The Steele Foundation Inc
The Steele Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Phoenix, Arizona. It supports work to improve the lives of Arizona’s children through investments in education, with its website describing its grantmaking as focused on educating the whole child.
The Steele Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Steele Foundation Inc gave $3.7M across 34 grants in 2024 (avg $108K), mostly in Arizona. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,685,389
- +2.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 34
- +9.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $108,394
- -6.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,250
- Total assets
- $65,862,184
- +0.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (8 of 26, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (97% 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 The Steele Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; grants are by invitation only after a screening process. It says potential grantees must demonstrate proven impact with children before embarking upon a grant. Its website offers a form to introduce an organization and describe its work, but submitting the form does not guarantee a reply.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4131 N 36Th St 1, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: (602) 850-9804
Website: https://steeleaz.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Steele Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Arizona Foundation ($2.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
220 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 140 grants of 220 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says its work is predominantly in Phoenix and Tucson. In 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Arizona and 3% to recipients in New York; the reported shares for Ohio, New Jersey, and California were each 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Steele Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 26 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $189K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $39K repeat.
- 54% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−14%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% 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 $3.0M (2020) to $4.3M (2021). In 2024 it made 34 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona Foundation Tucson, AZ | DCI lab renovation, DC Research, & PANDA | $2,025,000 |
| Barrow Neurological Foundation Phoenix, AZ | DC/PG Fellowship Endowment | $500,000 |
| Arizona Jewish Historical Society Phoenix, AZ | Hilton Holocaust Edu Center and General Support | $262,500 |
| Literacy Connects Tucson, AZ | Reading Seed Program at Prince & Summit | $110,000 |
| Childsplay Tempe, AZ | Storybook Preview Performances | $105,000 |
| ASU Foundation Tempe, AZ | Daniel Cracchiolo Chair in Constitutional Law | $100,000 |
| Teach for America New York, NY | General Support | $90,000 |
| College Vista Preparatory Inc Phoenix, AZ | Books, shelving, seating | $75,000 |
| Camp Catanese Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $70,000 |
| Mesa Arts Center Foundation Mesa, AZ | Project Literacy | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Steele Foundation Inc?
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 | $65,862,184 | $5,975,536 | $5,375,051 | $3,685,389 | 34 | $4,739,185 | $5,423,464 | $4,517,735 |
| 2023 | $65,266,628 | $2,733,059 | $5,316,724 | $3,586,920 | 31 | $4,653,973 | $2,143,961 | $4,406,820 |
| 2022 | $67,628,930 | $6,342,764 | $5,906,590 | $4,255,974 | 45 | $5,254,834 | $5,845,479 | $4,587,650 |
| 2021 | $67,194,937 | $7,577,772 | $5,821,806 | $4,285,418 | 54 | $4,918,572 | $6,807,567 | $4,864,628 |
| 2020 | $65,430,680 | $2,853,761 | $4,146,475 | $2,981,271 | 56 | — | $2,430,567 | $3,947,743 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Steele Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.5M 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
The Foundation’s stated aim is to improve the lives of Arizona’s children through investments in education. It funds traditional and cultural education programs with proven outcomes, including work inside and outside the classroom. Its stated areas include early-childhood education and emergent literacy, innovative school models, literacy-based after-school programs, pathways to first-generation college graduation, creative and performing arts, technological literacy, and environmental science focused on climate change and sustainability. It also says it prioritizes access to high-quality programming for children from underserved communities.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of supported organizations. The University of Arizona Foundation describes its mission as supporting and enhancing the University of Arizona through private support; Literacy Connects says it connects people of all ages to opportunities through literacy and creative expression; and Childsplay says it creates theatre and learning experiences that inspire young minds. The Arizona Jewish Historical Society describes its work as preserving Arizona Jewish heritage and educating the public through historical, cultural, and educational programming.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 34 grants totaling $3,685,389. Itemized grants ranged from $1,000 to $2,025,000, with a median of $12,250. Among the largest were $2,025,000 to the University of Arizona Foundation for DCI lab renovation, DC Research, and PANDA; $500,000 to Barrow Neurological Foundation for a DC/PG Fellowship Endowment; and $262,500 to the Arizona Jewish Historical Society for the Hilton Holocaust Education Center and general support. Other notable grants included $110,000 to Literacy Connects for its Reading Seed Program at Prince & Summit, $105,000 to Childsplay for Storybook Preview Performances, and $100,000 to ASU Foundation for the Daniel Cracchiolo Chair in Constitutional Law.
The Foundation also reported a direct charitable activity, its DC Scholarship Program. In 2024, it provided $60,390 to help four graduating high school students with college expenses, including costs not covered by financial aid. The Foundation describes this as a scholarship program for students, not an application opportunity for outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Marianne Cracchiolo Mago as President, Andy Abraham as Secretary, and Andy Cracchiolo and Jeff Fishman as Directors.
The Steele Foundation Inc is led by Marianne Cracchiolo Mago, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Marianne Cracchiolo Mago
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$414K (2020) → $505K (2024)
Andy Cracchiolo
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Fishman
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andy Abraham
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Daniel Cracchiolo (2020–2022) — Chairman
- Former: W. Bryant Stooks (2020) — Director
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 $505K, to Marianne Cracchiolo Mago (President).
Frequently asked questions about The Steele Foundation Inc
How much does The Steele Foundation Inc give each year?
The Steele Foundation Inc gave $3.7M across 34 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.6M across 31 grants.
What is The Steele Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Steele Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $12,250, and its average grant was $108,394, across 34 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Steele Foundation Inc that year got $27K on average.
Where does The Steele Foundation Inc give grants?
The Steele Foundation Inc gives mostly in Arizona: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (20 grants), Tucson, AZ (3 grants), Scottsdale, AZ (3 grants) and Tempe, AZ (2 grants).
Does The Steele Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 38% of The Steele Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 34) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (6 grants).
Who are The Steele Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Steele Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include University of Arizona Foundation ($2,025,000), Barrow Neurological Foundation ($500,000) and Arizona Jewish Historical Society ($262,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Steele Foundation Inc?
The Steele Foundation Inc reported $65.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Steele Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s stated aim is to improve the lives of Arizona’s children through investments in education. It funds traditional and cultural education programs with proven outcomes, including work inside and outside the classroom. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Steele Foundation Inc?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; grants are by invitation only after a screening process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Steele Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Steele Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3466880. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Steele Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Steele Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-steele-foundation-inc-morg_3b557813021f45aeabb70146ce721091
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_953466880_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Steele Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-steele-foundation-inc-morg_3b557813021f45aeabb70146ce721091},
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 The Steele Foundation 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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