Feedback: January 2024

Q: What would make good collaboration for your organization with a for-profit business?

Becky Bell Ballard

Chief Executive Officer
Rosie’s House: A Music Academy for Children
Sector: Nonprofit

Rosie’s House: A Music Academy for Children, a local nonprofit organization, seeks collaborations with businesses on all fronts. Our mission is to eliminate barriers to high-quality music education. As one of the largest 100%-free after-school music academies in the nation, our approach is holistic. Currently, Rosie’s House provides many “wrap-around” services that might seem unusual for a music academy. From college application support to healthy meals, Rosie’s House is a place where we are dedicated to the success of our students from all angles.

In 2023, Rosie’s House launched a mental health initiative with the support of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation. To best serve the students who participate in our program, we are currently seeking referral partners to help us address well-being and mental health challenges. As a trusted community partner, Rosie’s House students often come to us first when they are experiencing personal challenges. Through powerful collaborations with mental health service providers, Rosie’s House can help address the mental health epidemic for young people in Maricopa County.

As the CEO of Rosie’s House, Ballard finds solutions to address the disparity in access to music education. In her role, she combines creativity with strategy and has grown the local nonprofit into one of the largest free afterschool music programs nationwide. Ballard is actively involved with Valley Leadership (Class 37 Graduate) and is a current Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Fellow. Her life’s mission is to make sure all kids have the creative experiences they need to blossom.

Monique Lopez

Chief Operating Officer
UMOM New Day Centers
Sector: Nonprofit

We interact with businesses in a variety of ways, but one of the most important is through our Preferred Employment Partner program. We seek employers who offer livable wages, regular hours and opportunities for professional growth. Through this initiative, UMOM pairs motivated, qualified candidates with employers who are an ideal match, aiming for more than just job placement — we strive for long-term stability and success for our participants.

Programs like Homegrown, a six-week restaurant-industry job training initiative, ensure that our participants receive job readiness training and career matching services, presenting our partners with a pool of high-quality candidates. Many of our participants also meet the criteria for WIOA tax credit opportunities. By fostering these collaborations, we not only contribute to the success of individuals and families experiencing homelessness but also create mutually beneficial relationships that positively impact our community.

With 20 years of nonprofit experience, Monique Lopez, COO at UMOM New Day Centers, specializes in program evaluation, database implementation and organizational strategy. Leading initiatives at UMOM to prevent and end homelessness, she oversees finance, people operations, IT and more. Lopez holds a B.A. in sociology from UC Berkeley, an M.S. in justice studies from San Jose State University, is a Certified Administrator of Efforts to Outcomes and a Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust 2023 Piper Fellowship recipient.

Edgar R. Olivo

Regional CEO, Arizona and New Mexico
American Red Cross
Sector: Nonprofit

We establish partnerships that include joint disaster preparedness initiatives, employee volunteer opportunities and fundraising campaigns to support our mission. These interactions could range from workplace blood drives and CPR training sessions to financial assistance for disaster response and recovery.

Strengthening resiliency in our communities is the cornerstone of our collaborations. Businesses can enhance their corporate social responsibility initiatives by aligning with our humanitarian goals. In return, we would gain access to additional resources and increased visibility of our services that ensure the Red Cross continues its mission of alleviating human suffering for generations to come.

Ultimately, successful collaborations like these create a positive impact on our communities, strengthening disaster resilience and preparedness while fostering a culture of corporate citizenship and social responsibility in Arizona.

Edgar R. Olivo is an influential leader, passionate advocate and dedicated regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross for the Arizona and New Mexico region. He is a distinguished humanitarian known for promoting economic prosperity and community resilience. With a cross-functional perspective gained from his experience in government, business and nonprofit sectors, he has made a significant impact in Arizona’s Hispanic community.

Jeff Swanson

Executive Director of Administration
One Step Beyond, Inc.
Sector: Nonprofit

A fruitful collaboration is rooted in shared values and a commitment to community impact. Our participants deserve the opportunity to achieve their goals and become fully participating members of the community. When for-profit businesses support our mission, it creates a mutually beneficial relationship for One Step Beyond and the business.

Imagine partnering with a local technology company that specializes in accessible software development. This collaboration could result in tailored programs to enhance digital literacy skills among our community members, opening new avenues for personal and professional growth.

A retail partner could create inclusive job opportunities, providing vocational training and real-world employment experiences. This not only empowers our participants but also contributes to a diverse and inclusive workforce for the for-profit business.

A mutually beneficial collaboration might also involve supporting fundraising initiatives or sharing a percentage of sales, helping sustain and expand our programs.

The most successful corporate partnerships have a holistic approach, encompassing financial support, employment opportunities, skill development programs and shared expertise, all working toward a more inclusive and empowered community.

Jeff Swanson is executive director of administration for One Step Beyond. He oversees HR, infrastructure/IT, corporate training & compliance/quality assurance across all Arizona and California campuses. Prior to One Step Beyond, he spent 12 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization working in finance, alumni relations, special events and corporate and community impact, and closely with the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation.