Southwest Foundation for Education
The Southwestern Foundation for Education & Historical Preservation is a private foundation based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1992, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting educational and historical preservation initiatives. The foundation functions as a grantmaking organization, distributing funds to support various educational programs and preservation projects.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.7M
+4.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$277K
-13.3% YoY
Grant Count
14
-48.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+67.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Southwest Foundation for Education reported a distributable amount of $345K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary purpose is to provide security earnings that fund grants. Its grantmaking activities focus on:
- Educational initiatives and youth programs
- Historical preservation projects
- Community-based educational support
Specific grant-funded activities have included youth choral programs, wood conservation projects, field trip transportation, scholar programs, stained-glass window restoration, and facility improvements.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$10,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports educational initiatives across Arizona and California, with particular activity in:
Arizona: Bisbee, Douglas, Dragoon, Flagstaff, Mesa, Patagonia, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Tucson
California: Los Angeles and National City
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $7.4-$7.7 million
Annual Revenue: $278,000-$694,000
Annual Expenses: $371,000-$408,000
Net Assets (2024): $7,745,576
The foundation maintains a stable financial position with positive net income in recent years.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,745,576 | $7,423,201 | $7,374,847 |
| Revenue | $693,825 | $278,482 | $35,837 |
| Expenses | $371,450 | $407,525 | $353,466 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $292,059 | $325,525 | $319,888 |
| Net Investment Income | $208,281 | $231,306 | $17,223 |
| Distributable Amount | $344,698 | $333,275 | $383,623 |
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
120 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The University of Arizona Tucson Az ($56,689), Patronato San Xavier ($50,000), Tucson Botanical Gardens Tucson Az ($24,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA TUCSON AZ TUCSON, AZ | EDUCATION GENERAL SUPPORT | $56,689 |
| PATRONATO SAN XAVIER TUCSON, AZ | CONSERVATION GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| TUCSON BOTANICAL GARDENS TUCSON AZ TUCSON, AZ | HISTORIC PRESERVATION EXHIBIT | $24,000 |
| FOX TUCSON THEATRE FOUNDATION TUCSON, AZ | PERFORMANCE GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| GEORGE PHAR LEGLER SOCIETY INC TUCSON, AZ | COMMUNITY GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| NACO HERITAGE ALLIANCE NACO, AZ | HERITAGE GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| TUCSON AMATEUR ASTRONOMY TUCSON, AZ | SCIENCE GENERAL SUPPORT | $16,000 |
| MUSEUM OF NORTHERN ARIZONA FLAGSTAFF, AZ | HERITAGE FESTIVAL ARTS/CULTURE | $15,000 |
| FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT FOUNDATION SCOTTSDALE, AZ | COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM | $13,000 |
| SANTA CRUZ VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE TUCSON, AZ | HERITAGE/CULTURE | $11,800 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Augustus F. Gardner serves as Trustee, dedicating 10 hours per week to the role without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUGUSTUS GARDNER | TRUSTEE | 10 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Southwest Foundation for Education fund?
The foundation's primary purpose is to provide security earnings that fund grants. Its grantmaking activities focus on: • Educational initiatives and youth programs • Historical preservation projects • Community-based educational support Specific grant-funded activities have included youth choral programs, wood conservation projects, field trip transportation, scholar programs, stained-glass window restoration, and facility improvements.
How do I apply for a grant from Southwest Foundation for Education?
**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 27-28 grants in recent years • Grant amounts typically range from $1,000 to $56,689 • Median grant size: $10,000 • Maximum grant observed: $50,000 **Recent Grants (2023):** • University of Arizona Foundation: $30,041 (Indigenous Collaborative Exhibit - Media Components) • Central School Project: $20,000 (West Side Block Base Rehabilitation) **Total Giving:** Approximately $277,000-$326,000 annually
Where does Southwest Foundation for Education make grants?
The foundation supports educational initiatives across Arizona and California, with particular activity in: **Arizona:** Bisbee, Douglas, Dragoon, Flagstaff, Mesa, Patagonia, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Tucson **California:** Los Angeles and National City
What size grants does Southwest Foundation for Education award?
In 2024, Southwest Foundation for Education awarded 14 grants totaling $277K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Southwest Foundation for Education required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Southwest Foundation for Education reported a distributable amount of $345K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Southwest Foundation for Education's EIN?
Southwest Foundation for Education's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0701832. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Southwest Foundation for Education'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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