Arizona Community Foundation

We're honored to share a momentous celebration of Native American Heritage Month! Yesterday, the Arizona Indigenous Philanthropy giving circle gathered at the beautiful Taawaki Inn in Clarkdale to award grants to outstanding Native-led organizations making a difference in our communities. Congratulations to our grant recipients, Tonatierra Community Development Institute and Tutskwat Oqawtoynani Hopivewat, each receiving $10,000 to further their impactful work. Our deepest gratitude to AIP founders Barbara Poley and Jacob Moore, co-chairs Melissa Begay and Dr. John Molina, and to Desert Diamond Casino for their generous event sponsorship. We also thank the Burton Family Foundation for their matching grants that amplified our impact. We extend our sincere appreciation to Chairwoman Tanya Lewis and the Yavapai-Apache Nation for welcoming us onto their ancestral lands, where the Taawaki Inn stands as a testament to Indigenous collaboration, co-developed with the Hopi people. Together, we're building stronger, more inclusive communities across Arizona.

Check out this month's update from President & CEO Anna Maria Chávez!

What an inspiring morning as our President & CEO Anna Maria Chávez hosted local changemakers at our "Nonprofit Breakfast." We were honored to welcome incredible representatives from organizations making a difference: Franciscan Renewal Center, Circle the City, Horses Help, SOUNDS Academy, Power Paws Assistance Dogs, Herberger Theater Center, American Nonprofit Academy, Arizona Technology Council, Arizona Animal Welfare League, Ryan House. These organizations represent the heart of Arizona's nonprofit community. This is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we continue working hand-in-hand with our nonprofit partners to create lasting positive change across Arizona!

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At the Arizona Community Foundation, your gift is more than a donation—it’s the spark that ignites lasting change. Whether you’re driven to improve education, transform healthcare, protect the environment, or uplift communities, your passion can fuel real impact where it’s needed most. This is your chance to shape the future of Arizona. Together, we can build a stronger, brighter tomorrow—one gift at a time. Ready to be part of something bigger? Explore how you can give with purpose and make a difference: https://ow.ly/7Jrj50U3A1f

Big impact in Q2! ACF distributed $34.1 MILLION to nonprofits and charitable causes across Arizona. This funding is already strengthening our communities — from supporting local food banks and youth programs to driving economic development and environmental conservation. The generosity of our fundholders and donors is what makes this kind of transformative grantmaking possible. If you're looking to amplify your giving in Arizona, connect with us to find out how ACF can help. https://ow.ly/Gy5o50U2wfT

We had an incredible day at the 2024 Tax & Legal Seminar on November 1st! Hosted by ACF and co-hosted with the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix, the event brought together nearly 300 estate planning attorneys, financial planners, CPAs, and other professionals to explore how philanthropy can support their clients’ goals. Beth Shapiro Kaufman from Lowenstein Sandler LLP delivered a Washington Update, while Justin Miller from Evercore Wealth Management, LLC presented on The New Normal for Charitable Tax Planning. ACF President & CEO Anna Maria Chávez also shared how ACF connects donors with grantmaking opportunities, highlighting that ACF distributed over $109 million in grants and scholarships last year! Professional advisors—visit azfoundation.org/advisors to learn how you can help your clients make a better Arizona through ACF. Thank you to our partners, sponsors, and the ACF team for making this event a success. Let’s continue to collaborate and make an impact!

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across our state and the nation. Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized Native American tribes, each with unique traditions that have shaped the cultural landscape of the Southwest for centuries. Native American Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the legacy of the original stewards of this land and to recognize the importance of supporting and preserving their diverse cultures for future generations. Let’s join together in honoring the resilience and strength of Native American communities this November!

Earlier this week, ACF had the honor of hosting the Fidelity Charitable® Catalyst Fund Board of Trustees. They invited Anna Maria Chávez and other ACF team members to join them for dinner, where Anna Maria participated in a fireside chat with Jacob Pruitt, President and CEO of Fidelity Charitable®. Established in 1991, Fidelity Charitable® is the nation’s leading grantmaker, distributing an impressive $11.8 billion to charities in 2023. During the chat, Anna Maria shared insights into the critical issues impacting Arizona and discussed areas for future investment. ACF is proud to be a recipient of a $500,000 Fidelity Charitable® Catalyst Fund grant to support and grow the Philanthropy for All network of giving circles. On Tuesday, we had the opportunity to celebrate our Philanthropy for All Network of Giving Circles and showcase our work in front of our funder, the Fidelity Charitable® Catalyst Fund. The Circle Up event was a night of community building and learning. Donors from the Catalyst Fund joined us, providing a fantastic chance to network! Collective giving is transforming communities around the world. As groups come together to pool their resources, we're witnessing a shift in who gives, how we give, and what gets funded. Big thanks to Philanthropy Together, Philanos, Social Venture Partners Arizona and The Community Investment Network for partnering with us for Circle Up Arizona!

The Arizona Community Foundation is excited to announce that Bettina Nava has been elected to our Board of Directors! As a Partner at Nexus Strategy Group with deep expertise in communications and strategic planning, Bettina brings invaluable experience to ACF. Learn more about her impressive background and contributions to our community. Click the link to read more: https://ow.ly/lGwm50TV2QJ