The Virginia M Ullman Foundation
The Virginia M Ullman Foundation is a private foundation based in Phoenix, Arizona. Its 2025 filing reports grants to Arizona organizations for projects including museum exhibitions and capital improvements, plant science, a zoo exhibit, youth programs, and music and dance-related activities.
The Virginia M Ullman Foundation at a glance
In short: The Virginia M Ullman Foundation gave $550K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $55K), mostly in Arizona. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $550,000
- -4.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +11.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $55,000
- -13.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $62,500
- Total assets
- $5,979,966
- +1.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (1 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- 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 Virginia M Ullman Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Contact Harry Papp. The initial letter should fully identify the solicitor; applicants must be IRS-exempt organizations.
- Review Cycle
- October 1 of each calendar year. The October 1, 2026 deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- October 1 of each calendar year.
- Contact
Application contact: Harry Papp
Mailing address: 2201 E Camelback Rd 227B, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: (602) 956-0980
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Virginia M Ullman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was ASU Foundation ($75K). Together the top 10 received $550K.
Grant Size Distribution
53 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 29 grants of 53 (55%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Arizona. The listed 2025 recipients are based in Phoenix or Tempe.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Virginia M Ullman Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 10 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $50K; repeat grants $56K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $75K repeat.
- 90% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $365K (2020) to $575K (2024). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $550K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASU Foundation Tempe, AZ | Phase 3 of Restored Courtyard | $75,000 |
| Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix, AZ | Hazel Hare Center for Plant Science | $75,000 |
| Heard Museum Phoenix, AZ | Supporting Exhibitions | $75,000 |
| Phoenix Zoo Phoenix, AZ | Big Cats of Arizona Exhibit | $75,000 |
| Phoenix Art Museum Phoenix, AZ | Capital Improvement Projects | $75,000 |
| Sandra Day O'Connor Institute Phoenix, AZ | Youth Programs | $50,000 |
| St Vincent Depaul Phoenix, AZ | General Contribution | $50,000 |
| Ballet Arizona Phoenix, AZ | Support Live Music | $25,000 |
| Phoenix Symphony Phoenix, AZ | Mind Over Music Program | $25,000 |
| Therapeutic Harp Foundation Phoenix, AZ | Advancing the Mission | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Virginia M Ullman Foundation?
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 | $5,979,966 | $709,489 | $603,265 | $550,000 | 10 | $552,700 | $681,708 | $535,638 |
| 2024 | $5,873,742 | $1,100,689 | $614,722 | $575,000 | 9 | $577,600 | $1,071,839 | $528,855 |
| 2023 | $5,387,775 | $532,489 | $575,043 | $545,000 | 11 | $547,500 | $504,946 | $497,868 |
| 2022 | $5,430,329 | $176,566 | $575,667 | $540,000 | 10 | $542,500 | $149,284 | $500,295 |
| 2021 | $5,829,430 | $1,034,963 | $593,474 | $555,000 | 13 | $557,400 | $1,006,324 | $511,511 |
| 2020 | $5,387,941 | $729,961 | $409,967 | $365,000 | 9 | — | $707,544 | $428,361 |
| 2019 | $5,067,947 | $633,586 | $456,857 | $430,000 | 14 | — | $611,508 | $408,539 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Virginia M Ullman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $536K 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 available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in arts and culture, botanical education and conservation, civic education, and other areas. For example, the Heard Museum describes its mission as connecting Indigenous creativity to the world by presenting the voice and vision of American Indian artists. The Desert Botanical Garden says it advances education, research, exhibition, and conservation of desert plants, with emphasis on the Sonoran Desert. The Sandra Day O'Connor Institute describes its work as promoting civic engagement and education through programs that foster understanding of democracy.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 10 grants totaling $550,000. Grants ranged from $25,000 to $75,000, with a median of $62,500. The largest awards were $75,000 each to ASU Foundation for Phase 3 of a restored courtyard, Desert Botanical Garden for the Hazel Hare Center for Plant Science, the Heard Museum for exhibitions, Phoenix Zoo for its Big Cats of Arizona exhibit, and Phoenix Art Museum for capital improvement projects. Other grants included $50,000 to the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for youth programs and $50,000 to St Vincent de Paul as a general contribution.
