Thunderbirds Charities has awarded Local First Arizona $90,000 to support Spanish-speaking and Black entrepreneurs’ success.The donation will go toward Local First’s business education programs Fuerza Local, Nivel Ejecutivo and We Rise.Thunderbirds Charities has invested about $620,000 in the Local First programs since 2017.“Thunderbirds Charities has been a steadfast supporter of Local First Arizona’s business accelerators. This investment will empower many Black and Hispanic Arizonans to open and expand small businesses, create new jobs and drive a strong economy,” said Local First Arizona Founder & CEO Kimber Lanning.The Fuerza Local Business Accelerator is a six-month training program for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs who want to level up their businesses. Nivel Ejecutivo is an advanced-level accelerator for Spanish-speaking owners and managers. We Rise Business Accelerator is a six-month training program for Black entrepreneurs.Each course was created with experts from these communities to ensure culturally relevant curricula. Classes cover a wide range of topics such as business models, financial literacy, licensing, customer service and networking, paired with a savings program to integrate business owners into mainstream banking and build credit scores.Since 2013, Fuerza Local’s Business Accelerator and Nivel Ejecutivo have graduated more than 1,100 entrepreneurs. The two programs have pumped more than $24 million new […] More

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (September 16, 2024) – Thunderbirds Charities, a long-standing supporter of Make-A-Wish® Arizona, has awarded a $60,000 grant to further the mission of granting life-changing wishes to Arizona’s wish kids. This significant contribution will fund the creation of the “Wish Mobile,” a co-branded SUV that will play a vital role in granting wishes across the state. Make-A-Wish Arizona will use the Wish Mobile to transport wish-related equipment, supplies, and materials to create unforgettable wish experiences for wish kids across the state. This new vehicle will be instrumental in granting nearly 150 of the more than 450 wishes granted annually. It will support wishes involving bedroom redecorations, backyard play structures, splash pads, adaptive medical gear, and physical therapy equipment. “We are incredibly grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for their ongoing support and generosity,” said Fran Mallace, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Arizona. “Their latest grant will enable us to enhance our wish-granting capabilities, creating more joyful experiences for our wish kids. The Wish Mobile will be more than just transportation; it will symbolize hope and joy for the children we serve.” Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable arm of the Thunderbirds, has a rich history of philanthropy in the Arizona community. Their commitment […] More

Thunderbirds Charities has given a grant award of $5,000 to support WHAM Teen Art Club.The WHAM Teen Art Club (Teen WHAM Art Program) is an inclusive program that welcomes all teenagers with an interest in art or a desire to learn about art. The program provides an environment for teens to explore their creativity and engage in various art projects. The meetings take place on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, in the WHAM Classroom at 16560 Dysart Rd, Surprise, AZ 85378.During these gatherings, WHAM artists lead creative art projects that allow the teens to express themselves and learn new artistic techniques. Recent projects have included Shrink Plastic Planter, Rock Pictures, Quilling, iPhone Photography, Rain Sticks, Woven Paper Bags, Mosaic Mirror, Clay Collage, Watercolor Cityscape, Recycle Show Art, Clay Boxes, and T-Shirt Painting. These projects offer hands-on experiences and are meant to be enjoyable for the participants.One of the primary goals of the Teen WHAM Art Program is to fill the void left by the lack of art programs in many area schools. By reaching out to local schools and teenagers, the program aims to raise awareness of its existence and provide […] More

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and a time to thank the Thunderbird Charites for their donation. POP is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is “To improve the quality of life for men and their families through education and early detection of Prostate Cancer. Marla Zimmerman CEO said, “We are so thankful to the Thunderbird Charities for their donation for POP to continue providing Prostate Cancer Screenings to men in Maricopa County and AZ. With 1-7 men being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer this 15-minute screening could save their life! This donation will provide free screenings to men who cannot afford one and continue this service!” All Sports Foundation Inc. This grant is part of the Spring 2024 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More

