It’s no secret that global philanthropy is increasing. Arizona nonprofits are developing scalable, novel products that have reached across country borders. The state’s universities are partnering with alumni around the globe for financial support and combining worldwide funds to advance joint research and educational programs. Situated in a borderland state, Arizona’s … [More]
Walmart Grant to Support Workforce Development
Over the next five years, Walmart and Walmart Foundation aim to help workers across select Phoenix communities move into and prepare for higher-quality career opportunities. As part of that effort in Phoenix, Walmart has provided an initial $250,000 grant to The Center for the Future of Arizona to expand workforce opportunities across the Greater Phoenix area. The Arizona … [More]
Jersey Mikes Supports Valleywise Health
Thanks to the generosity of Jersey Mike's customers throughout Arizona and the local Jersey Mike’s franchise company that developed the campaign, nearly $44,000 was raised during the restaurant's July Round Up campaign to support pediatric patients at Valleywise Health and the Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center. … [More]
Why Community Service Matters to Phoenix Business Leaders
Leading a company means being pulled in a million different directions — often at the same time. There is never a shortage of urgent, high-priority projects coming across C-suite desks. So how do corporate leaders find time for community service? And how do they make a lasting, impactful commitment to their communities, giving all the competing priorities? Those are … [More]
Building Community by Design: How California Pools & Landscape Turns Backyard Dreams into Local Impact
When Mike and Joan Smith started California Pools & Landscape at their kitchen table in 1988, they set out to build a company rooted in craftsmanship, fairness and genuine care. Thirty-eight years later, that company is Arizona's premier backyard builder, and the philosophy that guided it from the start — "What is best for the customer, is best for all of us" — has grown … [More]
Credit Union Awards $260K to Expand Education and Workforce Opportunities
Desert Financial Credit Union has awarded $260,000 in grants to 21 Arizona nonprofits this year as part of its 2026 grant program. The funding marks the first year of a two-year grant cycle totaling $520,000 in support of organizations making an impact in communities across Arizona. Since 2013, Desert Financial has provided nearly $2.6 million in grant support to Arizona … [More]
More Than 1,100 Arizona Students Gain Career Skills through $100K Grant
Junior Achievement of Arizona announced that Thunderbirds Charities has awarded a $100,000 grant to support JA BizTown, a hands-on program that helps 4th through 6th graders learn economic and workplace skills through classroom lessons and experiences designed to teach skills for future success. “The need for real-world education is growing as we see strong current and … [More]
BOK Financial Aids Children Facing Hunger
BOK Financial, through its employee-led “Guide the Giving” program, donated $10,000 to Feed My Starving Children — which will help provide approximately 34,482 meals (the equivalent of one meal a day for about 94 children for an entire year). Dewing Idemudia, a corporate banking relationship manager at BOK Financial and a board member of Feed My Starving Children, spearheaded … [More]
Hot Giving Summer for AZ Blue
Notable efforts of AZ Blue in Action: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue) employees and their families, in partnership with Valley of the Sun United Way and The Foster Alliance, packed 1,300 backpacks full of school supplies for students and families in Southern Arizona. More than 200 AZ Blue employees volunteered to pack 1,000 JoyJars® for Arizona children fighting … [More]
AZ Blue: 8 Decades of Advancing Health and Strengthening Arizona Communities
Caring for well-being beyond providing coverage
For more than 85 years, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue) has been woven into the fabric of the state, quietly, consistently and intentionally supporting the health of individuals, families and employers across all 15 counties. What began as a local nonprofit health insurer has evolved into a statewide force for community well-being, driven by the belief that health … [More]
$1.5M Sprouts Partnership Aims to Transform Arizona’s Local Food Economy
Local First Arizona, nonprofit champion of independent businesses and inclusive economic development, announced a three-year, $1.5M partnership with Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation to advance a statewide effort to strengthen Arizona's local food system, expand access to healthy food, and elevate the state's culinary talent. The partnership is more than a funding … [More]
$1M Gift Helps Nearly Double Healthcare Capacity for Valley’s Unhoused
Circle the City has received a transformational $1 million gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to support the completion of its new East Valley Medical Respite Center. In recognition of the Foundation's generosity, the facility's main lobby will be named in its honor. Scheduled to open later this year in Mesa, the 85-bed East Valley Medical Respite … [More]
$500K Grant Brings Financial Literacy to 10,000 Arizona Students
As the new school year begins, thousands of Arizona students will sharpen their reading, writing and math skills, but many still won't receive the financial education needed to thrive in adulthood and navigate today's economy. A new $500,000, two-year grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will help change that by enabling Junior Achievement of Arizona (JA) to … [More]
Abrazo Healthy Over Hungry Helps Feed Kids
Abrazo Health’s Valley hospitals donated more than 3,300 pounds of cereal to Valley food banks in June as part of its Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive to feed hungry children as they headed into summer months without the benefit of a healthy breakfast or lunch often provided by their school. The June cereal drive is a friendly competition among Abrazo Health campuses to see … [More]
Burger King Franchisee Awards Arizona Scholarships
The Burger King Foundation® and KRAF, Inc. awarded 59 Arizona students with scholarships to further their education. Awards were made possible by KRAF, Inc., a family-owned business operating 45 Burger King locations in Arizona. … [More]
Pita Jungle Fundraiser Supports Waste Not
Pita Jungle recently presented Arizona-based nonprofit Waste Not with a donation check for $4,000, proceeds raised during National Pita Day weekend, when Pita Jungle donated $1 for every pita sandwich sold at participating locations across Arizona. Waste Not works to create sustainable food systems that nourish people and protect the planet — an effort that aligns with Pita … [More]
Feedback: August 2026
Q: What prompted you to go to the formality of creating a distinct philanthropic foundation for your company’s community donations?
Dr. Bryan Gawley Owner Gawley Companies Sector: Healthcare At Gawley Companies, giving back has always been part of who we are. As our organization continued to grow, we realized we wanted our philanthropic efforts to grow with it. Creating Unicorn Philanthropy allowed us to establish a dedicated foundation that could bring greater purpose, consistency and long-term … [More]
Overall Giving Surpasses $600 Million
Giving USA 2025 report highlights widespread generosity
Even amid a year rife with governmental policy change — taxation, funding, environmental, healthcare, social justice — American philanthropists rallied. In fact, they showed just how quickly money can be mobilized in the face of challenge. Of any natural disaster worldwide, California’s 2025 wildfires generated the largest amount of donations — $860–970 million — in the … [More]
