Pivotal Foundation concentrates its modest philanthropic budget on a small number of large, national grants that advance public policy research and broad-access education. Recent giving funded the Quincy Institute (foreign policy/peace-oriented policy research) and Khan Academy (free online learning), suggesting a preference for organizations that influence public debate or expand educational access at scale.
Highly concentrated: very few, large gifts to national organizations rather than many small local grantees; appears to favor one-off or targeted strategic grants to influential institutions.
Notable grantees: The Quincy Institute, Khan Academy
Pivotal Foundation’s recent giving shows a consistent preference for large grants to policy and education organizations, with The Quincy Institute receiving $310,000 in 2025 and Khan Academy Inc receiving $200,000 that same year. Those grants fit a broader pattern of support for institutions that shape public debate or expand access to learning, alongside a meaningful Arizona presence in the foundation’s portfolio. The foundation also funded Barrow Neurological Foundation with $135,500 in 2025 and gave it another $131,000 in 2023, indicating repeated support for selected recipients rather than one-time awards across the board. The rest of the grant list reinforces that mix of national reach and local investment. Pivotal Foundation gave to organizations in Washington, DC, Arizona, California, New York, and Virginia, including several policy groups, a university foundation, and community-based nonprofits. The pattern suggests a funder that makes selective, higher-dollar awards to organizations with public-facing impact, while also maintaining a visible commitment to Phoenix-area institutions.
In foreign policy and diplomacy research, Pivotal Foundation supported The Quincy Institute with $310,000 in 2025 and $125,000 in 2023, and gave $100,000 in 2025 to the Henry L. Stimson Center. It also funded Defense Priorities Foundation with $100,000 in both 2023 and 2025, along with grants to Carnegie Endowment for Int'l Peace and the Atlantic Council of the United States Inc in 2023. For education and public learning, the foundation gave Khan Academy Inc $200,000 in 2025. Its Arizona-based philanthropy also includes $130,000 to Arizona State University Foundation in 2023 and $100,000 to Brophy College Prep in 2023. Beyond those areas, it supported civic and community organizations such as Center for the Future of Arizona, Fresh Start Women's Foundation, and The Society of St Vincent De Paul, each at $100,000 in 2025.
Typical grants range from $5,000 at the 25th percentile to $93,750 at the 75th percentile, with a median grant of $22,750. The recent record shows repeated support to some recipients across multiple years, including Barrow Neurological Foundation, The Quincy Institute, Ballet Arizona, J Street Education Fund, Defense Priorities Foundation, Carnegie Endowment for Int'l Peace, and John Hopkins University. Pivotal Foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grant list uses broad exempt-purpose language rather than application details.
$2.7M
$92.5M
$14.1M
$3.3M
Most grants fall between $5K and $94K, with a median of $23K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$23K
75th Percentile
$94K
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Pivotal Foundation gives most often in Arizona, and 61% of its grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Phoenix appears frequently in the recent record, including grants to Barrow Neurological Foundation, Ballet Arizona, Center for the Future of Arizona, The Society of St Vincent De Paul, Fresh Start Women's Foundation, and Phoenix Art Museum. The foundation also places grants in Washington, DC, with recipients such as The Quincy Institute, J Street Education Fund, and The Henry L. Stimson Center, plus awards in California, New York, and Virginia. All recent grants in the dataset were to U.S. recipients.
Its recent grants center on public policy research, especially foreign policy and diplomacy groups, plus education access and Arizona-based civic or cultural organizations. Examples in the dataset include grants to The Quincy Institute, Khan Academy Inc, Arizona State University Foundation, and Phoenix Art Museum.
The grant-size distribution is fairly wide. The 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $22,750, and the 75th percentile is $93,750. Recent awards also include several $100,000 grants and a $310,000 grant.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeat support for several recipients across 2023 and 2025, including Barrow Neurological Foundation, The Quincy Institute, Ballet Arizona, J Street Education Fund, Defense Priorities Foundation, Carnegie Endowment for Int'l Peace, and John Hopkins University.
Arizona is the top state by grant count, with 61% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Phoenix is especially prominent among recipient locations in the recent grants list.
The pattern is regional but includes national policy and education grants. Recent recipients are located in Arizona, Washington, DC, California, New York, and Virginia, and all of the listed grants went to U.S. organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE QUINCY INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $310,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| KHAN ACADEMY INC | MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BARROW NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $135,500 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BALLET ARIZONA | PHOENIX, AZ | $130,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRESH START WOMEN'S FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| J STREET EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE HENRY L STIMSON CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CATO INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL | PHOENIX, AZ | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PHOENIX ART MUSEUM | PHOENIX, AZ | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ASSOCIATION FOR PROMOTION OF JEWISH SECULARISM (JEWISH CURRENTS) | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CENTER FOR THE FUTURE OF ARIZONA | PHOENIX, AZ | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DEFENSE PRIORITIES FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INT'L PEACE | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | TEMPE, AZ | $63,764 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PARS EQUALITY CENTER | MENLO PARK, CA | $55,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HONORHEALTH FOUNDATION | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CODEORG | SEATTLE, WA | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PAAIA FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE ASPEN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR INSTITUTE | PHOENIX, AZ | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GREATER PHOENIX ECONOMIC COUNCIL | PHOENIX, AZ | $37,500 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SWIFT YOUTH FOUNDATION | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CENTER FOR THE RIGHTS OF ABUSED CHILDREN | PHOENIX, AZ | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AFRICAN PARKS | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VALLEYWISE HEALTH FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FARHANG FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BROPHY COLLEGE PREP | PHOENIX, AZ | $23,877 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PROMONTORY FOUNDATION | PARK CITY, UT | $16,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PHOENIX CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | PHOENIX, AZ | $12,500 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BANNER HEALTH FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE INTEGRITY PROJECT CO | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| XICO ARTE Y CULTURA | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GRAND CANYON COUNCIL | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CAMP CANTANESE FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| IRANIAN SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | MENLO PARK, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MOTHER'S GRACE | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ALEX VICTORY'S LEGACY INC | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ARIZONA COSTUME INSTITUTE (PHOENIX ART MUSEUM) | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BARROW WOMEN'S BOARD | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHARITIES | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CENTRAL ARIZONA SHELTER SERVICES | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PHOENIX GOSPEL MISSION DBA PHOENIX RESCUE MISSION | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ST MARY'S FOOD BANK | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CCY INC | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BALLER DREAM FOUNDATION | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $3,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BUILDON | STAMFORD, CT | $2,000 | 2025 | FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
FRESH START WOMEN'S FOUNDATION
$100,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$100,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL
$100,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DEFENSE PRIORITIES FOUNDATION
$100,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INT'L PEACE
$100,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$63,764FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PAAIA FUND
$50,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SWIFT YOUTH FOUNDATION
$25,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FARHANG FOUNDATION
$25,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
BROPHY COLLEGE PREP
$23,877FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PROMONTORY FOUNDATION
$16,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
$15,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE INTEGRITY PROJECT CO
$10,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
XICO ARTE Y CULTURA
$10,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
GRAND CANYON COUNCIL
$10,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CAMP CANTANESE FOUNDATION
$10,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
IRANIAN SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$10,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MOTHER'S GRACE
$10,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ALEX VICTORY'S LEGACY INC
$10,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
BARROW WOMEN'S BOARD
$5,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ST MARY'S FOOD BANK
$5,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CCY INC
$4,000FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION