Hellene Henrikson Fund of the Lutheran Church of the Foothills

The Hellene Henrikson Legacy Fund of the Lutheran Church of the Foothills provides annual grant funding to nonprofit organizations addressing designated community needs in Southern Arizona. Established in 2018 through a bequest from Hellene Henrikson, a devoted church member and philanthropist, the fund is administered by the Lutheran Church of the Foothills and serves as a living legacy of her commitment to supporting charitable causes in her community. The fund focuses each year on a different area of concern, selected by the church based on local and social relevance. For the Fall 2025 grant cycle, the designated focus area is “Our Native American Neighbors.” The fund is seeking proposals from nonprofit organizations that support Native American communities in Southern Arizona, particularly in navigating complex cultural, societal, economic, mental, and physical health-related challenges. The program aims to strengthen community-based initiatives that address these issues directly and sustainably. Proposals that provide services for families with children or for senior populations are encouraged but not required. Eligible applicants may request up to $15,000 in funding per proposal, and a total of $60,000 will be awarded across up to four grantees. While larger requests may be considered, awards are intended to reflect the funding required to successfully implement the proposed program. All proposals must clearly articulate outcomes, include mechanisms for tracking measurable progress, and provide a plan for sustaining the program or organization beyond the grant period. Additionally, programs must reflect community input from participants, staff, and volunteers in both planning and implementation. To qualify, applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations in good standing, based in and providing direct services within Pima, Santa Cruz, or Cochise counties. Proposals from nationally sponsored organizations must include locally directed management, programming, and fiscal oversight. Grant funds may not be used to support national or state-level operations. The fund does not provide grants to individuals, for-profit entities, government bodies, endowment campaigns, capital drives, schools, or sectarian programs. Organizations that receive an award during this cycle will be ineligible to reapply in the subsequent round. The application window opens on September 2, 2025, and closes at 5:00 PM MST on October 3, 2025. The grant period will run from November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona’s new online grant portal. New users must create an account prior to submitting their materials. Confirmation of receipt will be sent via email. For questions or concerns about the application process, organizations may contact the fund via community@cfsaz.org.

Create a new account on the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona’s grant portal. Applications are confirmed by email. Final decision notification not specified but funding begins November 1, 2025.