2015 APPLICATIONS 4.PDF

Last updated: 03/26/2015
Page 1
General information
Organization Ryan House
Contact First name Cathy
Contact Last name LaSusa
Contact e-mail clasusa@ryanhouse.org
Contact phone number (602) 200-0767
Address
Street 110 West Merrell St, 1st Floor
City Phoenix
State AZ
ZIP Code 85335
From what tribe is the organization requesting the grant?
Tohono O’odham Nation
Total grant amount request
50,000
The Gila River Indian Community offers multi-year awards. If your organization is requesting a multi-year grant for this
project or program, enter the amount to be requested each year.
Amount
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
1 of 1




Proposal to the Tohono O’odham Nation
12% Gaming Distribution 2015
Life-enhancing Therapeutic Activities for Children with Life-limiting or Terminal Conditions
A) Program Need and Proposal Description
Imagine providing care for your child with a life-threatening illness 24-hours a day, 7 days a week,
all while trying to provide for your family, maintain your relationship, and raise other children ...
often times without any help. The constant care that parents provide can include weekly medical
appointments, daily administration of medication, and hourly suctioning of a trach tube.
The stress that accompanies this type of situation, both on the terminally-ill child and the caregivers,
is immense. Many families fall apart due to a lack of support, understanding and time-off from
work; divorce rates are high and up to 75% of siblings in the family develop academic, emotional
and behavioral difficulties. The financial burden related to costly treatments often results in the loss
of jobs, homes and even bankruptcy.
Unfortunately, this is the reality for thousands of families in Arizona. Until recently, there was
nowhere for these families to turn but, in March 2010, Ryan House opened its doors, unveiling an
oasis of care filled with understanding and support.
The mission of Ryan House is to provide respite and palliative care to children with life-threatening
conditions and, as needed, end-of-life care. The goal is to provide a continuum of coordinated care
to enhance the lives of children with life-threatening conditions. Secondarily, we support the entire
family to help them remain intact and even thrive during the process of caring for their child.
For children facing end-of-life, the needs are very different from those of older adults who have
already lived a full life, and most traditional care giving organizations are not set up to meet those
needs. Among the most important – children still need an opportunity to be children. When it
comes to palliative care (relief of pain and suffering), the American Academy of Pediatrics states
the goal is to “add life to the child’s years, not simply years to the child’s life”.
Ryan House provides cost savings for the community as a whole. Before Ryan House existed,
families at their breaking point often utilized emergency rooms or hospitals when they were in need
of respite services. These stays were often medically unnecessary and costly. Now, desperate
families have an option to unnecessary hospitalization.
Medicaid and traditional medical insurance provide no reimbursement for third-party respite care
such as that provided by Ryan House. All services are provided 100% free of charge to families,
and Ryan House raises 100% of the funding needed for the Respite Care Program.

Objectives of the Program include providing respite care to offer families a reprieve from the 24/7
care of their child; providing palliative care to improve the child’s quality of life, minimize pain and
suffering, optimize functions, and provide opportunities for personal growth; and, providing end-of-
life care to offer families a sanctuary of support consistent with clinical, cultural, and ethical best
practices and standards.
Ryan House eases the burden on children with life-limiting conditions and their families by
providing a safe and comfortable place where treatments and therapies are administered by a skilled
medical and trained volunteer staff, allowing families to focus on…being families. Although this 11
bedroom house looks like any other large home to the casual observer, it contains all the modern
medical technology needed to provide the care and supportive therapies children need.
Services include:
• Respite Care: Designed to give families a break and an opportunity to reconnect while the
child participates in activities not otherwise available to them. Families can receive up to 28
overnight days of respite care per year.
• Palliative Care: Focuses on enhancing quality of life, minimizing suffering, optimizing
functioning and providing opportunities for personal growth.
• Anticipatory Grief and Family Support: Offers resource and referral information and
emotional support for parents and siblings, including anticipatory grief and bereavement
care.
• End of Life Care: Families with a child facing end-of-life receive supportive planning and
care consistent with clinical, ethical and cultural standards.
• Life-enhancing Therapeutic Activities: Help alleviate the isolation, pain and fear children
suffer when trying to cope with their diagnosis, while improving overall quality-of-life and
well-being by providing an opportunity to experience new sensations, develop skills and
gain confidence. Activities include art, music, recreational, pet, sensory and hydro-therapies,
legacy building in our new Story of Me multi-media room, and more.
The effect of respite care on families is gathered through an anonymous parent survey and the
results show that the program has an overwhelmingly positive impact on families.
Specific results include:
• An overwhelming 100 percent of families respond that their child participates in meaningful
activities at Ryan House
• Nearly 90 percent of families say that respite stays at Ryan House improve the quality of life
for their entire family
• Eighty-four percent of families agree that respite strengthens their overall family
relationships

