Fiesta Sports Foundation

The Fiesta Sports Foundation Grant Cycle 2026–27 supports nonprofit organizations that contribute to youth, sports, and education across Arizona. Rooted in its mission to strengthen communities, the Fiesta Sports Foundation operates through events like the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and the Rate Bowl, impacting hundreds of thousands throughout the state. The Foundation seeks to advance initiatives that align with its core pillars by offering financial assistance to qualifying organizations through a two-step grant application process that includes a letter of interest followed by an invitation-only full application. For the 2026–27 cycle, interested Arizona-based 501(c)(3) organizations were first required to submit an interest form between January 29 and February 27, 2026. These interest forms needed to include a summary of the proposed project’s impact and budget. Submissions were evaluated based on geographic focus (Arizona), alignment with the Foundation’s youth, sports, and education pillars, project methodology, budget consistency, and sustainability. Selected organizations will be invited by April 3, 2026, to submit a formal application. Organizations invited to apply must submit their applications between April 20 and May 8, 2026. The Foundation offers three funding tiers: Touchdown Grants of $50,000, Field Goal Grants of $25,000, and Kickoff Grants of $15,000. Applicants are required to maintain consistency between their letter of interest and final application in terms of funding level and project focus. Only one application per organization is allowed. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a nondiscrimination policy, fiscal responsibility, and authorization from their board or relevant collaborators. Fiscal sponsorship is permitted for organizations lacking 501(c)(3) status, provided the sponsor has a valid profile with the Arizona Community Foundation. The Foundation encourages programs that leverage matching funds, build organizational capacity, foster strategic collaborations, or directly deliver services. Funded organizations must prominently display the Fiesta Sports Foundation’s logo and acknowledge partnership on all relevant materials and marketing within 30 days of funding. Financial statements from the most recent fiscal year are required, and awardees must be available for recognition in August 2026. Final grant decisions will be made in August 2026. If funded, organizations will receive a grant agreement detailing the amount awarded, project scope, and reporting obligations. Final reports are due upon project completion or by February 2027. Applications must be submitted through the Arizona Community Foundation's portal. Organizations must create or update their ACF profile prior to submission. Support for registration and submission is available via email or phone through ACF’s grants management team. This grant program does not recur automatically but follows an annual cycle, with interest forms typically accepted early in the year. The next anticipated cycle will likely begin in January 2027. Additional questions regarding the current cycle can be directed to [email protected].