Phoenix Suns Charities Inc
Phoenix Suns Charities Inc is a public charity based in Phoenix, Arizona. Through the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation, it uses basketball to provide resources and support to communities across Arizona, with a stated emphasis on children and families.
Phoenix Suns Charities Inc at a glance
In short: Phoenix Suns Charities Inc gave $3.1M across 68 grants in 2025 (avg $45K), mostly in Arizona. 45% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,073,736
- +33.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 68
- +25.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $45,202
- +5.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $8,917,845
- -3.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (24 of 53, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (64% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Phoenix Suns Charities Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its general grant process. Applicants must be established Arizona 501(c)(3) organizations for at least three years, demonstrate fiscal accountability, and provide a recent Form 990, audited financial statements, an IRS determination letter, and a current W-9. Applicants must serve children or youth age 18 and under, or families, and serve only Arizona residents. They must demonstrate a nondiscrimination policy covering staff, employment, governing boards, and services, and use basketball to support and strengthen Arizona communities. The foundation does not fund discriminatory programs, national organizations without Arizona local chapters, political or election-related work, work focused on social or political issues outside the United States, or requests for individuals, summer camps, animal welfare, or consumer interest. An organization may submit no more than one general grant request from July through June.
- Contact
Mailing address: 475 E Lincoln St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: (602) 379-7900
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Phoenix Suns Charities Inc
Who Phoenix Suns Charities Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was NBA Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 9 individual scholarships ($107,876), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
281 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 233 grants of 281 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated geographic focus is Arizona. In 2025, 64% of grant dollars went to Arizona recipients, 33% to New York, 2% to Pennsylvania, and 2% to California; the percentages may not total 100% because of rounding.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 68 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Phoenix Suns Charities Inc open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 24 of 53 grantees (45%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $31K; repeat grants $80K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $32K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 $1.5M (2022) to $10.6M (2020). In 2025 it made 68 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NBA Foundation New York, NY | General Support | $1,000,000 |
| Valley of the Sun YMCA Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $125,000 |
| Banner Health Foundation Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $125,000 |
| Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $100,000 |
| Science of Sport Tucson, AZ | General Support | $92,400 |
| Girls Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $80,000 |
| Special Olympics Arizona Goodyear, AZ | General Support | $75,000 |
| Phoenix Parks and Conservation Foundation Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $71,875 |
| New Life Center Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $66,500 |
| American Cancer Society Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $51,417 |
Ready to take the next step with Phoenix Suns Charities Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $8,917,845 | $3,172,264 | $3,484,304 | $3,073,736 | 68 | $362,291 |
| 2024 | $9,227,351 | $3,554,731 | $2,625,152 | $2,309,123 | 54 | $392,351 |
| 2023 | $8,297,772 | $8,143,439 | $2,718,309 | $2,386,880 | 68 | $130,501 |
| 2022 | $2,847,642 | $3,986,212 | $2,894,006 | $1,469,628 | 65 | $43 |
| 2021 | $1,755,436 | $2,395,370 | $2,093,150 | $1,758,799 | 26 | $82,600 |
| 2020 | $1,453,216 | $11,215,751 | $10,825,288 | $10,570,125 | 131 | $152 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to use basketball to provide meaningful resources and support that strengthen and bring together diverse communities across Arizona. Its 2024 filing describes its purpose as benefiting organizations that assist children and families in Arizona.
Its 2025 grantees included organizations with varied missions. For example, the NBA Foundation says it works to advance economic opportunity and school-to-employment transitions for under-resourced youth. Banner Health Foundation says it supports care, research, medical education, patient services, and community benefits. Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center describes its work as autism research, education, and outreach for individuals with autism and their families. Other recipients included organizations whose stated missions address youth development, sports opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, and Phoenix parks.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Phoenix Suns Charities reported 68 grants totaling $3,073,736. Grant amounts ranged from $6,250 to $1,000,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest listed awards were $1,000,000 to the NBA Foundation, $125,000 each to Valley of the Sun YMCA and Banner Health Foundation, $100,000 to Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, and $92,400 to Science of Sport. The filing lists the grants as general support.
The foundation’s general grant program lists awards of $10,000–$100,000 and notes a preference for smaller requests. Its application process begins with eligibility verification, followed by a basketball initiative overview and internal review. Organizations approved to continue submit a grant video and application; a decision may take up to six months.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Josh Bartelstein as president, Sarah Krahenbuhl as executive director, and Jim Pitman as secretary/treasurer. The 2024 filing states that these three have a business relationship.
Phoenix Suns Charities Inc is led by Sarah Krahenbuhl, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sarah Krahenbuhl
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Josh Bartelstein
President
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Pitman
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Adam Pritchett (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Chris Alvarez (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Dan Costello (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Davon Wade (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jane Roig (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Melissa Goldenberg (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Monica Garnes (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Warren Forsythe (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Oliver Badgio (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Taylor Blackwood (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Tracey Wiley (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Governor Stephen Roe Lewis (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: David Rauch (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Scott Rehorn - President (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Don Dady (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jason Rowley (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Scott Rehorn (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Penny Sarver (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Clarkson (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Stacie Stern (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Maria Baier (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Randy Kinsel (2020–2021) — Board Member
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.
Frequently asked questions about Phoenix Suns Charities Inc
How much does Phoenix Suns Charities Inc give each year?
Phoenix Suns Charities Inc gave $3.1M across 68 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.3M across 54 grants.
What is Phoenix Suns Charities Inc's typical grant size?
Phoenix Suns Charities Inc's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $45,202, across 68 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Phoenix Suns Charities Inc that year got $31K on average.
Where does Phoenix Suns Charities Inc give grants?
Phoenix Suns Charities Inc gives mostly in Arizona: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (33%). The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (29 grants), Tucson, AZ (9 grants), Tempe, AZ (3 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Phoenix Suns Charities Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 81% of Phoenix Suns Charities Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (55 of 68) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (13 grants).
Who are Phoenix Suns Charities Inc's largest grantees?
Phoenix Suns Charities Inc's largest 2025 grantees include NBA Foundation ($1,000,000), Phoenix Parks and Conservation Foundation ($156,492 across 4 grants) and Valley of the Sun YMCA ($145,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 9 individual scholarships ($107,876), which are not listed by name. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Phoenix Suns Charities Inc?
Phoenix Suns Charities Inc reported $8.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.2M.
What does Phoenix Suns Charities Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to use basketball to provide meaningful resources and support that strengthen and bring together diverse communities across Arizona. Its 2024 filing describes its purpose as benefiting organizations that assist children and families in Arizona. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Phoenix Suns Charities Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its general grant process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Phoenix Suns Charities Inc's EIN?
Phoenix Suns Charities Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0633919. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Phoenix Suns Charities Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Phoenix Suns Charities Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Phoenix Suns Charities Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/phoenix-suns-charities-inc-morg_a5a1e3a457f045e9b95369063ee9abd5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_860633919_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Phoenix Suns Charities Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/phoenix-suns-charities-inc-morg_a5a1e3a457f045e9b95369063ee9abd5},
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 Phoenix Suns Charities Inc'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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