Grants, Growth and Future
Grants represent more than funding for recipients — they are investments that empower communities to adapt and become stronger. Philanthropy at its finest can result in ripple effects far beyond its original intention.
Phoenix is home to a robust network of private foundations as well as nonprofit arms of for-profit businesses. Each tends to focus its attention and philanthropic efforts on community organizations that align with its particular aims or area of interest. The cover story this month delves into trends shaping how those funding decisions are made and how partnerships are formed.
While Phoenix ranks as the fifth largest city in the U.S., I’ve found that its philanthropic, business and government sectors often work together in uniquely collaborative ways with the same goals in mind: to fortify our communities and enrich quality of life for all. Much is underway in rooms, on Zooms, and at the bevy of interesting coffee shops and eateries that brighten our streets. Here, we are working together, across boardrooms, to find solutions to the pressing social challenges that touch us all.
Strong communities are not built by one sector alone. They are built when philanthropy, business and government recognize their shared stake in long-term prosperity.
Certainly, organizations make a difference through their giving. They can also make a difference through the people they choose to include. Valley of the Sun United Way’s Vannessa Moreno shares how hiring untapped talent through second-chance employment opportunities can unlock workforce potential as well as boost organizational culture and retention in this month’s Nonprofit feature.
Beyond philanthropy, business leaders are navigating an increasingly complex operating environment. They may find that processes for employment and consulting globally are getting more complicated, as Alycia Moss and Catherine Renshaw explain in the Legal feature “New Rules for H-1B Visas – Employers Take Note.”
Mental health has come out of the shadows and into mainstream dialogue in all sectors over the past few years. In the feature article “Mental Health Is a Leadership Imperative,” Levi King shares the results of a “study mapping the mental health landscape of small business ownership,” grounding the discussion in his own experience.
In addition to direct giving, a thriving community requires following the constantly changing dynamics of the modern marketplace. James Jorgensen examines how the tension between progress and caution continues to shape the insurance landscape, drilling down on the topic in the Economy feature “Top Business Insurance Trends Reshaping Risk Management in 2026.” And John Mitman explores the many forces at play today that have made energy strategy a core business decision in “Powering the Next Wave of Development in Arizona.”
Other topics range from optimizing websites for SEO and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) to workplace safety, with business-relevant content in the regular monthly sections that focus on healthcare, technology, the semiconductor industry and much more.
And, of course, continuing In Business Magazine’s annual support of Arizona Gives Day in collaboration with AZ Impact for Good, this March edition includes the 2026 Giving Guide to help businesses participate in the giving event on April 7.
I’m pleased to help bring you this March edition. It is rich with resources, ideas and inspiration that all can draw on — regardless of the sector you work in, volunteer or support. I hope you enjoy the read.
Sincerely,
Steve Zabilski
President and CEO
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
As president and CEO, Steve Zabilski leads Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust’s mission to enrich health, well-being and opportunity for the people of Maricopa County. Zabilski joined Piper Trust as its CEO in 2023 after providing more than 17 years of service to the Trust as a Trustee and a member of its Investment and Audit committees. His background in both the business and nonprofit sectors provides the Trust and the community it serves with a leader who brings a distinctive combination of acumen and compassion to continue the legacy of Virginia Galvin Piper.
Prior to joining Piper Trust, Zabilski served as CEO of the Phoenix Diocesan Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for 25 years. His earlier positions include senior vice president with Transamerica Insurance Group and audit manager for the accounting firm KPMG (formerly Peat Marwick). Zabilski is a member of the board of trustees of St. Vincent de Paul, Phoenix Council and Great Hearts Arizona; he also serves the National Society of St. Vincent de Paul as 2nd vice president of the board of directors and chair of the Development Communications Committee.
