Best Gila County Grants for Nonprofits in Arizona

About The Children’s Heart Foundation

The Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) is the country’s leading national organization solely dedicated to funding congenital heart defect (CHD) research. The mission of The Children’s Heart Foundation is to fund the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects. Since its inception, CHF has funded millions of dollars of CHD research across the U.S. and Canada. 

AHA/CHF Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards

The Children’s Heart Foundation partners with the American Heart Association to fund Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards. This collaborative investment of funds provides support for investigators who are actively conducting research directly related to advancing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CHDs, which directly aligns with The Children's Heart Foundation's mission. 

Congenital Heart Defect Funding Opportunities

A multi-year commitment between the American Heart Association (AHA) and Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) jointly supports Predoctoral Fellowship or Postdoctoral Fellowship investigators actively conducting basic, clinical, population, or translational congenital heart defects research.

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Purpose

To enhance the training of postdoctoral applicants who are not yet independent. The applicant must be embedded in an appropriate investigative group with the mentorship, support, and relevant scientific guidance of a research mentor. Recognizing the unique challenges that clinicians, in particular, experience in balancing research and clinical activity, this award mechanism aims to be as flexible as possible to enable applicants to develop academic careers in research alongside fulfilling clinical service commitments.

The trainee and mentor should collaboratively provide a thoughtfully planned, systematic proposal aimed at clearly answering an investigative question in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or brain health research

• AHA research awards are limited to U.S.-based non-profit institutions, including medical, osteopathic, and dental schools, veterinary schools, schools of public health, pharmacy schools, nursing schools, universities and colleges, public and voluntary hospitals andothers that can demonstrate the ability to conduct the proposed research.

• Applicants must be AHA Professional Members at the time of proposal submission. The AHA expects all mentors associated with training/mentored research awards to maintain active AHA membership, as well.

• This award is not intended for individuals of faculty rank.

Applicants are not required to reside in the United States for any period before applying for American Heart Association funding. However, applicants must have one of the following designations at the time of proposal submission – not award start date, depending on career stage and each individual’s situation. An awardee must maintain one of the designations listed below throughout the duration of the award. Please consult with your institution’s grant officer.

• U.S. citizen
• Permanent resident
• Pending permanent resident (must have filed Form I-485 for permanent resident status and obtained an I-797C 3 Notice of Action that the application has been received by USCIS and case is pending)
• E-3 Visa - specialty occupation worker
• F-1 Visa – student (for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows only)
• G-4 Visa - family member of an international organization employee
• H1-B Visa - temporary worker in a specialty occupation
• J-1 Visa - exchange visitor (pre- and postdoctoral fellowships only; all other awardees must obtain an H-1B or equivalent by the award activation date)
• O-1 Visa - temporary worker with extraordinary abilities in the sciences
• TN Visa - NAFTA Professional
• DACA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

The FY26 Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program's Idea Award promotes innovative, high-risk cancer research initiatives. It supports groundbreaking concepts that advance cancer knowledge, patient care, and treatment options within the Military Health System. Projects must demonstrate creativity and innovation, avoiding incremental advancements. Notably, the Early Career Investigator Option is available to foster the growth of promising new investigators early in their careers. This award aims to make significant contributions to cancer research for Service Members and Veterans.

Trauma-Informed Substance Use Prevention Program (TISUPP) 

Governor Katie Hobbs’ Office of Youth, Faith and Family, issues this Request for Grant Application (RFGA) Solicitation concerning the Arizona Trauma-Informed Substance Use Prevention Program (TISUPP) in accordance with A.R.S. §41-2701. Applications for this program will only be accepted through the State’s web-based grants management system, Euna Grants (formerly eCivis). 

The GOYFF Trauma-Informed Substance Use Prevention Program (TISUPP) establishes a critical investment in community-level and institutional protective factors designed to mitigate the long-term risk of substance use and poor health outcomes. Supported by funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), GOYFF extends this grant opportunity to Arizona community partners with the specific goal of bolstering protection against substance use within high-need communities across the state.

TISUPP is a comprehensive approach to substance use primary prevention and focuses on the root causes of substance use, using a trauma-informed approach for implementation. Primary prevention is a strategy used to stop substance use before it ever starts. Instead of waiting for a problem to happen and then trying to fix it, primary prevention focuses on keeping healthy people healthy. This approach works by helping people learn about the risks of drugs and alcohol. It also focuses on building strong, safe communities so that people do not feel the need to start using substances in the first place.

Each year, the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family (GOYFF) awards state and federal funding to public and private organizations that address its priority issues through a formal application process.

Partnerships for Success (PFS)

With the implementation of the five-step Strategic Prevention Framework from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the GOYFF has partnered with organizations across the state to provide trauma-informed and culturally competent substance abuse prevention programming that aims to decrease marijuana and underage drinking misuse and abuse by current or former foster youth ages 9-20 and their caregivers.

The Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) Partnerships for Success (PFS) grant is distributed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family (GOYFF) in partnership with the Arizona State University College of Health Solutions. Using the Strategic Prevention Framework, approximately $1.2 million annually will work to enhance protective factors and reduce risk factors for substance misuse in youth and young adults by implementing the Arizona Prevention and Well-being Improvement Collaborative (PWIC). 

