Desert Financial Foundation Grants to Nonprofits

Geographic Scope: Arizona (statewide)

Award Amount: $7,500 - $15,000 per organization (26 nonprofits received $541,000 total in 2024; includes $8,500 bonus for 85th anniversary)

Focus Areas:

• Education - Early childhood education, tutoring, academic support, STEM/STEAM programs
• Youth Development - Boys & Girls Clubs, mentoring, after-school programs, youth services
• Workforce Development - Job training, career readiness, skills development for teens and young adults (ages 16-24)
• Financial Literacy - Training for underserved populations including women in poverty
• Child Welfare & Support Services - Grief support, arts programs for trauma-affected children, support for children experiencing homelessness, caregiving support
• Services for Vulnerable Populations - Refugee assistance, autism support, services for Native American communities

Geographic Focus

Grants awarded to organizations serving:

• Phoenix Metro area
• Maricopa County
• Flagstaff
• Prescott/Prescott Valley
• Yuma
• Tempe
• Scottsdale
• Mesa
• Glendale
• Rural Arizona
• Navajo, Hopi, and Apache nations

Eligibility Requirements

• IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Serve Arizona communities
• Focus on education, youth development, and/or workforce development
• Demonstrate clear community impact
• Use funds effectively for stated mission
• Formal application and review process

Special Features

• Two-Year Grant Cycle (New in 2024): Grant recipients who meet year one requirements automatically receive same funding in year two without reapplication
• Grant recognition ceremony held annually (August 2024 ceremony)
• Largest grant cycle to date in 2024 ($541,000 total including 85th anniversary bonus)
• 80% increase in giving from 2023 to 2024

Background

Desert Financial Foundation has provided more than $2 million to Arizona nonprofits through grants in the past decade. In 2024, 26 organizations were selected from formal application pool. Desert Financial Foundation was founded in 2017 to aid nonprofits in providing community services and support education.

Application Process

1. Obtain application from Desert Financial Foundation
2. Complete formal grant application including:
   • Organization background and mission statement
   • 501(c)(3) nonprofit status verification
   • Description of proposed program or initiative
   • Budget and use of funds breakdown
   • Expected community impact and outcomes
   • Organization's financial statements
   • List of board members
   • Proof of community partnerships
3. Submit application by specified deadline (contact for current deadline)
4. Application review by Desert Financial Foundation grant committee
5. Notification of funding decisions
6. Grant recognition ceremony (typically held in August)
7. Year-one grant completion and reporting
8. Automatic year-two funding if requirements met (under new two-year cycle)

Contact: Nina Tekwani, Director of Brand Communications / AVP of Brand Marketing
Email: press@desertfinancial.com
Phone: (602) 433-7000
Website: DesertFinancial.com/Community