Pharos Foundation
Pharos Foundation is a private foundation based in Jackson, Wyoming. It funds programs and systemic changes intended to expand access to quality educational opportunities, especially for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and those who are at risk or underserved.
Pharos Foundation at a glance
In short: Pharos Foundation gave $1.2M across 30 grants in 2024 (avg $41K), top state Arizona. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,240,500
- -71.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 30
- -9.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $41,350
- -68.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $31,596,190
- -13.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (12 of 30, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (42% 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 Pharos Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit a written request to George R Harris. Include financial information, proof of exempt organization status, and a description of how the grant would further education in the United States. Awards are restricted to education.
- Review Cycle
- December 31.
- Deadline
- December 31.
- Contact
Application contact: George R Harris
Mailing address: PO Box 864, Wilson, WY 83014
Phone: (703) 627-0698
Website: https://pharosfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Pharos Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Northern Arizona University Foundat ($400K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
181 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 130 grants of 181 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Arizona (42%), California (24%), and Washington, DC (16%). Wyoming received 7% and New Jersey 5%. The foundation’s 2024 grants also included recipients in Colorado and other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 30 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Pharos Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 30 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $39K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 67% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 143% 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 $1.2M (2024) to $5.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 30 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Arizona University Foundat Flagstaff, AZ | General Charitable Support | $400,000 |
| All in Education Corona, CA | General Charitable Support | $262,000 |
| The Heritage Foundation Washington, DC | General Charitable Support | $200,000 |
| Montclair Foundation Inc Montclair, NJ | General Charitable Support | $55,000 |
| Common Sense Institute Greenwood Village, CO | General Charitable Support | $50,000 |
| Hoover Institution Stanford, CA | General Charitable Support | $25,000 |
| Mental Health & Recovery Services Jackson, WY | General Charitable Support | $25,000 |
| Teton Youth and Family Services Jackson, WY | General Charitable Support | $25,000 |
| Be a Leader Foundation Phoenix, AZ | General Charitable Support | $15,000 |
| Grand Teton Music Festival Jackson, WY | General Charitable Support | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Pharos Foundation?
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 | $31,596,190 | $120,701 | $2,568,716 | $1,240,500 | 30 | $2,251,099 | $986,047 | $1,574,813 |
| 2023 | $36,308,566 | $1,127,202 | $5,819,689 | $4,333,800 | 33 | $5,325,701 | $776,945 | $1,643,764 |
| 2022 | $41,001,053 | $1,163,661 | $6,615,369 | $5,718,376 | 30 | $6,285,178 | $839,310 | $1,927,317 |
| 2021 | $46,452,761 | $4,714,657 | $4,688,926 | $3,780,108 | 43 | $4,342,261 | $4,367,992 | $2,290,819 |
| 2020 | $44,866,374 | $2,852,460 | $4,420,835 | $3,651,504 | 45 | — | $2,574,191 | $2,230,565 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Pharos Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M 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
Pharos Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the country by ensuring students receive a quality educational experience early in life and families can choose among educational opportunities throughout their child’s academic career. It seeks to improve access to quality education for all students, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Its 2024 grants included organizations with varied missions. All in Education, which received $262,000, says it works to advance opportunity and justice for Latino students and families. Be A Leader Foundation, which received $15,000, says it prepares students for higher education through tools, leadership skills, and support. New Pathways for Youth, also awarded $15,000, says it supports young people and their families with the support, stability, and skills needed to flourish. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not descriptions of Pharos Foundation’s own activities.
Grantmaking
Pharos Foundation reported 30 grants totaling $1,240,500 in 2024. The grants ranged from $1,000 to $400,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The foundation reported 33 grants totaling $4,333,800 in 2023 and 30 grants totaling $5,718,376 in 2022.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $400,000 to Northern Arizona University Foundation, $262,000 to All in Education, and $200,000 to The Heritage Foundation. Other grants included $55,000 to Montclair Foundation Inc.; $50,000 to Common Sense Institute; $25,000 each to Hoover Institution, Mental Health & Recovery Services, and Teton Youth and Family Services; and $15,000 each to Be A Leader Foundation, Grand Teton Music Festival, Mayo Clinic, and New Pathways for Youth. The listed grant purposes were general charitable support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website lists George Rogers Harris as Chairman and CEO and Adriana Murrietta as President. The 2024 filing lists George R Harris as President, Suzanne Harris as Treasurer, and Malcolm Harris as Secretary.
Pharos Foundation is led by George R. Harris, President on every filing since 2020; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
George R. Harris
President
On filings since 2020
$220K (2020) → $230K (2024)
Suzanne Harris
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
$45K (2020) → $45K (2024)
Malcolm Harris
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
$45K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Phoebe Moffat (2020–2023) — Secretary
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 $230K, to George R Harris (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Pharos Foundation
How much does Pharos Foundation give each year?
Pharos Foundation gave $1.2M across 30 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.3M across 33 grants.
What is Pharos Foundation's typical grant size?
Pharos Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $41,350, across 30 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Pharos Foundation that year got $45K on average.
Where does Pharos Foundation give grants?
Pharos Foundation's top state is Arizona, with 42% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (24%) and District of Columbia (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (12 grants), Jackson, WY (4 grants) and Montclair, NJ (2 grants).
Does Pharos Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Pharos Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (30 of 30) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Pharos Foundation's largest grantees?
Pharos Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Northern Arizona University Foundat ($400,000), All in Education ($262,000) and The Heritage Foundation ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Pharos Foundation?
Pharos Foundation reported $31.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Pharos Foundation fund?
Pharos Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the country by ensuring students receive a quality educational experience early in life and families can choose among educational opportunities throughout their child’s academic career. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Pharos Foundation?
Submit a written request to George R Harris. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Pharos Foundation's EIN?
Pharos Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1127429. 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Pharos Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/pharos-foundation-morg_f5acc0973ceb40879354b7b302c48878
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_461127429_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Pharos Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/pharos-foundation-morg_f5acc0973ceb40879354b7b302c48878},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Pharos 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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