• Seventy-two percent report that their family develops new friendships and support systems
with other families and children at Ryan House
• Eighty-three percent report that respite lowers their level of stress
Ryan House is a new and growing concept. It is the only organization of its kind in Arizona, in the
Southwest, and one of just two in the entire country; we serve as a model for organizations
throughout the U.S. interested in developing similar facilities. Not only are we about caring for the
children, siblings, and parents, but we welcome extended family, friends, colleagues, and the entire
community who support each child.
B) Population Served
The population who will benefit from the proposal is all children between birth and 17 living in
Arizona with a life-threatening condition and who are cared for at home. The children served suffer
from conditions that cause significant functional impairment and are diagnosed by medical
professionals to be irreversible and terminal. These children are not expected to live in to their
twenties and require round-the-clock medical care. Some may be diagnosed with cancer, have
suffered tragic accidents, or are brought to Ryan House almost immediately after birth with
undiagnosed genetic conditions. It is estimated that over 5,000 families in Arizona may be eligible
for services.
This year Ryan House anticipates serving over 300 children and their families representing the full
range of economic and social circumstances. This number does not include siblings, parents or
guardians, extended family, friends, colleagues, and community members, etc. It is common,
particularly with end-of-life families, that we may have as many as 25-200+ visitors at the House
over the course of days to spend time visiting, eating meals together, and saying their goodbyes.
Such is the case with Katie, a teenager here with end-stage cancer recently. We hosted over 250
family, friends and guests in the 3 day period before Katie passed. It was a special gift that Ryan
House could give not only to them, but to Katie.
C) Budget of Requested Funds
$50,000 in funding from the Tohono O’odham Nation will provide 24 hours of respite care for 50
children, approximately 75 siblings and 100 parents. That is 1,200 hours of medically supervised
respite care.
Description Cost
Registered Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, Child Life Specialist $35,000
Bereavement/Family Support $2,500
Life-Enhancing Therapeutic Activities $2,500
Food $1,500
Medical Supplies $1,000

Facility & Room Maintenance $7,500
Total Cost/Funding Request $50,000
D) Other Funding Requests for Related Proposals
Awarded:
Arizona Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs ($80,000), City of Phoenix
Community Development Block Grant ($35,000 pledged), Gila River Indian Community
($100,000 pledged), Larry H. Miller Dealerships ($10,000), Three Desert Winds Foundation
($52,000), US Airways ($10,000), Wayne Foundation ($12,500)
Pending:
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation ($15,000), Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation ($20,000),
Phoenix Suns Human Services grant ($10,000), Phoenix Suns Playmaker Grant ($100,000), Salt
River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community ($100,000), The Board of Visitors – LOI ($50,000)
E) 12% Distribution Funding
Ryan House has not received a 12% distribution from the Tohono O’odham Nation thus far, yet we
hope to partner with you to benefit our Arizona children with life-threatening conditions and their
families. As part of our initial capital campaign, Ryan House received a 5-year $500,000 grant
from the Gila River Indian Community in 2007, and we just received a pledge for $100,000. From
the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, we have received $650,000 between 2007-2013.
The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation awarded Ryan House $10,000 in 2012 and in 2013.
The total Respite Care Program budget is $2.13 million dollars. Funding also comes from special
events, individual donations, corporate sponsorships and third-party events, etc.
F) Contact Information
Alyssa Crockett, Executive Director Cathy LaSusa, Director of Development
acrockett@ryanhouse.org clasusa@ryanhouse.org
(602) 200-0767; (602) 200-0768 fax (602) 200-0767; (602) 200-0768 fax
110 W. Merrell Street, Phoenix, AZ 85013 110 W. Merrell Street, Phoenix, AZ 85013
G) Priority Area/s
Ryan House primarily meets the Tohono O’odham Nation Health Care priority by providing respite,
palliative and end-of-life care for children with life-threatening conditions, including all medical
care necessary during their stays. Ryan House secondarily meets the Child Advocacy priority, by
advocating for children with such special health care needs. As you now know, Ryan House is the
only organization (nonprofit, private, or public) that provides respite, palliative, and end-of-life
health care to children in Arizona.
H) Nonprofit Organization Agreement Information
Ryan House is establishing an agreement with Maricopa County if funds are granted.

Thank you Tohono O’odham Nation for your consideration of this grant request.


Ryan House Fact Sheet
Mission
Ryan House provides respite, palliative, and end-of-life care to Arizona’s most medically fragile
children, ages birth through 17 who have a life-threatening or terminal condition, and their families.
About Ryan House
Ryan House is a Phoenix based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 2004. Opened on
March 29, 2010, Ryan House is a 13,000 square foot medical facility built from the ground up
completely geared toward children that provides quality short-term respite, palliative and end-of-life
care, as well as appropriate therapies, activities and support to children with life-threatening conditions
and their families. Ryan House provides all services at no cost to families, and receives no insurance
reimbursement. Ryan House is the only organization of its kind throughout the Southwest, and one of
only two in the entire country. Its philosophy of comfort care addresses not only physical pain but also
the emotional, spiritual and social needs of the child and family. Ryan House celebrated its 5th birthday
of “open doors and open hearts” in March 2015.
History/Overview
The inspiration and model for Ryan House is Helen House, the world’s first children’s respite and
hospice center located in Oxford, England. While living in London, the Cottor family (mom Holly, dad
Jonathan, and first-born son Ethan) was referred to Helen House soon after receiving their son, Ryan’s,
diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy when he was 8 months old. Ryan was given a life-expectancy of
two years old. The Cottor’s experience with Helen House convinced them of the essential need for
center-based family focused respite and support services. Helen House became a vital component in
maintaining the health and integrity of their family as they coped with their young son’s diagnosis and
care needs. Ryan House was created after the Cottor’s return to the U.S., when they discovered that
the type of respite and palliative care families like theirs desperately need was non-existent in Arizona
and across the country. The Cottor’s remain very involved with Ryan House. Dad, Jonathan, is on the
Board of Directors. Mom, Holly, is Community Liaison. Oldest son, Ethan, is a volunteer. Last but not
least, the organization’s namesake Ryan, now 14, is an active volunteer and spokesman as well.
Ryan House Services
From diagnosis through end-of-life, Ryan House provides a comprehensive program of family-centered
care including medical, psychological, social and spiritual support services and therapies. With a skilled
and dedicated Care Team providing hands-on care around the clock, families are able to take a much-
needed break to focus on enjoying life and loved ones. The Care Team includes registered nurses,
certified nursing assistants, medical directors – physicians expert in the pediatric care of children with
special health-care needs, social workers, a certified child life specialist, and a non-denominational
chaplain.
Services include:
Respite Care, Quality-of-Life Programs/Palliative Care, End-of-life Care, and Bereavement Care

