Funding Amount

Over $140,000 in Round 1; total goal $1 million

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Annual
Tracked since
April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • Public and private school leaders

Other requirements

  • Teachers
  • System leaders
  • Families
  • Innovative community partnerships

Overview

A regional grant opportunity for Southern Arizona designed to develop and expand diverse portfolio of learning models and programs that meet every child's academic and social-emotional needs.

Background: Launched with long-standing track record of excellence and innovation in Southern Arizona. Collaborative effort with local champions including VELA Education Fund and Burton Family Foundation.

Funding:

  • Over $140,000 microgrant awards in Round 1
  • VELA Education Fund and Burton Family Foundation committed $500,000
  • Pima IDA and Community Investment Corporation dedicated additional $100,000
  • Goal: $1 million total for seed-funding
  • Potential to reach nearly 3,000 students in Southern Arizona

Geographic Scope: Southern Arizona region (Pima County area)

Focus Areas:

  • Teachers' bold ideas
  • Public and private school and system leaders' initiatives
  • Family-led solutions
  • Innovative community partnerships
  • Creative solutions to address K-12 education system challenges
  • Academic and social-emotional learning needs

Eligibility:

  • Teachers
  • Public and private school leaders
  • System leaders
  • Families
  • Innovative community partnerships

Key Features:

  • High-quality applications demonstrating bold ideas
  • Community-driven solutions
  • Proof point for future region-specific grant opportunities
  • Small models with big impact focus

How to Apply

Application Process

  • Specific application details not provided in source material

Available Resources:

  • ROUND 1 LOOKBOOK

  • ROUND 2 LOOKBOOK
  • Note: Contact A for Arizona directly for current application information and deadlines.

    What A for Arizona actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990, 2024 — the most recent filing with itemized grants

    Grants in 2024
    24
    Total given
    $13.05M
    Median grant
    $327K
    Range
    $14K–$1.85M
    • By dollars: Arizona 95%, Maryland 3%, California 3%. Top recipient cities: Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; Glendale, AZ.
    • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
    • 38% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

    Example grants

    • Western Maricopa Education Center · Glendale, AZ

      Innovative k-12 transportation options and education innovation

      $1.85M

    • Cartwright School District · Phoenix, AZ

      Innovative k-12 transportation options and education innovation

      $1.71M

    • Empower College Prep · Phoenix, AZ

      Innovative k-12 transportation options and education innovation

      $1.28M

    • Chinle Unified School District · Chinle, AZ

      Innovative k-12 transportation options and education innovation

      $1.25M

    • Laveen Elementary School District #59 · Laveen, AZ

      Innovative k-12 transportation options and education innovation

      $1.25M

    IRS Form 990, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    • K-12 schools
    • Education
    • Academic enrichment
    • Education equity

    Categories

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