TW Lewis Foundation
The T.W. Lewis Foundation is a private foundation based in Phoenix, Arizona. It makes grants for charitable purposes, with stated interests that include helping children and families in need, Christian education for youth, civic-minded causes, strengthening America, and building God’s Kingdom.
TW Lewis Foundation at a glance
In short: TW Lewis Foundation gave $3.7M across 57 grants in 2025 (avg $65K), mostly in Arizona. 44% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,720,981
- +54.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 57
- +1.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $65,280
- +52.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $5,989,297
- -41.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 44% first-time grantees (25 of 57, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (71% 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 TW Lewis Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Applicants can submit the website’s online application at any time, once per year. The filing also permits applications in any form and says they should include information the applicant deems appropriate.
- Review Cycle
- The filing reports no deadline; the website says applicants may apply at any time.
- Deadline
- The filing reports no deadline; the website says applicants may apply at any time.
- Contact
Application contact: Charitable Committee Co Tw Lewis Co
Mailing address: PO Box 93487, Phoenix, AZ 85070
Phone: (480) 820-0807
Website: https://twlewis.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who TW Lewis Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Barrow Neurological Foundation ($600K). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
258 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 157 grants of 258 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2025, 71% of grant dollars went to recipients in Arizona, 13% to Virginia, 8% to the District of Columbia, 5% to Kentucky, and 1% to Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 57 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is TW Lewis Foundation open to new grantees?
44%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 25 of 57 grantees (44%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $58K; repeat grants $71K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 49% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 119% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $1.7M (2022) to $4.5M (2021). In 2025 it made 57 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Barrow Neurological Foundation Phoenix, AZ | General Purpose | $600,000 |
| Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center Phoenix, AZ | General Purpose | $500,000 |
| Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ | General Purpose | $455,310 |
| Liberty University Lynchburg, VA | General Purpose | $400,000 |
| Heritage Foundation Washington, DC | General Purpose | $150,000 |
| Heard Museum Phoenix, AZ | General Purpose | $110,000 |
| Phoenix Rescue Mission Phoenix, AZ | General Purpose | $105,000 |
| St Vincent De Paul Phoenix, AZ | General Purpose | $105,000 |
| Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Alliance Defending Freedom Scottsdale, AZ | General Purpose | $100,000 |
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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 | $5,989,297 | $361,626 | $4,547,297 | $3,720,981 | 57 | $4,547,297 | $326,181 | $395,067 |
| 2024 | $10,183,302 | $559,430 | $3,193,781 | $2,405,269 | 56 | $3,190,252 | $548,454 | $553,443 |
| 2023 | $12,803,499 | $2,075,161 | $2,712,174 | $1,881,919 | 50 | $2,710,802 | $2,063,040 | $654,081 |
| 2022 | $14,496,094 | $1,297,457 | $2,098,066 | $1,699,731 | 47 | $2,041,952 | $1,221,446 | $759,824 |
| 2021 | $17,553,203 | $996,743 | $4,695,229 | $4,470,226 | 48 | $4,677,558 | $959,231 | $926,607 |
| 2020 | $19,911,662 | $860,286 | $2,332,275 | $2,122,565 | 43 | — | $813,813 | $918,529 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, TW Lewis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $395K 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 stated purpose is to help children and families in need, impact youth through Christian education, support civic-minded causes in its community, strengthen America, and build God’s Kingdom. Its giving philosophy also emphasizes Judeo-Christian values and traditional American values of faith, family, and freedom.
Its 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. Barrow Neurological Foundation, which received $600,000, says its mission is to support Barrow Neurological Institute. Grand Canyon University, which received $455,310, describes itself as a Christ-centered university that cultivates Christian community and serves others. The Heard Museum, awarded $110,000, says it connects Indigenous creativity to the world by presenting the voices and visions of American Indian artists. St. Vincent de Paul, awarded $105,000, says it provides food, clothing, and household items for people in poverty. Sojourner Center, awarded $52,500, says it provides services to people affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 57 grants totaling $3,720,981. Awards ranged from $500 to $600,000, with a median grant of $25,000. Its largest reported grants included $600,000 to Barrow Neurological Foundation, $500,000 to Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, $455,310 to Grand Canyon University, and $400,000 to Liberty University. Each was listed for general purposes.
The foundation’s website says eligible applicants must fit one of its four charitable giving categories. Applicants may apply at any time, but only once per year; the foundation normally reviews and responds within 30 days of submission. The website directs applicants to an online application. The foundation’s filing says applications may be submitted in any form and should include information applicants consider appropriate. It restricts awards to 501(c)(3) organizations providing programs and activities that improve quality of life for people in need, with special focus on children’s needs and education.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas Lewis Sr. as chairman, Janet Lewis as vice president, John Jackson as treasurer, Nicole Hoplin, Jeremy Beer, and Dana Fingleton as directors, and Steve Smith as executive director.
TW Lewis Foundation is led by Steve Smith, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 2 of 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Steve Smith
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
32 hrs/week
$208K (2025)
Thomas Lewis Sr.
Chairman
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dana Fingleton
Director
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
$14K (2023) → $52K (2025)
Jeremy Beer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Hoplin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Lewis
Vice President
Vice Chairman → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Jackson
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Christa Cooper (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Al Mueller (2020) — Director
- Former: Gary Paisley (2020) — Director
- Former: Sondri Allison (2020) — Director
- Former: Thomas Lewis Jr. (2020) — Vice President
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $208K, to Steve Smith (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about TW Lewis Foundation
How much does TW Lewis Foundation give each year?
TW Lewis Foundation gave $3.7M across 57 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.4M across 56 grants.
What is TW Lewis Foundation's typical grant size?
TW Lewis Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $65,280, across 57 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from TW Lewis Foundation that year got $58K on average.
Where does TW Lewis Foundation give grants?
TW Lewis Foundation gives mostly in Arizona: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Virginia (13%) and District of Columbia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (26 grants), Washington, DC (6 grants), Scottsdale, AZ (3 grants) and Tempe, AZ (2 grants).
Does TW Lewis Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of TW Lewis Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (57 of 57) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are TW Lewis Foundation's largest grantees?
TW Lewis Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Barrow Neurological Foundation ($600,000), Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center ($500,000) and Grand Canyon University ($455,310), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is TW Lewis Foundation?
TW Lewis Foundation reported $6.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $395K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does TW Lewis Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to help children and families in need, impact youth through Christian education, support civic-minded causes in its community, strengthen America, and build God’s Kingdom. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from TW Lewis Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is TW Lewis Foundation's EIN?
TW Lewis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0989236. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does TW Lewis Foundation 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-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in TW Lewis Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). TW Lewis Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/tw-lewis-foundation-morg_6a0f9cb10690424290496d871b0cc520
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_860989236_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{TW Lewis Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/tw-lewis-foundation-morg_6a0f9cb10690424290496d871b0cc520},
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 TW Lewis 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.
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