Additional Activities
Children and families staying at Ryan House are offered resources and activities to enhance their
overall quality of life and strengthen relationships. All planning and care is family-driven and family-
focused.
Services and activities include:
 Art, music, recreation and pet therapy & legacy-building, etc.
 Sensory and hydrotherapy activities
 Outside playground and meditation garden
 Advocacy and consultation
 Emotional and spiritual support
Ryan House
Our medical facility houses a 13,000 square-foot pediatric unit dedicated solely to children’s care. The
pediatric unit serves up to eleven children and three families at a time.
Ryan House offers
Eight children’s bedrooms Three family suites with private patios
Specialized bathing room Great Room/Living area
Kitchen and dining area Multi-activity arts & crafts room
Sensory room Hydrotherapy pool
Music room “Story of Me” multi-media studio
Sanctuary Memorial garden
Backyard patio Fully accessible playground
Founding Community Partners
The Board of Visitors Hospice of the Valley
The Junior League of Phoenix Kitchell Contractors
Orcutt Winslow Partnership St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center (now DignityHealth)
St. Luke’s Health Initiatives
Location
Ryan House is located in central Phoenix on corner of Merrell Street and First Avenue, north of Thomas
Road – approximately 1 block east of St. Joseph’s Hospital/Dignity Health.
Key Contacts
Alyssa Crockett
Executive Director
acrockett@ryanhouse.org
Cathy LaSusa
Director of Development
clasusa@ryanhouse.org

Last updated: 05/07/2015
Page 1
General information
Organization Duet: Partners in Health and Aging
Contact First name Claire
Contact Last name West
Contact e-mail grants@duetaz.org
Contact phone number 6022745022
Address
Street 555 W Glendale Avenue
City Phoenix
State AZ
ZIP Code 85021
From what tribe is the organization requesting the grant?
Tohono O’odham Nation
Total grant amount request
10000
The Gila River Indian Community offers multi-year awards. If your organization is requesting a multi-year grant for this
project or program, enter the amount to be requested each year.
Amount
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
1 of 1


555 West Glendale Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85021
Chairman Ned Norris Jr., Tohono O’odham Nation
P.O Box 837
Sells
Arizona 85634
May 10, 2015
Dear Chairman Norris:
Thank you for this opportunity to submit a request for 12% gaming funds from the Tohono O’odham
Nation, under the priority of Child Advocacy. Funding will help hundreds of children avoid foster care
placement by offering critically needed guidance and support to the grandparents who are raising
them.
a) Explain the perceived need and explain how the proposal addresses that need.
Over 59,000 grandparents raise upwards of 69,000 grandchildren in Arizona. Typical issues that
hinder parents’ ability to care for their children include serious mental or physical illness, financial
instability, substance abuse, child abuse or neglect, military deployment, incarceration, or they may
be deceased. Statistics show that the top three causes of child neglect are substance abuse,
incarceration and mental illness. Grandparents raising their grandchildren face many challenges.
They may still be working, experiencing poor health, and/or caring for a spouse or elderly relative.
They are often overwhelmed with having to deal with school systems, legal and healthcare issues,
financial concerns, and complex family situations.
Keeping children in a safe, caring, stable and loving environment with their grandparents, and out of
the foster care system, is a key goal of the program. Through support to grandparents throughout
Maricopa County, Duet helps children avoid foster care placement by offering critically needed
guidance to the grandparents who are raising them. Duet will provide vital, free-of-charge services
including educational workshops, healthy family activities, benefit counseling, legal assistance,
respite, and ongoing support groups. Duet’s services are provided at a cost to Duet of $190 per child
annually. The cost to Arizona taxpayers for one child in foster care is $7,200 and the cost to place one
child in congregate care for one year ranges from $14,000 - $119,000.
Specifically, during the grant period, Duet will provide:
• Ongoing monthly support groups serving a minimum of 150 participants
• Educational workshops on specific topics of concern
• Information and referral to a minimum of 1,000 callers to help navigate school,/health/legal
systems
• Free legal assistance and guardianship clinics offered monthly benefiting over 20 families
Executive Director: Elizabeth Banta Phone: (602) 274-5022 Email: info@duetaz.org Web: www.duetaz.org