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one·n·ten, a leading organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth, announced today that it has received a generous grant from Thunderbirds Charities. The funding will be used to support essential youth center programs that provide a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. This grant will enable one·n·ten to continue providing vital services & programs at its Downtown Phoenix Youth Center. These programs include 2gether N Color, a group for BIPOC LGBTQ+ youth; The Wellness Collaborative, which focuses on holistic well-being & healthy life choices; The Zone, offering age-appropriate, medically accurate, LGBTQ+ inclusive, sexual health education; and partnerships with Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Brighter Way Dental Clinic, both of whom bring their mobile clinics to the youth center monthly. These programs & services are a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth who are navigating a world that can sometimes be hostile simply because they are LGBTQ+. “We are incredibly grateful for Thunderbirds Charities’ commitment to our mission,” said Sandra Foisy, one·n·ten Director of Youth Center & Satellites. “This grant will make a significant impact on the young folks by providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive.” one·n·ten This grant is part of the Spring 2024 cycle. View a list […] More

Thunderbirds Charities awarded $25,000 to Back to School Clothing Drive in 2024 in support of the nonprofit’s “New Clothes = New Beginnings” program. As a direct result of the funding, about 4,000 Title I students in kindergarten through 6th grade will receive the things they need to start school happy, healthy, and prepared to learn. Approximately 3,000 students were served over three full days in July at Grand Canyon University. More than 130 schools brought their students to a free shopping spree, where they selected new shirts, shorts, underwear, socks, sneakers, belts, and backpacks filled with school supplies. The students also received dental screening and a fluoride rinse, as well as a take-home oral care kit. Some older students participated in a STEM camp where they assembled a laptop they got to take home. All students selected two new books and two bookmarks from the book fair. The program served 600 students from military families at a similar event at Luke Air Force Base in June. The remaining 400 students will be serviced by the mobile component of the “New Clothes = New Beginnings” program over the course of the school year. “Thunderbirds Charities is dedicated to issues that affect […] More

This funding will enable a comprehensive renovation and repurposing of the existing Miracle League Field, a vital community asset that has unfortunately fallen into disrepair in recent years. Built in 2008, the Miracle League Field has provided countless memories and opportunities for community engagement. However, due to exposure to the harsh elements, the field and its facilities have significantly deteriorated. The new grant will enable the Maryvale Y to restore and enhance this cherished space. The renovation plans include grading the existing field and installing state-of-the-art artificial turf. To ensure safe use during Arizona’s peak sun hours, shade screens will be installed. The landscaping will be updated to create an inviting and functional environment. Additionally, the restrooms will be upgraded, as well as the concession stand, which will support the workforce development program by providing job readiness skills for youth ages 16-24, as they learn gain valuable retail and work experience. The vision for this renovation at Maryvale YMCA is to transform the large, unused space into a versatile outdoor play area. The upgraded field will serve the early learning center and school-age childcare programs and support various activities, including soccer, adaptive sports, t-ball, flag football, and kickball. “This renovation […] More

Phoenix, AZ – The Thunderbirds Charities provided $20,000 to OCJ Kids to help restore the dignity, hope and self-confidence that was stolen from girls after being shattered by pre-foster care abuse. Through the program, the girls receive help to cope with, and overcome, the impacts of past abuse; engage in life skills development activities to build their self-confidence and resilience; and participate in OCJ Kids’ post-secondary education, career planning, internships and other activities to help prepare them for a successful life after foster care. The program will take place in OCJ Kids’ Thunderbirds Charities Restoring Dignity Room. Additional program activities include providing the girls with undergarments that fit, as many experience pain by wearing items that are too small because their past abuse makes it difficult to ask for new ones; providing monthly cycle and hygiene products; cutting and styling their hair; teaching them about how to care for their bodies as they go through puberty and beyond; and engaging them in educational workshops, discussions and training activities to help them overcome the pain of abuse, improve their self-esteem, and develop resilience. The grant will provide all these services for at least 500 girls in 2024-25. “We are so grateful […] More

