Pharos Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2011 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, with an office in Jackson, Wyoming. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and has been tax-exempt since January 2013. The foundation focuses on funding programs and implementing systemic changes to provide quality educational opportunities, particularly for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and underserved communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.2M
-71.4% YoY
Grant Count
30
-9.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
-68.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Pharos Foundation seeks to promote innovative thinking and policy changes that disrupt the traditional school model and create systemic change that enhances learning for at-risk and underserved students from pre-K through graduation. The foundation's mission centers on strengthening the country by ensuring all students receive quality educational experiences at an early age and that families have the freedom to choose from a variety of educational opportunities throughout their child's academic career.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- STEM Education
- Science Teachers
- Education Nonprofits
- Human Services
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains total assets of $31.6 million as of 2024. Recent grantmaking activity shows:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Pharos Foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in:
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Jackson, Wyoming
- California
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Assets: $31,596,190
- Revenue: $120,701
- Total Expenses: $2,568,716
- Net Income: -$2,448,015
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2022:
- Form 990-PF filed with the IRS
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
181 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Northern Arizona University Foundat ($400,000), All in Education ($262,000), The Heritage Foundation ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALL IN EDUCATION CORONA, CA | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $262,000 |
| ARIZONA LEADS PHOENIX, AZ | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| BE A LEADER FOUNDATION PHOENIX, AZ | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AZ PHOENIX, AZ | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN PHOENIX, AZ | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA PHOENIX, AZ | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| GRAND TETON MUSIC FESTIVAL JACKSON, WY | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| HOOVER INSTITUTION STANFORD, CA | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| MAYO CLINIC SCOTTSDALE, AZ | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| MONTCLAIR FOUNDATION INC MONTCLAIR, NJ | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $55,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGE R HARRIS | PRESIDENT | — | $230,232 |
| SUZANNE HARRIS | TREASURER | — | $45,000 |
| MALCOLM HARRIS | SECRETARY | — | $45,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Pharos Foundation fund?
The Pharos Foundation seeks to promote innovative thinking and policy changes that disrupt the traditional school model and create systemic change that enhances learning for at-risk and underserved students from pre-K through graduation. The foundation's mission centers on strengthening the country by ensuring all students receive quality educational experiences at an early age and that families have the freedom to choose from a variety of educational opportunities throughout their child's acad…
How do I apply for a grant from Pharos Foundation?
The foundation maintains total assets of $31.6 million as of 2024. Recent grantmaking activity shows: • **2024 Total Giving:** $1,240,500 • **2024 Expenses:** $2,568,716 • **Typical Award Range:** $10 to $2,000,000 The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Phoenix, Arizona, and Jackson, Wyoming, with additional funding activity in California.
Where does Pharos Foundation make grants?
The Pharos Foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in: • Phoenix, Arizona • Jackson, Wyoming • California
What size grants does Pharos Foundation award?
In 2024, Pharos Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $41K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Pharos Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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