Grantees
The AZ Blue Foundation provides grant funding for Arizona nonprofits and academic institutions focused on chronic health conditions, health equity, mental health, and substance use disorder. In addition to grants, the Foundation supports select charitable events that align with these health focus areas.
Eligible applicants include Arizona-based nonprofit organizations and universities. Priority is given to projects that expand publicly accessible health resources, demonstrate scalability or systems-level potential, and show clear, measurable impact on community health.
Congratulations to the latest AZ Blue Foundation grantees working to improve health outcomes across Arizona!
Be a Leader Foundation
Be A Leader's Pipeline of Postsecondary Access and Success Programs
2025 Cohort 1 Grant Cycle
Counties: MaricopaPopulation: Students preparing for higher education, with a focus on students from school districts in under resourced communities.
Project: Increase the number of students who are prepared for and succeed in higher education by empowering them with tools, leadership skills, and consistent support, transforming lives and creating life-long opportunities for success. Be A Leader provides services such as student led clubs, workshops centered around college preparation, career exploration, leadership development, life skills and socio-emotional wellness, resource fairs, and college tours. Be A Leader Foundation is an AZ Blue Empowering Diversity Scholarship partner.
Creighton University
MD and PA Scholarship Program
2025 Cohort 1 Grant Cycle
Counties: StatewidePopulation: MD and PA students at Creighton University’s Phoenix Campus.
Project: Support MD and PA students with scholarships during their studies. Students demonstrate financial need, as well as a desire and commitment to serve the medical needs of diverse communities and who demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion, as shown through academic, personal or community-based leadership, service and/or employment experiences.
Education Forward
Empowering Diversity Scholarship Mentoring Program
2025 Cohort 1 Grant Cycle
Counties: La Paz, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai, YumaPopulation: Low-income, first-generation college students.
Project: Provide personalized, one-on-one mentorship with success advisors, helping students navigate academics, financial aid, career development, and college life. Wraparound services include:
- Academic tracking and early intervention to prevent dropouts.
- Financial literacy training to help students manage costs.
- Peer networking and professional mentorship for career connections.
- E-mentoring support via text, e-newsletters, and virtual coaching.
- Education Forward is an AZ Blue Empowering Diversity Scholarship partner.
Maricopa County Community College District Foundation
EmpowerED for Student Success: Expanding the Healthcare Workforce in Behavioral Science and Nursing
2025 Cohort 1 Grant Cycle
Counties: MaricopaPopulation: Economically disadvantaged students enrolled in the Maricopa Community College District in a Nursing or Behavioral Health Bachelor's degree program.
Project: Funding will create a new scholarship program to provide financial assistance for up to 64 low-income students pursuing a bachelor's degree in behavioral health or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through the Maricopa County Community College District. The proposed healthcare BS/BSN scholarship program contributes to the AZ Blue Foundation’s strategic goal of addressing the healthcare workforce pipeline as well as social determinants of health by increasing access to quality education and career counseling.
Northern Arizona University Foundation, Inc.
Building Tomorrow’s Healthcare Workforce: Expanding Care for Every Community
2025 Cohort 1 Grant Cycle
Counties: Coconino, Maricopa, YumaPopulation: Supporting the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) scholarship and the Global BSN program students.
Project: The PMHNP scholarship program will support at least 10 students by providing financial need-based scholarships for clinical practicums in high-need areas. Many students face travel and housing barriers that prevent them from completing placements in rural communities impacted by substance use disorders and mental health challenges. These scholarships will help overcome those challenges, providing hands-on experience while addressing Arizona’s critical mental health workforce shortages.
The newly developed Global BSN program will enroll 30 new students in its first year, many of whom may live in rural communities and may not have pursued a healthcare career without this opportunity.
Phoenix Public Library Foundation
College Depot at Phoenix Public Library –Providing Wraparound Care to Ensure Success
2025 Cohort 1 Grant Cycle
Counties: MaricopaPopulation: Individuals pursuing higher education, or a high school diploma or GED.
Project: Expand educational opportunities to 125 additional students who otherwise would be financially prohibited, as well as create individualized action plans to remove barriers and ensure success. Funding supports:
- Guidance to navigate the admissions and enrollment process
- On-going, individualized support in overcoming obstacles
- Each student will be paired with an advisor, who offers ongoing guidance and encouragement, evaluates performance, and connects the learner with resources
- Career online high school tuition and career certificates
- Program supplies (technology, books, etc.)
- Removing barriers to students pursuing their education, such as transportation, admission, program, application, transcript, exam, and registration fees
Phoenix Public Library Foundation is an AZ Blue Empowering Diversity Scholarship partner.
notMYkid, Inc.
Project REWIND: Early Intervention for Youth
2025 Cohort 1 Grant Cycle
Counties: PimaPopulation: Youth who are at risk of substance use disorder, and their caregivers.
Project: Funding to support Project REWIND, a five-hour early intervention program designed to engage youth and their caregivers in meaningful discussions about family communication, building trust, and coping strategies. Led by trained, bilingual professionals with expertise in prevention and behavioral health, the program is interactive and includes real-life experience, group discussions, and skill-building exercises.