Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children Receives Incredible Grant from Thunderbirds Charities
The Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children (ACFC) Improving Lives Impacted by Pediatric Cancer Program includes Assistance (resources, financial and other support), Sunshine (comforting items for children entering chemotherapy and respite activities), Therapy (therapy dog visit, individual or family counseling), and End of Life services (financial assistance for the funeral services and end of life expenses). ACFC collaborates with social workers from Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Cardon Children’s Medical Center, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, and Diamond Children’s Medical Center to refer families for our services. The hospital social worker verifies the family’s eligibility for services (they have a child receiving treatment for pediatric cancer and are in need), helps the family complete the application, and then submits the application to ACFC on behalf of the family. ACFC strives to provide assistance within 24 hours of receiving the application. ACFC believes the overall financial and emotional stability of a family will determine the state of health and hope for their loved one battling cancer and that by providing support, we can improve the lives of children diagnosed with cancer and their families. ACFC plans to support 200 Arizona families battling pediatric cancer in 2021. Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children This grant is part […] More
Thunderbirds Charities and AZ StRUT Team Up to Bridge the Digital Divide
Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology (AZ StRUT) is honored to announce that we have been awarded a $25,000 grant by Thunderbirds Charities to support the expansion of our Techie Camps. With this generous grant, we plan to reach more high need families and students in our hands-on computer training Techie Camps in Maricopa and Pinal counties. Each student will receive a refurbished computer to take home once they complete the Techie Camp. Techie Camps were started to facilitate hardware education and to distribute refurbished computers to Title I students in a meaningful, hands-on approach. Most students get their first home computer from AZ StRUT and know how to troubleshoot and maintain it. Tom Mehlert, AZ StRUT Executive Director adds, “We continue to expand our Techie Camps. Last year we added virtual camps and this year we are adding community events. “AZ StRUT is grateful for this critical support at a time when the digital divide has become another barrier to equity in education and daily life. AZ StRUT This grant is part of the Spring 2021 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More
Thunderbirds Charities Supports Expansion of ICAN with $50,000 Grant
Generous support from Thunderbirds Charities will support ICAN’s Positive Youth Development Program – a prevention-focused out-of-school time program with carefully structured activities that teach youth empathy, communication, emotion-management, coping skills, decision-making, social competence, self-regulation, and positive goal setting. Youth also benefit from academic assistance, mentoring, computer skills, STEAM activities, sports and recreation. ICAN expanded to serve more youth in the midst of the pandemic, opening two new sites at Galveston Elementary and Hartford Elementary. The expansion allows the opportunity for ICAN to bring the program directly to youth, at their schools. This also frees up much valued space at ICAN’s main facility to allow more youth to enroll in the high-demand program. Future plans include a fourth site and adding transportation service from additional title 1 schools to the main campus. “The pandemic brought to light the critical need for free, quality childcare for working families,” stated Shelby Pedersen, ICAN CEO. “Our program is keeping parents employed and is supporting the academic and social emotional needs of a vulnerable youth population. Thunderbirds Charities commitment is essential in helping us grow to reach more youth.” ICAN This grant is part of the Spring 2021 cycle. View a list of all Recent […] More
Thunderbirds Charities Grants Hope Women’s Center $20,000 for Their “Hope Heals” program
Mental health issues have increased due to the Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing protocols that have been in place for the past year. Hope Women’s Center is responding to this problem with their “Hope Heals” program, and thanks to a grant award from Thunderbirds Charities, HWC can provide mental health support to women and teen girls in Arizona’s underserved communities. “Isolation, abuse, and job loss have led to increased anxiety, depression, and distress in the women we serve. We launched our ‘Hope Heals’ program last October to provide free crisis counseling, trauma assessment and support,” says Tammy Abernethy, CEO of Hope Women’s Center. “We are so grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for this grant allowing us to provide a therapeutic level of care within the safety and familiarity of Hope Women’s Center.” Women are referred to the Hope Heals program by center staff. All crisis counseling and crisis counseling support groups are provided to clients without cost or restriction. Gaps between community need and community care are large in underserved neighborhoods, particularly in the areas of mental and emotional health. By providing care for free through the “Hope Heals” program, Hope Women’s Center is bridging those gaps. Hope Women’s Center This […] More