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ – Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale (BGCS) is excited to announce a generous $50,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities for the “Adding the A in STEM” program. The funding will be dedicated to the renovation of art rooms at the Vestar and Thunderbirds Branches facilitating comprehensive remodels, marking the first updates since the construction of these facilities. The art rooms at BGCS Thunderbirds Branch in the Grayhawk Community, built in 2001, and Vestar Branch in Desert Ridge, built in 2007, will undergo significant transformations in the coming weeks. Both spaces will receive new flooring, improved lighting, and a fresh coat of paint. Additionally, the renovations will include installing new storage solutions, tables, and chairs to create a more functional and inspiring environment for young artists. The Thunderbirds Branch will see a reconfiguration of its layout, including the removal of a sink in the center of the room, which will be replaced with a true art sink situated in a new location to enhance the room’s flow. Furthermore, new window tinting will be installed to allow for natural light while reducing sun glare, fostering a more conducive artistic atmosphere. BGCS CEO Ivan Gilreath expressed gratitude for the support, […] More

July 10, 2024 (Phoenix, AZ) – The Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy has been awarded a generous $50,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities for youth civic programming. Since 2017, the O’Connor Institute has presented Camp O’Connor to prepare Arizona’s youth for active citizenship through high-quality civics education. The O’Connor Institute’s youth programming includes Camp O’Connor USA, Civics Challenge, and the O’Connor Institute Ambassadors Civics & Debate Club. Camp O’Connor USA is a free, merit-based, week-long summer program providing interactivecivics education and leadership development for 7th and 8th graders. Our sixth camp took place in downtown Phoenix at the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, home of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute. Uniquely, Camp O’Connor participantsexperience civics in action, enhanced by field trips to the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of Arizona’s state government. With participants from Maricopa County and surrounding areas, the Institute was pleased to welcome their largest camp to date, 100 7th and 8th-grade students. In preparation for Camp O’Connor, middle schoolers are required to complete an essay assignment on the topic of civics. Camp applicants are also encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities such as performing arts, student government, and sports. Camp O’Connor also […] More

Our ARCHKids program provides year-round enrichment programs for children with special needs when school is not in session, including after school programming, full-day camps during seasonal breaks, and half-day camps during early release days. Working closely with community service providers, school districts and community transportation services, we serve 200 kids age 8 to 22 from all ethnicities and walks of life. The $20,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities will cover enrichment activity supplies and ensure that youth with special needs from low-income families will have access to supportive care when school is not in session throughout the year. Through our programs we aim to provide education and socialization opportunities to improve quality of life, enrichment programs to increase independence and personal safety and physical fitness activities to combat obesity and support health and well-being. ARCHKids Coordinator, Derrick Martinez, said “We are truly grateful for the continued support of the Thunderbirds Charities! With their generous contribution the ARCHKids Programs have thrived, as we strive to enrich the lives of all the children who walk through our doors.” ARCH’s Executive Director, Kip Murray, said “We are thrilled to be endorsed once again this year by Thunderbirds Charities. They are our heroes! Because Thunderbirds […] More

Project REWIND is an early-action program for youth experiencing mild problems associated with alcohol and/or other drug use. The goal of the program is to deter experimenters from becoming regular users and provide support to families. Participants explore how substance use impacts brain development, academics, relationships, stress, and emotions. A proactive approach increases connections, understanding, communication, and boundaries. Project REWIND is a strength-based family program for teens and parents to Rediscover Empowering Ways to Inspire New Directions. Through this funding, notMYkid will expand the early action program to serve more than 400 youth and parents in the Greater Phoenix area. The parent-child relationship is an important focus of prevention, as it is associated with a range of known risks and protective factors. Helping parents manage behavioral problems while supporting the development of a healthy parent-child relationship serves to bolster child resilience and prevent future substance use. “We are incredibly grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for their generous support,” said Kristen Polin, CEO of notMYkid. “This funding will allow us to reach more families with our proactive approach, providing them with the resources and guidance necessary to navigate the challenges of adolescence and prevent substance use before it starts.” notMYkid This grant […] More

Phoenix, Arizona – Phoenix Conservatory of Music (PCM) recognizes the impact of a $10,000 grant award from Thunderbirds Charities. This generous support allows PCM to provide scholarships to qualifying students for our College Prep Program (CPP). The College Prep Program offers youth ages 9-17 the opportunity to participate in weekly enrichment classes such as piano, sight singing, songwriting, audio production, and audition and interview preparation. PCM’s College Prep Program is a unique collaboration with Berklee College of Music’s Berklee City Music Network, one of 47 community music schools in the nation utilizing Berklee’s PULSE curriculum as a base for the College Prep Program. As the only Berklee College City Music Network site in Arizona, PCM is proud to provide CPP students with the ability to develop their skills through music while creating pathways for success. “PCM’s College Prep Program students have an 85% acceptance rate to top universities and have been awarded over $4.5 million in scholarships and counting,” said Regina Nixon, PCM’s Executive Director. “Our focus in the CPP is to provide an immersive and fun experience making contemporary music while exposing them to enrichment classes like music theory and music business, along with life skills such as collaboration, […] More

Phoenix (July 5, 2024)—St. Joseph the Worker (SJW), a leading Phoenix nonprofit organization committed to empowering unhoused, low-income, and other disadvantaged individuals with a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency through quality employment, has received a grant totaling $125,000 from Thunderbirds Charities. The funds will support the organization’s Employment Without Barriers program. “SJW’s partnership with Thunderbirds Charities and their financial support is vital to our community. Their contributions help sustain our free direct-hire employment program, Employment Without Barriers, which has offered comprehensive employment services for over 35 years. Through this program, SJW has helped more individuals secure quality paying jobs than any other workforce organization in Arizona,” said Carrie Masters, CEO of St. Joseph the Worker. “Our goal is to provide long-term solutions for our clients, empowering them to achieve independence and reduce reliance on government assistance.” “Thunderbirds Charities is proud to support the Employment Without Barriers program,” said George Thimsen, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “St. Joseph the Worker provides invaluable assistance to those in need, connecting them to quality employment opportunities. This program plays a crucial role in enabling individuals to rebuild their lives and provide a better future for their families.” SJW’s free Employment Without Barriers program provides employment […] More

Grant funding secured will primarily support Maggie’s Place‘s volunteers and staff engaging directly with mothers in our care. AmeriCorps volunteers work across our residential facilities to provide 24/7, hands-on support to mothers and their babies as they work through our program. Maggie’s Place has over 100 volunteers consistently helping the organization with administrative tasks, in the residential facilities, at events and during programs and services at our Family Success Center. Volunteer support will ensure that both mothers in our care and women who have successfully completed our program will have access to a variety of services, supplies and programs necessary to empower mothers to lead a life of self-sufficiency and independence. Maggie’s Place This grant is part of the Spring 2024 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More

These funds will assist the community-supported nonprofit’s mission to provide social, emotional, and financial support directly to families managing the health and well-being of a loved one with pediatric cancer. Through support from the community, the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children (ACFC) is able to provide financial assistance to families for medical, rent and travel expenses as well as immediate assistance through K9 therapy and counseling, birthday gifts, art classes, and all other expenses associated with a child’s cancer diagnosis. “When we offer financial assistance to families who need to repair a car, pay rent, or provide for funeral services, I feel deeply gratified to be a part of this organization,” says Ben Hayes, Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children Board Member. Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children (ACFC) This grant is part of the Spring 2024 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More

The Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council conducted a point-in-time count in January 2023, revealing that 9,642 people experience homelessness at any time.We sincerely appreciate the significant role Thunderbirds Charities’ funds play in the ongoing Saving Amy’s Rise Up program, making a difference in the lives of those we serve.When families and individuals leave the shelter, they often do so with their personal belongings in a garbage bag. The income from their new jobs barely covers the rent, making it difficult to achieve a secure home. The Rise Up program ensures families can stay home, creating a safe, stable environment and aiding their transition into society.Rise Up furnishes our families’ apartments and covers all moving expenses. Saving Amy pays for the first few months’ rent, utilities, furniture, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, kitchen supplies, food, and anything the family needs to make a house a home. This hand-up gives the families a feeling of permanence, reduces stress, and provides the resources to learn essential life skills.As families stabilize with secure jobs and can pay their bills without government assistance, they are ready to move to better neighborhoods with higher-performing schools, increasing their likelihood of success. Rise Up covers the cost of […] More

United Sound’s peer mentoring program offers musical opportunities to chronically underserved populations. Students with disabilities in 7-12 grade are often excluded from traditional instrumental music programs due to the large student-to-teacher ratio, which makes differentiating curriculum for individual students difficult or even impossible. United Sound provides current band and orchestra students, music teachers and special education teachers the opportunity and resources (training, specialized curriculum, flash cards) needed to step up and create more inclusive, empowering ensembles. Currently, 14 schools in the greater Phoenix area participate in United Sound’s peer mentoring program. This grant will allow us to expand our reach in the 24/25 school year and impact over 600 students! Participation in United Sound has the life-long effect of creating a huge body of people who will work better together and protect each other from discrimination and harm. This, above everything else, is the importance of our work. “I created United Sound after realizing that, as a band director, I was not well-equipped to serve students with disabilities and, after searching for help, realized it did not exist.,” said Julie Duty, Founder and Executive Director. “This grant will enable us to provide inclusive music education opportunities to even more students […] More

Advance Community (Advance) has been awarded a $35,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to support its I Choose Wellness program. Thunderbirds Charities is the charitable giving arm of The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open. The I Choose Wellness program, designed for under-resourced Latino youth in grades 4-8, offers culturally appropriate lessons on nutrition, physical activity, and oral hygiene. These lessons are designed to inspire youth to improve their health outcomes and address the high prevalence of obesity in their communities. By focusing on these critical areas, the program aims to instill lifelong healthy habits in young people, thereby fostering a healthier future for the entire community. The planned programming includes 10 series of eight sessions each, conducted at Title 1 schools and community centers in Latino communities throughout the Valley. “We are incredibly grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for their support,” said Jeri Royce, CEO of Advance Community. “This grant will significantly enhance our ability to provide essential health education and resources to the youth in our community. It will allow us to expand our reach and make a meaningful impact on the lives of many families with the ultimate goal of empowering at-risk youth to change their behaviors […] More

Phoenix, Ariz. – In a powerful act of generosity, Thunderbirds Charities has awarded a substantial $10,000 grant to the Center for the Rights of Abused Children’s Pro Bono Children’s Law Clinic. This significant contribution highlights Thunderbirds Charities’ commitment to supporting vulnerable children. “We are deeply grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for protecting children in our community with access to attorneys who advocate for their rights to a safe, loving home,” said Darcy Olsen, Founder and CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children. Approximately 10,000 children are in the custody of the Arizona Department of Child Safety due to abuse and neglect. The Center for the Rights of Abused Children provides free legal advice and representation to these vulnerable children. By guaranteeing vital legal protections, the Center improves their life outcomes by ensuring their safety, helping siblings stay together, providing stability and access to loving homes, offering counsel for children in group homes, and assisting runaway or trafficked children in finding safety and opportunities for education, housing, and employment. Thunderbirds Charities supports organizations that assist children and families and help people in need. “We are proud to support the life-saving work of the Center for the Rights of Abused […] More

