T.W. Lewis Foundation

Who We Are

Our Purpose

The purpose of the T.W. Lewis Foundation is to help children and families in need, impact youth through Christian education, support civic minded causes in our community, strengthen America, and build God’s Kingdom.

Our Values

In both business and philanthropy, T.W. Lewis has always tried to adhere to these core values:
  • Honesty – Telling the truth, not cheating or stealing, being honest in all interactions.
  • Integrity – Showing consistent character in our words and actions by saying what we believe and doing what we say.
  • Hard work – Going the extra mile, voluntarily, to get the job done right and working with a sense of urgency.
  • Reliability – Making good on our commitments. Following up as expected. Being dependable.
  • Achievement – Setting goals, striving to improve and getting results.
  • Compassion – Understanding other people’s point of view by showing empathy, decency and kindness for others.

Our Purpose

The purpose of the T.W. Lewis Foundation is to help children and families in need, impact youth through Christian education, support civic minded causes in our community, strengthen America, and build God’s Kingdom.

Our Values

In both business and philanthropy, T.W. Lewis has always tried to adhere to these core values:
  • Honesty – Telling the truth, not cheating or stealing, being honest in all interactions.
  • Integrity – Showing consistent character in our words and actions by saying what we believe and doing what we say.
  • Hard work – Going the extra mile, voluntarily, to get the job done right and working with a sense of urgency.
  • Reliability – Making good on our commitments. Following up as expected. Being dependable.
  • Achievement – Setting goals, striving to improve and getting results.
  • Compassion – Understanding other people’s point of view by showing empathy, decency and kindness for others.

Our Values

Tom Lewis started his award-winning homebuilding organization, T.W. Lewis Company, in 1991, and in 2000, Tom and his wife Jan started the T.W. Lewis Foundation. Both the Company and the Foundation have been guided by Tom’s core values and underlying philosophy of treating people with respect, dealing honestly and fairly, being courteous and trustworthy, and keeping his commitments.

Our Values

In both business and philanthropy, T.W. Lewis has always tried to adhere to these core values:
  • Honesty – Telling the truth, not cheating or stealing, being honest in all interactions.
  • Integrity – Showing consistent character in our words and actions by saying what we believe and doing what we say.
  • Hard work – Going the extra mile, voluntarily, to get the job done right and working with a sense of urgency.
  • Reliability – Making good on our commitments. Following up as expected. Being dependable.
  • Achievement – Setting goals, striving to improve and getting results.
  • Compassion – Understanding other people’s point of view by showing empathy, decency and kindness for others.

Our Story

Tom Lewis started his award-winning homebuilding organization, T.W. Lewis Company, in 1991, and in 2000, Tom and his wife Jan started the T.W. Lewis Foundation. Both the Company and the Foundation have been guided by Tom’s core values and underlying philosophy of treating people with respect, dealing honestly and fairly, being courteous and trustworthy, and keeping his commitments.

Our History

Establishing T.W. Lewis

For over 20 years, T.W. Lewis Company earned a solid reputation for quality and customer satisfaction and was considered one of the best homebuilding companies in America.

The company built over 6,000 luxury homes and won many prestigious awards, including America’s Best Builder in 1998 and the National Housing Quality Gold Award in 2009.

Professional builder magazine

Finding Success

In recognition of the company’s consistent performance, Tom Lewis was the first inductee into the National Housing Quality Hall of Fame.

In 2012, the T.W. Lewis Company was sold to David Weekley Homes, a large private homebuilding company who shared the values of quality and outstanding customer service.

In 2020, Tom Lewis published his bestselling book, “Solid Ground: A Foundation for Winning in Work and in Life.”

For questions or more information about the T.W. Lewis Company or investments, email: info@twlewis.com.

Leaving a Legacy

T.W. Lewis Foundation currently supports over 30 local and national nonprofit organizations helping children and families in need, education, civic causes, and the strengthening of America.  Visit our ‘Grant Partners’ page for a current list of organizations the Foundation supports.

The Foundation has also provided college scholarships for over 200 outstanding students to attend some of America’s best universities.

Additionally, Tom and Jan made gifts to establish the T.W. Lewis Melanoma Center of Excellence at Banner Health and the Lewis Headache Center at Barrow Neurological Institute.

