About Valley of the Sun United Way
United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.
Focus Areas
Early literacy and educationHunger and food securityHousing stability and homelessness preventionAccess to healthcareWorkforce development and job readiness
Funding Style
restricted program/project supportoperational support for specific programsprogrammatic (not general operating) funding
About Valley of the Sun United Way
Valley of the Sun United Way’s recent grant record is defined by a very large, repeated commitment to early learning: FTF Quality First Scholarships to Providers received $87,195,345 in 2025, after $60,914,994 in 2024 and $33,626,337 in 2023. That pattern places early literacy and education at the center of the foundation’s work, alongside other community needs reflected in its focus areas. The grants also show support for program-specific work rather than unrestricted funding, with program support appearing throughout the recent list. The foundation’s portfolio reaches a mix of direct service organizations and community intermediaries. Candelen received $7,950,713 in 2024 and $6,104,221 in 2023 for program support, while Southwest Human Development received $6,741,541 in 2024 and $5,424,611 in 2023 for program support. Other recurring recipients include Child & Family Resources and Easter Seals Blake Foundation, indicating a sustained relationship with organizations serving children and families. The recent grants also include direct designations to various agencies, showing that some funding is routed through broader community channels rather than only single-organization awards.
What Valley of the Sun United Way Funds
Education and early childhood services are the clearest thread in the recent grants. Valley of the Sun United Way gave $1,028,585 in 2025 to Make Way for Books in Tucson for program support, and the foundation’s largest grant series also supported FTF Quality First Scholarships to Providers across 2023 to 2025. Family support and child development appear in multiple awards. Child & Family Resources in Tucson received $3,124,431 in 2024 and $2,300,960 in 2023, both for program support. The foundation also funds housing- and stability-related work. A New Leaf Inc in Mesa received $929,358 in 2025, $877,295 in 2024, and $776,627 in 2023, all marked program support. Community services and neighborhood support show up through Chicanos Por La Causa Inc, which received $779,000 in 2023, $410,871 in 2024, and $559,844 in 2025 for program support.
How Valley of the Sun United Way Gives
Valley of the Sun United Way’s typical grant size sits at a p25 of $26,212, a median of $69,558, and a p75 of $135,851, though the recent file also shows several much larger program awards. The pattern is not a one-off model: the same grantees appear across multiple years, including awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That suggests ongoing support rather than isolated transactions. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grant descriptions are consistently program support or other restricted program/project support, indicating a structured, purpose-specific style of giving.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$62.9M
Total Assets
$100.4M
Total Revenue
$73.5M
Total Expenses
$77.5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $26K and $136K, with a median of $70K.
25th Percentile
$26K
Median
$70K
75th Percentile
$136K
Geographic Reach
Local6 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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