Phoenix, AZ, July 8, 2024 — Best Buddies International, a nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce a generous grant of $25,000 from Thunderbirds Charities to further our mission of inclusion by supporting friendship programs. Best Buddies is built upon four key mission pillars: one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living. With the grant provided by Thunderbirds Charities, Best Buddies will focus on furthering our mission through creating an environment of inclusion and support through our School Friendship Project to ensure students with IDD are empowered to participate in everyday activities without the fear of being ostracized or bullied. This funding will support the existing 57 active elementary, middle, and high school chapters in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area, with plans to expand into 2 more school chapters this school year. This program will help people with IDD form meaningful one-to-one connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities with peers both with and without IDD.   “Thunderbirds Charities is […] More

Phoenix—Foundation for Blind Children (FBC) is excited to announce that it has received a $75,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities. These funds will support approximately 18 students in FBC’s Teen-to-Work program. Teen-to-Work is a 5-week summer residential program on the campus of Arizona State University that prepares teens to join the workforce and to live independently. Students are given instruction in everything from how to write a resume to how to cook their own dinner. “Thunderbirds Charities have been an amazing partner and have done so much to support our students’ success,” said Jared Kittelson, CEO of Foundation for Blind Children. “Across the country, 70% of blind adults are unemployed, but for FBC graduates, that number is now below 10%. Teen-to-Work is a huge part of that success.” Thunderbirds Charities was established in 1986 as the charitable arm of the Phoenix Thunderbirds. Its purpose is to grant funds generated by the WM Phoenix Open. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need, and improve the quality of life in our communities. Each year, Thunderbirds Charities solicits grant proposals that support at-risk youth and families, community outreach/quality of life, education, improving the lives of the […] More

A lack of computer technology, also called a digital divide, exists in families that live at or below the poverty line. An Equity through Education grant provided by the Thunderbirds Charities to non-profit College Bound AZ aims to change that story. The mission of the Arizona nonprofit College Bound AZ is to share the journey to college with aspiring underrepresented students through scholarships, guidance, and support resources for their advancement to a better life through education. “Laptops are more essential than ever,” says Gerald Paulus who mentors College Bound AZ alumni Elliott Aw studying mechanical engineering at Arizona State University. “We’re using graphing programs to complete homework assignments for calculus. A laptop is essential and must have a robust capability to help students succeed.” A laptop scholarship benefitted College Bound AZ alumna and Arizona State University student Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez, a 2024 Truman Scholar. With the help of the Thunderbirds Charities’ Equity through Education grant, students in College Bound AZ’s high school program can apply for a laptop scholarship and go to college better prepared. “The number of students with financial need increases every year,” says Lisa Rivera, College Bound AZ. “A laptop is very important, in fact it’s a […] More

Assistance League of Phoenix was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to support Operation School Bell®. The flagship program partners with schools across the Greater Phoenix area to provide low-income students with new clothing, shoes, and other essentials for the school year. “We are honored to have the continued support of Thunderbirds Charities as we work to address the needs of children in our community,” said Aimee Runyon, Chief Executive Officer, Assistance League of Phoenix. “Over the years, their generosity has provided wardrobe packages for thousands of children and supported their education. Teachers have told us how kids who visit the Delivering Dream Buses have gained confidence in their appearance and that it has also translated into confidence in the classroom.” Thunderbirds Charities formed in 1986 to distribute funds raised through the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament to organizations that assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area The Operation School Bell program works with more than 140 K-8th grade schools in the area, with school staff identifying eligible students for the program. Last year, 13,740 clothing insecure children were served. Recognizing transportation challenges that face underserved […] More

The Assistance League of East Valley just got a huge boost toward its goal of providing new school clothing for almost 8,000 elementary school students next year. Thunderbirds Charities has announced an award of $25,000 to Assistance League of East Valley for its signature program, Operation School Bell. Operation School Bell, Assistance League of East Valley provides new school clothes and hygiene kits to elementary school children in need in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe and Kyrene School Districts. Next fall about 6,800 students in uniform schools will be provided with three tops, two bottoms and a sweatshirt in addition to hygiene items. Almost a thousand students in non-uniform schools will receive a shopping trip to Target. The children are recommended by school resource officers. “We are delighted to include this level of funding in the over $208 million in charitable donations the Thunderbirds have made over the years,” said George Thimsen, President of Thunderbirds Charities. Assistance League of East Valley is an all-volunteer group that raises funds through its thrift shop at 2326 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, and through various events through the year. It is a chapter of a national nonprofit organization. “It is only through the help […] More

