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Phoenix Suns Charities Inc

EIN 86-0633919 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceWeak47 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PHOENIX SUNS CHARITIES WAS FOUNDED IN 1988 WITH THE MISSION TO BENEFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ASSIST THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN ARIZONA. DUE TO THE GENEROSITY OF FANS AND SPONSORS, AND UNDERWRITING BY THE TEAM, PHOENIX SUNS CHARITIES HAS EXPERIENCED STEADY GROWTH AND NOW DISTRIBUTES MORE THAN $3 MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO HUNDREDS OF LOCAL CHARITIES. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, PHOENIX SUNS CHARITIES HAS DONATED MORE THAN $45 MILLION DOLLARS TO WORTHY ARIZONA ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
30.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
0
Volunteers
300

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 30.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 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 June 30, 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. $3.3 million spent. DUE TO THE GENEROSITY OF FANS AND SPONSORS, AS WELL AS UNDERWRITING BY THE TEAM, PHOENIX SUNS CHARITIES HAS EXPERIENCED STEADY GROWTH AND DISTRIBUTES MORE THAN $3 MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO HUNDREDS OF LOCAL CHARITIES. FUNDS ARE RAISED DURING THE NBA SEASON THROUGH SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS THE SUNS COURTSIDE CLASSIC, SUNS CHARITIES 88, AND THE SUNS ASSIST EMPLOYEE GIVING CAMPAIGN; SCOREBOARD MESSAGES PRESENTED AT SUNS HOME GAMES; GAME NIGHT AUCTIONS AND SALES; AND THROUGH SPECIAL PROJECTS SUCH AS SUNS LICENSE PLATES. FINALLY, MANY GENEROUS FANS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS DESIGNATE PHOENIX SUNS CHARITIES AS THE RECIPIENT OF THEIR GIVING LED BY A GROUP OF DONORS KNOWN AS PLAYMAKERS WHO PLEDGE $100,000 OVER FOUR YEARS TO THE CHARITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 August 1989.

    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.