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LEO FOUNDATION
PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 204879525 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE B84 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · leofoundationusa.org
revenue
$282K
expenses
$346K
net assets
$394K
employees
0
program ratio
46%
mission · from form 990

THE ORGANIZATIONS PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO TRADITIONAL FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ENROLLED AT UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN ARIZONA.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Leo Foundation is a Phoenix-based nonprofit that provides scholarships, mentorship, and leadership development to Arizona university students. It supports students across diverse academic fields—including nursing, education, Christian studies, and STEM—with a focus on fostering future leaders through faith-centered values. The foundation has awarded over $6 million in scholarships to more than 4,500 students since its inception.

named programs · 8 · from sources

what they call their work

Fine Arts Scholarships
Includes SKW Play it Forward Music Scholarship and LEO Foundation Theatre Scholarship for students in music and theatre
Foster Youth Scholarships
Provides financial support to students with foster care backgrounds
LEO Foundation Christian Studies Scholarship
Supports students pursuing degrees in Christian studies
LEO Foundation Entrepreneurial Scholarship
For undergraduate students in business or entrepreneurship programs
LEO Foundation Nursing Scholarship
Includes the Joyce K. Smith Nursing Memorial Scholarship and BHHS Legacy Nursing & Health Related Scholarship for nursing students
LEO Foundation Scholarship
General scholarship for full-time undergraduate students at Arizona universities taking at least 12 credit hours per semester
Mentorship and Leadership Development
Programs that support student leadership, personal growth, and career readiness through mentoring
STEM Scholarships
Includes the Tiffany D. Mealman Women Excellence in Chemistry and Christian Character Scholarship and Evan C. Gary Memorial Scholarship for science and engineering majors
activities · 4 groups

what they do

  • Annual Scholarship Application Processing 1 activity
    • Accept annual scholarship applications for future academic years
      Receives applications for the LEO Foundation Scholarship and other programs for the 2026-2027 academic year between November 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, indicating an ongoing, cyclical scholarship award process.
  • Vocational & Technical Education Scholarships 1 activity
    • Scholarship Programs for Higher Education
      The LEO Foundation provides various scholarships to university undergraduate students, including those in nursing, education, music, theatre, chemistry, engineering, science, and pre-medicine. These scholarships support students pursuing academic degrees and athletic opportunities, with over $6M in scholarships connected to over 4,500 youth over 20 years.
  • Golf Talent & Career Development 1 activity
    • Support student-athletes through event partnerships and scholarships
      Partners in the Section 7 Event at State Farm Stadium, which has facilitated over $14M in higher education scholarships for student-athletes, and offers the Richard McCurdy Club Sports Golf Scholarship to current registered golf team members.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Administer scholarship programs for undergraduate students
      Offers multiple named scholarships totaling over $6M awarded to more than 4,500 youth over 20 years, supporting undergraduate, traditional ground campus students enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester across diverse fields including nursing, education, music, theatre, chemistry, engineering, and Christian studies.
    • Community Event Participation and Support
      The LEO Foundation participates in community events like the Section 7 Event at State Farm Stadium, which supports student-athletes and has facilitated over $14M in higher education scholarships from universities. The foundation also invests in community activities through financial assistance and in-kind donations.
    • Provide mentorship and educational support to Title 1 youth
      Supports youth from Title 1 schools through scholarship access and mentorship programs, helping them pursue higher education and career pathways.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$282K
Contributions & grants$273K97%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K1%
Other revenue$5K
expenses
Total expenses$346K
Program expenses46%
Admin / overhead37%
Fundraising18%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$159K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$438K
Cash$149K
Investments$289K
Liabilities$44K
Net assets$394K
Liquid reserves15.2 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +122.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MADELINE WINNEY CEO 40 $50K
board members · 4
  • JAMES MURPHY — PRESIDENT
  • JEFF LAKES — PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR
  • LORI LAKES — DIRECTOR
  • MICHELE SIMPHOUKHAM — TREASURER
relationships · 3

who they work with

  • Arizona Basketball Coaches Association, Inc. Partner — Supports the organization through financial assistance and in-kind donations.
  • Grand Canyon University Partner — Offers the Evan C. Gary Memorial Scholarship to students at Grand Canyon University.
  • Legacy Foundation Partner — Presenting partner of the Section 7 Basketball Team Camp