The Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona held its grant award ceremony at the Verde Valley Campus of Yavapai College on Dec. 9, awarding over $200,000 to 52 local charities.
The foundation identifies community needs and matches those with philanthropic support, funded by regional field of interest funds and other sources.
“The Verde Valley is a place that cares about its people and its future,” said Heather Mulcaire, Associate Dean of the Verde Valley Campus.
Thirty-five community volunteers made up the grant panel, which was divided into four sections. Some of the winners and their intentions for the grant money include:
Environment and Arts & Culture
- The Camp Verde Community Library intends to build a rainwater catchment system to water the future pollinator and learning garden.
- The Friends of the Verde River will strengthen its focus on community science.
- The Sedona International Film Festival will use its grant to create easy access to mental health resources for high school students and to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness.
- Tolerance Learning, Healthcare and Animals n Yavapai College will work to bring middle schoolers to the college and to get students excited about the community college experience.
- The Verde Valley Humane Society will implement a new lock and security system for the safety of their animals, employees and volunteers.
- The Verde Valley Caregivers will provide free emergency alert systems for those in need.
Community, Education and Youth
- n Camp Civitan will offer scholarships allowing those who are disabled to participate in outdoor activities.
- n The Arizona Crisis Team will enhance its volunteer crisis support program and victim support.
Community and Seniors
- Old Town Mission will use its grant to support the homeless resource center, especially to provide free haircuts, emphasizing the little things that provide a sense of dignity.
- The Sedona Community Center will provide animal health and wellness for the pets of Meals on Wheels clients. These clients had been sacrificing their meals to their pets and the Community Center recognized the importance of keeping the pets healthy in order to keep their owners happy and healthy.
- Girls on the Run will provide scholarship support and athletic wear for their programs in Camp Verde and Cottonwood.
- The Sedona Community Food Bank will use their grant for their rising costs relief project.
“We are so appreciative,” said Jill Myers of the Verde Valley Humane Society. “We are so grateful that this award has been given to us. Without these awards, we don’t know how we would make it.” With only 52 out of the 69 applicants receiving a grant, the ACF also maintains a Worthy Project List to keep the giving going.
This is a list of approved charities in need of funding. The full list and detailed project information can be viewed on ACF’s website.
“We’re happy to kick off the holiday season by bringing our community together and celebrating all of the great work that our nonprofits are doing,” said Jennifer Perry, regional director for ACF of Sedona. “We’re covering every corner in the community, so this is just a celebration of what we can do when we’re positive and work together.” ACF’s Spirit Award nominations open Jan. 1. Each winner will receive a $1,000 grant to give to a nonprofit of their choice.
Monthly site visits also resume in January, allowing donors to visit these organizations in person.