Thunderbirds Charities Awards $25,000 Grant to Kids Need to Read
Kids Need to Read was the fortunate recipient of a generous $25,000 grant award from Thunderbirds Charities. The funds will be used to provide over 60,000 disadvantaged children and their families with vital access to books, interactive literacy events, bilingual educational materials, and family reading relief packages 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 throughout Arizona traditionally overlooked by many literacy programs, including low socioeconomic and remote areas where children sometimes live in so-called “book deserts”: neighborhoods and school systems so severely devoid of books and other reading materials that, without intervention, the cycle of illiteracy stands little chance of being broken. “Ensuring that children have access to books is vital to breaking the cycle of generational illiteracy that exists in many impoverished areas of the state,” said Kids Need to Read co-founder Denise Gary. “The Page Coach makes it possible to deliver books to children living in areas where the need is greatest. We believe that books can provide children with the ability to dream of a life beyond their current challenges and to follow those dreams.” Together, Kids […] More
Thunderbirds Charities Awards Duet $37,000 Grant to Expand Bilingual Services to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
In Arizona, more than 64,000 grandparents are raising their grandchildren as kinship caregivers. Of these grandparents, 41.6% are of Hispanic/Latino origin and English is not their primary language, according to Grandfamilies.org. For years, Duet has provided grandparents with resources, respite, and support to care for these “grandfamilies.” Now, thanks to a generous $37,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities, Duet will be able to serve even more grandfamilies through a new pilot program and the hiring of a bilingual social worker to help families stay together and keep children out of the foster care system. “The pandemic has been hard on all of us, especially grandparents raising grandchildren, many of whom are vulnerable seniors that must juggle their own health and wellness while also taking care of the needs of the children in their care,” says Patricia Dominguez, kinship care services director at Duet. “Many of these grandparents are underserved and Spanish speaking—and may have a hard time accessing resources—so we are thankful for the grant from Thunderbirds Charities as it will allow us to help more grandfamilies in need.” Duet’s grandparents raising grandchildren program offers support for grandparents raising grandchildren through free-of-charge support groups, legal guidance and assistance, funds for extracurricular […] More
Children’s Museum of Phoenix Receives $35,000 from Thunderbirds Charities in Support of Children’s Garden and KIDchen Programming
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is excited to announce that Thunderbirds Charities has awarded the Museum $35,000 in support of the Museum’s Children’s Garden and KIDchen Programming. The programs are designed to provide nutrition and healthy food education to children from an early age, incorporating fun and educational activities to teach youth how to grow and cook fresh produce. The Museum provides engaging projects, exhibits, and programming for young children and their families, while educating parents and caregivers about child development and parenting techniques. Programs crafted to instill healthy and nutritious living are fundamental to this holistic approach, equipping children and families with the knowledge and tools for improved wellbeing throughout life. During 15-20-minute classes in the Garden, children learn about various plants, fruits, and vegetables, the life cycles of a seed, the process of maintaining a garden, what plants need to grow, and the farm-to-table process. The Garden curriculum educates youth about STEAM topics, teaching the science behind successful gardens and how to be a steward of sustainability. Children can participate in guided play through these classes or experiment in the Garden independently. Harvested produce from the Garden is used in the KIDchen, where guided nutrition and cooking classes […] More
Harvest Compassion Center Receives Grant from Thunderbirds Charities to Continue Feeding and Serving the Valley
The Harvest Compassion Center (HCC) is pleased to announce it has received a $30,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities. These funds will support the mission of the Harvest Compassion Center West Phoenix to provide free food, clothing, hygiene, and baby items to local families who live in the Valley. In partnership with Thunderbirds Charities, Harvest Compassion Center West Phoenix welcomes anyone living in Arizona to visit once every 30 days to receive a free shopping trip in their one-stop shops. Families receive recyclable grocery bags, shopping carts and personal shoppers as they are welcome to choose their needed and desired grocery and clothing items. HCC locations provide choice and dignity as well as, fun kids play-corners for families to enjoy while shopping in what they call “Food Banking Reimagined.” HCC, serving the Valley for the past 11 years, currently has three locations in West Phoenix, North Phoenix and Maryvale and has served over 60,000 families! HCC first opened its’ doors to the public in memory of one 23-year-old brother and son, Mitch Swaback. Through one family’s loss, the desire and mission to serve the underserved in Phoenix was born. If the HCC can continue showing guests love through service, our hope […] More
Thunderbirds Charities Support Girl Scouts’ Social Impact Programs with $50,000 Grant
Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable giving arm of the Thunderbirds – hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open presented by Ak-Chin Indian Community– recently awarded $50,000 to Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC). This gift, made possible by corporate partners and golf fans who attend the WM Phoenix Open each year, will support the Council’s Social Impact programs addressing the needs of at-risk youth. GSACPC Social Impact programs are designed to reach girls who may not otherwise have access to Girl Scouting. They operate as early intervention programs and empower girls–who face challenges outside of their control–to break cycles of poverty, incarceration, abuse, and other issues and realize their full potential. Social Impact Girl Scout troops create a supportive and safe space for girls in shelters, correctional facilities, refugee communities, schools with high poverty rates, and group homes. “We are deeply grateful to the Thunderbirds Charities and their longstanding support of our efforts to ensure all girls have access to the life-changing experience of Girl Scouting,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of GSACPC. “Girl Scouts overcome barriers by building their confidence, creativity, and resilience in an environment where they can explore freely, expand their perspectives, and discover the unimaginable. And our supporters play […] More
Be A Leader Foundation Awarded $50,000 by Thunderbird Charities
Be A Leader Foundation is proud to announce that it has been selected as a 2021 Thunderbirds Charities grantee. The Foundation was awarded a $50,000 grant to help support its Pipeline of College Access and Postsecondary Success programming making the dream of higher education a reality for thousands of Arizona students. “We’re heavily invested in the continued success of young people in our communities,” said Scott Jenkins, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “We’re thrilled to be able to provide the necessary tools young adults need to explore higher education and the life-long benefits it affords.” Be A Leader is delighted to be included in the charitable donations Thunderbirds Charities have made to organizations across the Valley over the years. “We are honored to partner with Thunderbirds Charities again this year,” said Melissa Trujillo, President/CEO and Co- Founder of the Be A Leader Foundation. “This investment will continue to allow us to provide thousands of Arizona students with the tools, resources and mentoring to pursue a higher education.” Be A Leader Foundation This grant is part of the Spring 2021 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More
Soldier’s Best Friend Receives Grant from Thunderbirds Charities
Soldier’s Best Friend (SBF) is the proud recipient of a recent grant award from Thunderbirds Charities. Funding will support SBF’s Service/Therapeutic Companion Dog Training Program. “Support from Thunderbirds Charities allows us to continue providing services to our veteran/dog teams throughout the state of Arizona. This generous funding supports our ongoing commitment to offer our programming at no cost to veterans living in Arizona with combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), while also providing loving homes and important missions to rescued dogs. The impact on our veterans, their families, and communities can be profound. With a fully trained Service Dog our graduates often share that they can re-engage in public activities not only with their families but in their communities as well.” said Katie Ares, Executive Director. Founded in 2011 by Dr. John Burnham, Soldier’s Best Friend is proud to celebrate its 10th Anniversary this year. To date, 302 veteran/dog teams have graduated from Soldier’s Best Friend’s Service/Therapeutic Companion Dog Training Program and over 183 dogs have been rescued from shelters across the state of Arizona. Soldier’s Best Friend This grant is part of the Spring 2021 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More
