Arizona Community Foundation of Yuma Grant

The Arizona Community Foundation of Yuma, established in 1993, is a philanthropic endowment organization that connects community needs with donors who are committed to improving Yuma County. The foundation has grown to manage over 70 philanthropic funds and has distributed more than $10 million in grants and programs locally, with assets exceeding $19 million. In the past year alone, it invested over $1 million in community grants and programs, bolstered by annual contributions from the Sturges Charitable Trust. Its mission is to lead, serve, and collaborate to mobilize lasting philanthropy for the betterment of Yuma County. The 2025 grant cycle opens at 9:00 a.m. on July 14, 2025, and closes at 4:00 p.m. on August 15, 2025. Applicants may request between $1,000 and $10,000. Final recommendations will be made by October 2025, award and decline notifications will be sent by November 1, 2025, and awards will be presented on November 13, 2025, during the Heart of Yuma Awards Luncheon. Final reports are due approximately one year after funding, by November 1, 2026. Optional virtual workshops will be held on July 15 and July 16, 2025, though attendance is not required to apply. Funds may be used for organizational capacity building, direct service projects and programs, capital expenditures, general operating support, administrative costs, and one-year or renewable proposals, although renewal is not guaranteed. Applications are open to 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, municipalities, and tribal entities that serve residents of Yuma County. Religious organizations may apply for funding of non-sectarian programs. All applicants must comply with ACF’s non-discrimination policy, have current tax-exempt status, and be authorized by their boards or relevant partners. Fiscal sponsors may apply on behalf of other organizations with a signed agreement outlining responsibilities. Only one application per organization, identified by EIN, will be accepted, though there are exceptions for school districts, chapters or affiliates of nonprofits, departments of government or tribal entities, and colleges within universities. Applications will be evaluated by peer review panels of community leaders using a 50-point rubric that scores alignment with mission, identification of community need, project impact, plan and evaluation strategy, resource allocation, and budget justification. The application process is completed online via the Arizona Community Foundation’s grants page. Registered organizations may log in to apply; unregistered organizations must create a new account. The application includes sections for project summary, organization description, project type, detailed description, outcomes, partnerships, need statement, budget and budget narrative, and optional demographic information about populations served. Required workforce and board information must be provided, along with any fiscal sponsor agreements where applicable. Applicants are encouraged to contact Alex Vieyra, Regional Philanthropic Advisor, at avieyra@azfoundation.org or 928-539-5343 for eligibility questions. For technical issues, contact the ACF Grants Management Team at 602-381-1400 or grants@azfoundation.org. Organizations should reach out well in advance of the deadline, as assistance may be limited during the final week of the cycle. All publicity related to funded projects must acknowledge the Arizona Community Foundation, and grantees must maintain financial records for at least four years following the grant period.