August 18, 2025

Arizona Community Foundation Distributes $36.8 Million in Grants

News Summary

The Arizona Community Foundation has announced a distribution of $36,874,565 in grants and scholarships for the first quarter of its fiscal year, marking an increase of $11 million compared to last year. With over 1,672 grants awarded, ACF supports critical sectors such as health, education, art, and community development across Arizona. The foundation, established in 1978, emphasizes collaborative grant approval processes to ensure local needs are met.

Phoenix, Arizona – The Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) has announced a remarkable distribution of grants and scholarships, totaling $36,874,565, for the first quarter of its fiscal year, which spans from April 1 to June 30, 2025. This represents an increase of $11 million compared to the same period last year, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to philanthropic support across the state.

ACF’s funding efforts were facilitated through its six regional offices in Sedona, Cochise County, Flagstaff, the Gila Valley, Yavapai County, and Yuma, enabling the foundation to reach a diverse range of communities and organizations. In total, ACF distributed over 36.8 million across 1,672 grants, supporting various sectors critical to Arizona’s growth and well-being.

The grants and scholarships are categorized into five key areas of philanthropic impact:

Health Innovations

The largest portion, with $9.2 million, was awarded to 707 organizations and programs focused on health-related initiatives, healthcare provision, medical research, and human services. This funding comes at a crucial time as new changes to Medicare and Medicaid are being introduced under the Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Community Improvement & Development

$3.6 million was granted to 187 programs aimed at fostering community development, including initiatives focused on housing, neighborhood improvement, financial literacy, legal assistance, and crime prevention.

Environment & Sustainability

ACF committed $1.2 million to 108 organizations dedicated to environmental education, renewable resources, conservation efforts, and animal welfare. This category includes a partnership with the City of Phoenix for a water fountain installation designed to assist a community grappling with extreme heat conditions.

Arts & Culture

A total of $8.5 million was awarded to 157 cultural organizations across Arizona, emphasizing ACF’s dedication to the arts and cultural enrichment throughout the state.

Quality Education

The education sector received significant support, with $11 million distributed in scholarships and educational grants. Among these, $209,043 was specifically designated to help 141 students pursue higher education. ACF stands out as the largest independent provider of scholarships in Arizona.

Furthermore, during this quarter, 61 nonprofit organizations that have agency endowments managed by ACF received an additional $3.4 million in annual distributions.

Grant approval is a collaborative process within ACF, incorporating feedback from the Donor & Community Engagement Committee, along with community panels to ensure funds are aligned with the needs of local populations.

Established in 1978, the Arizona Community Foundation is recognized as one of the top 25 community foundations in the United States, managing over $1.4 billion in trust and endowment assets. Since its inception, ACF has awarded more than $1.5 billion to nonprofits, schools, tribal entities, and government agencies, showcasing its long-standing commitment to supporting Arizona’s communities.