Thunderbirds Charities Awards $50,000 to USO Arizona to Support Military Members and Their Families
On June 25, Thunderbirds Charities presented USO Arizona a check in the amount of $50,000 to bolster the program which supports U.S. military service personnel and their families in Arizona. The check presentation ceremony took place at Arizona National Guard Headquarters near Papago Golf Club in Phoenix as part of a larger BBQ lunch event which honored and thanked numerous active guardsmen and their families. USO Arizona works to provide morale-boosting and family-strengthening programs to the more than 50,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, Coast Guardsmen families who call Arizona home. USO Arizona has centers in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and downtown Phoenix, and a team of more than 250 volunteers and staff who help implement this valuable programming across the state. In 2020, USO Arizona impacted more than 156,000 service members and families. The Thunderbirds have cultivated a strong connection to our nation’s military service personnel over the years. Each year as hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, The Thunderbirds extend free admission to all active and retired military personnel, as well as free food and drink at the Birdies for the Brave Patriots Outpost. Thanks USO Arizona for all that you do for our military and their […] More
Showering the Streets with Love
Cloud Covered Streets is a 501c3 nonprofit that built a mobile shower/laundry trailer to provide services to those experiencing homelessness. Every individual we serve receives a new pair of underwear, new shirt, new pair of socks, and after their shower receives a bag of toiletry supplies. We also hire those experiencing homelessness to help run our unit. The grant for $10,000 that we have received from Thunderbirds Charities will allow us to help in these aspects. Our goal is to bring hope to those experiencing homelessness and let them know that we care about them. Cloud Covered Streets This grant is part of the Spring 2021 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More
Thunderbirds Charities Awards $120,000 Grant to Special Olympics Arizona
Thunderbirds Charities, hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, recently awarded Special Olympics Arizona $120,000 to help support and fund its “Return to Activities” initiative coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Special Olympics Arizona has only hosted a few in-person events since the pandemic shut down programming in March of 2020, but is planning to bring back its year-round sports training, competitions and support programs starting this Fall, including its Phoenix Breakfast With Champions in September and Fall Games in October. “In-person competition is incredibly important to Special Olympics Arizona and we’re obviously thrilled to help bring these athletes back to the playing field after what has been an extremely tough year,” said Scott Jenkins, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “The Thunderbirds and Special Olympics Arizona have a longstanding relationship and we’re very proud to continue our support of the organization and their athletes who give it their all every chance they get.” Fundraising was extremely limited this past year, and this grant from Thunderbirds Charities will help financially support SOAZ and its athletes as it prepares to safely return to in-person activities, programs and competitions. It also will help SOAZ expand opportunities to empower the Arizonans with intellectual and/or developmental […] More
Hushabye Nursery Grand Opening
Addiction steals the dignity and freedom of the individual, splinters families, and threatens the safety of our communities. Hushabye Nursery is thankful for the generosity and support of Thunderbirds Charities. Thunderbirds Charities has provided Hushabye Nursery $100,000 in support of our grand opening and programming. In November 2020, Hushabye Nursery opened its doors and began offering an innovative and trauma-informed medical care model created by nurse practitioners to treat infants experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Hushabye Nursery is a 12-room inpatient detox nursery customized to treat babies born with NAS which also provides intensive outpatient family services as part of prenatal and postnatal continuous care. This integrated, comprehensive approach is the first of its type in Arizona and only the third in the nation. Our service model focuses on prevention and intervention strategies fostering health equity. Our team is committed to excellence and using evidence based best practices. Our services are available to any Arizona family experiencing substance use disorder no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they make. Hushabye Nursery creates improved outcomes for babies, families, and the community by increasing access to quality care, reducing health care costs, and creating a more equitable […] More
