Flinn Foundation
The Flinn Foundation is a privately endowed philanthropic organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, established in 1965 by Dr. Robert S. and Irene P. Flinn. It is a private foundation whose mission is to improve the quality of life in Arizona for future generations. Its work focuses on bioscience, undergraduate education through the Flinn Scholars program, arts and culture, and civic leadership.
Flinn Foundation at a glance
In short: Flinn Foundation gave $7.7M across 111 grants in 2024 (avg $69K), mostly in Arizona. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,686,206
- +11.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 111
- +23.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $69,245
- -9.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $33,000
- Total assets
- $263,088,486
- +3.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (21 of 73, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Flinn Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and generally invites proposals that advance its strategic goals and demonstrate institutional collaboration and funding partnerships. Grants are for charitable purposes and are made to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, generally not private foundations, based in Arizona or operating programs for Arizona’s benefit. Indirect costs may be included up to 10% of total direct costs. The Foundation does not fund individuals, fundraising campaigns, or groups advocating for a political or public-policy perspective. It rarely funds facility construction or refurbishment, endowments, event sponsorships, publications or other media projects, ongoing operating expenses, or deficits.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1802 N Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004-1506
Phone: (602) 744-6800
Website: https://flinn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Flinn Foundation
Who Flinn Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Arizona State University ($1.4M across 11 grants). Together the top 10 received $5.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($125,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
469 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 265 grants of 469 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s guidelines specify that grants are made to Arizona-based institutions or to organizations whose programs benefit Arizona. In 2024, 93% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Arizona; 4% went to California, and 1% each to Michigan and Ohio. Massachusetts accounted for 0% as reported.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 111 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Flinn Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 21 of 73 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $57K; repeat grants $125K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $33K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 37% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $5.5M (2020) to $7.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 111 grants totaling $7.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Foundationmayo Tempe, AZ | Support Division for Medical Engineering | $665,757 |
| Arizona State University Tempe, AZ | Support for 2019-2024 Scholarship Awards | $643,500 |
| University of Arizona Tucson, AZ | Support for 2021-2024 Scholarship Awards | $552,750 |
| Maricopa County School Superintendents Office Phoenix, AZ | Support Exploring Pathways to Biocience Careers Initiative Support | $504,000 |
| Arizona State University Foundation Tempe, AZ | Support Health Research Data MGT PHX Core | $334,000 |
| Sri International Menlo Park, CA | Support Arizona Bioscience Roadmap Update | $291,726 |
| Northern Arizona University Foundation Flagstaff, AZ | Support flinn faculty fellows program to advance bioscience research | $220,000 |
| Arizona Bioindustry Association Chandler, AZ | Support Entrepreneurship Program to Advance Biosciences | $207,000 |
| Arizona State University Tempe, AZ | Support for 2024 Scholars Seminar | $175,124 |
| Yuma Regional Medical Center Foundation Yuma, AZ | Support for Enhancing Research Capacity | $170,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $263,088,486 | $19,915,239 | $15,528,134 | $7,686,206 | 111 | $13,357,744 | $28,076,222 | $12,841,415 |
| 2023 | $254,366,726 | $32,441,807 | $13,396,379 | $6,884,510 | 90 | $13,067,781 | $23,914,059 | $12,328,250 |
| 2022 | $234,975,126 | $9,489,645 | $12,850,052 | $6,788,330 | 86 | $11,826,454 | — | $11,545,660 |
| 2021 | $285,130,665 | $13,331,134 | $11,891,432 | $5,627,388 | 71 | $10,381,409 | $26,216,887 | $13,634,820 |
| 2020 | $255,594,065 | $8,595,099 | $11,073,380 | $5,519,489 | 111 | — | $14,812,387 | $11,748,712 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Flinn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations. In bioscience, it funds Arizona universities, nonprofit research institutions, health systems, and other organizations to strengthen the state’s bioscience and biomedical-research infrastructure and advance collaborative research. Its work also includes coordinating Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap, a long-term strategic plan.
The Foundation partners with Arizona’s public universities on the Flinn Scholars program, which awards scholarships to high-achieving Arizona high-school seniors. These awards are made to the universities, not to individual students. The Foundation’s website describes its arts-and-culture grantmaking as supporting the financial and creative health of Arizona arts-and-culture organizations; its guidelines primarily limit funding to organizations with annual operating budgets of $2.5 million or more. The Foundation supports and administers the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, but states that the Center does not currently involve grantmaking.
