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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
notMYkid, Inc.
Tax Number
86-0988329
Executive Director / CEO
Sarah Grado
Website
https://www.notmykid.org
Address
5310 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
Phone
(602) 652-0163
Section B: Agency Overview
Briefly describe your organization, the services it provides, mission, goals, and population served.
notMYkid exists to ensure every kid thrives by inspiring positive life choices. For more than 26 years, the
organization has provided prevention education, early intervention, behavioral health support, family
navigation, and parent/caregiver education to youth and families across Arizona.
Youth behavioral health concerns continue to intensify both nationally and across Arizona, creating an
urgent need for prevention-focused support services. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 42% of high school students reported persistent feelings of
sadness or hopelessness, 22% seriously considered suicide, and 10% reported attempting suicide. In
Arizona, the Arizona Department of Health Services identifies suicide as one of the leading causes of
death among youth ages 10–24. At the same time, schools and families continue reporting growing
concerns related to anxiety, depression, bullying, substance use, emotional regulation, and social isolation.
notMYkid works in partnership with schools, municipalities, community organizations, law enforcement,
and families to address challenges related to youth mental health, substance use, bullying, digital safety,
vaping, fentanyl exposure, and healthy relationships. Trained prevention specialists deliver the
organization’s prevention education programs through interactive, skills-based presentations for youth,
parents, caregivers, educators, and community members. Programs focus on strengthening protective
factors, such as coping skills, decision-making, communication, emotional regulation, trusted-adult
connection, and help-seeking behaviors.
In recent years, notMYkid has delivered more than 1,200 interactive presentations annually, partnered with
over 400 schools and community organizations, and reached more than 130,000 youth and adults
statewide. notMYkid serves youth ages 5–18, parents, caregivers, educators, and community members,
with a focus on increasing access for underserved communities and families who may not otherwise
receive prevention and early intervention support.
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
NMK - IRS Determination Letter.pdf
NMK - Board Directory 2026.pdf
NMK Mission Statement _El Mirage.pdf
Section C: Program or Project Information
Program or Project Name
El Mirage Youth Prevention & Family Strengthening
Initiative
Program or Project Contact Person
Sarah Grado
Email
sarah@notmykid.org
Phone
(602) 652-0163
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.
Child, Family, and Youth Programming and Development
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.
notMYkid’s El Mirage Youth Prevention & Family Strengthening Initiative will provide school- and
community-based prevention education focused on youth mental health, substance use prevention,
resiliency, bullying prevention, internet safety, vaping, fentanyl awareness, and parent/caregiver
engagement. The initiative is designed to reach youth and families early, before stress, peer conflict,
substance exposure, or emotional distress escalate into more serious behavioral health challenges or
crises.
Across Arizona and nationally, youth mental health concerns continue to rise at alarming rates. Young
people are increasingly navigating anxiety, depression, trauma exposure, bullying, academic pressure, and
online influences without the coping skills or trusted adult support systems needed to respond in healthy
ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adolescent mental health-related
emergency department visits have increased significantly in recent years, particularly for anxiety,
depression, self-harm, and substance-related concerns. The 2024 Arizona Youth Survey further reflects
statewide concerns related to bullying, substance use, school safety, and emotional well-being among
Arizona youth.
Research also shows that adverse childhood experiences can significantly impact adolescent mental
health and increase the likelihood of depression, anxiety, stress, suicidal ideation, and substance misuse.
A 2024 study published in Children, analyzing Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, found that
cumulative exposure to adverse childhood experiences significantly increased behavioral health risks
among adolescents. Additional research published in Child Indicators Research found that supportive adult
relationships, school connectedness, emotional regulation, and positive coping skills can reduce the long-
term effects of childhood adversity and improve youth well-being.
Grant funds will support interactive prevention presentations and workshops for El Mirage youth, parents,
and caregivers. Programs will be delivered by trained prevention specialists using evidence-informed
curriculum and interactive learning strategies that build practical life skills and strengthen protective factors.
Sessions focus on coping strategies, emotional regulation, healthy decision-making, communication skills,
resilience, help-seeking behaviors, and identifying trusted adults and supportive resources.
Youth programming may include Teen Mental Health, Substance Use Prevention, Vaping and THC
Education, Fentanyl Awareness, Bullying Prevention, Healthy Relationships, Internet Safety, and Digital
Citizenship. Presentations are intentionally discussion-based, encouraging youth to actively participate,
reflect on real-life situations, and practice healthy responses to stress and peer pressure through guided
discussion and skill-building activities.