It Starts with Junior Golf – JGAA’s Thunderbird Invitational
The game of golf is extremely important to the State of Arizona, and with roughly 200 golf courses in the Phoenix area alone, the game is a defining feature of the Valley of the Sun. The Thunderbirds – hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open – are obviously extremely familiar with golf, using the game to raise millions of dollars for charity each year from the proceeds generated from one of the PGA TOUR’s most iconic stops. The Thunderbirds aren’t only interested in the world’s best players who tee it up at TPC Scottsdale each year for “The People’s Open”. The game of golf can only grow through participation of youth who enjoy the game, which is why The Thunderbirds have sponsored the Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) for decades, and proudly support one of the JGAA’s largest annual events – The Thunderbird Invitational. “As a Thunderbird, our main fundraiser is the Waste Management Phoenix Open, but it really starts with junior golf,” said Alex Clark, Thunderbird and JGAA board chairman. “The game of golf is the greatest connector of all and were so fortunate to be involved.” JGAA Executive Director Scott McNevin echoes Clark’s sentiments about the game […] More
Thunderbirds Charities Awards Zion Institute $80,000 to Expand Its Early Childhood Education Excellence Model in South Phoenix
Thunderbirds Charities awarded the Zion Institute $80,000, funding the replication of its quality educational childcare model. This allows low-income families access to the same level of service private preschools provide. “Zion’s approach reaches beyond childcare, equipping children for entering school, focusing on the holistic health of each family to foster an improved quality of life,” said Zion’s founder and CEO, Shawn Pearson. A twelve-month pilot of Zion’s Preschool Excellence TM model has empowered a startup preschool to become a Quality First, financially sustainable organization. As a result, Zion Early Learning Academy (ZELA) is now in the process of purchasing its building and land. “Quality, accessible early childhood education is an essential facet of an equitable and prosperous community,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “This model, combining the Zion Institute’s expertise with cross-sector community support, will not only benefit South Phoenix families for generations to come but will bring cascading benefits for our entire city.” Funding from Thunderbirds Charities will support the launch of Life Changers, the next preschool implementing the Preschool Excellence TM model. In honor of the gift, Life Changers preschool space will be named “The Thunderbirds Imagination Learning Center.” The Phoenix Police Department and OpenTable are partners with […] More
Teach For America Phoenix Launches Innovative Education Response to COVID-19 with Support from Thunderbirds Charities
Thanks to the generous support of Thunderbirds Charities, Teach For America Phoenix’s Innovative Response to COVID-19 project has been able to transform our teacher learning and development program to prepare teachers for effective distance learning, accelerating student academic and personal growth in Arizona. Support from Thunderbirds Charities will directly impact our Teacher Support Team by allowing more frequent 1:1 virtual support for teachers and a differentiated approach to coaching through customized professional development opportunities. Teach For America Phoenix Executive Director, Katie Tennessen Hooten says, “Teach For America Phoenix’s Innovative Response to COVID-19 will continue to expand educational opportunities in Arizona, and we are grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for its partnership to help ensure all children receive an excellent and equitable education.” Over 10,000 students across 55 schools in Maricopa County will benefit from this project during the 2020-2021 school year. Teach for America Phoenix This grant is part of the Fall 2020 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More
Mesa Arts Center’s Project Lit Program Receives Grant from Thunderbirds Charities
The Thunderbirds Charities grant for the Project Lit program will support direct program costs tied to teaching artists and supplies. In the coming year Project Lit will impact the lives of over 4,000 youth across the Valley by promoting literacy skills through poetry, spoken word and hip hop. “We are grateful for the continued support of Project Lit by Thunderbirds Charities. Project Lit uses poetry, spoken word, and hip hop to promote literacy and activate social and emotional learning with young and emerging adults. The program runs from September through the spring and culminates into a Youth Poetry Festival and our annual Youth Poetry Anthology book,” explained Tomas Stanton, Engagement Manager at Mesa Arts Center. “This year’s Youth Poetry Anthology is our third, and the release date is in April. Much of the poetry in this year’s book is very heartfelt – students are expressing a lot of anxiety and uncertainty because of the pandemic. Writing gives students an outlet to positively communicate their feelings, which starts the process of healing.” Mesa Arts Center This grant is part of the Fall 2020 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More
