THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES DONATES MORE THAN $2.4 MILLION TO LOCAL VALLEY CHARITIES DURING FALL FUNDING CYCLE

Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable giving arm of The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open – awarded more than $2.4 million in grants to 60 Valley charities during its 2022 Fall funding cycle. Some of the largest grants were $225,000 to Homeward Bound, $133,000 to Central Arizona Shelter Services Inc, $100,000 to Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, $100,000 to ICAN and a $50,000 grant to Dress for Success Phoenix’s Mobile Career Center.

With the 2022 Fall funding cycle complete, Thunderbirds Charities has now opened its 2023 Spring funding cycle. Information about the Spring funding cycle can be found at www.ThunderbirdsCharities.org.

“This is by far the best part of being a Thunderbird, to give back in a big way to our local communities,” said Dr. Michael Golding, Big Chief of The Thunderbirds. “We are so fortunate to be able to help in any way we can and support our communities in such an impactful way.”

With the help from Thunderbirds Charities, Homeward Bound will be able to facilitate wrap-around services to existing families on Thunderbirds Family Village campus, along with housing navigation services to obtain sustainable housing in the Phoenix metro area. Grant funds will be directed to the shelter component of the program, including the staff, expertise, and momentum needed to respond to the increase in families experiencing homelessness and the critical need for safe shelter as part of a continuum of care. Funds will also support the housing navigation staff, who work with client families to find and secure permanent housing, access available assistance, and provide landlord mediation.

The $133,000 grant to Central Arizona Shelter Services Inc. will renovate the reception and client service areas of their Vista Colina Family Shelter. The “Thunderbirds Charities Family Welcome Center” would incorporate a warm, friendly, and trauma-informed design, creating a safe and inviting space for children and families to take the first step to ending their homelessness.

Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ACBVI) $100,000 grant will go towards the creation of a Community Health Center.   ACBVI is addressing the healthcare equity needs for their highly vulnerable client population and the surrounding community, by bringing a Community Health Center to their campus.  This will provide an array of services including case management, primary care, behavioral health, care coordination, pharmacy, and substance abuse treatment.

ICAN was awarded $100,000 from Thunderbirds Charities to support their highly impactful and award-winning Positive Youth Development Program, serving youth ages 5-18 years old. This free, year-round out-of-school programming serves vulnerable youth who are under-performing academically and impacts the economic mobility of families by allowing parents and caregivers to work undisrupted. ICAN expanded recently to two, Title I elementary schools in Mesa, increasing the number of youths served by 30%.  The critical youth skills program includes Learning Skills (collaboration, communication), Literacy Skills (STEM), and Life Skills (social-emotional learning). Youth receive nutritious meals, academic support, S.T.E.A.M. activities, structured sports, and recreation.

Dress for Success Phoenix’s Mobile Career Center (MCC) travels throughout Maricopa County to deliver job-readiness training, resources, and services to low-income women and youth who are hindered by transportation and/or geographical barriers. The MCC equips clients with the necessary tools to secure meaningful employment, such as interview apparel, resume and cover letter assistance, and career consultations.  With the $50,000 grant, an addition of a Mobile Teen Workforce Career Center vehicle will deliver crucial professional development resources and services to vulnerable youth.

Additional grants awarded from the Fall 2022 cycle: