Population: Seniors with low incomes who are experiencing food insecurity

Maricopa

Farm Express Outreach Expansion to Seniors

Discretionary
Cycle 2, 2023

Project: Increase the purchase and consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables among seniors and older adults who are food insecure. Through senior-focused incentive programs, including the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program and Senior Mobile Market Loyalty Program, Farm Express extends the purchasing power for older adults so they can take home more fresh produce each week. This project is expected to serve 800 people and, through an increase in produce consumption, have a positive impact on both health inequity and chronic health conditions.

Population: Students from underrepresented and underserved populations

Maricopa

Pipeline of Postsecondary Access and Success Programs

Discretionary
Cycle 1, 2023

Project: Increase the number of students who are prepared for and succeed in higher education by providing the resources that overcome socio-economic disadvantages and education barriers. Funding will serve 600 students—including recipients of the Empowering Diversity Scholarship. Be A Leader will deliver Senior Boot Camp, monthly college-going sessions at Title 1 schools, and 1:1 post-secondary education advising and mentoring. Another 2,000 will benefit from 36 Be A Leader Clubs at high schools. Be A Leader’s multi-layered support is helping to break the cycle of generational poverty and create a more equitable future.

Population: Students from low-income backgrounds, most of whom are the first in their family to attend college

La Paz
Maricopa
Pima
Pinal
Yavapai
Yuma

Empowering Diversity Scholarship Mentoring Program

Discretionary
Cycle 1, 2023

Project: Equip recipients of the Empowering Diversity Scholarship to achieve their academic goals. Students are paired with a Success Advisor for 1:1 guidance and support. Services include mentoring, enrollment counseling, academic tracking, financial aid advice, networking, and professional development opportunities. Funding will provide full wraparound services for 100 scholarship recipients (current or past) who are pursuing a postsecondary degree to increase their chances of graduation and long-term success.

Population: Vulnerable people in need of transportation to locations essential to social drivers of health (SDOH)

Maricopa

Transportation Assistance Program

Discretionary
Cycle 2, 2023

Project: Provide free, safe, and reliable transportation for people experiencing homelessness, the elderly, disabled, low income, and others who lack the means to reach services critical to their health. Through Transportation Assistance Program (TAP), clients have access to physical and mental health appointments, grocery stores/food pantries, employment opportunities, housing/shelter, and community centers.

TAP combines rides with one-to-one relationship-building in an empathetic and culturally sensitive manner. These relationships help build client confidence in their ability to navigate the SDOH support systems available to them, promoting self-sufficiency.

Population: Uninsured adult patients including seniors and those who are unsheltered

Pima

Colorectal Cancer Screening Program for Uninsured Patients

Discretionary
Cycle 1, 2023

Project: Increase education, outreach, and access to Colorectal Cancer Screening (CRCS) for up to 1,912 uninsured patients between the ages of 45-75. El Rio Health Center Foundation (El Rio), a federally qualified health center, provides healthcare on a sliding fee scale to those who are uninsured and low income. Through the CRCS program, El Rio's integrated health teams will provide targeted outreach to close care gaps, answer questions, and promote shared decision-making, while also working to reduce barriers to care (e.g., transportation and language). Funding covers 1,000 Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) CRCS test kits and 45 diagnostic colonoscopies for those with positive FIT screening results.

Population: Children and adults who are food insecure in Northern Arizona

Coconino
Navajo

Bridging the Meal Gap

Discretionary
Cycle 2, 2023

Project: Flagstaff Family Food Center (FFFC) strengthens hunger relief services via a community-based model that meets people where they are — whether in Flagstaff or remote areas of neighboring tribal lands. Employing both a pop-up drive-through and walk-up model allows FFFC to close gaps rooted in socioeconomic barriers in neighborhoods and communities. FFFC also provides meals to Flagstaff Shelter Services clients, sack lunches to charter school students in need, and food boxes to home-bound residents. Grant funding will enable FFFC to deliver 200,000 meals to those in most need.

Population: People who are experiencing homelessness

Coconino

Housing as Healthcare Program

Discretionary
Cycle 1, 2023

Project: Address the physical and behavioral health needs of people in a housing crisis with a housing-first, multi-disciplinary care approach. Care teams include a Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS) Housing Case Manager, a primary care provider from North Country HealthCare and/or Native Americans for Community Action, and a behavioral health provider from The Guidance Center, Southwest Behavioral & Health Services, and/or Native Americans for Community Action. The Care teams, co-located at FSS’s emergency shelter locations, facilitate comprehensive, coordinated care, help participants secure permanent housing, and increase adherence to behavioral health treatment, thereby improving mental well-being and reducing emergency, police, and other costly crisis services.

Population: Tribal members of the Navajo Nation living on the reservation in the Rock Point, Sweetwater, Red Mesa, and Mexican Water regions

Apache

The Oasis Project

Discretionary
Cycle 2, 2023

Project: Address the lack of running water in homes and provide vocational training to local youth. The first of this two-track project will supply 10 homes with off-grid water systems that include water tanks, solar-powered water pumps, water heaters, and greywater gardens. The system’s solar power also provides access to light and refrigeration. The second track gives local youth hands-on experience and the opportunity to earn a stipend by apprenticing with Fundamental Needs — practical knowledge that paves the path to future employment.

Population: Students in the Lake Havasu School District who qualify for the free/reduced breakfast and lunch program

Mohave

Food 4 Kidz Program

Discretionary
Cycle 1, 2023

Project: Bridge the weekend meal/food gap for students experiencing childhood hunger. When school is out of session, students who depend on free/reduced meals may have little access to food. Each Friday, the Food 4 Kidz weekend program provides a backpack of nutritious, kid-friendly food items that do not require refrigeration or a can opener. Extra food is given to students with younger siblings. Several times a year, hygiene kits are provided with a new toothbrush and toothpaste, school supplies, and other basic-need items. Foundation funding will equip HAVEN to serve 500 children.

Population: Unsheltered people living in the area around the Human Services Campus

Maricopa

Street Outreach

Discretionary
Cycle 2, 2023

Project: Expand street outreach to address the rising need for services among people experiencing homelessness and the social drivers of health that have contributed to their homelessness. The Street Outreach team uses a multi-disciplinary approach to reach, assess, and engage people in the services they need and to help ensure their safety. Transport to the Campus, hospitals, substance use recovery programs, and/or other locations overcomes access barriers. While focused on closing health disparity gaps, this project also impacts substance use, mental health, and chronic health conditions.

Population: Students in kindergarten through 12th grade

Pima

Southern Arizona K-12 Financial Literacy and Work Readiness

Discretionary
Cycle 2, 2023

Project: Teach students grade-appropriate, experiential lessons designed to prepare them for the real world. Junior Achievement of Arizona partners with over 40 Southern Arizona schools to support low-income students in underserved communities.

Curriculum is taught by community volunteers who also serve as mentors and role models. Financial literacy and skills such as budgeting, saving, and the responsible use of credit are a key focus as is workforce readiness. Students learn skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed to be successful in both work and life — a key predictor of health.

Population: Organizations that serve all Arizona populations, primarily those in rural and Tribal communities

Statewide

Arizona Economic Recovery Center

Discretionary
Cycle 1, 2023

Project: Build organization capacity to secure grant funding so that they have the resources to serve their communities. Local First Arizona’s Arizona Economic Recovery Center tracks Federal stimulus opportunities and braids them with state and local dollars. Organizations receive expert guidance and support at no charge for grant writing, formulation of project objectives and budget, and project management support to ensure successful implementation and grant requirement compliance.

Foundation funding will be directed to support an estimated 5-6 organizations in applying for and securing healthcare-focused funding. To date, the Arizona Economic Recovery Center has worked with 780 entities and secured $32.9M in grant funding.

Population: Underserved, low-income students and adults

Maricopa

Providing Wraparound Care to Ensure Success

Discretionary
Cycle 1, 2023

Project: Connect an additional 120 students—including recipients of the Empowering Diversity Scholarship—to College Depot’s free, full-service college planning center. College Depot supports students in earning their high school diploma (or equivalent) and navigating the postsecondary education process. Services include 1:1 assistance, family consultation, and workshops on all aspects of the college planning process—from financial aid to career exploration.

Each student has an advisor who offers ongoing guidance, evaluates performance, and connects the learner with resources to remove barriers and ensure success.

Population: Women of all backgrounds and gender identities who are experiencing homelessness and poverty

Pima

Impact Project for Equitable Access

Discretionary
Cycle 1, 2023

Project: Provide safe, low-barrier access to healthcare and housing to women who are often excluded and unwelcome in traditional or institutional settings. The program offers trauma-informed care; cultural safety for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) women who are disproportionately homeless; supportive services for complex care needs of women with multiple disabilities, co-morbidities, and age-related issues; and an inclusive and affirmative environment that supports gay, non-binary, and transgender women who have been stigmatized, harassed, and have difficulty in finding support services and housing. Wraparound services ensure clients receive access to healthcare, reduce barriers like transportation issues, and assist in finding employment and housing stability.

Population: Families experiencing homelessness

Maricopa

Emergency Family Shelter and Services

Discretionary
Cycle 1, 2023

Project: Work to break the cycle of homelessness for families and future generations by responding to the immediate need for shelter, food, and healthcare while providing the support to prevent recurrent homelessness. UMOM empowers families to build on their strengths with 1:1 case management; employment services; advocacy with property management companies, landlords, and courts; connection to community resources; and supportive services for children and youth.

UMOM partners with organizations to connect residents to training and job opportunities, and with Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Circle the City to ensure that children and adult clients have access to healthcare.