• Healthy family activities for providing opportunities to see that they are not alone in their
situation
• Cultural enrichment opportunities for that might otherwise be unaffordable
• Respite assistance where children will participate in summer camps, overnights, etc
• Emergency assistance helping with basic furniture needs when they unexpectedly take in
grandchildren
• An annual Grandparents Conference
Since 1981 Duet has been a leader in identifying and responding to pressing community needs
including volunteer services for homebound adults, comprehensive services for family caregivers and
grandparents raising grandchildren, and congregational health programs led by faith community
nurses. Our Mission is to promote health and well-being through a broad range of community-based
services for homebound elders and adults with disabilities, caregivers, faith communities, and
grandparents raising grandchildren.
b) Describe the population which will benefit if proposal is approved.
Duet nurtured 800 grandchildren and 533 grandparents through Duet’s grandparents services
program throughout 2014. Women between the ages of 60 and 74 who are the primary caregiver to
the grandchildren in their care is the profile of the individual typically served by this program. 75% are
considered low to moderate income with 35% of these living on $18,000 per year or less. Children
served range in age from toddler to late teens.
Casey Family Programs reports in 2015, children should be raised in a family and most families can
care for their children, though some need some additional support. People are not isolated beings;
they are part of familial and social networks. When those networks and connections are disrupted –
as when children are taken away from their families – the impact is negative and it is cumulative on
the child. Longer stays in foster care increase the chance of multiple placements, which are
associated with problems of attachment, poor school performance and behavioral difficulties. Those
who stay in care the longest are at risk of becoming one of more than 20,000 young people who
leave the foster care system each year with no achieved permanency outcome, at risk of
homelessness, unemployment, pregnancy, and poor educational achievement.
Jimmy is 10, and a member of a grandfamily served by Duet. His grandmother takes advantage of
Duet support groups and workshops. Jimmy was shadowing Patricia Dominguez’s (Duet Director of
Kinship Care Services) every move as grandfamilies arrived at a recent Duet activity at Amazing
Jake’s, a place with bumper cars and laser tag and lots of food. He wanted to be the very first one to
get his tickets to play. Patricia said to him, “Hold on. I’ll give your ticket to grandma.” Jimmy
corrected her. “Mom.” He continued, ”She is my grandma, you know. But I’m adopted.” As he looked
around at all the kids he said very seriously, “I like to come to these Duet things. You always have
super cool things for all of us to do and we always have fun.”
c) Include a budget with the total amount requested clearly notated.
Duet: Partners in Health & Aging respectfully requests $10,000 from the Tohono O’odham Nation for
grandparents raising grandchildren. A full project budget appears below. Funds from the Tohono
O’odham Nation will be allocated to the Legal Fund $2,500, Respite activities $2,500, Grandparent
Forums/Trainings $500, Outing Admission Fees $2,500; Materials and Supplies $2,000.
Duet: Partners In Health & Aging
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Budget 2015 - 2016
Income
Executive Director: Elizabeth Banta Phone: (602) 274-5022 Email: info@duetaz.org Web: www.duetaz.org

Foundation & Corporate Grants and donations, and Individual
Contributions 66,543
Area Agency on Aging, Region One 80,000
Project Income 2,000
Inkind (space provided by Church of the Beatitudes) 4,378
Total Income 152,921
Expenses
Personnel (for 1.5 full time equivalents) 90,692
Employee Related Expenses (Benefits) 24,299
Subtotal 114,991
Professional & Outside Services
Computer back-up / web hosting 110
Accounting and HR Services 680
Legal Fund 5,000
Respite 9,500
Grandparent forums / trainings 500
Activity / Outing admission fees 3000
Newsletter design services 400
Bridging Az Furniture Bank - $80 x 10 families 1,000
Subtotal 20,190
Travel 2,400
For mileage to support groups, outreach, and activities
Space 5,350
(Includes rent @ $81 per month and in-kind space, plus $500 for space at other
locations)
Materials / Supplies
Postage 2,000
Office supplies 300
Supplies and food for annual participant group events 1000
Materials and food for participant outings and workshops 1,900
Subtotal 5,200
Operating Services
Phones - 9% of total 450
Equip maint 9% of total 260
Printing (includes 1/4 cost of Duet News) 2,700
Continuing Education 300
Liability insurance 1,080
Subtotal 4,790.00
Executive Director: Elizabeth Banta Phone: (602) 274-5022 Email: info@duetaz.org Web: www.duetaz.org

