Arizona Community Foundation

The Arizona Community Foundation was honored to join Valle del Sol for their 33rd Annual Profiles of Success Dinner at the Phoenix Convention Center! This incredible event is the state's largest yearly celebration of Latino leadership, recognizing the outstanding contributions of leaders across Arizona. Our President & CEO, Anna Maria Chávez—herself a past recipient of a Profiles of Success award—had the privilege of introducing the winner of the Premio Humanitario award, Fernando Quiroz from Yuma. We were also thrilled to congratulate ACF grantee, Aliento on receiving the Premio Corazón award! A huge thank you to all the winners for their incredible contributions to our state. Your leadership and dedication continue to inspire us all.

Last night at Xico, Inc., we celebrated the launch of the Arizona Community Foundation’s Latinos Unidos Philanthropy Initiative! It was a beautiful and impactful evening, with over 100 community leaders from around the state, as well as guests from California and Mexico, coming together to witness this momentous occasion. A special congratulations to the organizations that received $5,000 grants from Latinas in Philanthropy and Service (LIPS), a group of dedicated Latina philanthropists committed to supporting and uplifting Latino communities: Children's Action Alliance , CPLC de Colores, CPLC Women’s Center, ALL In Education, and Unlimited Potential AZ. This is just the beginning, and we are excited for what’s to come! Check out the video for remarks from President & CEO Anna Maria Chávez during the event.

Did you know Latinos make up 33% of Arizona’s population? Yet, they remain underrepresented in philanthropy. Tonight, we proudly launched the Latinos Unidos initiative! This program is designed to empower Latino-led nonprofits and promote Latino leadership in philanthropy. Latinos Unidos is more than philanthropy—it’s a movement of hope and pride in Latino generosity. Stay tuned for more on this exciting initiative! Learn more and get involved: https://lnkd.in/gh8duPQf

This morning, President & CEO Anna Maria Chávez joined AZ BIG podcast hosts Michael Gossie and Amy Lindsey to discuss ACF's mission and the exciting relaunch of Latinos Unidos at tonight’s sold-out event! This initiative aims to galvanize Latino giving across Arizona, building on the foundation laid by Latino Generosity, which ACF first launched in 2005. A big thank you to AZ Big Media for the opportunity, and congratulations to our favorite “Most Influential Woman,” Anna María Chávez, for continuing to lead with vision and passion. We’ll update this post with a link to the episode as soon as it’s available on podcast platforms. Stay tuned!

On the second day of our visit to the southeastern region, ACF President & CEO Anna Maria Chávez and the ACF team had the opportunity to witness the tangible impact of our housing pre-development loans. We toured the COMPASS AFFORDABLE HOUSING INC development in Tucson alongside CEO Maryann Beerling and Director of Community Engagement Carolyn Roberts Gorst. Compass Affordable Housing has received five affordable housing pre-development loans, supporting projects that are addressing critical needs in our community. We also stopped by The Loft Cinema where we met with Executive Director Peggy Johnson and Board President Ron Barber. As a hub for cultural and community engagement, The Loft showcased the importance of connecting local needs with funders' objectives. The day concluded with a productive meeting at the Tucson Chamber of Commerce.

This morning, ACF President & CEO Anna Maria Chávez and ACF team members had the pleasure of hosting a breakfast at the Arizona Inn with incredible women leaders from Tucson. The gathering was an inspiring conversation about the vital work being done in our community and how we can collaborate to drive even greater impact. We were honored to be joined by: Kristen Garcia-Hernandez, CEO, Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona Dr. Marcela Molina, Executive Director, Tucson Girls Chorus & Tucson Symphony Orchestra Carolina Silva, Ph.D., Executive Director, ScholarshipsA-Z Liz Soltero, Executive Director, Sunnyside Foundation Yissel Salafsky, CEO, Make Way for Books Ana Greif, Ed.D., CEO, JobPath, Inc. Elva De La Torre, Executive Director, KXCI Community Radio 91.3 FM Terry Flores, JD, SPHR, Board Chair, Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona Founder, Options+Resolutions Lydia Aranda, M.A., Board Chair, Minority and Small Business Alliance of Southern Arizona Paloma L. Santiago, District Director, Southern Arizona, Junior Achievement USA AZ It was inspiring to connect with these dynamic leaders who are making a significant difference in the lives of so many.

Last night, President and CEO Anna Maria Chávez and members of the ACF team had a meaningful dinner with community leaders at BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon in Tucson. The evening was filled with insightful discussions on housing and community relations, vital areas of focus for ACF as we work together to build stronger communities across Arizona. A special thank you to our distinguished guests: - Andrés Cano Cano, Director of Federal & State Relations, City of Tucson - Gustavo Corte, CFP® Corte, CFP, RBC Wealth Management - E. Liane Hernandez, Senior Program Manager, OpEd Project - Isabel Garcia, Retired Public Defender - Adriana Gallego, Executive Director, Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona - Betty Villegas, Representative, Legislative District 20 We're grateful for the opportunity to connect and collaborate with such inspiring leaders who are dedicated to making a positive impact in our communities.

Today, our President and CEO, Anna Maria Chávez, met with key leaders from southeastern Arizona to explore our collective efforts in enhancing the quality of life across the region. The day began with a breakfast in Eloy, hosted by Anna and our dedicated ACF team. Following the morning's discussions, Anna and the group toured El Rio Community Health Center, a vital community health provider with multiple locations throughout Tucson, highlighting the essential role of accessible healthcare in building strong, healthy communities. The team also visited West Point Apartments II, where they gained firsthand insights into the challenges of affordable housing in the area—a critical focus for ACF as we work to ensure every Arizonan has access to safe and stable homes. Together, we're addressing the interconnected needs of housing, health, and more to build a stronger Arizona for all.

Congratulations to Peter Fine, CEO of Banner Health and ACF fundholder, for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, and to Heidi Jannenga, ACF Board Member & fundholder, for being honored as the Philanthropic Champion at the Phoenix Business Journal's Health Care Heroes Awards! ACF staff members Kimberly Kur and Erica Andl were proud to attend this morning's event at the Heard Museum, celebrating these remarkable leaders who are making a lasting impact on healthcare and philanthropy in Arizona.

Congratulations to our President and CEO, Anna Maria Chávez , on receiving the Spotlight Award for Leadership at AZ Big Media's 2024 Most Influential Women event! Anna was honored to share this special moment with Governor Katie Hobbs and the powerful community of incredible women at the event. Surrounded by her parents, and fellow female leaders from ACF, Anna was glad to bring her team to experience the inspiring energy of the day. Together, we celebrate the strength and impact of women in leadership.