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AWH Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.4M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $422,000 (2022)
  • Assets: $1.8 million (2022)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Tucson/Southern Arizona
  • Application Process: No public application process (preselected organizations only)

Contact Details

No website, email, or phone number publicly available.

Mailing Address: Tucson, AZ

Overview

The AWH Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1953 and based in Tucson, Arizona. With assets of approximately $1.8 million and annual giving of $422,000 (as of 2022), the foundation supports charitable organizations across education, health, human services, and community development. The foundation is led by President Robert W. Gillett and Vice Presidents Nancy Tefft and Mary H. Gillett. AWH Foundation operates on a trustee-discretion model, making grants exclusively to preselected charitable organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications. The foundation's giving reflects a mix of support for national educational institutions, particularly colleges and universities, alongside significant investment in Tucson-area nonprofits addressing local needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

AWH Foundation does not operate formal grant programs. All grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations they have preselected.

In 2022, the foundation made 27 grants ranging from approximately $5,000 to $50,000, with a median grant size of $10,000.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant recipients (2022), the foundation supports:

  • Higher Education: Significant support to universities including University of Arizona Foundation ($50,000), Hillsdale College ($30,000), and Lakeland University ($20,000)
  • Youth Development: Simon Youth Foundation ($25,000), SPL Sports Foundation ($25,000)
  • Health & Medical: University of Michigan Cancer Center ($20,000), Ronald McDonald House ($10,000)
  • Human Services: Lutheran Services of Southern Arizona ($20,000), United Way of Tucson ($15,000)
  • Food Security: Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona ($10,000)
  • Housing: Habitat for Humanity ($10,000)

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are documented, but the foundation's giving pattern suggests a focus on established 501(c)(3) organizations with clear charitable missions.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Robert W. Gillett - President (Receives $8,000 annual compensation)
  • Nancy Tefft - Vice President (Receives $8,000 annual compensation)
  • Mary H. Gillett - Vice President (Unpaid)

The small board structure indicates this is a family foundation with decision-making concentrated among a few trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The AWH Foundation makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations they have identified and chosen to support. Organizations cannot apply directly to this foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made proactively by trustees rather than in response to applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their grant recipients reveals:

  • Established Organizations: All 2022 recipients are well-established 501(c)(3) organizations with strong track records
  • Mix of Local and National: The foundation supports both Tucson-area nonprofits and national institutions, particularly in higher education
  • Educational Emphasis: Nearly half of major grants went to colleges and universities
  • Community Impact: Local Tucson grants focus on direct service organizations addressing basic needs (food, housing, health)
  • Youth Focus: Multiple grants support youth development and educational opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Direct Access: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - they only fund preselected organizations
  • Small Family Foundation: With three trustees and modest annual giving, this is a closely held philanthropic vehicle
  • Education Priority: Higher education institutions receive the largest individual grants (up to $50,000)
  • Local-National Split: The foundation balances support for Tucson-area nonprofits with grants to national institutions
  • Established Relationships: Grant recipients likely have personal or historical connections to the trustees
  • Modest Grant Sizes: Most grants fall in the $10,000 range, making this a smaller funder in the Arizona philanthropic landscape
  • Long Operating History: Tax-exempt since 1953, indicating sustained family commitment to philanthropy

References

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