The foundation states on its filing that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It directs applicants to contact Harry Papp and says an initial letter should fully identify the solicitor. Awards are restricted to IRS-exempt organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Harry Papp as Vice President/Treasurer and Louis Comus Jr as Secretary/Director. It lists Kim Sterling-Heflin, Susan Levine, Gay Firestone Wray, and James Ballinger as directors.
The Virginia M Ullman Foundation's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gay Firestone Wray
Director
Other Officer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Sterling-Heflin
Director
Other Officer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Louis Comus Jr.
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Levine
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Ballinger
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harry Papp
Vice President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 The Virginia M Ullman Foundation
How much does The Virginia M Ullman Foundation give each year?
The Virginia M Ullman Foundation gave $550K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $575K across 9 grants.
What is The Virginia M Ullman Foundation's typical grant size?
The Virginia M Ullman Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $62,500, and its average grant was $55,000, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Virginia M Ullman Foundation that year got $50K on average.
Where does The Virginia M Ullman Foundation give grants?
The Virginia M Ullman Foundation 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 Phoenix, AZ (9 grants).
Does The Virginia M Ullman Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of The Virginia M Ullman Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Virginia M Ullman Foundation's largest grantees?
The Virginia M Ullman Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include ASU Foundation ($75,000), Desert Botanical Garden ($75,000) and Heard Museum ($75,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Virginia M Ullman Foundation?
The Virginia M Ullman Foundation reported $6.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $553K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $536K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Virginia M Ullman Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in arts and culture, botanical education and conservation, civic education, and other areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Virginia M Ullman Foundation?
Contact Harry Papp. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Virginia M Ullman Foundation's EIN?
The Virginia M Ullman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0550097. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 3, 2021)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Virginia M Ullman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Virginia G Piper Charitable Trust
Phoenix, AZ
Virginia G Piper Charitable Trust funds nonprofits and community partners serving Maricopa County, Arizona, in arts and culture, children, education, healthcare, older adults, religion, and nonprofit capacity. In 2025, grants ranged from $25 to $1 million, with a median of $7,500. It uses a competitive application process that begins with a Letter of Inquiry; unsolicited requests are not explicitly addressed.
Assets
$429.9M
Grants
483
Total Given
$24.5M
The Rob Walton Foundation
Bentonviille, AR
The Rob Walton Foundation primarily funds large-scale conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially protected areas, and related work supporting local communities, conservation organizations, and public-sector capacity. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $33.9 million, with a median of $50,000; it supports work across 33 African countries, though grant recipients are based largely in several U.S. states. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$441.2M
Grants
61
Total Given
$107.1M
Arizona Community Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Community Foundation funds nonprofits, schools, tribal entities, government agencies, and most religious organizations in areas including arts and culture, community development, the environment, health, and education. Its 2025 grants had a median of $17,760; most funding goes to Arizona, though it also awards grants nationally. Competitive grants require an online application during an open cycle; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,174
Total Given
$92.9M
The Papp Family Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
The Papp Family Foundation supports arts and culture, education and civic engagement, community services, health, and humanitarian work, with most 2024 funding going to Arizona and some to Washington, California, and Texas. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $30,000, with a median of $4,500. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.3M
Grants
35
Total Given
$249K
L Roy Papp Charitable Trust
Phoenix, AZ
The L Roy Papp Charitable Trust supports 501(c)(3) organizations in areas including health care, higher education, arts and culture, and community services, with all reported 2024 grants going to Arizona recipients. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $50,000, with a median of $8,750. The filing does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$476K
Grants
8
Total Given
$132K
Moreno Family Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
The Moreno Family Foundation supports children’s programs, health, community services, education, and the arts, primarily in Arizona and California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $2.5 million, with a median grant of $25,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$143.1M
Grants
81
Total Given
$9.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Arizona
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Virginia M Ullman Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-virginia-m-ullman-foundation-morg_12e5a6e3b79c495cb75ba89f4da1cd4e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_860550097_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Virginia M Ullman Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-virginia-m-ullman-foundation-morg_12e5a6e3b79c495cb75ba89f4da1cd4e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Virginia M Ullman Foundation'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.
The Virginia M Ullman Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?