Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 83-0320824
• Annual Giving: $5,722,700 (2024)
• Assets: $851,955
• Grant Range: $100,000 - $5,000,000 (documented grants)
• Number of Grants: 10 awards (2024), 37 awards (2023), 16 awards (2022)
• Geographic Focus: National (U.S.-wide, with emphasis on Arizona)
• Application Process: Invitation only / preselected organizations
• Founded: 1999

Contact Details

Address: Paradise Valley, AZ
EIN: 83-0320824
Foundation Type: Private Foundation (501(c)(3))

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grant decisions are made by the foundation's leadership based on their philanthropic priorities and existing relationships.

Overview

The Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable Foundation was established in 1999 as a private family foundation by Robert Sarver, a prominent Arizona businessman and former owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, and his wife Penny Sarver. The foundation operates as a pass-through entity, distributing most funds as they are received rather than maintaining a large endowment, as evidenced by their 2024 revenue of $7,427,159 and expenses of $7,284,742 against assets of $851,955.

The foundation has a strong philanthropic legacy tied to Arizona's most respected charities, with the Sarver family having supported the Sarver Heart Center at the University of Arizona since 1988. The foundation focuses on three primary areas: education, healthcare, and sports/recreation, with particular emphasis on programs serving children and families in underserved communities. While based in Paradise Valley, Arizona, the foundation makes grants nationally, supporting organizations across major U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington, D.C.

The foundation is known for making substantial, transformational gifts to organizations aligned with the Sarvers' personal philanthropic interests and values, particularly those promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Education

• Early childhood education programs (Head Start and similar initiatives)
• K-12 education support and school improvement programs
• College access and scholarship programs
• Tutoring and mentorship initiatives
• Programs that increase graduation rates in underserved communities

Healthcare

• Cardiovascular disease research and patient care
• Children's health initiatives
• Healthcare access for underserved populations

Sports and Recreation

• Basketball court construction and renovation
• Youth sports programs
• Recreation facilities serving low-income communities

Children and Family Services

• Children's museums and educational facilities
• Family support services in underserved communities
• Programs serving at-risk children and families

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Historic preservation of civil rights landmarks
• Programs supporting communities of color
• Initiatives promoting equity and access

Geographic Priorities

While based in Arizona with a strong focus on Phoenix and Tucson-area nonprofits, the foundation makes grants nationally across the United States, including major urban centers such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington, D.C.

Notable Past Grants

• Phoenix Suns Charities (2023): $5,000,000 - The single-largest gift in Phoenix Suns Charities history, supporting education, healthcare, and sports programs for Arizona children and families in need
• Children's Museum of Phoenix: $1,000,000 - Aided in the completion of the 70,000-square-foot facility
• Thurgood Marshall Center Trust for Service and Heritage, Washington, D.C. (2022): $100,000 - For HVAC system renovation at the historic civil rights landmark
• City of Phoenix Head Start Program (2019): $2,600,000 - Providing early childhood development and support services for at-risk children and families
• 50 Basketball Courts Project (2017-2018): $1,000,000 - To commemorate the Phoenix Suns' 50th season, refurbishing, restoring, and building 50 basketball courts throughout Arizona

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, their giving pattern suggests they focus on organizations and causes with which they have direct relationships or personal connection. They do not fund:

• Organizations outside the United States
• Individuals (except possibly through scholarship programs administered by partner organizations)
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Leadership

Robert Sarver - President (Voluntary, uncompensated)
Robert Sarver is an Arizona businessman, co-founder of Southwest Value Partners, and founder of the National Bank of Arizona (later sold after becoming the largest independent bank in Arizona). Born October 31, 1961, in Tucson, Arizona, Sarver served as managing partner of the Phoenix Suns NBA team and Phoenix Mercury WNBA team for 19 years (2004-2023). Under his leadership, Phoenix Suns Charities granted more than $36 million to Arizona nonprofits and community programs. His philanthropic philosophy emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a focus on education, healthcare, and youth development.

