Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable
The Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation based in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Established in Wyoming and tax-exempt since January 1999, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization focused on philanthropic grantmaking and fund distribution.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$203K
-76.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.7M
-21.1% YoY
Grant Count
10
-73.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$572K
+192.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a broad range of charitable purposes without specifying particular subject areas. Primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Sports
- Human Services
- Science and STEM education
The foundation's giving reflects a commitment to enhancing the lives of children and families in need across multiple sectors.
Grantmaking
The foundation demonstrates significant annual grantmaking activity with a diverse portfolio of recipients.
Grant Range
$843
Average Grant
$843
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports a wide range of U.S. cities and states, including:
- Arizona (primary focus)
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Virginia
Major urban centers including New York, Los Angeles, and Miami receive support.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $202,979
- Total Revenue: $5.23 million
- Total Expenses: $5.88 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
Prior Year Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $851,955
- Total Expenses: $7,284,742
- Total Revenue: $7,427,159
The foundation maintains minimal assets relative to its annual giving, indicating a distribution-focused model.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $202,979 | $851,955 | $709,538 |
| Revenue | $5,231,819 | $7,427,159 | $1,080,142 |
| Expenses | $5,880,795 | $7,284,742 | $521,005 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,731,195 | $7,253,582 | $519,618 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,785,079 | $6,906,114 | $1,047,558 |
| Distributable Amount | — | $17,007 | $11,055 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Arizona Foundation ($5,000,000), Arizona Jewish Historical Society ($500,000), Jewish National Fund ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION TUCSON, AZ | CHARITABLE | $5,000,000 |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND NEW YORK, NY | CHARITABLE | $100,000 |
| ARIZONA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY PHOENIX, AZ | CHARITABLE | $500,000 |
| MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION - THE LARRY FITZGERALD FIRST DOWN FUND MINNEAPOLIS, MN | CHARITABLE | $51,000 |
| STARRY FOUNDATION SCOTTSDALE, AZ | CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| TEMPLE CHAI ASSOCIATION PHOENIX, AZ | CHARITABLE | $6,700 |
| TEEN LIFELINE PHOENIX, AZ | CHARITABLE | $15,000 |
| VALLEY OF THE SUN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER SCOTTSDALE, AZ | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF GREATER PHOENIX SCOTTSDALE, AZ | CHARITABLE | $25,000 |
| GOOTTER-JENSEN FOUNDATION TUCSON, AZ | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers:
- Robert Sarver – President
- Penny Sarver – Secretary
- Jon R. Young – Director
Robert and Penny Sarver serve on a voluntary basis without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT SARVER | PRESIDENT | 0.25 | — |
| PENNY SARVER | SECRETARY | 0.25 | — |
| MAX SARVER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Phoenix Suns Charities Gift:**
The Penny and Robert Sarver Foundation donated $5 million to Phoenix Suns Charities, marking the single-largest gift in the organization's history. The gift supports future opportunities to enhance the lives of Arizona children and families in need, specifically in education, healthcare, and sports.
Robert Sarver, Wife Donate $5 Million to Phoenix Suns Charities**Community Impact:**
During Robert Sarver's 19-year tenure as managing partner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury (2004-2023), Phoenix Suns Charities granted more than $36 million to Arizona nonprofits and community programs.
Robert Sarver, Wife Donate $5 Million to Phoenix Suns CharitiesContact Information
Address: 5700 E McDonald Drive, Suite 6 Paradise Valley, AZ 85253-5218
Telephone: 520-440-2221
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable fund?
The foundation supports a broad range of charitable purposes without specifying particular subject areas. Primary funding interests include: • Education • Healthcare • Sports • Human Services • Science and STEM education The foundation's giving reflects a commitment to enhancing the lives of children and families in need across multiple sectors.
How do I apply for a grant from Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $5,722,700 (most recent year) • Typical award range: $2,500 to $5,000,000 • Average grant size: $843 • Total grants awarded (previous year): 3,661 • Open to new applicants: Yes • Percentage of new applicants funded: 12% The foundation demonstrates significant annual grantmaking activity with a diverse portfolio of recipients.
Where does Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable make grants?
The foundation supports a wide range of U.S. cities and states, including: • Arizona (primary focus) • California • Colorado • Florida • Georgia • Illinois • Maryland • Minnesota • New Jersey • New York • Ohio • Pennsylvania • Texas • Virginia Major urban centers including New York, Los Angeles, and Miami receive support.
What size grants does Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable award?
In 2024, Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable awarded 10 grants totaling $5.7M — an average of about $572K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable's EIN?
Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0320824. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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