Arizona Waldorf Scholarship Foundation

The Arizona Waldorf Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Tucson, Arizona. It is categorized under Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations. The foundation is dedicated to awarding tuition scholarships to students attending independent Waldorf schools in Arizona and other private schools that align with similar educational values.

Purpose and Activities

The primary purpose of the Arizona Waldorf Scholarship Foundation is to support students by providing financial assistance, enabling them to access Waldorf education despite financial barriers. The foundation operates under the Arizona Private School Tax Credit Program, leveraging this mechanism to fund its scholarships. It also partners with other organizations to facilitate educational opportunities.

Financial Overview

In recent years, the foundation's financial activities have been relatively modest. For example, in the fiscal year ending 2022, the total revenue was reported as $136, primarily from contributions[3]. In contrast, previous years have seen significantly higher contributions, indicating fluctuations in funding. The foundation maintains a robust asset base, which was valued at approximately $52,765 in 2023[1].

Leadership

Key personnel have included Amelia Jones as President and Lisa Swanson as Secretary, with no reported compensation for these roles[1][3]. Other officers have also served in leadership positions without financial compensation.

Grants and Awards

The Arizona Waldorf Scholarship Foundation awards grants and scholarships to partner organizations and students. Notably, in 2022, significant grants were made to the Institute for Better Education and the Tucson Waldorf Education Association to support future scholarships and tuition assistance[3].

Impact and Recognition

While the foundation operates on a relatively small scale compared to larger educational nonprofits, its efforts are crucial in supporting access to alternative educational models like Waldorf schools for financially disadvantaged students. Charity Navigator has awarded the foundation a 3/4 Star rating, reflecting its status as a reputable but smaller charitable entity[5].