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.
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Additional Resources
- Red Rock News: Arizona Community Foundation Awarded $37M in Grants
- Wikipedia: Community Foundation
- Red Rock News: Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona Opens Its Grant Cycle
- Google Search: Arizona Community Foundation
- Arizona Daily Sun: Arizona Community Foundation Grants $24,570 to Catholic Charities Community Services
- Google Scholar: Arizona Community Foundation Grants
- City Sun Times: Arizona Nonprofits Education & Health Care
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nonprofit Organizations
- Gila Herald: Arizona Community Foundation CEO Appointed to National CFLeads Board
- Google News: Arizona Nonprofits Education
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