Penny Sarver - Secretary (Voluntary, uncompensated)
Penny Sarver is a native of Kansas City who earned her bachelor's degree in business from the University of Oklahoma in 1990. She moved to Phoenix after graduation, working for Prentice-Hall marketing textbooks to universities. The couple met in 1991 in Scottsdale and married on November 2, 1996. The Sarvers have three children: Max, Jake, and Zach. Penny has been actively involved in the family's philanthropic activities since 1988, particularly supporting the Sarver Heart Center.

Jon R. Young - Director (Voluntary, uncompensated)
Jon R. Young serves as a director of the foundation, contributing to grant-making decisions and oversight.

Philanthropic Philosophy

Robert Sarver has stated his commitment to "promoting excellence and equity for all," particularly emphasizing the importance of giving the next generation opportunities to succeed. His approach focuses on:

• Long-term partnerships with organizations (e.g., the 10-year SunsCentral initiative)
• Measurable outcomes and community impact
• Supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Responsive giving to immediate community needs (e.g., HVAC donation to Thurgood Marshall Center)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations identified by the foundation's leadership.

There is no public application process, online portal, or submission guidelines. Grant decisions are made internally by the foundation's officers and director based on their philanthropic priorities, personal relationships, and awareness of community needs.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations interested in potential support from the Sarver Foundation should note that the foundation's giving has been concentrated in areas where the Sarvers have personal connections or direct involvement:

Arizona Connections: The foundation has historically supported Arizona-based organizations, particularly those in the Phoenix and Tucson areas where the Sarver family has deep community ties and business interests.

Phoenix Suns and Sports Connections: During Robert Sarver's ownership of the Phoenix Suns (2004-2023), the foundation supported numerous organizations connected to the team's community initiatives and partnerships.

University of Arizona: The Sarver family has long supported the University of Arizona, particularly the Sarver Heart Center, named in recognition of their generous support starting in 1998.

Diversity and Inclusion Networks: Robert Sarver has demonstrated a commitment to supporting organizations focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, including partnerships with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and support for historic civil rights landmarks.

Education and Youth Development: Organizations working in education reform, particularly those addressing graduation rates and serving students of color in underserved communities, align with the foundation's demonstrated priorities through initiatives like SunsCentral.

Direct Relationships: Based on documented grants, the foundation appears to respond to direct requests from organizations with which Robert and Penny Sarver have personal relationships or board members/staff connections. For example, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. of the National Newspaper Publishers Association reached out directly to Robert Sarver for support of the Thurgood Marshall Center, and Sarver was "the first to immediately respond."

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept formal applications. Grants appear to be made on an ongoing basis throughout the year based on the foundation's assessment of community needs and opportunities.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only grant-making process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional "application success factors" do not apply. However, understanding what motivates their giving can be valuable:

Key Factors in Sarver Foundation Giving

1. Demonstrated Community Impact
The foundation favors organizations that can show measurable outcomes. For example, the SunsCentral initiative's success was measured by Central High School's graduation rate increasing by over 40 percentage points (from approximately 66% to 87%) over five years, with over 200,000 hours of tutoring provided.

2. Focus on Underserved Populations
The foundation consistently supports programs serving communities of color and low-income families. As noted in coverage of their philanthropy, they focus on "Arizona children and families in need" and programs in "underserved communities."

3. Education as a Priority
Robert Sarver has stated the importance of education, having been motivated to create the SunsCentral program after conversations with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan about dropout rates. The foundation has supported early childhood education (Head Start), K-12 improvement (Central High School), and higher education access.

4. Transformational Rather Than Incremental Giving
The foundation tends to make significant gifts that can transform organizations or programs rather than small grants spread across many recipients. Their grants range from $100,000 to $5 million in documented cases, with an average likely in the six-figure range.

5. Long-term Partnerships
The Sarver family has supported the Sarver Heart Center since 1988 and ran the SunsCentral program for over ten years. They prefer sustained engagement over one-time grants.

6. Alignment with Personal Values
Robert Sarver has been quoted emphasizing his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Organizations advancing these values, particularly in education and youth development, align with the foundation's mission.

7. Arizona Roots
While the foundation makes national grants, there is a strong preference for Arizona-based organizations or those serving Arizona communities, particularly in the Phoenix and Tucson areas where the Sarver family has deep ties.

