We pursue our mission through grantmaking and programs in four areas:
Bioscience

Building Arizona as a global center for research and commercialization in the biosciences.
Flinn Scholars

Providing world-class undergraduate education in partnership with Arizona’s public universities.
A privately-endowed philanthropic foundation benefiting Arizona.
The Flinn Foundation was established in 1965 by Dr. Robert S. and Irene P. Flinn. Its mission is to improve the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations.
To achieve this mission, the Foundation aims to: advance Arizona’s bioscience sector; enhance undergraduate education for high-achieving students at the state’s public universities; elevate the fiscal and creative capacity of the state’s arts and culture organizations; and strengthen civic life and state-level civic leadership in Arizona.
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Providing no-cost meeting space to Arizona nonprofits.
The Flinn Foundation Educational Conference Center features two meeting rooms available to nonprofit member organizations closely aligned with the Foundation’s specific areas of interest in the biosciences, health care, education, civic leadership, and the arts. More about the Conference Center
NEWS AND UPDATES
Arts and Culture
State arts commission, philanthropies join national network of neuroarts advocates
Emerging field focuses on arts-based programming to enhance health and well-being Arizona has joined 10 regions across the U.S. as part of a new network exploring how the arts can be used to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. The Community Neuroarts Coalitions Network is a key building block of the […]
Flinn Scholars
Flinn Scholars engage with ASU star wrestler, 2025 Centennial Lecturer Anthony Robles
Flinn Scholars gathered in October for an inspiring conversation with Anthony Robles, NCAA wrestling champion, author, motivational speaker, and the 2025 Flinn Foundation Centennial Lecturer at Arizona State University. Before Robles delivered his public address for the ASU Centennial Lecture, an annual event funded by a Flinn Foundation endowment established in 1985 to commemorate the […]
Flinn
Remembering John Murphy
Video: John Murphy on Flinn at FiftyVideo: John Murphy celebrates 40 years of Flinn Scholars John W. Murphy, the Flinn Foundation’s first employee, who transformed philanthropy in Arizona as its president and CEO, died Oct. 22. He was 88. Murphy was instrumental in the creation of the Flinn Scholars Program and Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap among […]
Flinn
David Frazer, longtime Flinn board member, dies at age 96
David R. Frazer, who was instrumental in the creation of the Flinn Foundation 60 years ago and served on its board of directors for four decades, died Oct. 16 in Scottsdale. He was 96. As a prominent young tax attorney, Frazer drew up the original trust agreement that spelled out the nature of the Flinn […]