TOTAL EXPENSES 152,921
d) List any other funding requests that have been made for this project and provide the status.
Pending Proposals:
Carstens Family Fund $5,000
Awarded Proposals:
Pendleton Memorial Fund $5,000 Cardinals Charities $3,000
Summer Youth Program Fund USAA Foundation $5,000
$4,000 Sundt $2,500
Thunderbirds Charities $5,000 Desert Schools FCU $7,500
FTF/Benevilla
$63,000
e) Indicate whether the entity has already received a 12% distribution from the Tohono O’odham
Nation or other Arizona tribes, along with the amount and date awarded.
Duet has not received funding from the Tohono O’odham Nation. Duet received funding from the Salt
River Pima Maricopa Indian Community in December 2014 in the amount of $7,500 for general
operations. Duet received $43,000 from Gila River Indian Community in 2013 for volunteer services,
and has a pending request in to Gila River Indian Community in the amount of $35,000 for volunteer
services. Duet has a pending request in to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Apache Nation for $9,000 for
congregational Health services. Duet has not requested funds for the grandparents raising
grandchildren from other Prop 202 funds.
f) Identify a designated contact person and alternate contact person for follow-up, including email
address, and fax number for these persons.
Duet: Partners in Health & Aging Primary Contact: Elizabeth Banta, MC, Executive Director
555 W. Glendale Ave Direct Line: (602) 274-5022 ext. 11
Phoenix AZ 85021 Email: banta@duetaz.org
Main Phone Line: (602) 274-5022 Fax: (602) 274-6793
Secondary Contact: Nancy Knoche, Director of Development:
(602) 274-5022 ext. 14
g) Indicate which priority area the proposal falls under.
Child Advocacy: Spending on congregate care in Arizona has nearly doubled since 2009, with the
state spending $79 million to care for children in group homes, emergency shelters and residential
treatment centers in fiscal year 2013, a new state report says. “Not only is congregate care expensive
... but it may adversely affect the children because it delays permanency and may pose threats to a
child’s safety and well-being,” said the report, released March 2015 by the Arizona Office of the
Auditor General. The report noted systemic departmental problems over the past five years, including
inadequate planning for how to get children into permanent placements with adoptive families;
assumptions that older children in care may not be adoptable; poorly attached children and foster
homes, and overuse of congregate-care placements. The overwhelming surge in children coming into
state custody resulted in high staff caseloads, caseload backlogs, staff turnover, and insufficient staff
training. “Kids do not belong in congregate care. It’s not a family. It’s an institution in a
neighborhood,” Kris Jacober, executive director of the Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive
Families stated in an interview earlier this year.
Executive Director: Elizabeth Banta Phone: (602) 274-5022 Email: info@duetaz.org Web: www.duetaz.org

h) Include the name of the city, town, or county an agreement will be made with if funds are
granted.
Maricopa County. We have submitted our intent to apply through the County’s system.
Thank you for your consideration. A grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation will have tremendous and
lasting impact.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Banta, Executive Director
Executive Director: Elizabeth Banta Phone: (602) 274-5022 Email: info@duetaz.org Web: www.duetaz.org

Last updated: 05/09/2015
Page 1
General information
Organization West Valley Arts Council
Contact First name Claire
Contact Last name West
Contact e-mail cwest9455@hotmail.com
Contact phone number 6022589455
Address
Street 42 E Mariposa number 3
City Phoenix
State Arizona
ZIP Code 85012
From what tribe is the organization requesting the grant?
Tohono O’odham Nation
Total grant amount request
10000
The Gila River Indian Community offers multi-year awards. If your organization is requesting a multi-year grant for this
project or program, enter the amount to be requested each year.
Amount
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
1 of 1