Kids Need to Read is the honored recipient of a $15,000 grant award from Thunderbirds Charities. The funds will be used to provide thousands of books and other reading resources to disadvantaged children via the Page Coach. MESA (June 14, 2024)–Kids Need to Read was the fortunate recipient of a generous $15,000 grant award from Thunderbirds Charities. This is the sixth year of funding Kids Need to Read has received from Thunderbirds Charities, which has provided over  $208 million of charitable donations to Arizona-based organizations over the years. The funds will be used to provide thousands of books and other reading resources to children living in low socioeconomic and rural areas of Arizona via the Page Coach, Kids Need to Read’s mobile conveyor of literary treasure. The Page Coach was selected for funding because of its ability to reach areas traditionally overlooked by many literacy programs, including remote areas where children sometimes live without electricity, running water, or the unfamiliar luxury of books. Kids Need to Read has also partnered with Thunderbirds Charities on occasion to provide books to other grantee programs. “ When people lament that children don’t read anymore, do they stop to consider whether those children have access […] More

The Thunderbirds Charities generous gift of $60,000 will support the Toddler Class with a new tot-sized playground and supporting fees for six children starting in August.  “The Desert Voices families, staff and Board of Directors are grateful to the Thunderbirds Charities for their unwavering support over several years that have given so many children a voice”, said Kristen Levi, Executive Director.   This gift will support the classroom activities and education for the enrolled Toddlers (two years of age).  “The class takes place in our auxiliary building where there is no playground.  The new playground will be steps from their classroom and the children will have greater opportunities to enjoy free play, explore and use their newly learned language to interact with their classmates”, Levi commented. Desert Voices This grant is part of the Spring 2024 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More

Tempe, AZ – The Centers for Habilitation (TCH) has received a secession grant from Thunderbirds Charities The grant will be utilized in our Actives Lives Program which provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities (our employees will benefit too) to participate in activities fostering healthy habits to improve physical and mental health. Our goal is for the entire TCH community to live long, happy, healthy lives and realize thier full potential.  We will achieve overall wellness through a multidimensional approach that includes; emotional/mental health, socialization, spiritual, and physical activity.  Funding from this request will go toward hiring instructors to lead fitness sessions such as, yoga, Zumba, and Tai Chi on campus; toward off-campus fitness activities like bowling and trips to Spofit/Ability 360; and toward our new clubs, include such activities as sports, hiking, and gardening. TCH provides a wide range of activities for all levels of abilities that are designed to increase communication, encourage a range of motion, provide sensory opportunities, increase confidence, provide an outlet for self-expression/creativity and increase independence. Our programs provide opportunities for our supported individuals to be embraced and accepted by their community.  Upwards of 120 supported individuals attend the TCH day program and/or live in a […] More

A West Valley domestic violence shelter that is one of the largest in the country, is honored to announce that it has been granted $250,000 for its capital campaign, which will directly aid the Single Suite Creation project. Grant funds will pay for renovation costs to convert current administrative office space into five single-occupant residential units, or Single Suites, for single survivors of violence. Each Single Suite will be fully furnished with space for a bed, closet for storage, and private bathroom. This space will also provide basic home and bathroom essentials. The goal of the new suites is to offer single occupants’ privacy and dignity, where they may finally find the respite and comfort they desperately need to start to heal. “We are thrilled that Thunderbirds Charities chose to help us create a profound impact on the lives of the survivors who stay at the shelter,” says Myriah Mhoon, CEO of New Life Center. “Not only did the Thunderbirds Charities help us with this project, but they have generously contributed to various other initiatives on our campus such as playground renovations. We can’t thank the group enough for their support and generosity.” The Thunderbirds Charities grant has pushed New […] More