The Otto & Edna Neely Foundation concentrates its giving locally in Arizona, with a strong emphasis on funding child welfare/crisis services and supporting higher education scholarships. A majority of dollars flow to a single child-crisis organization through both program and capital grants, while a substantial award supports student scholarships at Arizona State University. The foundation appears focused on impact through a small number of sizable, mission-aligned grants rather than broad, diversified giving.
A defining feature of the Otto & Edna Neely Foundation is its repeated backing of child-welfare and crisis-response work in Mesa, alongside steady support for student scholarships at Arizona public universities. The largest recent grants show a pattern of multi-year support rather than one-off gifts: Child Crisis Arizona Center received $125,500 in 2025 and $105,000 in 2023 for community service, while Arizona State University received $100,589 in 2024 and $88,000 in 2025 for scholarships. The foundation also extends smaller grants to local nonprofits working on community service, health services, and capital needs. That mix suggests a funder that pairs direct human-services support with education funding, with much of the activity concentrated among a handful of Arizona institutions. Recent grants also include support for House of Refuge, Save the Family Fndn, Northern Arizona University, and University of Arizona, showing a local giving pattern that reaches both service organizations and colleges.
Child welfare and crisis services are central to the foundation’s grantmaking. Child Crisis Arizona Center received $125,500 in 2025 for community service, and Child Crisis Arizona received $100,000 in 2023 for small capital development. Education is another clear thread: Arizona State University received $100,589 in 2024 for scholarships, while Northern Arizona University received $50,000 in 2024 for scholarship support. The foundation also funds broader community service work, including $55,000 to House of Refuge in 2024 and $40,000 to Mesa Presbyterian Ministries in 2023 for community service. Health services appear in the recent record as well, with $30,000 grants to Mission of Mercy in both 2024 and 2025.
Typical awards sit in a fairly defined middle range, with a p25 of $5,000, median of $10,000, and p75 of $20,000, while some recent grants are much larger. The record shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including Arizona State University, Child Crisis Arizona Center, Mission of Mercy, and Mesa Presbyterian Ministries, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is not a program-related-investment funder and also funds individuals through scholarship programs. It accepts unsolicited requests for its general grant programs and scholarships.
$1M
$14.9M
$1M
$1.4M
Most grants fall between $5K and $20K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$20K
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Highly concentrated giving: few (4) grants totaling $431k with large awards to repeat grantees. Repeat, multi-purpose support for a primary child-crisis organization (program and capital) plus a single significant scholarship grant to a state university.
Notable grantees: Child Crisis Arizona Center, Child Crisis Arizona, Arizona State University
Giving is concentrated in Arizona, with 96% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and the top giving state also listed as Arizona. Recent grants cluster in Mesa, Tempe, Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Glendale, and Gilbert, showing a strong East Valley emphasis alongside statewide university support. Outside the local nonprofit core, the main geographic pattern is still in-state; all recorded recipient grants in the dataset are in the US.
It funds child welfare and crisis services, higher education scholarships, community service organizations, health services, and small capital improvements. Recent examples include grants to Child Crisis Arizona Center, Arizona State University, House of Refuge, Mission of Mercy, and Mesa Presbyterian Ministries.
Yes for its general grant programs and scholarships. The Neely Foundation Grants and Scholarships programs both accept unsolicited requests, while the scholarship program for selected high school seniors does not.
The grant-size distribution is centered at $5,000 for the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $20,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger gifts such as $125,500, $100,589, and $88,000.
The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years. Arizona State University, Child Crisis Arizona Center, Mission of Mercy, and Mesa Presbyterian Ministries each appear more than once in the recent grants list.