Changing the World, One Child at A Time
Leukemia is the leading cause of death by disease among children up to age 19 and though survival rates have improved drastically, it remains a profoundly serious and oftentimes fatal disease. The long-term survival has however afforded the identification of problems that are a result of the very treatments that have allowed these children to live. The medical community therefore encourages that each child undergoes a neuropsychological evaluation and follow-up. Through the support from Thunderbirds Charities, we can continue this life-saving work. The Leukemia Foundation for Arizona’s Children (LFAC) created the “Encircled by Love” program to assist in offsetting the oftentimes prohibitive expense of the evaluations and follow-up to already financially impacted families. When LFAC looks at the children of this world, they see a world of promise and possibility. LFAC is committed to every child treated for childhood leukemia in the state of Arizona, so that their todays can be as bright and full of possibility as their potential tomorrows. Leukemia Foundation for Arizona’s Children (LFAC) This grant is part of the Fall 2020 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More
Thunderbirds Charities Gives $25,000 for Bigs and Littles to Stay Connected in 2021
With a generous gift of $25,000 from Thunderbirds Charities, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona (BBBSAZ) will be able to continue funding its mentoring programs and the virtual initiatives the organization has added during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will ensure that the Littles [youth mentees], in a time of continued uncertainty, will maintain their strong connections with their Bigs [adult volunteer mentors] and have the necessary support aiding their development. “COVID-19 has made it difficult for our mentors to see their Littles in person, but the virtual aspects of our mentorship programs are helping tremendously to continue connecting them to one another,” said Laura Capello, President and CEO of BBBSAZ. “Thanks to the support from Thunderbirds Charities, we will be able to further fund and develop our mentorship work to help empower our Littles.” Virtual learning has taken over schools across the nation throughout the past year, and like many, BBBSAZ has needed to accommodate for this new normal. The organization has moved their mentoring to a virtual space, where Littles are able to continue keeping in touch with their Bigs during a time when physical visits have become difficult. “We are proud to continue supporting Big Brothers […] More
Thunderbirds Charities Awards O’Connor Institute for American Democracy Generous Grant
Thunderbirds Charities has awarded $50,000 to the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy in support of civics education for youth. Two of the Institute’s programs, Camp O’Connor, an interactive civics program and the O’Connor Civics Challenge, an online civics video competition for middle school students, are the beneficiaries. Now in its fifth year, Camp O’Connor is a free, merit-based week-long summer program providing experiential civics education and leadership development for 7th and 8th graders. The camp works to educate, inspire and encourage the next generation of leaders to develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for our democracy and their important role as citizens. Campers develop leadership skills, greater knowledge of our nation’s democracy and experience civics in action, enhanced by field trips to the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government. The O’Connor Civics Challenge, launched in 2020, was created to allow students to participate in an online civics video competition during the pandemic. Geared to 6th through 9th graders the initial year saw participation from students in Arizona and across the country compete for laptops and other electronic educational tools. As a result of the overwhelming response, the Institute will continue the O’Connor Civics Challenge among its […] More
Northwest Valley Connect Essential Transport