Tom and Jan Lewis not only contribute their treasure to worthy organizations, but also invest their time and talents by serving on various boards and working directly with the nonprofits to help guide them in expanding their impact.

Our Team

Thomas W. Lewis

CEO/Owner

Tom Lewis is the Founder, Owner and CEO of T.W. Lewis Company, a Phoenix, Arizona, based real estate investment company known for its quality and outstanding customer service in the homebuilding industry. T.W. Lewis Company, founded in 1991, has received numerous industry awards including America's Best Builder in 1998 and the National Housing Quality Gold Award in 2009.

Individual awards given to Tom include: Arizona Real Estate Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 1994, Arizona Business Leadership Award in 2006 and the Arizona "Good Scout" Award from Boy Scouts of America in 2007. He was also honored as a Significant Sig by the Sigma Chi Fraternity in 2007 and received the University of North Carolina MBA Alumni Merit Award in 2011. In 2013, Tom received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Professional Builder Magazine and the National Housing Quality Award Committee and was named the first inductee into the National Housing Quality Hall of Fame. In 2015, Tom was named to the University of Kentucky Hall of Distinguished Alumni, and in 2018, he received the Adams Entrepreneurial Pioneer Award from UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Tom received his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and his Master's in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a former Chairman of the Arizona Chapter of Young President's Organization and a member of World President's Organization and CEO International.

Bio

Steve Smith

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Steve manages grant distribution, evaluations, and activities to enhance the Foundation's overall core program areas.

Prior to joining the T.W. Lewis Foundation, Steve was the Director for the American Federation for Children, the nation's largest school choice organization, and was nationally recognized for helping bring universal school choice to Arizona and throughout the country.

In 2010, Steve was elected and became one of the youngest Senators in Arizona's history. He served in the Legislature for 8 years and was the Chairman of the Commerce and the Public Safety and Military Committees. Steve was ranked as the #1 Legislator in Arizona and was widely recognized for his work in balancing the state budget, protecting the rights of families, and supporting our military and first responders.

Bio

Dana Fingleton

Executive Assistant to Tom Lewis

Dana Joined T.W. Lewis in August of 2017 as Executive Assistant to Tom Lewis. Dana has a diverse professional background, including in-depth experience in supporting C-Suite Executives, Outside Sales, Marketing, Project Management and Property Management. Dana holds a B.S. in Marketing from Arizona State University.

Bio

Alan Peril

Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Alan assists in the Company's operational, investment, and philanthropic endeavors.

Alan has served in executive finance and operating roles in the areas of family wealth, real estate, private and publicly traded financial investments, tax, estate, and philanthropy. He has also served as a senior executive for public and private real estate companies, assisting in acquiring, financing, entitling, developing, managing, and disposing of over $1 billion single family, multifamily, commercial, and land assets.

Alan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Southern California, serves on the Board of the Arizona chapter of Financial Executives International, the Advisory Board of the Phoenix Diocese of St. Vincent de Paul, and is a former CPA and licensed real estate agent in the state of Arizona.

Bio

Michelle Arndt

Senior Grant Director

Michelle joined T.W. Lewis Foundation in August 2021 as the Foundation Coordinator. In her role, she coordinates the Foundation's activities, participates in annual business plan preparations, manages the grant process including applications, agreements and reporting from grantees. She also represents the Foundation in the community by attending meetings, site visits and events.

Prior to working at T.W. Lewis Foundation, Michelle worked at the Arizona Community Foundation for 9 years, her most recent role was as Senior Philanthropic Advisor. She managed a portfolio of over 150 donors, working with them to fulfill their philanthropic endeavors and manage their funds. Michelle has worked in the Arizona nonprofit sector for over 20 years and is extremely familiar with local, national and international nonprofit organizations.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, with a minor in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University. In addition, she is a designated Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) through the American College of Financial Services. Michelle serves on the Board of Directors of Helping Hands for Single Moms and is a member of 100+ Women Who Care philanthropy group.

Bio

Jamie Womack

Office Manager

Jamie joined T.W. Lewis Foundation in April 2023 as the Office Manager. In her role, she organizes daily office functions, assists in the grant process, and provides overall support to the team where needed. Jamie holds a B.S. in Sociology from Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City.

Bio

"To truly be successful, we need to continue to pursue worthy ideals in all facets of our lives, including personal, family, friendships, and career."

Tom Lewis
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