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Desert Financial Foundation

EIN 81-1028132 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceFair53 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS TO NON-PROFIT PROGRAMS, AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
129
Highest pay
$2.3 million, 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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 77% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    4 of 9 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or 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. $375,505 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO STUDENTS DISPLAYING LEADERSHIP THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, AND DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED. SCHOLARSHIPS RANGE FROM $2,500 TO $10,000 FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND ADULT LEARNERS (NON-TRADITONAL STUDENTS) ATTENDING 2-OR 4-YEAR COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE ALSO AWARDED TO LOW-INCOME HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE PURSING CERTIFICATIONS THROUGH CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO COVER PROGRAM AND CERIFICATION FEES, AS WELL AS EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES REQUIRED FOR THEIR PROGAMS.
  2. $791,423 spent. DESERT FINANCIAL FOUNDATION IS THE PRIMARY FINANCIAL SUPPORTER OF THE ONE DARN COOL SCHOOL OF PHOENIX CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. CHILDRAN RECEIVING SERVICES AT THE HOSPITAL ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR EDUCATION AND RECEIVE SUPPORT TO TRANSITION SUCCESSFULLY BACK TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL.
  3. $65,709 spent. EMPLOYEE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & GENERAL FUND - THE FOUNDATION OPERATES AN EMERGENCY FUND FOR INDIVIDUALS FACING A VERIFIABLE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AS A RESULT OF SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY, VIOLENT CRIME, MILITARY DEPOLYMENT, DEATH, TERRORIST OR MILITARY ACTION, AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A COMMON CARRIER, OR A FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTER.

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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 June 2016.

    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 November 4, 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.