Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc logo

Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Tucson, AZ EIN: 83-4384170 Website

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

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

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

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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

1state

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.

States

Cities

TucsonTubacTumacacori

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K$200K0 grants2021 0 grants2022 1 grant2023 10 grants2024

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

Tucson City of Gastronomy: $30KTucson City of Gastronomy$30KIronwood Tree Experience: $29KIronwood Tree Experience$29KBorder Community Alliance: $21KBorder Community Alliance$21KCoalition for Sonoran Desert Protec: $20KCoalition for Sonoran DesertProtec$20KFriends of the Tubac Presidio Museu: $20KFriends of the Tubac PresidioMuseu$20KTucson Audubon Society: $19KTucson Audubon Society$19KTucson Historic Preservation Fdn: $10KTucson Historic PreservationFdn$10KSonoran Institute: $9KSonoran Institute$9KStratford Artworks: $8KStratford Artworks$8KTubac Nature Center: $6KTubac Nature Center$6K

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

11<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 11 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Tucson City of Gastronomy Tucson, AZPueblos Del Maiz Fiesta$30,000
Ironwood Tree Experience Tucson, AZYouth Education Field Trips$29,306
Border Community Alliance Tubac, AZEducational Heritage Tours$20,746
Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protec Tucson, AZInvasive Species Removal$20,119
Friends of the Tubac Presidio Museu Tubac, AZHeritage Food Museum Exhibit$19,971
Tucson Audubon Society Tucson, AZInvasive Species Education Removal$18,742
Tucson Historic Preservation Fdn Tucson, AZInterpretive Media Natl Historic Trail$9,634
Sonoran Institute Tucson, AZProduction of Living River Report$9,420
Stratford Artworks Tucson, AZHistoric Rehabilitation$8,000
Tubac Nature Center Tumacacori, AZWetland 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
Revenue
Expenses
$0$500K$1M$1.5M2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
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

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 25, 2024)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
  3. 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.

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