Parent and caregiver workshops complement youth programming by equipping adults with tools to
recognize warning signs, strengthen family communication, understand current youth substance trends,
and support youth mental wellness. Sessions may be offered in person or virtually to improve accessibility
for working families. Bilingual programming and materials will be available to support Spanish-speaking
families and improve access across the community.
The requested $8,500 investment will support prevention education services for approximately 425 El
Mirage residents, including about 350 youth and 75 parents and caregivers. Funding will support trained
prevention specialists, interactive educational presentations, participant materials, outreach efforts,
bilingual programming, and evaluation activities necessary to deliver services effectively within the
community.
Funding will support approximately 20 interactive prevention presentations and workshops focused on
youth mental health, substance use prevention, vaping and fentanyl awareness, bullying prevention,
healthy relationships, internet safety, resiliency, and caregiver education. Program effectiveness will be
measured through notMYkid’s third-party Community Alliance evaluation system, which combines
participant surveys, facilitator reporting, and outcome measurement tools to assess changes in participant
knowledge, coping skills, communication strategies, help-seeking behaviors, and confidence in accessing
support resources.
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.
The El Mirage Youth Prevention & Family Strengthening Initiative will directly benefit local youth and
families by increasing access to prevention education, behavioral health awareness, and family support
resources within the community. The program is designed to provide early intervention and practical
education before challenges such as substance use, bullying, emotional distress, or unsafe online
behaviors escalate into more serious behavioral health crises.
Through this initiative, approximately 425 El Mirage residents — including youth, parents, and caregivers
— will receive direct prevention education services. Youth participants will gain an increased
understanding of mental health, substance use risks, emotional regulation, peer pressure, internet safety,
and healthy coping strategies. Parent and caregiver participants will receive tools to strengthen
communication, recognize warning signs, understand current youth behavioral health trends, and support
early intervention within the home environment.
Recent evaluation findings from notMYkid’s prevention education programming further highlight the
importance of these services. During the first quarter of the 2025–2026 program year, 72% of youth
participants reported they intended to use a healthy coping skill following programming, 76% reported
knowing at least one helpful resource if they needed support, and nearly 68% reported being able to
identify trusted adults in their lives as a result of the program. Additional participant feedback indicated
increased awareness of bullying prevention, internet safety, mental health, substance use, and emotional
well-being. Youth participants also reported feeling safer, more hopeful, and more connected after the
presentations.
The program also increases access to culturally responsive and bilingual prevention education for families
who may otherwise face barriers to behavioral health resources and support services. Presentations and
workshops will be offered through schools and community-based settings to maximize accessibility and
community engagement.
notMYkid’s prevention programming is designed to create long-term community benefit by strengthening
protective factors that help reduce future behavioral health risks, improve youth resilience, and support
healthier family relationships. By providing prevention education early and consistently, the initiative aims
to help El Mirage youth make safer decisions, build stronger support systems, and access help before
crises occur.
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?
July 2026 – June 2027
Total number of persons expected to be served by this program or project during the funded year.
130,000
Total number of El Mirage residents you expect to be served by this program or project during the
funded year.
425
How soon will the program or project be implemented after funds are received, if awarded? (If not
applicable, write “N/A.”)
Program implementation can begin within 30–60 days of award, following scheduling with school and
community partners
Section C: Accessibility and Resource Needs
Does your program or project take place in the City of El Mirage? *
Yes
Where will your project or program be located, and how does this location support your ability to
serve El Mirage residents effectively?
Programming will be delivered at accessible school and community-based locations within the City of El
Mirage, with a strong focus on meeting youth and families where they already live, learn, and connect.
notMYkid works closely with school administrators, educators, School Resource Officers, parent groups,
and community leaders to integrate prevention programming into the culture and daily life of each school
community. El Mirage is home to several schools within the Dysart Unified School District, creating multiple
opportunities to provide prevention education directly within the community. Potential program sites include
Dysart High School, Dysart Middle School, El Mirage Elementary School, Rancho El Mirage, Riverview
Elementary School, Thompson Ranch Elementary, Discover U Elementary, and Primrose School of
Surprise. In addition to school campuses, programming may also be delivered through the Dysart
Community Center and other local partner locations that support youth and family engagement.
Providing services directly within schools and community settings helps reduce barriers related to
transportation, scheduling, and access to behavioral health resources. School-based delivery allows youth
to participate in prevention education during the school day in environments where they are already
connected to peers, educators, and trusted adults. Parent and caregiver workshops may be offered at
school sites, community spaces, or virtually to improve accessibility for working families and increase
participation across the community. Community partners may also assist by providing facility space,
audiovisual equipment, promotional support, and coordination with families.
This multi-site, collaborative approach helps ensure that prevention education is accessible to El Mirage
residents who may not otherwise have access to early intervention, behavioral health education, or family
support resources.
Describe how your program or project will be open to the public and ensure accessibility for
persons with disabilities, including specific accommodations.
The program will be open to El Mirage residents through school partnerships, community-based outreach,
parent/caregiver workshops, and public-facing promotion through local partners. Youth sessions delivered
in schools will be available to participating students, while parent and caregiver workshops will be
promoted to families through schools, community partners, flyers, email communication, and digital
outreach.
notMYkid will work with host sites to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities. This includes using
ADA-accessible facilities whenever possible, providing seating accommodations, allowing support persons
to attend, offering virtual participation when appropriate, and adapting presentation materials to meet
participant needs. Printed and digital materials can be provided in accessible formats upon request.
Bilingual programming and materials will be available for Spanish-speaking families. notMYkid is
committed to ensuring that no participant is excluded on the basis of disability, language, income, race,
ethnicity, or background, and our programming is designed and implemented accordingly.
Will the implementation of this activity require space, staffing, grants management, or in-kind
contributions from another agency, a school, or another jurisdiction?
Yes
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?
No
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.
notMYkid will collaborate with the City of El Mirage to promote prevention education opportunities to youth,
parents, caregivers, and community members. Coordination may include sharing program flyers, digital
materials, and workshop information through City communication channels, community events, school
partnerships, and local service networks. In prior years, we have provided prevention services on topics
such as bullying in Dysart Elementary and in partnership with Surprise and El Mirage PTA Councils.
notMYkid will work with City staff to identify appropriate outreach opportunities and ensure messaging
reaches families who may benefit from mental health, substance use prevention, bullying prevention, and
parent support resources. The organization will also provide clear program descriptions, schedules, and
contact information so residents can easily access services.
If awarded, notMYkid will remain available for regular check-ins, outcome reporting, and collaboration with
City representatives to ensure the project aligns with community needs and reaches El Mirage residents
effectively.
How will you work with other local partners to maximize impact and ensure residents are aware of
and engaged with your services?
notMYkid will work with local schools, community organizations, youth-serving agencies, parent groups,
and public safety partners to promote and deliver prevention education in El Mirage. Partners may help
identify high-need audiences, provide facility space, support scheduling, distribute outreach materials, and
encourage participation among youth and families.
School partners are central to the model because they provide direct access to students and families.
Community partners help extend the program beyond the classroom by connecting caregivers to
workshops and reinforcing prevention messages. When appropriate, notMYkid will also coordinate with
local behavioral health and family support resources so participants know where to turn for additional help.
This partnership-based approach increases trust, reduces duplication, and helps ensure that residents
receive timely and practical prevention resources.
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 350 El Mirage youth through interactive prevention education sessions focused on
mental health, substance use prevention, bullying, internet safety, healthy relationships, coping skills, and
trusted adult support. At least 80% of participating youth will report increased knowledge or confidence in
using healthy coping strategies, making safer decisions, or identifying a trusted adult/resource for help.
Progress will be measured through attendance records, post-session surveys, and facilitator observations.
Measurable Goal No. 2
Engage approximately 75 parents and caregivers through prevention education workshops and supporting
materials. Sessions will focus on recognizing warning signs, strengthening communication, supporting
youth mental health, and understanding substance use and online safety risks. At least 80% of
participating adults will report increased confidence in supporting youth or using prevention strategies.
Progress will be measured through post-session surveys, participant feedback, and attendance tracking.
Measurable Goal No. 3
Evaluate program effectiveness through notMYkid’s third-party Community Alliance evaluation system,
using quantitative surveys and qualitative participant feedback. Youth and adult surveys will measure
knowledge gained, confidence, intended behavior change, and awareness of resources. Evaluation
findings, testimonials, and facilitator observations will be reviewed to refine programming and included in
required grant reporting to demonstrate impact for El Mirage residents.
Part 4: Funding Request
Total Community Partnership Grant Funding Requested
8,500.00
Minimum Community Partnership Grant Funding Requested
4,500.00
Is program or project implementation contingent upon receiving the full award?
No. If awarded less than the full request, notMYkid will adjust the program scope but will move forward and
continue to provide programming.
If approved for an amount less than 100% of your request, how will you address the shortfall?
If awarded less than the full request, notMYkid will reduce the number of presentations and workshops
while maintaining the same evidence-informed program model, trained staff, and evaluation practices.
Priority will be given to school-based youth prevention sessions and parent/caregiver education for
residents with the greatest need
Part 5: Program or Project Budget
Section A: Total Program or Project Budget
Total Cost of the Program or Project Operations
1,815,000.00
Total Program or Project Funding from Other Funding Sources
1,806,500.00
What other funding sources presently support this program or project?
notMYkid’s prevention education programming is supported through a diversified funding model that
includes foundation grants, municipal grants, public health funding, corporate support, individual donations,
fundraising revenue, and community partnerships. Current and recent funding partners supporting
prevention education and behavioral health initiatives include Maricopa County Public Health ($117,262),
the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family ($196,600), the City of Mesa ($100,000), BHHS Legacy
Foundation ($75,000), the City of Peoria ($50,000), Thunderbirds Charities ($50,000), and the City of
Avondale ($25,000). These investments support staffing, curriculum development, evaluation, outreach,
and prevention programming serving youth and families across Arizona.
The El Mirage request represents partial support for a local implementation of notMYkid’s broader
statewide prevention education initiative. Other funding sources will help support remaining project costs,
including personnel, program coordination, evaluation infrastructure, outreach efforts, and educational
materials not fully covered by this grant. In-kind community support may also include facility space,
audiovisual equipment, outreach assistance, and scheduling coordination provided through schools and
community organizations.
This diversified funding structure allows notMYkid to provide prevention education and behavioral health
support services at no cost to participating youth and families while maintaining program quality,
accountability, accessibility, and long-term sustainability
Section B: Total Budget for Program or Project – Grant Award
Only
Grant Award Budget Narrative
Wages/Salaries
5,000.00
Employee-Related Expenses (ERE)
900.00
Professional Services & Outside Services
Training
300.00
Materials & Supplies
1,050
General Office Supplies
100.00
Administrative Cost (not to exceed $1,000 or
10% of grant request)
850.00
Program/Project Incentives (gift cards, food,
certificates of achievement)
0.00
Marketing/Outreach
0.00
Other
500.00
If you selected "Other" to the previous question,
please explain.
Other funds will support evaluation and data
collection, including survey tools, data tracking,
outcome review, and reporting needed to measure
program impact and comply with grant requirements.
Explain how grant funds will be utilized to support administrative costs for your project.
Administrative funds will support scheduling, partner coordination, grant compliance, reporting, data
tracking, financial oversight, communication with host sites, and coordination of evaluation materials.
These functions are necessary to ensure timely implementation, accurate documentation, and responsible
stewardship of grant funds.
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?
notMYkid will sustain prevention education services through a diversified funding model that includes
grants, individual donations, corporate partnerships, municipal support, fundraising events, and community
partnerships. The organization has a long history of securing public and private funding to support youth
prevention, behavioral health education, early intervention, and family strengthening programs.
In addition to this request, notMYkid will continue pursuing foundation and municipal funding opportunities
aligned with youth mental health, substance use prevention, family support, and school-based prevention.
The organization will also leverage existing curriculum, trained staff, evaluation systems, and community
partnerships to reduce startup costs and increase efficiency.
Sustainability will be supported by strong outcome reporting. notMYkid uses evaluation data, participant
feedback, and success stories to demonstrate program impact to funders and partners. This helps
maintain accountability and strengthens future funding opportunities. The goal is to establish a sustainable
prevention presence in El Mirage that can grow through continued partnerships and diversified revenue.
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 the program receives less than the requested amount, notMYkid will reduce the number of presentations,
workshops, materials, and outreach activities while maintaining the same evidence-informed curriculum
and evaluation structure. Priority will be given to direct youth prevention education and parent/caregiver
sessions serving El Mirage residents.
At the minimum funding level of $4,500, notMYkid would provide a smaller set of targeted sessions
focused on the highest-need topics, such as youth mental health, substance use prevention, bullying
prevention, and caregiver support. Staffing and materials would be adjusted proportionally, but the
organization would preserve quality, accessibility, and measurable outcomes.
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).
NMK- 990 FY25.pdf
Please upload attachment (2).
990 FY Ended 6.30.2024.pdf
If your organization does not have either document available, please explain below.
Authorized Representative Signature