The Legacy Foundation of Southeast
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona is a private foundation based in Sierra Vista, Arizona. It supports nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations working to promote population health and community wellness in Southeast Arizona, particularly Cochise and eastern Santa Cruz counties.
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast at a glance
In short: The Legacy Foundation of Southeast gave $1.1M across 135 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in Arizona. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,100,899
- +11.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 135
- +23.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $8,155
- -10.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,300
- Total assets
- $73,002,665
- +8.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (37 of 98, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Legacy Foundation of Southeast
- How to Apply
-
Applications are submitted electronically through the foundation’s grant portal. Applicants review the guidelines and deadlines for the relevant grant cycle, create or access an organization account, and submit an LOI or application when the cycle is open. The foundation says its Philanthropy Committee and staff review submissions, with funding recommendations reviewed by the Board of Directors. The 2024 filing directs applicants to the foundation’s website and grant portal and says assistance is available. It also states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- Deadlines vary by grant area. The 2026 dates listed on the website, including the Fast Pitch, Responsive, and Innovative cycle dates, have passed.
- Deadline
- Deadlines vary by grant area.
- Contact
Application contact: Margaret Hepburn
Mailing address: 302-01 El Camino Real, Sierra Vista, AZ 85636
Phone: (520) 335-6015
Website: https://www.lfsaz.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Legacy Foundation of Southeast
Fast Pitch Grants
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast
Amount
Up to US $2,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Legacy Fdn. of Southeast AZ: Innovative Grants
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
LFSAZ Responsive Grants
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Legacy Foundation of Southeast funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cochise County Sheriff's Office ($383K). Together the top 10 received $780K.
Grant Size Distribution
600 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 560 grants of 600 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies Cochise County and eastern Santa Cruz County as its service area. Its 2025 filing data show that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Arizona.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 135 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Legacy Foundation of Southeast open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 37 of 98 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 44% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 46% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $989K (2024) to $2.1M (2023). In 2025 it made 135 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cochise County Sheriff's Office Bisbee, AZ | Mental Health Support Team | $383,056 |
| Arizona Border Alliance Douglas, AZ | Douglas Community Communication Project | $50,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Bisbee Douglas Unit Bisbee, AZ | Douglas Unit Collaborative Effort | $50,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Sierra Vista Sierra Vista, AZ | Palominas Satellite | $50,000 |
| Dragonfly Community Alliance San Simon, AZ | Community Center/Food Pantry | $50,000 |
| Step up Bisbee Naco Bisbee, AZ | Expansion of Workforce Housing Initiative | $50,000 |
| Willcox Community Food Pantry Willcox, AZ | Sustaining Transportation Capacity | $45,000 |
| City of Douglas Douglas, AZ | Visioning for the Future | $32,500 |
| Sonoita Company Arizona Rangers Green Valley, AZ | 12 radios and 4 ballistic vests for the rangers in sonoita. | $30,000 |
| Winchester Heights Health Organization Willcox, AZ | Salud Para Nuestra Gente (Health for Our People) | $28,510 |
Ready to take the next step with The Legacy Foundation of Southeast?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $73,002,665 | $6,440,079 | $2,654,324 | $1,100,899 | 135 | $2,699,578 | $4,044,593 | $2,942,898 |
| 2024 | $67,032,634 | $3,086,295 | $2,697,622 | $989,041 | 109 | $2,410,729 | $1,716,602 | $2,864,741 |
| 2023 | $61,237,634 | $-103,827 | $2,354,404 | $2,059,486 | 111 | $3,472,027 | $1,255,539 | $2,770,606 |
| 2022 | $59,600,536 | $5,110,492 | $5,540,357 | $2,027,911 | 119 | $3,966,422 | $2,392,556 | $3,151,907 |
| 2021 | $71,227,814 | $10,137,579 | $3,123,104 | $1,606,293 | 126 | — | $9,693,666 | $2,927,607 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Legacy Foundation of Southeast reported a distributable amount of $2.9M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “Promoting Population Health and Community Wellness Throughout Southeast Arizona.” Its website identifies philanthropy and capacity building among its priorities. Its grantmaking includes strategic, innovative, responsive, emergent, and Fast Pitch grants; capacity-building support can include education and technology that helps organizations operate efficiently.
