Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc
Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc is a Tucson, Arizona-based public charity that serves as the local coordinating entity of the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area. It supports projects that advance historic preservation, natural resource conservation, recreation, heritage tourism, and education in the region.
Key facts about Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc
In short: Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc gave $172K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in Arizona. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 83-4384170
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $171,938
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- Average grant
- $17,194
- Median grant
- $19,357
- Total assets
- $214,969
- Primary geography
- Arizona (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Deadline
- For the awards up to $25,000, the submission deadline is to be determined.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$215K
+180.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$172K
+2640.0% YoY
Grant Count
10
+900.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+174.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Alliance’s mission is to connect people to the historical and cultural foundations and living landscape of the Santa Cruz Valley and actively work toward its long-term stewardship. Its website emphasizes heritage education, voluntary preservation, cultural traditions, and conservation, and says it works with partners including private businesses, nonprofit organizations, governments, tribes, and individuals.
Its grant program supports projects aligned with the National Heritage Area’s themes. Listed themes include Desert Abundance; Bird Habitats & Migration Corridors; Native American Lifeways; Ranching Traditions; Spanish & Mexican Frontier; U.S.-Mexico Border Culture; and Community of Conservation & Creativity.
Among its 2024 grantees, Tucson City of Gastronomy described its mission as growing a sustainable desert community by supporting creative food cultures. Border Community Alliance described its mission as fostering education, collaboration, social advocacy, and cultural exchange between U.S. and Mexico border communities. Tucson Audubon Society described its mission as inspiring people to enjoy and protect birds through recreation, education, conservation, and environmental restoration.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Alliance reported 10 grants totaling $171,938. The grants ranged from $6,000 to $30,000, with a median of $19,356. Notable awards included $30,000 to Tucson City of Gastronomy for the Pueblos del Maiz Fiesta; $29,306 to Ironwood Tree Experience for youth education field trips; $20,746 to Border Community Alliance for educational heritage tours; and $20,119 to Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection for invasive species removal.
The Alliance’s website describes matching, reimbursement grants of up to $10,000 for shovel-ready projects completable in under 12 months. These are reviewed first-come, first-served while funding remains available, and require one expense reimbursement and a final report; additional reporting may depend on project complexity or timeline. It also describes competitive matching, reimbursement awards of up to $25,000 for larger projects that may take a year or more. That cycle is scheduled to open in April 2027, with the submission deadline to be determined. It requires quarterly progress reports, monthly expense reimbursements, and a cumulative final report. Past recipients may apply year over year, but may not have two awarded projects active at the same time.
Review Cycle
For the awards up to $25,000, the submission deadline is to be determined.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc
Ready to take the next step with Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Alliance is based in Tucson, Arizona. All grant dollars itemized for 2024 went to recipients in Arizona. Its website describes its work in the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $6K (2023) to $172K (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $172K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Tucson City of Gastronomy ($30K). Together the top 10 received $172K.
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 11 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson City of Gastronomy Tucson, AZ | Pueblos Del Maiz Fiesta | $30,000 |
| Ironwood Tree Experience Tucson, AZ | Youth Education Field Trips | $29,306 |
| Border Community Alliance Tubac, AZ | Educational Heritage Tours | $20,746 |
| Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protec Tucson, AZ | Invasive Species Removal | $20,119 |
| Friends of the Tubac Presidio Museu Tubac, AZ | Heritage Food Museum Exhibit | $19,971 |
| Tucson Audubon Society Tucson, AZ | Invasive Species Education Removal | $18,742 |
| Tucson Historic Preservation Fdn Tucson, AZ | Interpretive Media Natl Historic Trail | $9,634 |
| Sonoran Institute Tucson, AZ | Production of Living River Report | $9,420 |
| Stratford Artworks Tucson, AZ | Historic Rehabilitation | $8,000 |
| Tubac Nature Center Tumacacori, AZ | Wetland Restoration | $6,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $214,969 | $1,136,112 | $1,000,977 | $171,938 (10 grants) |
| 2023 | $76,665 | $365,412 | $376,379 | $6,275 (1 grant) |
| 2022 | $56,429 | $184,466 | $159,024 | 0 grants |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $214,969 | $76,665 | $56,429 |
| Revenue | $1,136,112 | $365,412 | $184,466 |
| Expenses | $1,000,977 | $376,379 | $159,024 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mary Dahl as president; Linda Mayro as vice president; Anita Badertscher as secretary; Richard Fe Tom as treasurer; and Lesley Kontowicz as executive director. Directors listed are Frances Villa, Robert Miranda, Laurinda Oswald, Cliff Wood, and Augie Garcia.
Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc is led by Mary Dahl, President since 2024 (on filings since 2021); none of the 10 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mary Dahl
President
Treasurer → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
2.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lesley Kontowicz
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Augie Garcia
Director
Director → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frances Villa
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Miranda
Director
On filings since 2023
0.9 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cliff Wood
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurinda Oswald
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Mayro
Vice President
Vice President → Director, 2023
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Fe Tom
Treasurer
Director → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anita Badertscher
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Jonathan Mabry (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Vanessa Bechtol (2021–2023) — President
- Former: Cara Planitz-Clatanoff (2022–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Bob Ochoa (2022) — Director
- Former: Bob Love (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 2602, Tucson, AZ 85702
Phone: (520) 906-2356
Website: https://santacruzheritage.org
Frequently asked questions about Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc
How much does Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc give each year?
Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc gave $172K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $6K across 1 grant.
What is Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc's typical grant size?
Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc's median grant in 2024 was $19,357, and its average grant was $17,194, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc give grants?
Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc gives mostly in Arizona: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tucson, AZ (7 grants) and Tubac, AZ (2 grants).
Does Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc's largest grantees?
Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Tucson City of Gastronomy ($30,000), Ironwood Tree Experience ($29,306) and Border Community Alliance ($20,746), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc?
Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc reported $215K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.1M.
What does Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc fund?
The Alliance’s mission is to connect people to the historical and cultural foundations and living landscape of the Santa Cruz Valley and actively work toward its long-term stewardship. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc?
Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check santacruzheritage.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc's EIN?
Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-4384170. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Tucson, AZ
The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona funds nonprofits through competitive grants and donor-advised funds, supporting general operations, grassroots groups, scholarships, and community initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,300 to $1,062,929, with a median of $20,000, and it primarily serves a seven-county Southern Arizona region. It accepts applications for competitive grant opportunities, including CORE Grants; donor-advised grants are recommended by donors.
Assets
$219.5M
Grants
346
Total Given
$11.8M
Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson Charitable
New York, NY
The foundation supports conservation and environmental work, arts, education, and charitable giving, with most 2024 grant dollars going to organizations in New York and others in states including Montana and Ohio. Its 28 grants ranged from $1,000 to $755,610, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.7M
Grants
28
Total Given
$926K
The Lubin Foundation Inc
Tucson, AZ
Assets
$56K
Grants
8
Total Given
$3K
Arizona Community Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Community Foundation funds nonprofits, schools, tribal entities, government agencies, and most religious organizations in areas including arts and culture, community development, the environment, health, and education. Its 2025 grants had a median of $17,760; most funding goes to Arizona, though it also awards grants nationally. Competitive grants require an online application during an open cycle; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,174
Total Given
$92.9M
Esjay Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Esjay Foundation supports preselected charitable organizations working in areas such as community services, food assistance, emergency response, worker protections, and advocacy. In 2025, it made 64 grants totaling $249,580; grants ranged from $20 to $40,350, with a median of $1,000, and the largest shares went to organizations in New York, Colorado, Washington, D.C., California, and Arizona. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.2M
Grants
64
Total Given
$250K
The Wisner Family Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$5.4M
Grants
7
Total Given
$197K
National Forest Foundation
Missoula, MT
The National Forest Foundation funds conservation, wildfire resilience, watershed and land restoration, recreation, and community stewardship benefiting U.S. National Forests and Grasslands. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to about $2.1 million, with a median of about $41,000; one 2026 program listed awards of $20,000–$50,000. Its programs are national, but projects must benefit National Forest System lands; applications are through listed competitive programs, and the information does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$96.2M
Grants
168
Total Given
$17.4M
Arizona Latin-American
Tempe, AZ
Assets
$916K
Grants
1
Total Given
$7K
Met Foundation Inc
Indianapolis, IN
MET Foundation supports organizations working in conservation, education, food security, community services, and local history, with most 2025 funding going to Indiana, Arizona, and Colorado. Its 85 grants ranged from $1,000 to $161,571, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.1M
Grants
85
Total Given
$1.4M
Norwell Fund
Big Timber, MT
Norwell Fund supports charitable organizations, with grants for purposes including tuition assistance and organizations’ charitable work; its recipients span several states, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Montana. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $12,000, with a median of $1,000. It contributes only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$984K
Grants
36
Total Given
$97K
Alfred and Harriet Feinman Foundation
Brooklyn, NY
The Alfred and Harriet Feinman Foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, including those focused on youth, children, libraries, immigrant advocacy, food assistance, and civil legal aid; most 2025 grant dollars went to New York organizations, with grants also reaching several other states and Washington, DC. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $77,676, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.3M
Grants
42
Total Given
$647K
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
More Funders in Arizona
Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?