Ahearn Fam Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,490,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $300,000
• Geographic Focus: Multi-state (primarily Arizona, Pennsylvania, Washington, with additional grants in Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio)
• Assets: $13,421,171 (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 2390 E Camelback Rd Ste 203, Phoenix, AZ 85016-3450

Phone: 602-476-5800

Website: Not available

Email: Not available

Overview

The Ahearn Fam Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2008 and based in Phoenix, Arizona. The foundation is managed by co-trustees Michael J. Ahearn and Gayle S. Ahearn, who serve without compensation. Michael Ahearn is a prominent Arizona businessman, co-founder and chairman of First Solar, and founder and managing partner of True North Venture Partners, a venture capital firm focused on energy, water, agriculture, and waste sectors.

The foundation focuses its grantmaking on education (with emphasis on college scholarship foundations) and human services. In 2024, the foundation distributed $1,662,714 in charitable disbursements across 8 grants totaling $1,490,000. The foundation's assets have grown to $13,421,171 as of 2024, with revenue primarily from contributions (89%), dividends (5.4%), and asset sales (5.5%). Past grant recipients have included prominent organizations such as the Brookings Institution (contributing $100,000-$249,999 in fiscal year 2017).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private family foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking. Typical awards range from $5,000 to $300,000.

Priority Areas

• Education: Primary focus on college scholarship foundations and educational initiatives
• Human Services: Supporting organizations that address human service needs
• Public Policy/Think Tanks: Previous support for policy research organizations like the Brookings Institution

Geographic Focus

The foundation has funded projects across multiple states including:

• Arizona (Phoenix, Mesa, Paradise Valley, El Mirage)
• Pennsylvania
• Washington (Seattle)
• Illinois (Hinsdale)
• Massachusetts (Babson Park)
• Ohio (Cleveland)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented.

Governance and Leadership

Co-Trustees:

• Michael J. Ahearn: Co-founder and Chairman of First Solar (served as CEO 2000-2009), Founder and Managing Partner of True North Venture Partners (launched 2011). Educated at Arizona State University with degrees in Finance (BS) and Law (JD). Currently serves on boards of Cox Enterprises, Endeavor (a non-profit supporting entrepreneurs in emerging markets), Thunderbird School of Global Management, and the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

• Gayle S. Ahearn: Co-trustee of the foundation

Both trustees serve without compensation for their roles.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation operates as a private family foundation with grants awarded at the discretion of the trustees. There is no online portal, application form, or published guidelines for soliciting grants.

Grant decisions appear to be made based on trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships rather than through an open competitive process.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation holds quarterly meetings throughout the year where grant decisions are likely made.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. As a private foundation without a public application process, success rate data is not published.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

As a private family foundation without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of the foundation's giving patterns reveals:

Giving Patterns:

• Strong focus on education, particularly college scholarship programs
• Support for established, credible institutions (e.g., Brookings Institution)
• Geographic diversity, though Arizona remains a key focus area
• Grant amounts vary significantly based on project scope and organizational capacity
• Trustees appear to prioritize sustainable programs over general operating support

Trustee Interests: Given Michael Ahearn's background in renewable energy, venture capital, and his board service with organizations focused on entrepreneurship and global affairs (Endeavor, German Marshall Fund, Thunderbird School of Global Management), the foundation may be more receptive to organizations working in:

• Educational innovation
• Economic development and entrepreneurship
• Energy and environmental initiatives
• Global affairs and international development

Grant Activity Trends:

• 2024: 8 grants totaling $1,490,000
• 2023: 1 grant
• 2022: 3 grants
• 2021: 5 grants

The variation in annual grant numbers suggests selective, strategic grantmaking focused on significant awards rather than numerous small grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals through a formal application process
• Trustee-directed giving: Grants are made at the discretion of Michael and Gayle Ahearn based on their philanthropic priorities
• Education focus: Primary emphasis on college scholarship foundations and educational programs
• Substantial grants: With typical grants ranging from $5,000 to $300,000 and only 8 grants made in 2024, this foundation makes selective, significant investments
• Geographic flexibility: While based in Arizona, the foundation has funded organizations across multiple states
• Established organizations preferred: Past grantees include well-known institutions like the Brookings Institution, suggesting preference for established, credible organizations
• Relationship-based: Success likely depends on personal connections with the trustees or being identified through their professional and philanthropic networks

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ahearn Fam Foundation (EIN: 137582929), accessed January 16, 2026: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/137582929

2. Instrumentl 990 Report - Ahearn Family Foundation, accessed January 16, 2026: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/ahearn-family-foundation-d34aa9f6-67e7-4ac6-992c-8a967bc38b3d

3. Cause IQ - Ahearn Family Foundation Profile, accessed January 16, 2026: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ahearn-family-foundation,137582929/

4. The Brookings Institution Contributors List, Fiscal Year 2017: https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/The-Brookings-Institutions-Contributors-List-Fiscal-Year-2017.pdf

5. Wikipedia - Michael J. Ahearn, accessed January 16, 2026: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_J._Ahearn

6. True North Venture Partners - Mike Ahearn Profile, accessed January 16, 2026: https://www.truenorthvp.com/member/michael-j-ahearn/

7. Grantable - Ahearn Family Foundation Profile, accessed January 16, 2026: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/ahearn-family-foundation-us-foundation-137582929