Since 1993, the Medical Services Project has connected thousands of Arizona’s uninsured and underinsured children, whose families earn below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, with acute medical care. The program serves uninsured and underinsured children from low-income families which do not otherwise qualify for health care coverage. Without regular access to adequate health care, children may be unable to participate in class and are at risk for increased school absences. This can lead to poor academic performance and ultimately affect a child’s ability to succeed in school. Furthermore, untreated health conditions can become serious long-term issues. MSP works with health professionals, such as school nurses and community health providers, who refer these children to the program for primary and specialty care services including vision, audiology, dermatology and more, to receive care they may not receive otherwise. The program offers low-cost medical care through a network of generous partnering providers who believe that access to care for children should not be restricted to only those who have health coverage. These providers not only donate their time or significantly reduce their service cost, they also allow MSP to improve necessary access to care for as many children as possible. Funding from Thunderbirds Charities will allow MSP to help approximately 220 additional children in the Greater Phoenix-Metropolitan area access healthcare services and will improve program efficiency through additional school and provider recruitment, as well as technological support.

The Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

This grant is part of the Spring 2026 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.