The Arizona Community Foundation of Cochise (ACF Cochise) is a regional branch of the Arizona Community Foundation, which has served Cochise County since 1993. It has distributed over $15 million in grant funds to local nonprofits, schools, and municipalities. ACF Cochise aims to build a legacy of giving to enhance the quality of life within the county by connecting donors to community needs through various endowment funds focused on education, health, the environment, arts, veterans, and more.
The 2025 grant cycle opens on May 9 and closes on May 30. Eligible organizations may apply for grants ranging from $250 to $10,000. Funds may be used for capacity building, direct services, capital expenditures, general operating support, or renewable funding proposals, though second-year funding is not guaranteed. However, funding cannot support fundraising events, sponsorships, or scholarships. Each organization may submit one application tracked by EIN, with specific exceptions for districts, departments, and fiscal sponsors.
Eligibility is restricted to 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, municipalities, or tribal entities operating in Cochise County, Arizona. Religious organizations may apply for non-sectarian projects. Applicants must adhere to ACF’s non-discrimination policy, and those who received grants in 2023 must have submitted final reports to remain eligible. Applications must be complete to be considered. An eligibility quiz must be completed before access to the application portal.
The application includes detailed questions on organizational mission, project goals, population served, partnerships, need, and outcomes. It also asks for demographic data on the populations served, budget breakdowns, and organizational board and workforce composition. Evaluation is conducted using a rubric based on mission alignment, community need, impact, planning, resource allocation, and budget clarity. Applicants are encouraged to attend one of two Zoom workshops on May 6 or May 8, 2025.
Notifications of awards or declines will be issued by August 8, 2025, and awards will be presented at an in-person event on October 21, 2025. Final reports for funded projects are due by October 23, 2026. Selena Valencia Salazar is the regional contact for eligibility questions, while the ACF Grants Management Team can assist with technical support. The application must be submitted online via www.azfoundation.org/grants.
