The Lapan Memorial Sunshine Foundation concentrates its giving on education and youth development in Arizona, with a strong emphasis on scholarships, college access programs, and support for major state universities. Grants are directed to higher‑education institutions and locally focused college‑prep initiatives, with occasional funding for informal learning venues (e.g., a children’s museum) that serve youth. The foundation appears to prioritize direct scholarship funding and institutional support that increases postsecondary enrollment and readiness for Arizona students.
Lapan Memorial Sunshine Foundation Inc. centers its giving on scholarships and educational expenses for students connected to Arizona, with a pattern that reaches from K-12 enrichment through college completion. One of its clearest signals is sustained support for the Lapan College and Career Club, which awards scholarships earned through academic achievement starting in 6th grade and adds after-school programming and mentorship for students in the Wakefield community of South Tucson. The foundation also backs Nana’s Mavins, a scholarship and mentorship program that includes tuition assistance, immigration aid, and other direct student support. Larger institutional grants reinforce that same educational pathway: the foundation has funded Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, along with Pima Community College and other postsecondary institutions. Its grantmaking also extends to student stability and enrichment, including low-cost housing for selected students through Sunshine Casitas and support for a children’s museum. Across these gifts, the foundation favors direct educational help, institutional support, and programs that reduce barriers for students moving toward college and careers.
Education is the foundation’s core area, and several grants point to a sustained scholarship strategy. It gave $394,200 to Lapan College and Career Club for scholarships and educational expenses, and $403,024 to Various in Tucson for the same purpose in 2023. Postsecondary support appears throughout the record as well: the foundation awarded $35,695 to Pima Community College in 2025 and $35,251 in 2023, both for scholarships and educational expenses. Student support also includes housing and wraparound services. Through Sunshine Casitas, the foundation provides reliable, furnished, low-cost housing for selected Lapan College & Career Club and Nana’s Mavins students in Tucson and Tempe. Outside formal schooling, it gave $100,000 to Discovery Childrens Museum in Las Vegas for support, showing a small but real interest in informal learning settings.
Typical grants are modest, with a p25 of $1,950, a median of $6,100, and a p75 of $16,004. That distribution sits alongside a handful of much larger education grants, suggesting a mix of broad-based student support and larger institutional awards. The pattern also looks recurring: the same recipients appear in multiple years, including Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Pima Community College, and Grand Canyon University. Grants are largely restricted to scholarships, educational expenses, support, and program-specific aid rather than open-ended funding. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$1.8M
$30.9M
$8.7M
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $2K and $16K, with a median of $6K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$6K
75th Percentile
$16K
Top 3 recipient countries by grant volume for Lapan Memorial Sunshine Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 98 | $4.4M | 95.2% |
| 2 | Mexico |
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving across a small number of recipients: a few large grants (several in the six‑figure range), repeat support to major state universities and a named college‑access program, and targeted scholarship disbursements rather than many small grants.
Notable grantees: ASU Foundation, Lapan College and Career Club, University of Arizona, Discovery Children’s Museum
Giving is heavily concentrated in Arizona, which accounts for 69% of grants, and Tucson appears repeatedly across recipient records. Recent Tucson recipients include the Lapan College and Career Club, Pima Community College, Tucson Jewish Community Center, and Angel Charity for Children Inc. Tempe and Phoenix also receive notable support through Arizona State University and other statewide education grants. Outside the United States, the recipient country distribution includes 3 grants to Mexico and 1 to the Philippines, with one recent example in Mandaluyong City.
The foundation backs scholarships, educational expenses, after-school programming, mentorship, housing support for students, and a few community-based support grants. Its active programs include Lapan College & Career Club, Nana’s Mavins, Sunshine Casitas, and Community Funding, all tied to education and student support.
The typical award is relatively small: p25 is $1,950, the median is $6,100, and p75 is $16,004. The grant list also includes larger education awards, but most grants cluster well below those larger amounts.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Pima Community College, and Grand Canyon University. That pattern suggests ongoing institutional relationships rather than one-time-only giving.