W E S T V A L L E Y
A R T S
C O U N C I L
Chairman Ned Norris Jr.
Tohono O’odham Nation
P.O Box 837
Sells
Arizona 85634
May 10, 2015
Dear Chairman Norris:
Thank you for this opportunity to submit a request for 12% gaming funds from the Tohono O’odham
Nation, under the priority of Education. Funding will support the direct program expenses of the West
Valley Art Council’s comprehensive Arts Education Partnerships with two Buckeye school districts –
both Title One, in the West Valley Art Council’s (WVAC) service area - 13 cities and towns adjacent
to, and west of, downtown Phoenix, known locally as the West Valley. Your funding will deliver arts
education to over 6,000 children k-8th grade.
a) Explain the perceived need and explain how the proposal addresses that need.
Decades of research stand behind the benefits of arts education for students, including improved
academic performance, greater leadership and social skills, advanced creative problem solving skills,
and overall enhanced ability to compete in a 21st Century workforce. Not to mention evidence
supporting the positive effects of arts-based learning on school attendance, student motivation and a
child’s sense of belonging. For kids struggling with academic or social challenges, the arts can
change lives – as the arts offer safe outlets for creative expression, teach vital life skills and keep kids
on the right track. For eight years, WVAC has delivered a successful education model that integrates
the arts into the academic curriculum. Studies developed by GE Fund, the John D. and Catherine T.
Mac Arthur Foundation, the Arts Education Partnership and others found: Students with high levels of
arts participation outperform "arts-poor" students on virtually every measure.
Since 2008, the state of Arizona’s budget for education has steadily eroded. When the recession hit,
only Oklahoma and Alabama made deeper cuts to K12 education funding than Arizona. In 2015 the
Governor passed an austere budget which defunded the arts, severely limited funding to schools, and
did not restore funds appropriated from education during the recession. When cuts force schools to
reduce arts and sports, they are cutting the very programs that many struggling students look forward
to and benefit from most. Schools are finding creative ways to adapt. The schools embracing the Arts
Education Partnership (AEP) are just such schools. The WVAC has established an AEP with the
Liberty and Buckeye Elementary School Districts in to ensure available arts education, to which these
districts were forced to make cuts during the recession. While the combined median family income for
all of Buckeye is above the poverty line, the average median family income in the communities in
which these schools are located is low enough to warrant Title One designations for the schools.
AEP provides educators with quality professional development and supports implementation of the
arts as core curriculum for all. This is guided by our mission-critical goal of championing arts
13243 N. Founders Park Blvd.
Surprise, AZ 85379
623-935-6384
www.westvalleyarts.org

education as the leading advocate for the West Valley. Ensuring K-8 students have the opportunity to
build on their College & Career Ready workforce skills, using art (as outlined in the new standards)
including Communication, Cooperative Learning, Leadership, Peer Collaboration, Problem Solving
and Time Management, is critical. These skills are fostered in band, choir, dance, drama, and visual
arts.
Specifically, during the grant period, WAC will execute Memoranda of Understanding with the schools
and:
e) Respond to unique needs identified by educators for their individual schools and circumstances;
a) Deliver professional development classes for fine-art teachers, and others who want to participate,
focusing on Arizona’s standards in the arts;
b) Connect teachers with visiting artists who provide additional in-service training;
c) Provide a series of culturally diversified performing arts opportunities for students and
opportunities to showcase their work throughout the community;
d) Develop resources needed for schools to create bands and choirs.
Since 1969, the WVAC is the only regional organization that focuses on all disciplines of the arts and
maintains a unique position in providing professional arts and culture offerings to the nearly 1,000,000
residents of the West Valley. The WVAC has been honored 5 times with a Best of the West award for
its work. The WVAC meets the needs of the region by connecting all things arts and culture across
the West Valley and serving as a voice for the arts in the West Valley. The WVAC also serves as a
promotion resource for arts organizations, events, and artists; and, maintains strong partnerships with
governmental, educational, corporate, and other cultural organizations throughout the Valley. In
March 2015 The West Valley Arts Council was awarded a Governor’s Art Award for its service to the
community.
b) Describe the population which will benefit if proposal is approved.
WVAC is serving the 6,629 students and 20 fine arts teachers, and other educators, in each of the 9
elementary schools identified. Even with a recovering economy, significant and comprehensive arts
education along with opportunities to experience arts and cultural opportunities beyond the classroom
would simply not exist without the Council. The Arts Education Partnerships strive to keep the
momentum of arts education moving forward for students. Limited funding for the arts frequently
leads to teachers using their own money to buy arts supplies for their classrooms, as is the case with
some of the teachers in these 2 districts who tell us they typically spend between $500 and $750
each year for what they need to successfully fulfill their lesson plans. Through the AEPs many of
those supplies are can be provided through art supply drives and working with local art supply stores.
Additionally, AEPs employ professional Teaching Artists, providing them an honorarium. Current
other partnerships include Agua Fria Union High School and the elementary districts of Littleton, and
Tolleson.
c) Include a budget with the total amount requested clearly notated.
WVAC respectfully requests $10,000 from the Tohono O’odham Nation for supplies, stipends for
teaching artists, fees to performing artists in Arts Advantage performances, arts supplies, bussing for
field trips to museums & other arts experiences.
Budget - Arts Education Partnership – School Year 2015 Buckeye & Liberty Elementary School Districts
13243 N. Founders Park Blvd.
Surprise, AZ 85379
623-935-6384
www.westvalleyarts.org

