Desert Financial Foundation
Desert Financial Foundation is a Phoenix, Arizona-based public charity, formed in 2015. It supports organizations and individuals in Arizona through education, scholarships, grants to nonprofit programs, and fundraising efforts focused on financial health.
Desert Financial Foundation at a glance
In short: Desert Financial Foundation gave $1.2M across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $105K), mostly in Arizona. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,157,928
- +11.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- -15.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $105,266
- +31.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $27,505
- Total assets
- $1,128,647
- +3.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 11, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Desert Financial Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Desert Financial’s community partnership guidelines direct nonprofit organizations to a partner interest form and outline consideration requirements.
- Next open deadline
- April 30, 2027 (Adult Learners Scholarship)
- Contact
Mailing address: 148 N 48Th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: (602) 433-7000
Website: https://desertfinancial.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Desert Financial Foundation
Adult Learners Scholarship
Desert Financial Foundation
Amount
$3,000 - $5,000
Deadline
Expected ~April
Based on past cycles
Community Service Scholarship
Desert Financial Foundation
Amount
$3,000 - $5,000
Deadline
Expected ~April
Based on past cycles
Desert Financial Foundation Nonprofit Grants
Desert Financial Foundation
Amount
$7,500 - $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Desert Financial Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation ($791K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($15,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
51 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 51 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it supports organizations and individuals in Arizona. Its community partnership guidelines focus on strengthening Arizona communities, and all itemized grant dollars in filing year 2024 went to Arizona recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Desert Financial Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 11 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. How we count
- 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+16%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $794K (2020) to $1.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation Phoenix, AZ | 2024 Phoenix Children's Fundraising | $791,423 |
| Arizona State University Tempe, AZ | Scholarships | $159,000 |
| University of Arizona Tucson, AZ | Scholarships | $47,000 |
| Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ | Scholarships | $33,000 |
| Maricopa Community Colleges Mesa, AZ | Scholarships | $28,000 |
| Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ | Scholarships | $27,505 |
| Yavapai College Foundation Inc Prescott, AZ | Scholarships | $20,750 |
| Coconino Community College Foundation Flagstaff, AZ | Scholarships | $15,750 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $15,000 |
| West-MEC District No 402 Glendale, AZ | Scholarships | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Desert Financial Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,128,647 | $1,181,914 | $1,236,633 | $1,157,928 | 11 |
| 2023 | $1,086,045 | $1,104,190 | $1,096,914 | $1,037,352 | 13 |
| 2022 | $336,167 | $1,090,189 | $1,032,401 | $947,620 | 10 |
| 2021 | $290,932 | $1,066,737 | $1,083,227 | $998,568 | 12 |
| 2020 | $331,682 | $1,094,295 | $1,675,483 | $793,622 | 5 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to promote the financial health of its community through education, scholarships, grants to nonprofit programs, and fundraising efforts. Its 2024 filing describes scholarships for students demonstrating community service, academic achievement, and financial need, including support for career and technical education costs. It also describes the foundation as the primary financial supporter of One Darn Cool School at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where children receiving hospital services can continue their education and receive support transitioning back to their home schools.
The foundation’s website describes its scholarship programs and fundraising for One Darn Cool School. Its community partnership guidelines identify financial education, access to housing and homeownership, education, children and youth development, and social services as areas of focus. The guidelines say nonprofit partners considered for support must be 501(c)(3) organizations in operation for at least three years, have a volunteer board, serve 100 or more people, address large-scale social issues in Arizona, offer regular volunteer opportunities for Desert Financial team members, and participate or express interest in financial education programming with Desert Financial.
The organizations receiving grants in 2024 include educational institutions and a children’s hospital foundation. Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation describes its mission as supporting Phoenix Children’s Hospital through fundraising. Arizona State University says it advances the university and enriches the lives of alumni, students, and friends. Yavapai College Foundation says it supports student scholarships, faculty development, and programs enriching campus and community life; Coconino Community College Foundation says it promotes the college’s goals and opportunities for county residents.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $1,157,928. Awards ranged from $5,500 to $791,423, with a median grant of $27,505. The largest grant was $791,423 to Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation for “2024 Phoenix Children’s Fundraising.” Other large awards included $159,000 to Arizona State University and $47,000 to the University of Arizona, both for scholarships. All itemized grant dollars went to Arizona recipients.
The foundation’s 2024 filing also describes an emergency assistance fund for people facing specified financial hardships. Approved grants are paid directly to service providers, with a maximum of $10,000 per event and one grant allowed per 12-month period. The foundation’s scholarships are awards to individuals, rather than grants to outside applicants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Susan Frank as chair, Jeffrey Meshey as CEO, Rondle Amstutz as secretary, and Thomas Marlowe as treasurer. Directors listed are Cathleen Graham, Janet Bioletto, Justin Crowder, Sara Regan, Courtney Hemphill, and Jackie L. Biggs Jr. The filing notes that Sara Regan left in April 2024.
Desert Financial Foundation is led by Jeffrey Meshey, CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 11 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jeffrey Meshey
CEO
Vice Chair → CEO, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carlissa Wright
Vice President & Executive Director Df Foundation
Executive Director → Vice President & Executive Director Df Foundation, 2022
On filings since 2021
11.9 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Frank
Chair
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janet Bioletto
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Crowder
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Regan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cathleen Graham
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Hemphill
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jackie L. Biggs Jr.
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rondle Amstutz
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Marlowe
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Emma Garcia (2020–2021) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Cathy Graham (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Desert Financial Foundation
How much does Desert Financial Foundation give each year?
Desert Financial Foundation gave $1.2M across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.0M across 13 grants.
What is Desert Financial Foundation's typical grant size?
Desert Financial Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $27,505, and its average grant was $105,266, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Desert Financial Foundation give grants?
Desert Financial Foundation gives mostly in Arizona: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (2 grants), Flagstaff, AZ (2 grants) and Prescott, AZ (2 grants).
Does Desert Financial Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Desert Financial Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (10 grants).
Who are Desert Financial Foundation's largest grantees?
Desert Financial Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation ($791,423), Arizona State University ($159,000) and University of Arizona ($47,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($15,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Desert Financial Foundation?
Desert Financial Foundation reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What does Desert Financial Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to promote the financial health of its community through education, scholarships, grants to nonprofit programs, and fundraising efforts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Desert Financial Foundation?
Desert Financial’s community partnership guidelines direct nonprofit organizations to a partner interest form and outline consideration requirements. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Desert Financial Foundation's EIN?
Desert Financial Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1028132. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Desert Financial Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Desert Financial Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/desert-financial-foundation-morg_815145291e614b99b188ec8ac084d4f3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_811028132_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Desert Financial Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/desert-financial-foundation-morg_815145291e614b99b188ec8ac084d4f3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Desert Financial Foundation'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.
Desert Financial Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?