News & Events

ACF commits $50,000 in matching funds in response to COVID-19

The Arizona Community Foundation has announced that it will match the first $50,000 in gifts to its Cochise/Southeast AZ COVID-19 Community Response Fund, dollar-for-dollar, to assist nonprofit organizations and community groups in Cochise and eastern Santa Cruz counties who are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The community response fund will support the health and well-being of our friends and neighbors most directly affected by COVID-19 ,” said Angie Laskarides, ACF’s Regional Director. “While we remain hopeful that preventative measures will minimize the spread of the outbreak in southeast Arizona, the time to act is now.” 

Gifts to this fund will be restricted to support nonprofits in Cochise and eastern Santa Cruz counties (including the towns of Patagonia, Sonoita, Elgin, and Canelo) who are facing an increased demand for services from clients and communities as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. ACF of Cochise is committed to working with other funding partners and community collaborators to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving community needs in order to support gaps not covered by state or federal relief funding. All contributions will be distributed to nonprofit organizations swiftly as needs arise.

To contribute to the Cochise/Southeast AZ COVID-19 Community Response Fund, visit azfoundation.org/covid19 and select the ‘Cochise’ tab. Contributions to this fund will support organizations throughout Cochise and eastern Santa Cruz counties.

Local nonprofits in need of financial support in response to the spread of COVID-19 are encouraged to visit azfoundation.org/Covid19Grants.

Earlier this month, ACF established a statewide fund to support nonprofits as they serve those most vulnerable to the economic and health-related impacts caused by the pandemic. Since its establishment, the fund has doubled in size to over $1 million, thanks in large part to a generous $500,000 gift from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation last week. As the local affiliate of ACF, ACF of Cochise is able to tap into these statewide resources, while ensuring local donations support needs within our service area.

For more information, contact Angie Laskarides at ALaskarides@azfoundation.org or call 520.439.0595.

ACF of Cochise honors nonprofit organizations during grant celebration

In partnership with The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, the Arizona Community Foundation of Cochise brought together staff, donors, and nonprofit organizations to celebrate the contributions of local philanthropists working to improve the quality of life in Cochise County at the annual Cochise Celebrates Giving community celebration on October 3, 2019. 

In 2019, over $53,000 in grants to 31 local community organizations and schools to support projects that will improve the lives of children, families and veterans as well as preserve the environment. These 16 organizations, listed below, were recognized at the annual event:

• Arizona Land and Water Trust
• Arizona Rangers
• Bisbee Coalition for the Homeless
• Bisbee High School
• Bisbee Holistic Wellness Center, Inc.
• Borderlands Restoration Network
• Bowie Unified School District #14
• City of Douglas
• Cochise County Master Gardener Association
• Cochise Area Network for Therapeutic Equestrian Resources (CANTER)
• Cochise County Master Gardener Association
• Cochise County Search and Rescue Foundation, LTD.
• Cochise Technology District
• Douglas Area Food Bank
• Douglas Arts and Humanities
• Echoing Hope Ranch
• Ecotopia
• Food Bank of Tombstone
• Friends of the S.V. Animal Shelter
• Love Muziq Operation 13:2
• National Alliance on Mental Illness Southeastern Arizona
• Pearce Elementary School
• SAWs Southwest
• Sierra Vista Sympyony
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Tucson District V Council
• Soldier's Best Friend
• Sunsites Pearce Fire District
• Tombstone Food Bank
• Volunteer Interfaith Caregiver Program
• Willcox Against Substance Abuse
• Willcox Theater and Arts, Inc.