Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation – General Grants Program (2026)

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Basketball-Inspired Grants Supporting Youth and Families in Arizona

The Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation provides grants to Arizona-based nonprofits using basketball as a platform to strengthen communities and support youth and families. With awards typically ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, this is a strong opportunity for organizations delivering sports-based or youth-focused programming.

Organization: Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation
Support Type: Grants (programmatic funding)
Geographic Focus: Arizona

About the Funder

The Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation leverages the power of basketball to bring communities together and create meaningful opportunities for youth. Since its founding, the foundation has distributed over $45 million to nonprofits across Arizona, focusing on equity, access, and community connection.

What This Program Supports

The foundation funds basketball-inspired programs that serve youth and families across Arizona.

Funded programs must:

Use basketball as a platform for engagement
Provide meaningful resources and support to communities
Focus on youth (ages 18 and under) and/or families
Promote inclusion and community connection

Eligible Support Types

Programmatic grants for basketball-related initiatives
Youth development and community-building programs

Eligibility & Requirements

Applicants must:

Be an Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit for at least 3 years
Serve youth (18 and under) and/or families within Arizona
Demonstrate financial accountability (Form 990, audited financials, W-9)
Have a clear non-discrimination policy
Use basketball as a core component of programming

Additional guidelines:

Only one application per organization per year (July–June cycle)
Must serve residents within Arizona

Ineligible Requests

The foundation does not fund:

National organizations without Arizona chapters
Political or legislative activities
Programs outside the U.S.
Grants to individuals, summer camps, or animal welfare
Programs that do not incorporate basketball

Funding Amounts

💰 Typical Range: $10,000 – $100,000
📌 Most commonly awarded grants are $10,000–$15,000

Timeline & Review

📅 Rolling, multi-step application process
📅 Review Timeline: Up to 6 months for final decision

Application Steps:

Eligibility Verification
Basketball Initiative Overview
Internal Review (invitation to proceed)
Full Application + Video Submission

Application / Request Process

Applications are submitted through the foundation’s online portal.

Applicants should:

Clearly demonstrate how basketball is central to the program
Highlight measurable outcomes for youth and families
Prepare for a multi-step process, including a video component

Apply / Learn More:

➡️ https://www.nba.com/suns/foundation/grant-application/

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for organizations that:

Serve youth and families in Arizona
Use sports (especially basketball) as a core engagement tool
Can demonstrate measurable community impact
Are prepared for a more involved, multi-step application process

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Multi-step, highly competitive
Typical Lead Time: Plan 3–6 months ahead
Best Suited For: Arizona nonprofits with sports-based youth programming

New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.