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Startupaz Foundation

EIN 83-4147658 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF STARTUPAZ IS TO BUILD A LOCAL COMMUNITY OF ENTREPRENEURS THAT WANT TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN ARIZONA.

Income
$359,966
Spending
$367,666
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
2
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$136,843, president executive dir thru 01/2024

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 7 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

    6 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 September 30, 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 (1)
  1. $290,641 spent. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, STARTUPAZ CONTINUED ITS MISSION TO EMPOWER THE ARIZONA ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM BY FOSTERING LEADERSHIP, COLLABORATION, AND MENTORSHIP AMONG HIGH-GROWTH BUSINESS OWNERS. THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND EVENTS, WE PROVIDED DIRECT SUPPORT, CULTIVATED PEER LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS, AND FACILITATED KNOWLEDGE-SHARING BETWEEN SEASONED BUSINESS LEADERS AND EMERGING ENTREPRENEURS. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENT INCLUDE 1. HELD OUR NINTH ANNUAL STARTUPAZ RETREAT, BRINGING TOGETHER LEADING ARIZONA ENTREPRENEURS, BUSINESS OWNERS, AND EXECUTIVES. THE EVENT PROVIDED AN IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESS LEADERS TO SHARE INSIGHTS, BUILD MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS, AND ENGAGE IN PEER-DRIVEN LEARNING EXPERIENCES. 2. PROVIDED DIRECT SUPPORT TO 18 BUSINESS OWNERS THROUGH TWO DISTINCT LEADERSHIP COHORTS, DESIGNED TO ENHANCE LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES AND BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES. THESE COHORTS MET MONTHLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, OFFERING STRUCTURED GUIDANCE, PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING, AND ACCESS TO SEASONED MENTORS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2020.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.