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First Place Az

EIN 46-1722227 · Phoenix, AZ

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SET THE STANDARD FOR SUPPORTIVE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES WHERE ADULTS WITH AUTISM AND/OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CAN BUILD THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO LIVE WITH PRIDE, PURPOSE AND GREATER INDEPENDENCE.

Income
$7.1 million
Spending
$6.1 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
23 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
41
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$336,432, founder, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $2.2 million spent. GLOBAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: THE GLI IS COMPOSED OF FIVE CENTERS- MARICOPA COUNTY IDA CENTER FOR EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT; MAKE WAVES CENTER FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; COLONEL HARLAND SANDERS CENTER FOR APPLIED RESEARCH; MULZET CENTER FOR EXPRESSION; AND THE DANIEL JORDAN FIDDLE FOUNDATION CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY. THE GLI SERVES AS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY HUB FOR RESEARCHERS, EDUCATORS, SUPPORT STAFF AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, AS WELL AS A ROBUST SITE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADVANCEMENTS IN PUBLIC POLICY. THE GLI IS THE CATALYST FOR SPEARHEADING THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODELS AND PROGRAMS INFORMING CAPACITY-BUILDING STRATEGIES AND SUPPORTIVE POLICIES FOR BROADER REACH AND LASTING LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL IMPACT. WE IDENTIFY INEQUITIES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY TO CREATE NEUROLOGICAL AND COGNITIVE CURB CUTS THAT EMPOWER AND EMBRACE INCLUSION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM, INTELLECTUAL AND/OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND OFFER PEACE OF MIND TO FAMILIES. IN 2024, THROUGH THE GLI PROGRAM, FIRST PLACE AZ EMBARKED ON A NEW INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE HOUSING MARKET ANALYSES FOR CLIENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
  2. $2.2 million spent. APARTMENTS: FIRST PLACE APARTMENTS COMPRISE 63 STUDIO, ONE-, TWO-AND FOUR BEDROOM UNITS- "FIRST HOMES" -WITH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES/PROGRAMMING FOR 67 RESIDENTS WITH AUTISM, INTELLECTUAL AND/OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. STAFF ARE TRAINED TO HELP RESIDENTS HONE LIFE SKILLS THROUGH VOCATIONAL, COMMUNITY LIFE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES.
  3. $641,507 spent. TRANSITION ACADEMY: CLINICALLY OPERATED BY OUR "SISTER" NONPROFIT SOUTHWEST AUTISM RESEARCH & RESOURCE CENTER (SARRC, ALSO CO-FOUNDED BY FIRST PLACE AZ FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT/CEO), THE TRANSITION ACADEMY OFFERS THE TWO-YEAR, 32-COURSE RESIDENTIAL LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM, LEARN41NDEPENDENCE, EMPOWERING PARTICIPANTS TO FIND EMPLOYMENT AND LIVE MORE INDEPENDENTLY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.