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Challenge Foundation Arizona

EIN 83-1349329 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CHALLENGE FOUNDATION ARIZONA EMPOWERS STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT, BRIDGING THE GAP TO AN EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATION AND LIFELONG SUCCESS.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$778,647
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
79.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
6
Volunteers
60

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 79.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 May 31, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $722,241 spent. TUTORING, MENTORING AND ADVISING:THE CHALLENGE FOUNDATION ARIZONA MATCHES STUDENTS WITH A VOLUNTEER MENTOR WHO PARTNERS WITH THE FAMILY AND THE STAFF TO PROVIDE ON-GOING SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT AND MEANINGFUL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. THE MENTOR IS A PROFESSIONAL IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO IS TRAINED TO SERVE AS A ROLE MODEL AND TEAM MEMBER IN THE SCHOLARS' EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY. TUTORING IS OFFERED AND ACCESSED AS NEEDED AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE SCHOLARS' EXPERIENCE, FROM 6TH GRADE THROUGH COLLEGE, INCLUDING ACT/SAT PREP. ALL OF THESE SUPPORTS ARE MANAGED BY A CHALLENGE ADVISOR ON STAFF WHO HELPS STUDENTS OVERCOME OBSTACLES IN THEIR PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC LIVES. ADVISORS ATTEND TEACHER CONFERENCES, OBTAIN COMPUTERS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND COUNSEL THEM THROUGHOUT THE COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, 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 May 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 November 2018.

    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.