Examples of 2024 grantees include universities and university foundations, research and health organizations, and a bioscience trade association. Arizona State University describes its mission as advancing the university by enriching the lives of alumni, students, and friends and fostering lifelong connections. SRI International describes its mission as creating solutions through scientific research and development to make people safer, healthier, and more productive. Arizona Bioindustry Association describes itself as a statewide trade association that unifies and advances its members and works to support an environment where health-innovation and bioscience companies can grow.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 111 grants totaling $7,686,206. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $665,757, with a median grant of $33,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $665,757 to Arizona State University FoundationMayo for a division for medical engineering; $643,500 to Arizona State University for scholarship awards; $552,750 to the University of Arizona for scholarship awards; and $504,000 to the Maricopa County School Superintendents Office for an initiative exploring pathways to bioscience careers. Other significant awards included $291,726 to SRI International for an Arizona Bioscience Roadmap update, $220,000 to Northern Arizona University Foundation for the Flinn Faculty Fellows Program, and $207,000 to Arizona Bioindustry Association for a bioscience entrepreneurship program.
The Foundation’s website says bioscience grants are primarily made by invitation. It also describes an open, competitive Translational Seed Grants Program for research teams affiliated with an Arizona university, research institution, or health-care system. The program provides $100,000 grants over 18 months to as many as 10 teams per year, with programmatic benefits; successful projects may be eligible for follow-on funding or entry into the Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program. The website also describes an entrepreneurship program through which early-stage bioscience companies may apply for an award administered by a nonprofit partner.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Eric Reiman, M.D., as chairman and Rosellen Papp as vice chair and treasurer. Heidi Jannenga is listed as secretary. Directors listed are Julie Baldwin, Drew M. Brown, Chris Camacho, Richard J. Caselli, M.D., Adam Goodman, and Shaun A. Kirkpatrick. David J. Gullen is also listed as chairman with an indication that he left in March 2024.
Flinn Foundation is led by Tammy McLeod, President, CEO & Assistant Secretary on every filing since 2020; all 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tammy McLeod
President, CEO & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$416K (2020) → $483K (2024)
David J. Gullen
Chairman
Chairman* → Chairman, 2021
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
$43K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Eric Reiman MD
Chairman
Secretary → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $43K (2024)
Drew M. Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Richard J. Caselli MD
Director
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Shaun A. Kirkpatrick
Director
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
W. Scott Robertson
Director
On filings since 2020
2.3 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $6K (2024)
Alpa Shah MD
Director
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
$23K (2022) → $30K (2024)
Julie Baldwin
Director
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
$23K (2022) → $30K (2024)
Cameron Black
Director
On filings since 2023
2.3 hrs/week
$6K (2023) → $6K (2024)
Adam Goodman
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2.5 hrs/week
$30K (2024)
Chris Camacho
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2.5 hrs/week
$30K (2024)
Rosellen Papp
Vice Chair & Treasurer
Treasurer → Vice Chair & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $32K (2024)
Stacy L. Tucker
CFO & Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$224K (2020) → $263K (2024)
Steven M. Wheeler
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
2.3 hrs/week
$32K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Heidi Jannenga
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
$18K (2021) → $30K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Avein Saaty-Tafoya (2020–2021) — 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 $483K, to Tammy McLeod (President & CEO/Asst Secretary). 16 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Flinn Foundation
How much does Flinn Foundation give each year?
Flinn Foundation gave $7.7M across 111 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.9M across 90 grants.
What is Flinn Foundation's typical grant size?
Flinn Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $33,000, and its average grant was $69,245, across 111 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Flinn Foundation that year got $57K on average.
Where does Flinn Foundation give grants?
Flinn Foundation gives mostly in Arizona: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (38 grants), Tucson, AZ (20 grants), Tempe, AZ (18 grants) and Scottsdale, AZ (8 grants).
Does Flinn Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 24% of Flinn Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (27 of 111) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Support for Change Capital (2024-2027)" (6 grants).
Who are Flinn Foundation's largest grantees?
Flinn Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Arizona State University ($1,387,369 across 11 grants), University of Arizona ($1,252,750 across 13 grants) and Arizona State University Foundationmayo ($665,757), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($125,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Flinn Foundation?
Flinn Foundation reported $263.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $13.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $12.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Flinn Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Flinn Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and generally invites proposals that advance its strategic goals and demonstrate institutional collaboration and funding partnerships. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Flinn Foundation's EIN?
Flinn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0421476. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Flinn Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Flinn Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/flinn-foundation-morg_1a4af32a47fe4829b2a66995a8a47064
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_860421476_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Flinn Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/flinn-foundation-morg_1a4af32a47fe4829b2a66995a8a47064},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Flinn 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.
Flinn Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?