Otto & Edna Neely Foundation
The Otto & Edna Neely Foundation is a private foundation based in Gilbert, Arizona. It awards grants to nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives of people in the East Valley and supports scholarships at select Arizona colleges and universities.
Otto & Edna Neely Foundation at a glance
In short: Otto & Edna Neely Foundation gave $1.0M across 60 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in Arizona. 14% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,016,855
- +23.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 60
- +15.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,948
- +7.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $14,892,999
- -2.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (8 of 59, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (96% 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 Otto & Edna Neely Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation invites organizations to complete a grant application and send a proposal directly to it. Requests are considered individually at monthly Board of Directors meetings. The filing lists a completed application and required attachments as the materials needed; it states there are no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Otto Edna Neely Foundation
Mailing address: 325 S Higley Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Phone: (480) 917-0767
Website: https://neelyfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Otto & Edna Neely Foundation
Who Otto & Edna Neely Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Child Crisis Arizona Center ($126K). Together the top 10 received $516K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($21,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
285 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 265 grants of 285 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says its grants support people living in the East Valley and describes its programs as serving the Phoenix East Valley. In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Arizona; 2% went to North Carolina and 1% to Idaho. Colorado and Florida each accounted for less than 1% as reported in the filing.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 60 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Otto & Edna Neely Foundation open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 59 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 66% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 21% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% 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 $742K (2020) to $1.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 60 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Child Crisis Arizona Center Mesa, AZ | Community Service | $125,500 |
| Arizona State University Tempe, AZ | Scholarships | $88,000 |
| Save the Family Fndn Mesa, AZ | Small Capital Development | $50,000 |
| Arizona Agriculture Foundation FFA Phoenix, AZ | Educational Grant | $47,900 |
| Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ | Scholarship | $40,000 |
| Mesa Presyterian Ministries Mesa, AZ | Community Service Grant | $35,000 |
| Choice Preg Centers of Greater Phoe Glendale, AZ | Community Service | $35,000 |
| Hope Women Phoenix, AZ | Community Service Association | $32,500 |
| University of Arizona Tucson, AZ | Scholarships | $32,000 |
| House of Refuge Mesa, AZ | Community Service | $30,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14,892,999 | $1,046,169 | $1,380,908 | $1,016,855 | 60 | $1,201,797 | $856,398 | $1,144,309 |
| 2023 | $15,247,456 | $433,897 | $1,168,031 | $822,225 | 52 | $1,003,045 | $262,551 | $945,602 |
| 2022 | $15,950,562 | $856,061 | $1,305,306 | $989,541 | 51 | $1,132,583 | $674,114 | $959,510 |
| 2021 | $16,403,061 | $2,007,320 | $1,157,141 | $838,650 | 63 | $982,838 | $1,817,446 | $1,163,315 |
| 2020 | $15,616,852 | $587,712 | $1,015,487 | $741,583 | 59 | — | $418,685 | $920,771 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Otto & Edna Neely Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M 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
The Foundation says it supports a broad range of programs in the Phoenix East Valley, including cultural and fine arts associations, social service agencies, education and leadership groups, health services, and welfare organizations. It also funds scholarships for students attending Arizona universities and community colleges. Examples of the kinds of organizations it supports include museums, food banks, medical clinics, summer camps, choirs, homeless shelters, youth leadership programs, Christian ministries, and agricultural groups.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate this range: House of Refuge says it serves Arizona families experiencing homelessness through transitional housing and support services; Foundation for Blind Children describes its work as providing education, tools, and services to people with vision loss; and Gabriels Angels says it connects youth with the healing power of pets and compassionate adults.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 60 grants totaling $1,016,855. Grant amounts ranged from $450 to $125,500, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest awards were $125,500 to Child Crisis Arizona Center for community service, $88,000 to Arizona State University for scholarships, $50,000 to Save the Family Foundation for small capital development, and $47,900 to Arizona Agriculture Foundation FFA for an educational grant.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Cliff Saylor as President; Gregory L. Bamford as Treasurer; Steven D. Todd and Walter Delecki as Vice Presidents; and Shelley Nelson, John C. Gemmill, and Ashley Trussell as Directors.
Otto & Edna Neely Foundation is led by Cliff Saylor, President on every filing since 2020; all 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cliff Saylor
President
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $33K (2024)
John C Gemmill
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $12K (2024)
Ashley Trussell
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $10K (2024)
Shelley Nelson
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $12K (2024)
Gregory L Bamford
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$48K (2020) → $57K (2024)
Steven D Todd
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $23K (2024)
Walter Delecki
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $12K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Norman L Knox (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 $57K, to Gregory L Bamford (Treasurer). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Otto & Edna Neely Foundation
How much does Otto & Edna Neely Foundation give each year?
Otto & Edna Neely Foundation gave $1.0M across 60 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $822K across 52 grants.
What is Otto & Edna Neely Foundation's typical grant size?
Otto & Edna Neely Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $16,948, across 60 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Otto & Edna Neely Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does Otto & Edna Neely Foundation give grants?
Otto & Edna Neely Foundation gives mostly in Arizona: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (23 grants), Mesa, AZ (11 grants), Gilbert, AZ (5 grants) and Chandler, AZ (4 grants).
Does Otto & Edna Neely Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Otto & Edna Neely Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 60) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Community Service" (18 grants), "Community Service Grant" (17 grants) and "Scholarships" (5 grants).
Who are Otto & Edna Neely Foundation's largest grantees?
Otto & Edna Neely Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Child Crisis Arizona Center ($125,500), Arizona State University ($88,000) and Save the Family Fndn ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($21,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Otto & Edna Neely Foundation?
Otto & Edna Neely Foundation reported $14.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Otto & Edna Neely Foundation fund?
The Foundation says it supports a broad range of programs in the Phoenix East Valley, including cultural and fine arts associations, social service agencies, education and leadership groups, health services, and welfare organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Otto & Edna Neely Foundation?
The Foundation invites organizations to complete a grant application and send a proposal directly to it. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Otto & Edna Neely Foundation's EIN?
Otto & Edna Neely Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0581770. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 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). Otto & Edna Neely Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/otto-and-edna-neely-foundation-morg_679268b90fa844b594eac20aef591d33
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_860581770_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Otto \& Edna Neely Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/otto-and-edna-neely-foundation-morg_679268b90fa844b594eac20aef591d33},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Otto & Edna Neely 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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