Northwest Valley Connect (NVC) has recently been awarded a $5,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to support the Essential Transport project. This project will assist 500 seniors whose quality of life has been threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical and other services have been put on hold for a large portion of seniors living in the West Valley as the fear of contracting COVID-19 has limited their ability to safely leave their homes for their health care and human service needs. A volunteer leadership team will manage a planned effort that interfaces with and enlists participation by this fragile group of seniors in community resources by using “well check calls,” case managing medical transport, assuring NVC/COVID-19 Health and Safety procedures, and promoting NVC safe transport availability. Kathryn Chandler, Executive Director states, “As community services reopen, it is important to cultivate assurances for fear-based, isolated individuals and in partnership with Thunderbirds Charities, I believe vulnerable seniors will feel secure to re-enter community activities using NVC essential/medical transport services.” Northwest Valley Connect This grant is part of the Fall 2020 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More
Thunderbirds Charities Is Supporting Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Native American Connections (NAC) is pleased to announce receipt of a grant award from Thunderbirds Charities. The $50,000 grant will support housing and services at NAC’s HomeBase and Saguaro Ki programs for youth experiencing homelessness. The January 2020 Point in Time (PIT) count indicated 416 youth were experiencing homelessness in the metro Phoenix area. Youth face challenges getting off the streets because of a shortage of emergency and supportive housing dedicated for youth. Native American Connections’ Youth Housing Model of Care is for youth (18-24 years old) and includes two phases: skill development (HomeBase 25-bed Emergency Shelter) and skill application (Saguaro Ki 24-unit Transitional Housing). Each year, NAC helps 140 youth move from crisis to personal development to housing stability; setting them up to thrive and for future success. With safe and secure housing, youth can focus on activities that improve their health, employment, education and social connections. We appreciate having the support of Thunderbirds Charities. Native American Connections This grant is part of the Fall 2020 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More
Rising Youth Theatre’s Arts Leadership Program Receives Grant from Thunderbirds Charities
Rising Youth Theatre is proud to announce a grant of $10,000 from Thunderbirds Charities, received in December 2020 in support of its Arts Leadership Program. This is a transformative gift for Rising Youth Theatre, who continues to reach, connect, and collaborate with hundreds of young people during the Coronavirus pandemic. Founded in 2011, Rising Youth Theatre is a youth leadership organization that uses theatre and story to position young people in advocacy spaces. The company works with young people and professional adult artists to create socially relevant, original plays that have a positive impact on our community. Our work starts in the community – hearing stories, participating in dialogue, doing research, and engaging young people around a topic. While our process of making theatre looks different this year, these programs are more critical than ever. Hundreds of young people are engaging in transformative arts experiences alongside professional adult artist collaborators. Young people are at the center of the organization’s decision making and growth. And, particularly significant at this moment – all young people who participate in the program are paid for their time. As Transforming Artistic Collaborator Quinn Pursell explained “young people are particularly impacted by the pandemic, especially those […] More
Thunderbirds Charities Awards $85,000 to Local First Arizona’s Fuerza Local Business Accelerator Program
Thunderbirds Charities has awarded Local First Arizona an $85,000 grant to help grow their Fuerza Local Business Accelerator program and support entrepreneurship in Arizona. The investment will boost outreach of Local First’s Fuerza Local program to bring this opportunity to more businesses across the Valley and helping to further Thunderbirds Charities’ mission to improve the quality of life for all Arizonans. “Since 2013, Fuerza Local has assisted 453 entrepreneurs in achieving their dreams of becoming business owners. Business graduates have created a total of 624 jobs and have contributed more than $6,991,360 in new sales to our local economy. We strongly believe entrepreneurship is the most effective tool for tackling wealth inequality and building a diverse and resilient economy. We are honored to have Thunderbirds Charities as a partner in this mission,” says Kimber Lanning, Local First Arizona Founder. “Fuerza Local is a program that changes the lives of so many in our community by allowing them to follow their dreams,” said Tim Woods, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “Thunderbirds Charities shares a common commitment with Local First Arizona to serve the people in our communities. We’re very proud to be a part of that.” While in the program, students participate […] More
Thunderbirds Charities Awards $18,700 to Sponsor State Spelling Bee
