About Steele Foundation
The Steele Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on advancing biomedical and neurological research and education in Arizona, with major investments in university research infrastructure and neurosurgical training. Grants are large, strategic gifts targeted to a small number of local institutions — primarily the University of Arizona and Barrow Neurological Foundation — along with support for Arizona leadership development. The foundation favors capital and endowment-style awards that build institutional capacity and long-term programs.
Focus Areas
University biomedical research infrastructure (e.g., lab renovation and research programs at University of Arizona)Neurology/neurosurgery research and fellowship endowments (e.g., Barrow Neurological Foundation DC/PG fellowship support)Arizona civic and leadership development programs (e.g., AZ Leads)
Who They Fund
children in elementary and K–12 (e.g., 4th grade focus)low‑income or scholarship‑eligible studentsteachers and school stafffamilies and youth audiencespediatric researchers/children's health research institutions
About Steele Foundation
A pair of $500,000 gifts to Barrow Neurological Foundation for the DC/PG Fellowship Endowment signals how The Steele Foundation Inc backs work: it uses large, targeted awards to build lasting capacity in Arizona institutions. The foundation’s recent grant history also includes major support for the University of Arizona Foundation, including a $2,025,000 award for DCI lab renovation, DC Research, and PANDA, plus a $1,000,000 grant for Steele Children’s Research Center and the DC Institute. That pattern points to a funder that concentrates on biomedical and neurological research, while also supporting education programs for children and leadership development. Grants are often directed to a small set of repeat recipients, with university and health-related institutions taking prominent roles alongside Arizona civic initiatives. The portfolio reaches beyond pure research into education and culture, but the common thread is strategic funding for programs and infrastructure that can shape outcomes over time. In the recent list, Arizona-based recipients dominate, and several awards are written as endowment, capital, or facility-support investments rather than short-term program grants.
What Steele Foundation Funds
Biomedical and neurological research are central to the foundation’s giving. In 2025, it gave $2,025,000 to University of Arizona Foundation for DCI lab renovation, DC Research, and PANDA, and in 2023 it awarded $1,000,000 to the same intermediary for Steele Children’s Reseach Center - The DC Institute. It also supported endowment-based neurology training with $500,000 grants to Barrow Neurological Foundation for the DC/PG Fellowship Endowment in both 2023 and 2025. Beyond research, the foundation funds education for children through literacy and early learning. Examples include $250,000 to Make Way for Books for a Digital Learning Platform and $250,000 to Arizona Community Foundation for Accelerating Early Literacy. Cultural education also appears in the portfolio, with support for the Arizona Jewish Historical Society’s Hilton Holocaust Edu Center and General Support and for Childsplay’s Storybook Preview Performances.
How Steele Foundation Gives
Typical awards are mid-sized but flexible: the 25th percentile is $7,348, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $100,000. The recent grant list shows a highly skewed pattern, with a small number of very large gifts and many smaller operating or program awards. Recipients recur across years, including Barrow Neurological Foundation, University of Arizona Foundation, Arizona Community Foundation, Literacy Connects, Mesa Arts Center Foundation, and ASU Foundation. The foundation makes invitation-only grants and does not accept unsolicited applications. It also funds individuals.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3.7M
Total Assets
$65.9M
Total Revenue
$6M
Total Expenses
$5.4M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $7K and $100K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$100K
Geographic Reach
Regional10 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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