Fighter Country Foundation Application

APPLICANT INFORMATION  
Applicant Organization  
Fighter Country Foundation  
Primary Contact Name  
Ron Sites 
Primary Contact Address  
500 N. Estrella Parkway 
Suite B2 PMB 479  
Goodyear, AZ 85338  
Primary Contact Email  
rsites@fightercountry.org 
Primary Contact Phone Number  
623-882-2191 
  
SPONSOR INFORMATION  
Name  
Jose Echeverria Vega 
Associated Entity   
City of Glendale  
Email  
JEcheverriavega@GLENDALEAZ.com  
Signature

PROJECT SUMMARY 
Fighter Country Foundations (FCF) Top Three Programs target Morale & Well-Being, 
Culture & Tradition and Mission Sustainability, addressing specific needs within Luke Air 
Force Base (AFB). These needs are identified by the senior leadership of Luke AFB and 
change over time.  
 
The mission of Luke AFB is to train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and maintainers, 
and to  deploy mission-ready warfighters. FCF’s programs enhance the quality of life on 
the base, helping to maintain high morale while these airmen, soldiers, and sailors serve 
our great nation with integrity. 
 
NARRATIVE 
Proposed Progam 
 
Business and community leaders in Maricopa County founded Fighter Country 
Partnership (1993) and Fighter Country Foundation (2006) to support the men, women 
and families of Luke AFB. We believe that quality of life for the Luke AFB community is 
vital to the success of the ongoing mission. 
FCF played a pivotal role in the effort to retain Luke AFB during difficult economic times. 
Our goal in supporting the mission of Luke AFB is to enhance the quality of life for 
military members and their families. In 2023, the Department of the Air Force 
recognized (FCF) and Luke AFB as the best Community Partnership in the entire Air 
Force. 
FCF’s Top Three programs target the Morale & Well-Being, Culture & Tradition and 
Mission Sustainability areas within Luke AFB that have been identified as areas of need.  
These areas change as the areas of need within the base change and are identified by 
the senior leadership of Luke AFB. FCF’s role is to support these evolving needs.  
 
FCF allocates its resources to where they are needed most, whether it is funding 
Financial Literacy Programs, Chaplain’s Monthly Deployed Family Dinners, Luke Single 
Parent Retreats, or base wellness events. FCF also collaborates with other non-profits to 
provide educational, recreational, and support services.  
 
Purpose and Connection to Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Priorities 
 
The reduction of federal funding for non-mission critical programs has left Luke AFB 
families without essential resources to maintain morale, well-being, and community 
engagement. Many airmen and their families experience financial strain, emotional 
stress, and isolation, especially during deployments, all tying back to their health and 
overall well-being.  
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The proposed project addresses:  
●​ The emotional and psychological strain of deployments by offering support 
programs like Deployed Family Dinners and Resiliency Retreats. 
●​ Financial instability through education and resource fairs.  
●​ The loss of cultural traditions due to budget cuts by continuing essential 
morale-boosting events.  
 
With an increasing need for non-governmental support, FCF’s programs play a crucial 
role in sustaining military families' health, well-being and fostering a sense of 
community at Luke AFB.  
 
Need, Populations and People Served 
 
Beneficiaries of FCF include Military Members and their families stationed at Luke AFB 
to include Navy, Marines, Army, and Reserve personnel. This total population of 
approximately 22,000 is located in Glendale. In 2023, over 6,000 Airmen and family 
members were impacted by the work of FCF.  We estimate that 350 individuals will be 
impacted by this grant. 
 
Partners and Implementation 
 
FCF collaborates with Luke AFB leadership, who identify service gaps and coordinate 
base-wide participation.  
 
Other key funding partners include:  
●​ West Valley Mavericks ($20,000 approved) – Supporting morale-based initiatives. 
●​ Lockheed Martin ($10,000 approved) – Contributing to community integration. 
●​ USAA ($75,000 invited) – Funding resiliency and financial literacy programs.  
●​ SRPMIC ($20,000 to submit) – Supporting community-building programs.  
●​ Gila River 12% ($25,000 applied) - Supporting morale-based initiatives.  
●​ Tohono O’odham ($40,000 to submit) - Supporting morale-based initiatives. 
 
These partnerships ensure that FCF can maintain a diverse funding stream to execute 
its programs effectively.  
 
There are almost 70 programs operating under the The Top Three Programs umbrella. 
All activities are ongoing. 
 
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INSERT RESOLUTION OR LETTER  
Directions per the instructions: 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. Applications without signatures will be considered incomplete.   
 
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