The Arizona Educational Foundation is the recipient of an $18,700 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to support the Arizona State Spelling Bee. The student who wins the Arizona State Spelling Bee goes on to represent Arizona as the official Arizona State Spelling Champion in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Arizona has one of the largest spelling bee programs in the nation, with close to 300,000 students competing each year from public, private, and homeschools statewide. “Managing a program of this magnitude is no small feat,” says Matthew Feller, Arizona State Bee Director. “Having support from Thunderbirds Charities will go a long way in ensuring students have an exceptional experience.” Kim Graham, AEF Executive Director, echoes that sentiment. “We are so grateful for the support from Thunderbirds Charities. They do so much to support education in Maricopa and Pinal counties and we are truly honored that they have chosen to support this vital academic opportunity for students.” The Arizona State Spelling Bee is scheduled, COVID conditions permitting, for Saturday, March 20th, at the Madison Center for the Arts in Phoenix. To allow for social distancing and COVID safety the event will not be open to the public this year. “We are watching […] More
Thunderbirds Charities Fund Industrial Kitchen Equipment at St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul cooks and distributes 4,000 daily meals in its central kitchen, five dining rooms and over a dozen charity partners across the Valley. Thanks to a $205,000 donation from Thunderbirds Charities, St. Vincent de Paul can continue to operate its meal services with its signature excellence and efficiency, ensuring that donated dollars are stretched to the fullest to provide the best service to people in need. “The generous gift from Thunderbirds Charities is so appreciated, especially as we head into the spring and summer months. The donation will help us run our food operations with efficiency, ensuring that fresh foods are stored and distributed with as little waste as possible,” said Danielle McMahon, St. Vincent de Paul’s director of food services. St. Vincent de Paul This grant is part of the Fall 2020 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees. More
Gompers Expands Readtopia to Peoria Location Thanks to Thunderbirds Charities
The cornerstone of personal growth is literacy. Thanks to Thunderbirds Charities, Gompers expands Readtopia to the Peoria campus. Readtopia is a comprehensive literacy curriculum paired with science and socials studies. It is designed for individuals with moderate to severe disabilities and modified for adults by Gompers. Thunderbirds Charities helped launch this programming at the Phoenix campus in 2019. Readtopia brought members into a volcano in Iceland to introduce them to the book Journey to the Center of the Earth. The primary goal of introducing this curriculum was to increase the members’ engagement and active participation in their day. In one year, 55 members will increase her/his reading level by half a grade level. Plus, in one year, individuals will increase active participation in lessons by 63% using the lesson participation rubric to measure this on all individuals. We greatly appreciate Thunderbirds Charities’ support of Gompers’ programming. Gompers and its employees are passionate about assisting individuals with disabilities to achieve their highest level of independence and productivity in our community. Gompers’ staff helps its members and students accomplish this by living up to Gompers’ mission of developing innovative opportunities for people with disabilities and its seven core values every day. Gompers […] More
notMYkid Receives $25,000 from Thunderbirds Charities
notMYkid is pleased to announce Thunderbirds Charities has donated $25,000 to support their new Arizona Youth Thriving program. The funds will be dedicated to supporting the urgent mental health needs of youth and their families by making counseling, peer support, and care coordination available through their new outpatient treatment center. “Thanks to this generous grant from Thunderbirds Charities, over 50 additional families will now have a place to heal and receive quality care and support for mental health and substance use disorders,” said Kristen Polin, CEO of notMYkid. “Thunderbirds Charities is helping our dreams become a reality as we expand to become a full continuum provider of prevention, early intervention, and treatment services. The pandemic has drastically changed the way we provide services, and it was time to do more and be more for families who turn to notMYkid for support. Families looking for mental health services can find help and hope through our telehealth programs or safely in person, regardless of their ability to pay.” notMYkid will continue to increase their capacity through the end of 2021 using cutting edge technology-assisted care, peer to peer mentoring, and strengthening partnerships with local healthcare partners and area schools. New programs include: […] More