REVENUE COMMENTS
Contribution from School $12,00
Districts 0
Grants $24,50
0
WVAC Cash and In-kind
Diamond Ball & General $17,45
Operating 2
TOTAL $53,95
REVENUE 2
EXPENSES
Salaries
Dir. of Programs and $19,00
Education (40%) 0
Dir. of Marketing and Public
Relations (3%) $
Executive Director (5%) 1,320
Dir. of Operations (3%)
Sub Total $
Salaries 4,250
Taxes and Benefits $
TOTAL 1,725
SALARIES $26,29
5
$
4,470
$30,76
5
Program Expenses
Stipends for Instructors (9 @ $1,800 Prof. Development Classes for
$200 each ) Educators
Arts Advantage Performances $4,000 Students attend live
(2 series of 4 shows = 8 performances
shows @ $500 ea)
Teaching Artists $2,250 Students learn from
Visual (9 @ $250 each) professional artists
Arts Supplies $1,800 $200 per school
Bussing reimbursements for field $2,250 Field trips to museums, other
trips (9 @ $250) arts venues
Annual Reception for Educators $300 At WVAC offices and galleries
13243 N. Founders Park Blvd.
Surprise, AZ 85379
623-935-6384
www.westvalleyarts.org

TOTAL PROGRAM $12,40
EXPENSES 0
Marketing $3,000 Promotion of arts events at
schools; Flyers, brochures,
other program collateral
Mileage $750 Staff, and speakers/instructors
SUB TOTAL $46,91
EXPENSES 5
WVAC Overhead (supplies, $7,037 15% of sub total
printing, phone, etc)
TOTAL CURRENT $53,95
EXPENSES 2
Credit and Recognition for Donors:
The Tohono O’odham Nation will be recognized on the WVAC’s web site, all WVAC social media
sites, and in a media release, and all published materials and media relating to the Arts Education
Partnership including flyers that go to parents. At public events where students from Arts Education
Partnership schools are appearing, recognition will be made.
d) List any other funding requests that have been made for this project and provide the status.
Pending Proposals:
Arizona Commission on the Arts, APS, Wings Like Eagles Foundation
Awarded Proposals:
Act One Foundation, Thunderbirds Charities
e) Indicate whether the entity has already received a 12% distribution from the Tohono O’odham
Nation or other Arizona tribes, along with the amount and date awarded.
This is the first request WVAC has made for Prop 202 funds.
f) Identify a designated contact person and alternate contact person for follow-up, including email
address, and fax number for these persons.
West Valley Arts Council, 13243 N. Founders Park Blvd. Surprise, AZ, (623) 935-6384, Executive
Director: Bernadette Mills, Fax: (623) 935-4327, E-mail address: bmills@westvalleyarts.org.
Secondary Contact: Jan
Holland-Malcolm, Director of Events and Programs, janhm@westvalleyarts.org, 623.935.6384
g) Indicate which priority area the proposal falls under.
Education
h) Include the name of the city, town, or county an agreement will be made with if funds are
granted.
Maricopa County.
13243 N. Founders Park Blvd.
Surprise, AZ 85379
623-935-6384
www.westvalleyarts.org

Thank you for your consideration. A grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation will have lasting impact.
Sincerely,
Bernadette Mills, Executive Director
13243 N. Founders Park Blvd.
Surprise, AZ 85379
623-935-6384
www.westvalleyarts.org