Azfirst
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
AZFirst's mission is to carry out charitable work in the community with a strong emphasis in inspiring young students in an appreciation of science and technology.
- Income
- $246,519
- Spending
- $417,652
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 27
- Highest pay
- $3.5 million, president director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 69% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 (3)
- $352,652 spent. AZFirsts primary purpose is to expand access to high quality STEM education, primarily through FIRST Robotics programs, across Arizona. In 2025, AZFirst served approximately 8,000 K-12 students, 1,500 volunteers, and 350 teams through statewide robotics competitions, team support services, and experiential engineering programs that emphasize hands-on learning, collaboration, and workforce-ready skills. During the year, AZFirst staff and volunteers helped plan, produce, and operate more than 30 official and off-season robotics events, including FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), FIRST LEGO League (FLL), and underwater robotics competitions. AZFirst provided full event operations, including competition equipment, field management systems, webcasting and livestreaming, volunteer recruitment and training, and on-site technical and safety support. AZFirst staff trained volunteers in critical leadership and technical roles required for safe and successful event delivery. AZFirst also prioritized team sustainability and growth. In 2025, AZFirst supported several new rookie teams through grant administration, mentorship, and technical guidance, helping reduce financial and logistical barriers to participation. Direct financial and in-kind support enabled teams from schools and community organizations, particularly those serving under-resourced communities, to launch and sustain robotics programs. In addition, AZFirst expanded experiential learning opportunities through multiple off-season and specialty competitions, including underwater robotics programs. AZFirst served on the game design and planning committee, provided specialized equipment, and supplied trained volunteers, including certified divers, to ensure safe, authentic engineering challenges aligned with real-world applications. Through these programs, AZFirst provided students with meaningful, hands-on STEM experiences that build technical skills, confidence, leadership, and career awareness. AZFirst's 2025 activities strengthened Arizona's STEM ecosystem while inspiring the next generation of engineers, innovators, and problem solvers.
- $65,000 spent. During the tax year two $2,500 scholarships were awarded to twelve students, two $2,000 scholarships were awarded to one student, two $500 scholarships were awarded to one student. These students were all awarded scholarships for their outstanding academic achievements and participation in the FIRST Robotics Regional Event.
- The employee supplemental assistance program was designed to provide an opportunity for individuals and organizations to make monetary donations to assist employees of Microchip Technology Incorporated in need of immediate assistance for reasons beyond the applicants control because of economic hardship and poverty.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.