The Dorrance Scholarship Programs
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Dorrance Scholarship Programs is based in Scottsdale, AZ, and its geographic focus is Arizona, so this is one for organisations working in that state.
- Its stated purpose centres on the Dorrance Scholarship Program, which gives financial and academic support, tutoring and mentoring, and community outreach to first-generation college students in Arizona, so fit depends on whether your work sits close to that theme.
- Among its 47 grants to organisations, about 8 in 10 fall between $1,000 and $435,000, with a median of $5,500, so a modest request in that range is the realistic ask rather than anything near the largest grant of about $440,000.
- The filing sets out an online application process with fixed deadlines, including a recurring February deadline, but this is described for individual scholarship applicants (FAFSA Student Aid Report, transcript, ACT/SAT scores, writing samples and recommendations); it does not describe a separate organisational application route, so a nonprofit should check directly how to apply.
- Only 2% of its grant dollars to organisations in its latest filing went to organisations it had also funded previously, which suggests this is not a strongly relationship-led funder relying on repeat recipients, so new applicants are not disadvantaged by that pattern.
Overview
The Dorrance Scholarship Programs is a US private foundation based in Scottsdale, AZ.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s Dorrance Scholarship Program provides integrated funding, academic support, tutoring and mentoring, and community outreach to students. Its stated purpose is to provide financial and academic support for eligible first-generation college students in Arizona. It targets low-income seniors in good standing who will graduate from an accredited Arizona high school, are first-generation college students, and gain admission to one of the state’s three public universities. Applicants demonstrate leadership and volunteer service and agree to participate in programme activities, live on campus for their first two years, and attend the summer bridge programme. Renewal depends on academic standing and participation in programme events, activities and volunteer service projects.
Themes
- First-generation college scholarships
Geographic Focus
Arizona.
How to apply
For the individual scholarship, applicants use an online form and submit the FAFSA Student Aid Report, transcript and ACT/SAT scores, writing samples, and recommendations from a high-school teacher and counsellor. The filing identifies an online application and a separate writing-sample phase; it does not describe an organisational application route.
Deadlines: Scholarship applications have a recurring February deadline.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 2% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022 and TY2024 filings, half of its 47 grants to organisations were $5,500 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 20% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 2% of grant dollars went to organisations The Dorrance Scholarship Programs had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 22 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $8,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Arizona State University · Spring 2025 first generation scholarships for 73 current scholars at asu$438,0002024 tax year
- Northern Arizona University · Fall 2024 first generation scholarships for 73 current scholars at nau$438,0002024 tax year
- University of Arizona · Fall 2024 first generation scholarships for 73 current scholars at ua$438,0002024 tax year
- University of Arizona · Spring 2025 first generation scholarships for 73 current scholars at ua$438,0002024 tax year
- Arizona State University · Fall 2024 first generation scholarships for 72 current scholars at asu$431,8702024 tax year
- Northern Arizona University · Spring 2025 first generation scholarships for 71 current scholars at nau$426,0002024 tax year
- University of Arizona Foundation · Grant to ua foundatoin, for the study abroad department$20,0002024 tax year
- University of Chicago · Fall 2024 scholarship award for dsp ua alumni$12,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- James Hensley — Executive Director
- Jaquelynn Dorrance — Vice President
- Bennett Dorrance — President
- Jason Stiles — Treasurer
- Kara Trullinger — Secretary
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $7,437,611 | $1,792,928 | $41,418,425 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $7,357,681 | $2,086,809 | $50,038,126 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $8,844,132 | $2,724,435 | $64,982,565 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Dorrance Scholarship Programs?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (480) 367-7000
- Scottsdale, AZ
- dorrancescholarship.org
Applying to The Dorrance Scholarship Programs?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (480) 367-7000
- Scottsdale, AZ
- dorrancescholarship.org