The scholarship program awards selected high school seniors, with one recipient per participating high school, for up to four consecutive years toward a bachelor’s degree at approved Arizona colleges and universities. The broader scholarship activity also supports students attending Arizona’s major universities and community colleges.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHILD CRISIS ARIZONA CENTER | MESA, AZ | $125,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| Arizona State University | Tempe, AZ | $88,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SAVE THE FAMILY FNDN | MESA, AZ | $50,000 | 2025 | SMALL CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT |
| Arizona Agriculture Foundation FFA | Phoenix, AZ | $47,900 | 2025 | Educational Grant |
| NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY | FLAGSTAFF, AZ | $40,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| CHOICE PREG CENTERS OF GREATER PHOE | GLENDALE, AZ | $35,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| MESA PRESYTERIAN MINISTRIES | MESA, AZ | $35,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT |
| HOPE WOMEN | PHOENIX, AZ | $32,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE ASSOCIATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA | TUCSON, AZ | $32,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MISSION OF MERCY | PHOENIX, AZ | $30,000 | 2025 | HEALTH SERVICES GRANT |
| COLLEGE BOUND AZ | MESA, AZ | $30,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| HOUSE OF REFUGE | MESA, AZ | $30,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC ASSN | CHARLOTTE, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| AZ 4-H YOUTH FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION GRANT |
| Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels | Phoenix, AZ | $20,000 | 2025 | Health Services Grant |
| CHANDLER SERVICE CLUB | CHANDLER, AZ | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE ASSOCIATION |
| SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL | PHOENIX, AZ | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT |
| FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN | PHOENIX, AZ | $17,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| MISC - GIFTS TO GRADUATES | Tempe, AZ | $16,884 | 2025 | GIFTCARDS - GIFTS TO GRADUATES |
| CHANDLER GILBERT COMMUNITY COLLEGE | CHANDLER, AZ | $16,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| GABRIEL'S ANGELS | PHOENIX, AZ | $15,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT |
| AZCEND | CHANDLER, AZ | $15,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| GILBERT YOUNG LIFE | GILBERT, AZ | $15,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT |
| MARICOPA COUNTY FAIR | PHOENIX, AZ | $14,221 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL GRANTS |
| SYMPHONY OF THE SOUTHWEST | MESA, AZ | $13,000 | 2025 | FINE ARTS GRANT |
| ARIZONA CANTILENA CHORALE | CHANDLER, AZ | $12,000 | 2025 | FINE ARTS GRANTS |
| Arizona Outdoor Adventures | Maricopa, AZ | $12,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT |
| SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE | POCATELLO, ID | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| GILBERT HISTORICAL MUSEUM | GILBERT, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT |
| MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| MAKE WAY FOR BOOKS | TUCSON, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| RYAN HOUSE | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT |
| VALLEY OF THE SUN YMCA | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE ASSOCIATION |
| GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY | PHOENIX, AZ | $8,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| PAZ DE CRISTO COMMUNITY CENTER | MESA, AZ | $7,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT |
| BALLET ARIZONA | PHOENIX, AZ | $7,500 | 2025 | FINE ARTS GRANT |
| SUNSHINE ACRES CHILDRENS HOME | MESA, AZ | $6,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT |
| MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | MESA, AZ | $6,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,400 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | TEMPE, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL GRANT |
| ARIZONA OPERA | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| Arizonians For Children | Tempe, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT |
| MISSIONS DOOR | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT |
| FOSTER YOUR FUTURE INC | FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| MAGGIES PLACE | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE ASSOCIATION |
| RAISING SPECIAL KIDS | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| 100 Club of Arizona | Phoenix, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | Community Service Grant |
| SONORAN DESERT CHORALE | MESA, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| GRAND CANYON COUNCIL | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| Arizona Cactus Pine Girls Scouts | Phoenix, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
CHILD CRISIS ARIZONA CENTER
$125,500COMMUNITY SERVICE
SAVE THE FAMILY FNDN
$50,000SMALL CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
Arizona Agriculture Foundation FFA
$47,900Educational Grant
Current and upcoming funding from Otto & Edna Neely Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations working in the East Valley within the foundation's focus areas. If unsure, applicants are encouraged to call the foundation before applying.
Deadline: Grant requests are reviewed at monthly Board meetings; no specific annual deadline listed.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
MESA PRESYTERIAN MINISTRIES
$35,000COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT
HOPE WOMEN
$32,500COMMUNITY SERVICE ASSOCIATION
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
$32,000SCHOLARSHIPS
COLLEGE BOUND AZ
$30,000SCHOLARSHIP
BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC ASSN
$25,000COMMUNITY SERVICE
AZ 4-H YOUTH FOUNDATION
$20,000EDUCATION GRANT
CHANDLER SERVICE CLUB
$20,000COMMUNITY SERVICE ASSOCIATION
SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL
$20,000COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT
MISC - GIFTS TO GRADUATES
$16,884GIFTCARDS - GIFTS TO GRADUATES
CHANDLER GILBERT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$16,000SCHOLARSHIPS
GABRIEL'S ANGELS
$15,000COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT
GILBERT YOUNG LIFE
$15,000COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT
MARICOPA COUNTY FAIR
$14,221EDUCATIONAL GRANTS
SYMPHONY OF THE SOUTHWEST
$13,000FINE ARTS GRANT
ARIZONA CANTILENA CHORALE
$12,000FINE ARTS GRANTS
Arizona Outdoor Adventures
$12,000COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT
GILBERT HISTORICAL MUSEUM
$10,000COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT
MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$6,000SCHOLARSHIPS
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$5,400COMMUNITY SERVICE
Arizonians For Children
$5,000COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT
MISSIONS DOOR
$5,000COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT
FOSTER YOUR FUTURE INC
$5,000COMMUNITY SERVICE
SONORAN DESERT CHORALE
$5,000COMMUNITY SERVICE
GRAND CANYON COUNCIL
$5,000COMMUNITY SERVICE
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