First Place AZ is proud to announce a transformative $600,000 grant over three years from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation during national Autism Acceptance Month. The generous $200,000 annual commitment will fuel innovative research, housing initiatives and leadership development programs aimed at fostering greater inclusion where people with autism and/or developmental disabilities live, learn, work and benefit from supportive communities.
“This grant is supporting new residents at the First Place–Phoenix apartment property, while fueling a marketplace of options through the First Place Global Leadership Institute. We are committed to developing inclusive communities that open doors for more people living with autism and/or developmental disabilities who too often are underrepresented in data and underestimated in their abilities,” said Denise D. Resnik, First Place AZ founder and president/CEO.
Founded in 2012, First Place AZ is an internationally recognized thought leader in housing innovation and systems change for the autism and disability community. Through its First Place–Phoenix Apartments, Transition Academy and Global Leadership Institute, the organization fosters research, training and partnerships that drive national and international progress in housing, employment, and healthcare solutions.
“Renee and I look for organizations that move the needle,” said Bob Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “First Place AZ is doing more than talking about change—they are building it, one apartment, one leader and one breakthrough at a time.”
In its first year, the funding will advance: Supportive Housing Research & Expansion of Accessible Offerings, in collaboration with Arizona State University’s (ASU) College of Health Solutions, National Housing Market Analysis, representing First Place-facilitated studies across eight U.S. markets, providing critical data that informs development and future policies, and Building the Next Generation of Leaders, involving ASU student internships
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has long been a champion for organizations that serve people and communities overlooked or underserved. This investment in First Place AZ underscores the importance of sustainable, innovative solutions in housing and workforce development for individuals with autism and/or developmental disabilities.
“We know it’s challenging to find quality housing and employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities,” said Renee Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “First Place AZ provides not only housing to address their needs, but programs that promote more productive, connected and joyful lives.”
The funding also aligns with First Place AZ’s broader mission of fostering a supportive community where people with autism and/or developmental disabilities can thrive. The organization will leverage the grant by advancing practices in Greater Phoenix and sharing findings through the annual First Place Global Symposium that engages leaders from across the U.S. and around the world focused on models and systemic change. Learn more about the Oct. 15-17, 2025, symposium and register here.
Photo: First Place–Phoenix residents join board-certified music therapist Autumn McClintock for Mind-Full Music, a favorite activity that promotes creativity and community. Photo credit: Daniel Mendez
