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El Mirage Community Partnership Grant Program
Application
Program Overview
The City of El Mirage Community Partnership Grant supports nonprofit organizations that provide essential
health and human services directly to El Mirage residents, including low-income families, seniors, youth,
and other individuals who may benefit from additional support.
Health and human services refer to programs, projects, or activities that improve the general health,
including physical, mental, emotional, or social well-being, of individuals and families. These services
address basic needs, promote safety and stability, and enhance residents' overall quality of life.
The program offers one-time funding of up to $10,000 per application annually from July 1 to June 30.
Eligible nonprofits and other qualified charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) status or IRS letter of
determination recognizing nonprofit status under A.R.S. §42-11154 may submit multiple applications for
funding, provided each application represents a distinct program or project.
Applicants are limited to one application per program or project. Each application must specify the
minimum funding required. Applications are evaluated based on an evaluation scoring rubric approved by
the City Council. The ultimate funding decisions are made by the El Mirage City Council.
Applicant Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation or other qualified charitable or nonprofit
organization as provided for in A.R.S. §42-11154.
The applicant must provide direct health and human services to El Mirage residents and
demonstrate how the program or project improves resident well-being.
The applicant must demonstrate the ability to generate revenue from sources other than the City of
El Mirage.
The applicant must submit the five following required documents:
1) Proof of 501(c)(3) status or IRS determination letter under A.R.S. §42-11154.
2) Organizational mission statement.
3) Board of directors list, including roles and affiliations.
4) Last two years of IRS Form 990 filings (or explanation if not available or required to file).
5) Completed application signed by an authorized representative.
If awarded, the applicant must register with the City of El Mirage as a vendor and provide an IRS
Form W-9 to receive funds.
If awarded, the applicant must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward stated goals and
objectives and provide timely and accurate reports as required by the city.
Application Directions
Please answer the following questions in narrative form. Applicants will receive up to five points for a
complete and accurate application.
Submission Directions
One electronic copy of the application and required attachments must be submitted no later than
the date and time identified in the notice to apply.
Late applications will not be accepted.
Please save a copy of this application for your records.
Awarded applicants are required to report completed program or project goal measurements by a
date and time specified in the notice of award, before the end of the fiscal year of the award,
or sooner as may be required by the city.
More Program Information
Visit www.ElMirageAZ.gov/Grants for more information about the program, including evaluation scoring
rubric.
Program-Related Inquiries
For program questions or to update contact information, please contact Regan Jepson at
communityservices@elmirageaz.gov.
Part 1: Agency and Program or Project
Section A: Agency Information
Agency Name
Banner Health Foundation
Tax Number
94-2545356
Executive Director / CEO
Andy Kramer Petersen
Website
https://www.bannerhealthfoundation.org
Address
2901 N. Central Avenue, Suite 160, Phoenix, Arizona 85012
Phone
(602) 747-3378
Section B: Agency Overview
Briefly describe your organization, the services it provides, mission, goals, and population served.
ABOUT BANNER HEALTH FOUNDATION: Banner Health’s mission is to make health care easier so life
can be better. Pursuant to that mission, Banner Health Foundation was established in 2001 to secure and
steward philanthropic resources, supporting programs and services at Banner facilities. One such program
is Banner Olive Branch Senior Center, which serves seniors facing food insecurity in the Northwest Valley.
Located in Sun City, Olive Branch offers delicious and nutritious meals to seniors throughout the region,
including the communities of El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, and Youngtown.
GOALS: Banner Olive Branch Senior Center’s food programs aim to prevent food insecurity for low-income
older adults in the Northwest Valley of Maricopa County. Our work is grounded in the ample scientific
evidence about the link between nutrition and health, and in the ongoing needs of seniors in our
community, who often struggle to access adequate nutrition because of financial and logistical barriers.
Our desired outcomes include improved food security, better nutrition, enhanced health outcomes, and
reduced social isolation among seniors with low incomes.
SERVICES: Established in 1988, BOBSC delivers more than 36,000 meals annually to homebound
seniors, operates a high-volume food pantry, serves daily congregate meals, and provides access to
benefits enrollment, health screenings, and social programming designed to improve well-being. Our
pioneering model has won BOBSC statewide recognition and mentions in national publications like Time
magazine.
POPULATION: BOBSC serves approximately 3,500 seniors each year, many of whom live on fixed or
limited incomes and face barriers such as limited mobility, lack of transportation, or chronic health
conditions. Currently, five percent of pantry clients are from the City of El Mirage. Through its integrated
“food as medicine” approach, BOBSC helps older adults access the nutrition they need to manage their
health, maintain independence, and remain safely in their homes.
Please upload the following required documents:
1.
Proof of Section 501(c)(3) Tax Exemption - IRS determination letter verifying nonprofit status under
A.R.S. §42-11154 from the Internal Revenue Service. Please upload.
2.
Organizational mission statement. Please upload.
3.
Board of Directors list including a current list of board members with roles and affiliations. Please
upload.
Upload Files Here
Banner Health Foundation - IRS Letter.pdf
2026 Banner Health Foundation Board of Directors.pdf
BHF Mission Statement 05-2026.pdf
Section C: Program or Project Information
Program or Project Name
Banner Olive Branch Senior Center Food Pantry
Support
Program or Project Contact Person
Nicole Miller
Email
nicole.miller9@bannerhealth.com
Phone
(480) 861-7783
Does the program or project directly serve residents of the City of El Mirage?
Yes
Please select one health & human services category that best aligns with the need met by the
program.
Food and Nutrition
If you selected "Other" above, please specify:
Part 2: Program Description
Section A: Narrative Description
Please provide a detailed description of the program or project that these grant funds will support,
if awarded.
Banner Health Foundation is requesting $5,000 from the City of El Mirage to support the Banner Olive
Branch Senior Center food pantry, with a focus on purchasing canned and other nonperishable food items.
The BOBSC food pantry, operated in partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank, serves approximately 1,500
individuals each week and distributes more than one million pounds of food annually. The pantry is
designed specifically for older adults and provides consistent access to nutritious food in a dignified, client-
choice environment. Aligned with a food as medicine approach, BOBSC uses a color-coded pantry system
to help seniors with specific medical conditions identify appropriate food choices, offers a lending library for
cooking equipment; and provides 1:1 consultations with a dietitian or nutritionist on-site.
In addition to pantry services, BOBSC delivers approximately 35,000 meals each year for seniors who are
unable to travel. These services are structured to address food insecurity as well as health and mobility
challenges that many seniors experience.
Earlier this year, a client named Rick shared a postcard with one of our staff members that read: "Without
your food program I surely would have gone hungry and without hope. Never forget the phenomenal work
you do.”
Funding from the City of El Mirage will allow BOBSC to continue helping individuals like Rick by
maintaining consistent pantry inventory and responding to rising demand for food assistance among
seniors throughout the region.
Describe how this program or project will benefit El Mirage residents directly and the need or gap
in service that it meets. Please include data to support your response.
SUPPORTING EL MIRAGE SENIORS: Banner Olive Branch Senior Center serves people throughout the
Northwest Valley, including residents of El Mirage. We anticipate serving approximately 175 El Mirage
residents annually through pantry access, meal programs, and related services. We also provide all of the
meals at the El Mirage Senior Center, serving an additional 20-40 clients regularly.
While El Mirage residents may have access to local food resources, BOBSC fills a critical gap for older
adults with more complex needs. Specifically, BOBSC focuses on serving seniors (60+) and provides
home delivered meals for residents who are homebound or lack transportation. Using a food as medicine
approach, BOSBC is able to support individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
MEETING THE NEED: Food and nutrition are among the most important factors determining health, and
the connection is especially strong for seniors, who are often managing multiple chronic health conditions
that can be significantly worsened by an inadequate diet. Scientific studies show that food insecurity is
strongly associated with poorer health outcomes among older adults; for instance, according to a 2024
report by the National Council on Aging, food-insecure seniors are 65% more likely to have diabetes and
are also at higher risk for congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, asthma, obesity, and gum disease.
In Maricopa County, the problem of food insecurity among seniors is particularly acute. With rents
skyrocketing and prices for food and other necessities rising, it has become impossible for many older
adults on fixed incomes or with meager savings to make ends meet. According to the Arizona Housing
Coalition, homelessness among seniors tripled between 2020 and 2024, and 10% of Maricopa County
seniors are currently living below the poverty line. In addition to financial limitations, many face other
obstacles; they may be unable to drive, lack transportation, have disabilities that make it impossible to walk
significant distances, and live far away from family and other support networks. According to the most
recent available data from Feeding America, 10.5% of Arizona seniors were food insecure in 2023 - the
ninth-worst rate in the nation.
At BOBSC, our programs are carefully designed to address the multiple causes of food insecurity in
seniors, including financial limitations, lack of transportation, and limited health and mobility. These
programs work: in internal surveys, 68% of our center participants report that their involvement with
BOBSC has made them less food insecure, and 76% of them report that their overall health has improved.
IMPACT: During 2026, we anticipate serving more than 3,500 older adults, providing them with the
nutritious food they need for full, thriving lives through home-delivered meals, breakfast and lunch in our
dining hall, to-go meals, and our food pantry. The impact is significant: participation in BOBSC programs
eliminates an estimated $300–$500 in monthly grocery expenses for seniors, helping stabilize household
budgets and allowing residents to afford housing, utilities, and medications.
The BOBSC pantry is currently operating at capacity, and additional funding is needed to sustain services
and meet increasing demand. Investment from the City of El Mirage will directly support access to food for
local seniors while strengthening the broader community safety net.
Is this a new or continuing program?
Continuing
If you selected "Other" above, please specify:
Section B: Scope & Timeline
What are the program or project dates?
January – December
Total number of persons expected to be served by this program or project during the funded year.
3,500
Total number of El Mirage residents you expect to be served by this program or project during the
funded year.
175
How soon will the program or project be implemented after funds are received, if awarded? (If not
applicable, write “N/A.”)
Funding will be used immediately to support the food pantry at Banner Olive Branch Senior Center.
Section C: Accessibility and Resource Needs
Does your program or project take place in the City of El Mirage? *
No
Where will your project or program be located, and how does this location support your ability to
serve El Mirage residents effectively?
Banner Olive Branch Senior Center is located near the intersection of 103rd Avenue and Thunderbird
Road in Sun City, just minutes from El Mirage. With nearly 40 years of service to the community, BOBSC
has become a reputable and trusted resource, with many of our clients coming back year after year.
For El Mirage residents who are unable to travel, BOBSC provides home-delivered meals, ensuring that
seniors with mobility challenges or transportation barriers can still receive consistent nutrition support. We
operate with a fleet of 19 vehicles to support our home-delivered meal program and food pantry services.
BOBSC employs 19 staff members, many of whom have been with the organization for years and have
deep institutional knowledge. Our team includes program managers, drivers, cooks, and community
outreach representatives; many are older adults themselves, and all of them understand the complex
needs of seniors living on limited incomes.
Operating under a regional model allows BOBSC to efficiently serve multiple nearby communities while
maintaining a high level of service, capacity, and specialized programming for older adults.
Describe how your program or project will be open to the public and ensure accessibility for
persons with disabilities, including specific accommodations.
All programs and services at BOBSC are open to the public, with a primary focus on adults aged 60 and
older, their spouses, and individuals with disabilities. The Banner Olive Branch facility is fully ADA-
compliant and designed to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges. Features include wheelchair-
accessible entrances, restrooms, and dining areas, wide hallways and open spaces for mobility devices,
accessible seating and service counters, and clearly marked signage throughout the building.
In addition to home-delivered meals, BOBSC offers multiple access points to services including our client-
choice food pantry, congregate meals, and social programming. Specific to the food pantry, our client-
choice model allows participants to select foods that meet their dietary needs, cultural preferences, and
personal tastes, rather than receiving prepackaged items. This approach promotes dignity and autonomy
while supporting individuals with specific nutritional requirements.
Because many participants are managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or mobility
impairments, BOBSC incorporates a Food as Medicine approach into its programming. This includes:
•
Nutrition education and classes tailored to specific health needs
•
Health screenings and referrals to medical and social services such as SNAP enrollment and utility
assistance
•
Efforts to align food pantry offerings with dietary recommendations for chronic conditions
These supports are particularly important for participants with disabilities or complex health needs,
ensuring that accessibility extends beyond physical access to include appropriate and supportive care.
Finally, programming at BOBSC is available in both English and Spanish, and the center actively recruits
bilingual staff and volunteers to meet the needs of a diverse community. Staff are trained in culturally
competent practices to ensure that services are inclusive and responsive.
Will the implementation of this activity require space, staffing, grants management, or in-kind
contributions from another agency, a school, or another jurisdiction?
No
If you selected "Other" above, please specify (If not applicable, write “N/A.”):
N/A
Section D: Collaboration and Outreach
Are you currently partnered with, or have you ever partnered with, the City of El Mirage?
Yes
Describe how you will collaborate with the City of El Mirage to coordinate outreach promoting the
program or project to the residents of El Mirage.
Banner Olive Branch Senior Center has existing relationships with regional partners, service providers, and
municipalities in the Northwest Valley, including the City of El Mirage. As mentioned, BOBSC collaborates
with the El Mirage Senior Center to bring meals directly to El Mirage residents on a regular basis.
If awarded, Banner Health Foundation will collaborate with the City of El Mirage to develop a
comprehensive recognition plan that could include highlighting the gift on Banner Health Foundation’s
external eNewsletter, internal facility newsletters, and social media outlets. We are also open to organizing
a mutually agreed upon event such as a check presentation with El Mirage leadership and/or opportunities
to tour or participate in BOSBC programming.
How will you work with other local partners to maximize impact and ensure residents are aware of
and engaged with your services?
Banner Olive Branch Senior Center works with a broad network of community partners to ensure efficient
food sourcing, coordinated referrals, and expanded awareness across the region, including within
El Mirage. We have strong partnerships with Area Agency on Aging, St. Mary’s Food Bank, United Church
of Sun City, Benevilla, Maricopa County Department of Health, Sun Health Research Institute, and the City
of Surprise.
Collaboration with local partners allows BOBSC to complement existing services rather than duplicate
them, particularly by focusing on seniors who may require specialized support such as home-delivered
meals or medically appropriate nutrition. These partnerships and our reputation in the community are the
foundation for all that we do.
Part 3: Program or Project Goals and Outcomes
Please provide up to three goals of the program or project and describe how progress will be
measured to ensure success in providing health and human services to the residents of El
Mirage. It is important to ensure that your goals correspond with the proposed number of residents to
be served within the program year. Explain how you will collect and report data and measure the
impact for each stated goal.
Example Goal: Of the 80 persons served by the project, 40% (32 persons) will find employment within
three months of entering the program. This will be measured by follow-up contact with each program
participant.
Measurable Goal No. 1
Serve approximately 175 El Mirage residents through pantry access and related nutrition services during
the grant period. Measurement: Track participant ZIP codes and service utilization through BOBSC’s
internal database.
Measurable Goal No. 2
Provide consistent access to nutritious food, helping at least 65% of participating seniors report reduced
food insecurity. Measurement: Pre- and post-participation surveys using BOBSC’s nutrition screening tool.
Measurable Goal No. 3
Support improved health outcomes, with at least 70% of participants reporting improved overall health after
engaging with BOBSC services. Measurement: Participant self-report through follow-up surveys and
program evaluations.
Part 4: Funding Request
Total Community Partnership Grant Funding Requested
5,000.00
Minimum Community Partnership Grant Funding Requested
1,000.00
Is program or project implementation contingent upon receiving the full award?
No. While the program will continue, funding from the City of El Mirage will be used to directly purchase
food and maintain service levels for El Mirage residents.
If approved for an amount less than 100% of your request, how will you address the shortfall?
Funds will still be directed towards food purchases, but reduced funding may limit the volume of pantry
supplies available to serve additional participants.
Part 5: Program or Project Budget
Section A: Total Program or Project Budget
Total Cost of the Program or Project Operations
2,034,995.00
Total Program or Project Funding from Other Funding Sources
2,029,995.00
What other funding sources presently support this program or project?
Presently Supporting:
Area Agency on Aging
Women Investing in Science & Health
Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
Pending Support:
Fry’s Food Stores
Valley of the Sun United Way
Section B: Total Budget for Program or Project – Grant Award
Only
Grant Award Budget Narrative
Wages/Salaries
0.00
Employee-Related Expenses (ERE)
0.00
Professional Services & Outside Services
Training
0.00
Materials & Supplies
5,000
General Office Supplies
0.00
Administrative Cost (not to exceed $1,000 or
10% of grant request)
0.00
Program/Project Incentives (gift cards, food,
certificates of achievement)
0.00
Marketing/Outreach
0.00
Other
0.00
If you selected "Other" to the previous question,
please explain.
N/A
Explain how grant funds will be utilized to support administrative costs for your project.
Grant funds from the City of El Mirage will not be used to support administrative costs. Banner Health
provides significant operational and administrative support to Banner Olive Branch Senior Center, allowing
philanthropic funding to be directed fully toward program services. All grant funds awarded through this
request will be used exclusively for direct program expenses, specifically the purchase of canned and
nonperishable food items for the BOBSC food pantry, ensuring that resources directly benefit seniors
served, including residents of El Mirage.
Section C: Program or Project Funding Sustainability
How will your organization generate or secure additional funding to sustain services for the
continued operation of this program or project?
Banner Olive Branch Senior Center is supported through a combination of:
•
Government funding (e.g., Area Agency on Aging)
•
Foundation and corporate grants
•
Individual philanthropy
•
In-kind food donations
•
Congregate breakfast and lunch fees
Banner Health Foundation also provides substantial operational support, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Philanthropic funding is essential to maintain pantry operations and respond to increasing demand,
particularly for food purchases that cannot be covered through donations.
If the program receives less than the requested amount of funding, what adjustments, if any, would
be made to the program and services provided to El Mirage residents?
If BOBSC receives less than the requested amount, all available funds will still be directed toward the
purchase of canned and nonperishable food items for the food pantry. However, reduced funding may limit
the volume and variety of food available, which could impact our ability to expand access or serve
additional El Mirage residents beyond current capacity. Core services would remain in place, but
opportunities to increase inventory and respond to rising demand would be more limited.
Part 6: Operational and Financial Status
Please upload the following required attachments:
Applicant organization's last two IRS Form 990 filings.
If your organization is not required to file a 990, upload a brief explanation.
Please upload attachment (1).
Banner Health Foundation - Form 990 - 2024.pdf
Please upload attachment (2).
Banner Health Foundation - Form 990 - 2023.pdf
If your organization does not have either document available, please explain below.
Authorized Representative Signature