The foundation’s 2024 filing says awards are for Arizona 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and other tax-exempt charitable, educational, or relief organizations with a clear connection to promoting population health and community wellness in Southeast Arizona. Applicants must demonstrate a nondiscrimination policy and financial viability, be in good standing with the IRS, and show that the grant will directly benefit health and wellness in the region. Grants may not fund political activities or labor organizations.
Examples of supported organizations include Arizona Border Alliance, whose stated mission is to strengthen health education and opportunity across Southern Arizona by addressing social determinants of health and community-identified needs. Boys and Girls Club of Sierra Vista describes its mission as providing young people with a safe, healthy, structured environment and helping them reach their full potential.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 135 grants totaling $1,100,899. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $383,056, with a median of $1,300. The largest award was $383,056 to Cochise County Sheriff’s Office for a mental health support team. Other notable awards included $50,000 each to Arizona Border Alliance for a community communication project, Boys and Girls Club of Bisbee Douglas Unit for a collaborative effort, Boys and Girls Club of Sierra Vista for a satellite site, Dragonfly Community Alliance for a community center and food pantry, and Step Up Bisbee Naco for a workforce housing initiative.
The foundation’s website describes Fast Pitch grants of up to $2,500 for organizational capacity, including education and technology; Responsive grants of up to $5,000 for a one-year project; and Innovative grants of up to $50,000. The website lists 2026 application windows and events for these programs, but the dates have passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Margaret Hepburn as chief executive officer; Michael Groves as chair; Mark Savage as vice chair; and Andrea Ruble as secretary. Directors listed were Brian Barkdull, Alexandra Boneo, Wendy Conger, Kraig Fullen, Polly Gosa MSN RN, Maureen Kappler, Sharon Reynolds, and Iwona Snyder MSN RN.
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast is led by Margaret Hepburn, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2021; 1 of 15 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Margaret Hepburn
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$352K (2021) → $390K (2025)
Michael Groves
Chair
Vice Chair & Chair → Chair & Seated Jan to Present, 2022
Chair & Seated Jan to Present → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexandra Boneo
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Barkdull
Director
Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maureen Kappler
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert White Jr.
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lana Tompkins-Stutzman
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Reynolds
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Devyn Thurber Msn Mph Pnp-Bc
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Iwona Snyder Msn RN
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kraig Fullen
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Polly Gosa Msn RN
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Conger
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Ruble
Secretary
Director → Secretary & Seated July to Present, 2022
Secretary & Seated July to Present → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Savage
Vice Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair & Seated Jan to Present, 2022
Vice Chair & Seated Jan to Present → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Devyn Thurber (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Joe Delgado (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Polly Gosa (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Iwona Snyder (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Frank Gonzalez (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Ruth Britton (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $390K, to Margaret Hepburn (Chief Executive Officer).
Frequently asked questions about The Legacy Foundation of Southeast
How much does The Legacy Foundation of Southeast give each year?
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast gave $1.1M across 135 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $989K across 109 grants.
What is The Legacy Foundation of Southeast's typical grant size?
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast's median grant in 2025 was $1,300, and its average grant was $8,155, across 135 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Legacy Foundation of Southeast that year got $8K on average.
Where does The Legacy Foundation of Southeast give grants?
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast gives mostly in Arizona: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sierra Vista, AZ (50 grants), Bisbee, AZ (25 grants), Willcox, AZ (13 grants) and Tucson, AZ (11 grants).
Does The Legacy Foundation of Southeast give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 135 grants with a stated purpose on The Legacy Foundation of Southeast's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Legacy Foundation of Southeast's largest grantees?
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast's largest 2025 grantees include Cochise County Sheriff's Office ($383,056), Boys and Girls Club of Sierra Vista ($57,750 across 5 grants) and Arizona Border Alliance ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Legacy Foundation of Southeast?
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast reported $73.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Legacy Foundation of Southeast fund?
The foundation’s mission is “Promoting Population Health and Community Wellness Throughout Southeast Arizona.” Its website identifies philanthropy and capacity building among its priorities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Legacy Foundation of Southeast?
Applications are submitted electronically through the foundation’s grant portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Legacy Foundation of Southeast's EIN?
The Legacy Foundation of Southeast's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0186064. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Legacy Foundation of Southeast funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-legacy-foundation-of-southeast-morg_dbc47b79960c47c89639b48bb8ee5911
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_860186064_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Legacy Foundation of Southeast funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-legacy-foundation-of-southeast-morg_dbc47b79960c47c89639b48bb8ee5911},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 The Legacy Foundation of Southeast'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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