Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable giving arm of The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open – awarded more than $2.8 million in grants to 46 Valley charities during its 2023 Spring funding cycle. Some of the largest grants include $500,000 to Valleywise Health Foundation, $300,000 to Human Services Campus, $250,000 to Arizona Housing, and $200,000 to Banner Health Foundation.  Additionally, six grants of more than $100,000 were awarded during this cycle and went to Special Olympics Arizona ($130,000), Brighter Way Institute ($125,000), Chrysalis Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence ($100,000), Teen Lifeline ($100,000), Boys and Girls Clubs of Scottsdale ($100,000), and Homeless ID Project ($100,000).

With the 2023 Spring funding cycle complete, Thunderbirds Charities has now opened its 2023 Fall funding cycle. Information about the Fall funding cycle can be found at www.ThunderbirdsCharities.org.

“We are absolutely thrilled and immensely proud to have donated more than $2.8 million to local Valley charities during this spring funding cycle,” said Pat Williams, Big Chief of The Thunderbirds.  “Giving back to our own communities and neighborhoods is at the heart of The Thunderbirds’ mission, and we couldn’t be more honored to make such a meaningful impact.”

The $500,000 grant to Valleywise Health Foundation will be directed to its Arizona Burn Center, the largest academic burn center in the nation and Arizona’s only nationally verified burn center serving the entire Southwest. The Center treats some of the most complex and traumatic burn and wound cases.

The $300,000 grant to Human Services will provide funding and aid to its Critical Client Services that provides Assessment, Diversion, Post Office, Day Room, Navigation, Housing Match, Case Conferencing, Overnight COVID Shelter, Respiro Shelter, Shower Program, Safe Storage, a Welcome Center open 24 hours a day, and Street Outreach. These services, in collaboration with partner services located on and off the Campus, provide a holistic solution for each person’s unique barriers to housing.

Arizona Housing will use the $250,000 grant to go towards HVAC upgrades at its location at 209 W. Jackson St. to help those in need stay cool during Arizona’s hot summer. Arizona Housing’s mission is to assist individuals and families attain self-sufficiency through the provision of dignified housing and services.

Banner Health Foundation was awarded $200,000 from Thunderbirds Charities to support their highly impactful Home Away From Home Cancer Patient Housing Community. The cost of local lodging is concerning for patients and families who travel to receive care at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, especially those whose treatment protocol requires multiple days or weeks of daily therapy or immediate or extended hospitalization. These patients and their supportive care partners must stay near the Cancer Center for lengthy periods—often at great personal expense, as insurance does not cover these costs. In some cases, these expenses prevent patients from receiving life-saving treatment or adhering to medical protocols.