grants does Desert Financial Credit Union award?
In 2024, Desert Financial Credit Union awarded 59 grants totaling $2.1M — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Desert Financial Credit Union's EIN?
Desert Financial Credit Union's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0096740. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Desert Financial Credit Union'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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