Arizona is the main giving geography, with 69% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Tucson shows up frequently in the grant list, and the top state by grant count is Colorado, though the listed grants are concentrated in Arizona.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals, and its active programs are described as not accepting unsolicited requests.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 3 |
| $10K |
2.9% |
| 3 | Philippines | 2 | $38K | 1.9% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASU FOUNDATION | TEMPE, AZ | $707,412 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| LAPAN COLLEGE AND CAREER CLUB | TUCSON, AZ | $394,200 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| VARIOUS | TUCSON, AZ | $239,876 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| DISCOVERY CHILDRENS MUSEUM | LAS VEGAS, NV | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA | TUCSON, AZ | $83,025 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| PUSCH RIDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | TUCSON, AZ | $62,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| TUCSON JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | TUCSON, AZ | $52,200 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| ANGEL CHARITY FOR CHILDREN INC | TUCSON, AZ | $48,330 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | TUCSON, AZ | $35,695 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY | PHOENIX, AZ | $27,702 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| TUCSON CONQUISTADORES | TUCSON, AZ | $16,000 | 2025 | CONQUISTADORES YOUTH GOLF FUND DBA THE FIRST TEE OF TUCSON. |
| GOOTER FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $10,775 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| EL RIO HEALTH CENTER FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $6,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| CENTURIONS | TUCSON, AZ | $6,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA - TUCSON | TUCSON, AZ | $5,899 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| OCJ KIDS | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| TUCSON GIRL'S CHORUS | TUCSON, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,538 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| CONNETICUT COLLEGE | NEW LONDON, CT | $3,315 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $2,330 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY | FLAGSTAFF, AZ | $2,146 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $1,951 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| GATES FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $1,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL BRAIN TUMOR SOCIETY | NEWTON, MA | $1,034 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | MARANA, AZ | $1,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $1,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| TUCSON RACQUET & FITNESS CLUB | TUCSON, AZ | $1,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| SUN DEVIL CLUB | TEMPE, AZ | $668 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| ORO VALLEY FAST PITCH SOFTBALL | ORO VALLEY, AZ | $500 | 2025 | SUUPORT |
| TRINITY DIAMONDS INC | TUCSON, AZ | $500 | 2025 | DONATION |
| PUEBLO HIGH SCHOOL | TUCSON, AZ | $500 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL SPORT SCIENCE ASSOCIATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $453 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| SUN ANGEL FOUNDATION | TEMPE, AZ | $420 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| TUCSON FIRE DEPARTMENT | TUCSON, AZ | $250 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF OREGON | EUGENE, OR | $200 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| ASU FOUNDATION | TEMPE, AZ | $1,015,447 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| VARIOUS | TUCSON, AZ | $168,689 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA | TUCSON, AZ | $146,931 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| DISCOVERY CHILDRENS MUSEUM | LAS VEGAS, NV | $109,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY | PHOENIX, AZ | $54,788 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| TUCSON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | TUCSON, AZ | $48,464 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY | FLAGSTAFF, AZ | $46,498 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| ANGEL CHARITY FOR CHILDREN INC | TUCSON, AZ | $44,135 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | TUCSON, AZ | $36,785 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| TUCSON JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | TUCSON, AZ | $18,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| TUCSON CONQUISTADORES | TUCSON, AZ | $16,000 | 2024 | CONQUISTADORES YOUTH GOLF FUND DBA THE FIRST TEE OF TUCSON. |
| SAN MIGUEL CORPORATION | MANDALUYONG CITY | $13,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA - TUCSON | TUCSON, AZ | $11,560 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES |
| EMPOWER COALITION | TUCSON, AZ | $10,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
ASU FOUNDATION
$707,412SUPPORT
LAPAN COLLEGE AND CAREER CLUB
$394,200SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
VARIOUS
$239,876SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
DISCOVERY CHILDRENS MUSEUM
$100,000SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
$83,025SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
PUSCH RIDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$62,500SUPPORT
TUCSON JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
$52,200SUPPORT
ANGEL CHARITY FOR CHILDREN INC
$48,330SUPPORT
PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$35,695SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
$27,702SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
TUCSON CONQUISTADORES
$16,000CONQUISTADORES YOUTH GOLF FUND DBA THE FIRST TEE OF TUCSON.
GOOTER FOUNDATION
$10,775SUPPORT
EL RIO HEALTH CENTER FOUNDATION
$6,000SUPPORT
CENTURIONS
$6,000SUPPORT
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA - TUCSON
$5,899SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
OCJ KIDS
$5,000SUPPORT
TUCSON GIRL'S CHORUS
$5,000SUPPORT
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
$4,538SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
CONNETICUT COLLEGE
$3,315SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$2,500SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
YALE UNIVERSITY
$2,330SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
$2,146SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$1,951SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
GATES FOUNDATION
$1,500SUPPORT
NATIONAL BRAIN TUMOR SOCIETY
$1,034SUPPORT
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
$1,000SUPPORT
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
$1,000SUPPORT
TUCSON RACQUET & FITNESS CLUB
$1,000SUPPORT
SUN DEVIL CLUB
$668SUPPORT
ORO VALLEY FAST PITCH SOFTBALL
$500SUUPORT
TRINITY DIAMONDS INC
$500DONATION
PUEBLO HIGH SCHOOL
$500SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL SPORT SCIENCE ASSOCIATION
$453SUPPORT
SUN ANGEL FOUNDATION
$420SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
TUCSON FIRE DEPARTMENT
$250SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
$200SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
ASU FOUNDATION
$1,015,447SUPPORT
VARIOUS
$168,689SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
$146,931SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
DISCOVERY CHILDRENS MUSEUM
$109,000SUPPORT
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
$54,788SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
TUCSON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$48,464SUPPORT
NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
$46,498SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
ANGEL CHARITY FOR CHILDREN INC
$44,135SUPPORT
PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$36,785SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
TUCSON JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
$18,000SUPPORT
TUCSON CONQUISTADORES
$16,000CONQUISTADORES YOUTH GOLF FUND DBA THE FIRST TEE OF TUCSON.
SAN MIGUEL CORPORATION
$13,000SUPPORT
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA - TUCSON
$11,560SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
EMPOWER COALITION
$10,500SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Lapan Memorial Sunshine Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations should serve the demographic of the foundation's students and provide services that help underserved students thrive. Specific organizational eligibility requirements are not stated.
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