Upward for Children and Families
Helping children with special needs meet their highest potential while empowering their families to thrive.
Upward for Children and Families at a glance
In short: Upward for Children and Families gave $2.9M across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $2.9M), mostly in Arizona. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,914,721
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- Average grant
- $2,914,721
- Median grant
- $2,914,721
- Primary geography
- Arizona (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Upward for Children and Families funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Easterseals Blake Foundation ($2.9M).
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $2.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Easterseals Blake Foundation Tucson, AZ | Tranfer Businessoper | $2,914,721 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | $1,497,724 | $4,613,972 | $2,914,721 | 1 | $8 |
| 2024 | $3,978,149 | $1,878,123 | $2,050,342 | — | — | $42 |
| 2023 | $4,350,740 | $1,568,504 | $2,122,218 | — | — | — |
| 2022 | $4,450,153 | $1,746,261 | $2,142,604 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | $4,876,100 | $1,778,927 | $1,997,822 | — | — | $3 |
| 2020 | $5,090,065 | $2,242,239 | $2,416,412 | — | — | $2,569 |
About Upward for Children and Families
Based on IRS filings
Upward for Children and Families is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Phoenix, AZ. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $2.9M. Net investment income was $8.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Upward for Children and Families is led by Alisa Chatinsky Start, CEO on the 2025 filing; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Alisa Chatinsky Start
CEO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$47K (2025)
Jos Anshell
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Stone Rosenfield
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Critchfield
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mb Thomas
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Matthews
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Doug Carter (2020–2025) — CEO · Filing note: Thru 9132024
- Former: Marshall Porter (2022–2025) — Vice President · Filing note: Thru 2225
- Former: Tracey Sutton (2020–2024) — Secretary · Filing note: Thru 71523
- Former: Daniel Perez (2021–2024) — Treasurer · Filing note: Thru 71523
- Former: Alisa Chatinsky (2024) — Interim CEO
- Former: Mitch Little (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Patrick Paul (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Mike Treadaway (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: bruce heatwole (2020) — Director
- Former: Dan Perez (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Kathryn Collins (2020) — Director
- Former: Mike Treadwell (2020) — Director
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 $104K, to Doug Carter Thru 9132024 (CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Upward for Children and Families
How much does Upward for Children and Families give each year?
Upward for Children and Families gave $2.9M across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Upward for Children and Families?
Upward for Children and Families is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Phoenix, AZ.
Where does Upward for Children and Families operate?
Upward for Children and Families has awarded grants in Arizona.
What is Upward for Children and Families's EIN?
Upward for Children and Families's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0221195. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Live grants for the work Upward for Children and Families funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Upward for Children and Families's focus areas in our free grants database
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