Junior Hero
Junior Hero is a private foundation based in Scottsdale, Arizona. It also runs a free, volunteer-led program in elementary schools that encourages students to serve others through acts of kindness; its 2024 filing reports that the program served 20 schools and more than 2,500 students.
Junior Hero at a glance
In short: Junior Hero gave $43K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in Arizona. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $43,179
- -3.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,598
- +21.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $860
- Total assets
- $910,404
- +0.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Arizona (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Junior Hero
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6126 East Kings Ave 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Phone: (480) 560-3327
Website: https://juniorhero.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Junior Hero funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Horizon High School ($18K). Together the top 10 received $43K.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 33 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to recipients listed in Arizona (89%), New York (7%), Idaho (3%), and California (2%). The largest awards that year went to organizations listed in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
How Junior Hero gives
- 50% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 170% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 116% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16K (2021) to $45K (2023). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $43K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon High School Scottsdale, AZ | General Support | $17,550 |
| Phoenix Youth Theatre Scottsdale, AZ | General Support | $16,500 |
| Take It From The Top Pomona, NY | 10970 | $3,000 |
| Henry's Fork Elementary Saint Anthony, ID | General Support | $1,200 |
| United Food Bank Mesa, AZ | General Support | $1,065 |
| Accents (Horizon High School) Scottsdale, AZ | General Support | $920 |
| Casa Brazil Scottsdale, AZ | General Support | $800 |
| Kristen Chenoweth Arts and Education Fund Woodland Hills, CA | General Support | $700 |
| Arizona Cancer Society Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $500 |
| Swift Youth Foundation Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $500 |
Ready to take the next step with Junior Hero?
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 | $910,404 | $50,718 | $60,100 | $43,179 | 12 | $59,100 | $72,206 | $50,964 |
| 2023 | $908,721 | $89,710 | $122,834 | $44,505 | 15 | $118,938 | $57,706 | $50,802 |
| 2022 | $969,340 | $341,797 | $74,311 | $22,650 | 5 | $70,911 | $159,179 | $40,241 |
| 2021 | $800,835 | $260,379 | $36,183 | $16,000 | 1 | $35,931 | $197,317 | $36,845 |
| 2020 | $624,975 | $99,678 | $36,079 | — | — | — | $8,458 | $27,203 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Junior Hero reported a distributable amount of $51K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Junior Hero’s website describes its mission as making community service fun for students, parents, and teachers. Its school program asks students to pledge to uplift others, complete and log service hours, and submit a signed service record. Students who complete the program receive recognition, a T-shirt, and a prize. The website says participation is free for schools and that donations go to program costs.
Its 2024 grants included organizations whose stated missions include youth theater and dance education, hunger relief, support for children in Brazil, youth mentoring, and support for children in foster care. For example, Phoenix Youth Theatre says it gives young people opportunities to participate in theatrical productions and educational experiences; Take It From The Top says it provides theater and dance workshops for children; and United Food Bank says it unites communities to alleviate hunger. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Junior Hero awarded 12 grants totaling $43,179. Grants ranged from $212 to $17,550, with a median of $860. Its largest awards were $17,550 to Horizon High School and $16,500 to Phoenix Youth Theatre, both listed in Scottsdale, Arizona. Other grants included $3,000 to Take It From The Top, $1,200 to Henry’s Fork Elementary, and $1,065 to United Food Bank.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James Greaves as president, Thea Greaves as vice president, and Maya Greaves, Nicole Greaves, and Jamie Greaves as directors. The funder’s website identifies Thea Greaves as program director.
Junior Hero is led by James Greaves, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James Greaves
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Greaves
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maya Greaves
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Greaves
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thea Greaves
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Junior Hero
How much does Junior Hero give each year?
Junior Hero gave $43K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $45K across 15 grants.
What is Junior Hero's typical grant size?
Junior Hero's median grant in 2024 was $860, and its average grant was $3,598, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Junior Hero give grants?
Junior Hero gives mostly in Arizona: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Scottsdale, AZ (4 grants) and Phoenix, AZ (3 grants).
Does Junior Hero give general operating support?
Yes: 92% of Junior Hero's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Junior Hero's largest grantees?
Junior Hero's largest 2024 grantees include Horizon High School ($17,550), Phoenix Youth Theatre ($16,500) and Take It From The Top ($3,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Junior Hero?
Junior Hero reported $910K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $59K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $51K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Junior Hero fund?
Junior Hero’s website describes its mission as making community service fun for students, parents, and teachers. Its school program asks students to pledge to uplift others, complete and log service hours, and submit a signed service record. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Junior Hero?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Junior Hero's EIN?
Junior Hero's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2272100. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Junior Hero 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 20, 2023)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Junior Hero's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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
Thunderbirds Charities
Phoenix, AZ
Thunderbirds Charities funds Arizona nonprofits serving Maricopa and Pinal Counties, supporting children and families, education, community quality of life, people with physical or mental challenges, and efforts addressing domestic violence, homelessness, and poverty. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,321 to $1 million, with a median award of $34,055. It accepts applications through its website.
Assets
$11.3M
Grants
150
Total Given
$11.0M
Synchrony Foundation
Stamford, CT
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$72.3M
Grants
394
Total Given
$20.5M
John F Long Foundation Inc
Phoenix, AZ
John F Long Foundation supports Arizona charities, schools, education programs, and community needs, including efforts that strengthen neighborhoods and help people help themselves. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $50,000, with a median of $3,000; nearly all grant dollars went to Arizona, with a small share going to Idaho. It accepts requests with no stated deadline from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations.
Assets
$7.9M
Grants
96
Total Given
$385K
The Arthur M Blank Family Foundation
Atlanta, GA
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation funds work in Atlanta’s Westside, democracy, the environment, mental health and well-being, youth development, and founder initiatives, with a focus on Georgia and Montana and some national impact. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $20 million, with a median of $50,000. It makes grants by invitation and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$466.3M
Grants
586
Total Given
$212.1M
The Thunderbirds
Phoenix, AZ
The Thunderbirds support youth- and family-oriented charities, amateur athletes, and athletic programs, primarily in Phoenix and across Arizona. Its 2025 grants had a median of $15,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$77.7M
Grants
57
Total Given
$12.6M
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 Junior Hero'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.
Junior Hero down — hundreds of funders to go?