Extracted text (via pymupdf)
8833 characters
2025 Arizona Benefits Fund Grant Application Due by May 1, 2025 Sent to the City of Glendale by April 1, 2025 for City Council approval to include with our application. Email to Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Prop202@ftmcdowell.org. Subject line: Prop 202 Grant App. Page 1: Applicant Information APPLICANT Legal Name: Maricopa County Community Colleges District Foundation Address: 2419 West 14th St. City: Tempe State: AZ Zip/Postal Code: 85281 Main Telephone: 480-731-8400 Main Email Address: info@mcccdf.org Website Address: https://mcccdf.org/ Twitter handle: @MCCCDF Executive Director Name: Brian Spicker Executive Director Phone Number: 480-731-8098 Executive Director Email Address: Brian.Spicker@DOMail.Maricopa.edu APPLICATION PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT Grants Office: Sharon Weltz, Grants Officer Senior Address: 2419 West 14th St. City: Tempe State: AZ Zip/Postal Code: 85281 Telephone: 480-731-8407 Email Address: foundationgrants@domail.maricopa.edu GOVERNMENT SPONSOR Sponsor: City of Glendale Municipality representative: Jose Echeverria Vega, Grants Program Manager. Phone: (623) 930-2222 Email: JEcheverriavega@glendaleaz.com ______________________________________________________________ Signature of acknowledgment from government sponsor Project Summary - Page 2 & 3 Maricopa County Community Colleges District Foundation Project Summary: A short description of the project that is no more than four (4) sentences. The Maricopa County Community College District Foundation offers services to over 100,000 students each year across our 10-college district. The “Student Emergency Assistance Fund” promotes equity in access to education by adding an additional layer of support for our most vulnerable students during a time when they need it most. The fund provides immediate financial assistance to bridge a one-time financial gap to overcome a hardship that threatens their ability to succeed in continuing their college education. Our vision is to keep as many students as possible in school and on the road to graduation, knowing when a hardship hits, their community has their back. Narrative: No more than two (2) pages that answers the following 5 questions: Q1. The proposed program or project, and whether it is a new or continuing project The “Student Emergency Assistance Fund” is a continuing program that allows us to quickly respond to requests for support from our most vulnerable students at a time when they need it most. This proposal requests a grant of $5,000 toward achieving an overall fundraising goal of $500,000 that will support approximately 1,600 students in 2026. Q2. The purpose of the program and how it meets Fort McDowell’s funding priorities. The “Student Emergency Assistance Fund” aligns with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s funding priority of education. This program increases the student’s ability to stay in college, building a foundation for a better life for themselves, their family, and our community. The purpose of the “Student Emergency Assistance Fund” program is to provide our most vulnerable students with an additional layer of support to keep them in school and on the path to graduation. The program was created for the student who needs immediate financial support to access nutritious food, restore transportation, pay a power bill, and more. Whenever possible, we issue funds directly to utility companies, auto repair shops, etc., on behalf of the student. Q3. The need, population targeted, and est. # of people served by the grant. Requests for Emergency Fund services climbed starting with the 2020 COVID pandemic (business closures, job loss, school closures) with years of high inflation raising the cost of basic needs (including unprecedented rent increases.) Last year, the “Student Emergency Assistance Fund” raised $516,000 which benefited approximately 1,220 students experiencing a one-time financial crisis during the academic year. Today, in Maricopa County, city poverty rates are as high as 30%. Academically talented youth from low-income families face more barriers to higher education. Lost wages due to an illness, unreliable childcare, and other life challenges can bring students face to face with having to decide between paying for a doctor to treat an illness, put food on the table, or pay for a new tire. Emergency funds benefit students who face unexpected and insurmountable financial strains that threaten their ability to stay in school. Meet Mariana Nunez, majoring in Early Childhood Education “I wanted to let you know what you do makes a difference in people's lives. Not only mine but also my children who see me struggle every day as a single mother working hard for a better future. I'm very thankful for this. Thank you for everything you do.” Meet Alexus McCowin, majoring in Diagnostic Medical Imaging and Therapies “I am a single mother of an amazing eight-year-old daughter, a full-time student, as well as a part time employee for a local hospital. I am working towards a Bachelors in Health Sciences degree, with an emphasis in Diagnostic Medical Imaging and Therapies. Being in school, not able to work full-time has impacted me substantially financially. This emergency funding has allowed me to catch up on a past due utility bill. Without your help, I was unsure how I was going to be able to pay this bill. Thank you for your generosity and willingness to make an investment in my future. Words simply cannot express my gratitude and appreciation.” Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s motto, “Never give up; always give back.” resonates with our mission. We don’t want students giving up on their dream of achieving a college education because of a single hardship. This is something we can all work on together. Q4. The partners in the program, and other entities providing funding and support; Our Community College District has an ongoing partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank to fill gaps in community donations in the ten on-campus food pantries located throughout Maricopa County. From our most eastern location on the campus of Chandler-Gilbert Community College, to our most western location on the campus of Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale. Some of the entities consistently providing annual grant support for the Student Emergency Fund include the State Farm Foundation, Gila River Indian Community, Tohono O'odham Nation, Ak-Chin Indian Community, SRP-MIC, and the Arizona Republic. In addition to Emergency Funds, our college district supports “student success” with wrap- around support services to remove barriers to higher education. Financial aid, free tutoring, academic and career counseling, food pantries, and greatest needs funds help to remove barriers. We focus on career readiness, which encompasses more than completing coursework: mock interviews, resume preparation, internships and apprenticeships, and networking with local industry all work together to help today’s students achieve their academic goals and successfully gain entry into their chosen career fields Q5. The timetable for implementation of the program or project. Based on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s funding cycle, funds deposited into the Student Emergency Assistance Fund by December 31, 2025 will be dispersed throughout the 2026 calendar year. Signatures – Page 4 Signatures of the relevant representatives of the city, town, or county on an official document (such as a resolution or letter) showing the government sponsor’s support. Budget – Page 5 Maricopa County Community Colleges District Foundation Student Emergency Assistance Fund Budget These funds support students with a one-time financial emergency to enable them to remain in school and on the path to college completion. FMYN Contribution A grant of $5,000 will benefit up to 16 college students facing a sudden financial emergency that threatens their ability to stay in school. 2026 Total Program Budget Our goal is to raise $500,000 to serve approximately 1,600 students in 2026. Planned Funding Requests: Pascua Yaqui Tribe $5,000 (Repeat Grant) Tohono O'odham Nation $25,000 (Repeat Grant) Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation $5,000 (Repeat Grant) Ak-Chin $50,000 (Repeat Grant) SRP-MIC $100,000 (Repeat Grant) Az Republic Season for Sharing, $10,000 (Repeat Grant) PepsiCo, $10,000 (Repeat Grant) BCBSAZ $100,000 (Solicited) Burton Family Foundation $100,000(Solicited) State Farm $48,000 (pledged) TBD and Community Donations $50,000 (Solicited) -------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL PROGRAM BUDGET: $500,000 Thank You!