First Place AZ
Set the standard for supportive residential communities where adults with autism and/or developmental disabilities can build the skills and confidence to live with pride, purpose and greater independence.
First Place AZ at a glance
In short: First Place AZ gave $86K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $43K), mostly in Arizona. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $85,579
- +125.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +100.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $42,790
- +12.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $42,790
- Total assets
- $18,583,142
- +1.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Arizona (75% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who First Place AZ funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was First Place - Phoenix Transitional Homes ($65K). Together the top 2 received $86K.
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 3 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $38K (2023) to $86K (2024). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $86K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| First Place - Phoenix Transitional Homes Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $64,579 |
| Uniquely Abled Project Valley Village, CA | Scholarship Support | $21,000 |
Ready to take the next step with First Place AZ?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $18,583,142 | $7,063,755 | $6,098,885 | $85,579 | 2 | $335,671 |
| 2023 | $18,385,795 | $6,565,633 | $5,101,687 | $38,000 | 1 | $285,565 |
| 2022 | $16,660,325 | $6,135,757 | $4,654,398 | — | — | $192,836 |
| 2021 | $15,321,199 | $7,150,509 | $4,206,344 | — | — | $116,227 |
| 2020 | $13,630,138 | $3,993,624 | $4,381,058 | — | — | $116,401 |
About First Place AZ
Based on IRS filings
First Place AZ is a public charity focused on Housing & Shelter, based in Phoenix, AZ. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $18.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $86K. Net investment income was $336K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
First Place AZ is led by Denise Resnik, Founder, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 6 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Denise Resnik
Founder, President & CEO
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$203K (2020) → $320K (2024)
Howard Sobelman
Chair
Director → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Ortega
Director of Mulzet Center
Director → Director of Mulzet Center, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$110K (2024)
Michael Stoffey
Director of Finance
On filings since 2023
34 hrs/week
$52K (2023) → $88K (2024)
Michael Trailor
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juan Salgado
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Wells
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amit Basak
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lorenzo Romero
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael McQueen
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Penzone
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Oliver Harper
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Penny Pfaelzer
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Ottmann
COO
On filings since 2020
54 hrs/week
$140K (2020) → $206K (2024)
Maureen Casey
CIO
Dr. of Center for Applied Research → CIO, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$100K (2023) → $134K (2024)
Chuck Heimerdinger
CFO
New on the 2024 filing
12 hrs/week
$33K (2024)
Bruce Schwartz
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Millard Hoie
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Hancock
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stuart Savitz
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Amy Pawlowski (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jack Henry (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Nancy White (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tess Burleson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: William Heimerdinger (2020–2022) — CFO
- Former: Sara Dial (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Susan Smith (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Molly Brown (2021) — Director
- Former: Doug Eaton (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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $320K, to Denise Resnik (Founder, President & CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about First Place AZ
How much does First Place AZ give each year?
First Place AZ gave $86K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $38K across 1 grant.
How large is First Place AZ?
First Place AZ reported $18.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.1M.
What is First Place AZ?
First Place AZ is a public charity focused on Housing & Shelter, based in Phoenix, AZ. It holds $18.6M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does First Place AZ operate?
First Place AZ has awarded grants in Arizona, California.
What is First Place AZ's EIN?
First Place AZ's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1722227. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 9, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in First Place AZ's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Arizona
Arizona Community Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Community Foundation funds nonprofits, schools, tribal entities, government agencies, and most religious organizations in areas including arts and culture, community development, the environment, health, and education. Its 2025 grants had a median of $17,760; most funding goes to Arizona, though it also awards grants nationally. Competitive grants require an online application during an open cycle; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,174
Total Given
$92.9M
The Picerne Family Charitable Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
The Phoenix-based Picerne Family Charitable Foundation funds nonprofits and programs in education, arts, health and mental health, older-adult services, affordable housing, equity, and the environment. Its 2025 grants had a median of $1,250, though amounts varied widely; specific programs offer awards up to $15,000 and serve areas including Southern California, San Diego, and Orange County. The profile describes application processes for certain programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited general requests.
Assets
$23.9M
Grants
672
Total Given
$2.5M
Virginia G Piper Charitable Trust
Phoenix, AZ
Virginia G Piper Charitable Trust funds nonprofits and community partners serving Maricopa County, Arizona, in arts and culture, children, education, healthcare, older adults, religion, and nonprofit capacity. In 2025, grants ranged from $25 to $1 million, with a median of $7,500. It uses a competitive application process that begins with a Letter of Inquiry; unsolicited requests are not explicitly addressed.
Assets
$429.9M
Grants
483
Total Given
$24.5M
Petsmart Charities Inc
Phoenix, AZ
PetSmart Charities funds programs that improve companion animals’ well-being, including adoption, veterinary care, pet food assistance, and disaster response, in the U.S. and Canada. Its median grant is $15,000; the profile states that disaster-response requests are open to eligible animal welfare and human service organizations, while its veterinary-care Accelerator grants are by invitation only.
Assets
$96.8M
Grants
655
Total Given
$48.1M
The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation funds nutrition education, access to fresh food, and wellness programs, especially for children through schools and community organizations. Its typical grant is around $10,000; larger multi-year grants vary, with Healthy Communities grants listed at $50,000–$100,000. It supports eligible organizations in states where Sprouts stores operate, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.0M
Grants
349
Total Given
$13.1M
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Tucson, AZ
The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona funds nonprofits through competitive grants and donor-advised funds, supporting general operations, grassroots groups, scholarships, and community initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,300 to $1,062,929, with a median of $20,000, and it primarily serves a seven-county Southern Arizona region. It accepts applications for competitive grant opportunities, including CORE Grants; donor-advised grants are recommended by donors.
Assets
$219.5M
Grants
346
Total Given
$11.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Arizona
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from First Place AZ'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.
First Place AZ down — hundreds of funders to go?