8. Responsive to Direct Requests from Trusted Leaders
The Thurgood Marshall Center grant came about because Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. reached out directly to Robert Sarver, who "immediately responded." This suggests that direct requests from respected community leaders may be more successful than cold outreach.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

While you cannot apply directly to this foundation, the following insights may be valuable:

• This is an invitation-only funder - The foundation only makes grants to preselected organizations. There is no application process, portal, or published guidelines for submitting proposals.

• Relationship-based giving - Documented grants suggest the foundation makes funding decisions based on direct relationships, personal connections, and requests from trusted community leaders. Building relationships with the Sarver family or their advisors would be the only pathway to consideration.

• Significant grant sizes - When the foundation gives, they tend to make substantial grants ($100,000 to $5 million range in documented cases). This is not a foundation that makes many small grants; they prefer fewer, larger, transformational investments.

• Arizona focus with national reach - While based in Arizona and strongly committed to Arizona nonprofits (particularly Phoenix and Tucson), the foundation does make national grants, as evidenced by support for organizations in Washington, D.C., and cities across the U.S.

• Education, healthcare, and youth development - These three areas consistently receive support, particularly programs serving children and families in underserved communities with measurable outcomes.

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion matter - Robert Sarver has been explicit about his commitment to DEI. Organizations advancing these values, particularly those serving communities of color, align with the foundation's priorities.

• Pass-through structure - With relatively low assets ($851,955) compared to annual giving ($5.7+ million), the foundation appears to operate primarily as a vehicle for the Sarvers to channel their personal giving rather than maintaining a large endowment. This means giving capacity may fluctuate based on the Sarvers' personal income and wealth.

References

1. Cause IQ. "Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable Foundation | Paradise Valley, AZ." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/penny-and-robert-sarver-charitable-foundation,830320824/ (Accessed March 2026)

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Penny And Robert Sarver Charitable Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/830320824 (Accessed March 2026)

3. Instrumentl. "Penny And Robert Sarver Charitable Foundation | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/penny-and-robert-sarver-charitable-foundation (Accessed March 2026)

4. Grantmakers.io. "Penny and Robert Sarver Charitable Foundation Profile." https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/830320824-penny-and-robert-sarver-charitable-foundation/ (Accessed March 2026)

5. Black Press USA. "Phoenix Suns Owner Robert Sarver's Pivotal Gift to Historic Thurgood Marshall Center Trust in Washington, DC." https://blackpressusa.com/phoenix-suns-owner-robert-sarvers-pivotal-gift-to-historic-thurgood-marshall-center-trust-in-washington-dc/ (2022)

6. AZFamily. "Phoenix Suns Charities receives $5 million from ex-owner Robert Sarver." https://www.azfamily.com/2023/02/22/phoenix-suns-charity-receives-5m-aid-children-families-need/ (February 22, 2023)

7. Sports Illustrated. "Robert Sarver, Wife Donate $5 Million to Phoenix Suns Charities." https://www.si.com/nba/suns/analysis/robert-sarver-wife-donate-five-million-to-phoenix-suns-charities (2023)

8. Greater Phoenix Urban League. "Robert Sarver – Promoting Excellence & Equity for All." https://gphxul.org/robert-sarver-promoting-excellence-equity-for-all/ (Accessed March 2026)

9. The Washington Informer. "Phoenix Suns Owner Sarver Has Long History of Supporting Diversity and Inclusion." https://www.washingtoninformer.com/phoenix-suns-owner-sarver-has-long-history-of-supporting-diversity-and-inclusion/ (Accessed March 2026)

10. University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center. "The Sarver Family." https://heart.arizona.edu/about/sarver-family (Accessed March 2026)

11. NBA.com. "Suns To Refurbish 50 Basketball Courts Throughout Arizona." https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-refurbish-50-basketball-courts-throughout-arizona (2017)

12. Arizona Sports. "Suns announce $1 million grant to build, refurbish 50 basketball courts." https://arizonasports.com/story/1249155/suns-sarver-announced-1-million-grant-build-50-valley-basketball-courts/ (September 2017)

13. Inside Philanthropy. "Phoenix Suns Charities | Arizona Grants." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/southwest-grantmakers/phoenix-suns-charities (Accessed March 2026)