Margaret T Morris Foundation
The Margaret T Morris Foundation is a private foundation based in Prescott, Arizona. Its 2025 grants supported organizations working in areas including the arts, education, health, social services, and outdoor recreation, with most grant dollars going to Arizona recipients.
Margaret T Morris Foundation at a glance
In short: Margaret T Morris Foundation gave $1.7M across 112 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), mostly in Arizona. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,747,465
- +12.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 112
- +17.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,602
- -4.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,658,908
- +20.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Arizona (93% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Margaret T Morris Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that internally initiated grants comprise virtually all of its current grantmaking. It identifies Thomas E Polk as the contact and says informational letters will be accepted but may not receive a response. It makes no loans or grants to individuals, religious organizations, or their agencies.
- Contact
Application contact: Thomas E Polk
Mailing address: PO Box 592, Prescott, AZ 86302
Phone: (480) 630-5489
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Margaret T Morris Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Arizona State University Foundation Gammage ($100K). Together the top 10 received $604K.
Grant Size Distribution
385 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 347 grants of 385 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in Arizona and 5% to recipients in California. The reported shares for Maryland, New York, and Colorado were 1%, 0%, and 0%, respectively.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 112 itemized grants.
Cities
How Margaret T Morris Foundation gives
- 70% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 57% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.0M (2021) to $1.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 112 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Foundation Gammage Tempe, AZ | shell, 3 year commitment? | $100,000 |
| Salk Institute La Jolla, CA | $15,000 symphony at salk, $35,000 Lyumkis, $35,000 Cancer research | $85,000 |
| Polara Health Prescott Valley, AZ | $2,500 Center of Excellence in Autism Spectrum Disorder, $7,500 sponsorship for 4/11/26 fundraiser masquerade; $50K for Unfunded Care Program | $60,000 |
| Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation Phoenix, AZ | $5,000 6/9/25 golf tnmt, $50,000 | $55,000 |
| Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance Prescott, AZ | $50,000 Bean Peaks trails, $4,000 repair station | $54,000 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott, AZ | $50k - STEM Bridge Initiative for K-12 Learners across Yavapai County and Northern AZ | $50,000 |
| Phoenix Art Museum Phoenix, AZ | Ballinger Wing | $50,000 |
| Phoenix Zoo Phoenix, AZ | construction of Animal Rescue & Care Center | $50,000 |
| St Mary's Food Bank Phoenix, AZ | General Purposes | $50,000 |
| The University of Arizona Foundation Tucson, AZ | James 4H Camp and Outdoor Learning Center $50,000 | $50,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,658,908 | $1,782,423 | $1,847,471 | $1,747,465 | 112 | $1,814,381 | $1,756,354 | $1,822,846 |
| 2024 | $2,214,374 | $1,627,636 | $1,663,564 | $1,547,279 | 95 | $1,611,091 | $1,575,163 | $1,802,433 |
| 2023 | $1,927,925 | $1,292,909 | $1,550,745 | $1,423,552 | 95 | $1,498,948 | $1,238,922 | $1,611,598 |
| 2022 | $2,569,149 | $1,477,432 | $1,253,445 | $1,110,134 | 82 | $1,192,334 | $1,441,528 | $1,510,501 |
| 2021 | $2,085,841 | $951,262 | $1,076,424 | $1,003,860 | 1 | $1,025,684 | $1,658,217 | $1,185,281 |
| 2020 | $1,494,361 | $561,842 | $1,298,281 | $1,207,610 | 1 | — | $512,568 | $937,686 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Margaret T Morris Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.8M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for arts and cultural organizations, educational institutions, health and research organizations, social-service providers, and outdoor recreation and conservation groups.
Grantee descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance says its mission is to preserve, protect, and promote mountain biking, trail access, and diverse riding opportunities on Prescott-area public lands. Phoenix Art Museum describes its mission as creating spaces of exchange and belonging through exhibitions, collections, and experiences with art. Highlands Center for Natural History says it helps children and adults discover nature and become wise caretakers of the land. Agape House of Prescott says it provides long-term transitional housing for families without a residence.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 112 grants totaling $1,747,465. Grants ranged from $450 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000. Notable awards included $100,000 to Arizona State University Foundation Gammage, $85,000 to Salk Institute, $60,000 to Polara Health, and $55,000 to Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation. Other awards included $54,000 to Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance, $50,000 each to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Zoo, St Mary’s Food Bank, and The University of Arizona Foundation, and $45,000 to Highlands Center for Natural History.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas E Polk, John T Polk, and Stephen W Polk as trustees, and Sheila Polk as office manager.
Margaret T Morris Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; 3 of 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John T Polk
Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $21K (2025)
Thomas E Polk
Trustee
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $51K (2025)
Stephen W Polk
Trustee
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $21K (2025)
Sheila Polk
Office Manager
On filings since 2024
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Eugene P Polk (2020–2023) — Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $51K, to Thomas E Polk (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Margaret T Morris Foundation
How much does Margaret T Morris Foundation give each year?
Margaret T Morris Foundation gave $1.7M across 112 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.5M across 95 grants.
What is Margaret T Morris Foundation's typical grant size?
Margaret T Morris Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $15,602, across 112 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Margaret T Morris Foundation give grants?
Margaret T Morris Foundation gives mostly in Arizona: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (36 grants), Prescott, AZ (36 grants), Prescott Valley, AZ (7 grants) and Scottsdale, AZ (5 grants).
Does Margaret T Morris Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 57% of Margaret T Morris Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (64 of 112) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Margaret T Morris Foundation's largest grantees?
Margaret T Morris Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Arizona State University Foundation Gammage ($100,000), Salk Institute ($85,000) and Polara Health ($60,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Margaret T Morris Foundation?
Margaret T Morris Foundation reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Margaret T Morris Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for arts and cultural organizations, educational institutions, health and research organizations, social-service providers, and outdoor recreation and conservation groups. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Margaret T Morris Foundation?
The foundation states that internally initiated grants comprise virtually all of its current grantmaking. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Margaret T Morris Foundation's EIN?
Margaret T Morris Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-6057798. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 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 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Margaret T Morris Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Margaret T Morris Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/margaret-t-morris-foundation-morg_d124745bcbcc4eb8b4d81b7d59328080
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_866057798_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Margaret T Morris Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/margaret-t-morris-foundation-morg_d124745bcbcc4eb8b4d81b7d59328080},
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 Margaret T Morris 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.
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