Based on the results of a community health assessment, the PWIC will bring together 27 organizations focused on preventing substance use and increasing mental well-being among youth and young adults from underserved minority groups to participate in a five-year collaborative. During this time, organizations will access expert education, tailored technical assistance, an online training certificate program, and quality improvement support through a peer-led model where organizations teach one another how they learned to adopt an evidence-based program or improve an existing one.

The PWIC will be the first collaborative in Arizona to promote evidence-based substance use prevention through peer learning and quality improvement support. Additionally, the PWIC will establish relationships between community organizations, promoting community cohesion and empowering participants to adopt evidence-based practice.

The specific goals of the Arizona Prevention and Well-being Improvement Collaborative:

• Determine prevention and well-being gaps between current conditions in Arizona and desired conditions.
• Recruit Arizona community organizations serving youth and young adults.
• Increase awareness of substance use prevention and mental well-being in Arizona communities.
• Provide training and technical assistance to community organizations on substance use prevention and mental well-being.
• Develop and implement evidence-based prevention and mental health promotion programs.

Substance Use Block Grant (SUBG) Program

The Substance Use Block Grant (SUBG) is awarded through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The GOYFF invests $5 million in Arizona organizations to implement substance use prevention and early intervention services to youth, adults, families, and communities. SUBG dollars allow organizations to develop and implement evidence-based drug prevention programs, screening, and behavioral health and substance abuse assessments.

Funding is also allocated to the Trauma-Informed Substance Abuse Prevention Program (TISAPP), which aims to prevent substance abuse by supporting and expanding the use of trauma-informed care principles. The program uses culturally competent evidence-based programs and promising practices to increase protective factors, build resilience, and raise awareness of the impact of trauma. Organizations that receive funding develop programs to address the use and misuse of vaping, alcohol, wax pens, marijuana, polysubstance, or other community-identified drug trends.

VDF

What is the Arizona Veterans' Donation Fund?

The Arizona Veterans' Donation Fund (VDF), established in 1999 by the Arizona legislature (A.R.S. § 41-608), funds programs that benefit Veterans and their families throughout Arizona. Arizona State law specifies that tax-deductible donations to, and monies held in, this account can never revert to the State General Fund.

The VDF consists of monies, gifts and contributions donated to the department and donations made through the purchase of Veteran, Women Veteran, and Freedom Special License Plates. The assets held in the account can only be used to benefit Veterans in the State of Arizona through small grants and large grants, each with their own documented application process.

Small Grant

• Grants of $4,999.99 or less 

Year-End FY26 Arizona Automobile Theft Authority Grants

Approximately $30,000 is available for all year-end projects. All grant applications are due by May 29, 2026, and are submitted through the Ecivis grant management system. The AATA Board of Directors will review and approve grant awards at the June 19, 2026, meeting.

The AATA’s Vehicle Theft Reduction Grant Programs provide funding to combat and reduce the number of vehicle crimes in Arizona communities. Grants are awarded annually to the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) and Local Grants, including Vertical Prosecution, Law Enforcement, Professional Training, and Public Awareness/Prevention programs.

Once approved, contracts are generated for signature by an authorized representative of the grantee and the AATA prior to funding being issued.    

Agencies are required to submit monthly or quarterly financial and performance reports within the Ecivis Grant Management System. 

Non-supplanting requirements:

• Monies expended from the Automobile Theft Prevention Fund shall not be used to supplant other monies that are available for vehicle theft prevention.
• Each grantee shall certify that the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority funds will not be used to replace State or local funds that would have been available in the absence of grant funds. This certification shall be incorporated in each grant application.

Award Amount:

$500.00 (min)-$20,000.00 (max)

Child and Family Advocacy Center Fund 

During the 2025 legislative session, the Arizona Legislature appropriated monies from the State General Fund into the Child and Family Advocacy Center fund for the purposes of funding grant support to Child and Family Advocacy Center’s (CFACs) across the state.

To address this need, the AGO is providing up to $100,000 for multiple, one-time grant awards based on all victims served per CFAC in calendar year 2024.

Betsy L. Bertoli Scholarship

Academic Focus:

• Accounting or business administration/management

Award Average:

• $250

For Torrington High School graduating seniors who plan to pursue a career in accounting or business administration/management at the university level and have had at least one successful high school semester of accounting.

The DoW Spinal Cord Injury Translational Research Award supports innovative research to transform promising spinal cord injury findings into clinical applications. It features an Early-Career Partnership Option, requiring at least one early-career principal investigator. Collaborations with SCI community partners are essential for providing guidance throughout the project. This funding opportunity aims to enhance the effectiveness of spinal cord injury interventions and improve patient outcomes.

The FY26 Spinal Cord Injury Research Program Clinical Translation Research Award funds innovative clinical research aimed at bridging the gap to larger clinical trials. It focuses on accelerating the application of new techniques and improving patient outcomes through effective diagnosis and rehabilitation strategies. Key features include an Early-Career Partnership Option for principal investigators and a requirement for community partner involvement, ensuring collaborative research that meets real-world needs.

The FY26 Spinal Cord Injury Research Program Clinical Trial Award supports innovative clinical trials aimed at significantly improving spinal cord injury treatment. This funding opportunity encourages collaboration by allowing two Principal Investigators, including an early-career investigator, to drive the research forward. Applicants must partner with at least two SCI community members, ensuring that the project is informed by lived experiences and community needs throughout its development and implementation.

The FY26 Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports innovative research aimed at enhancing patient care and quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries. This award encourages collaboration, allowing an Early-Career Partnership Option for two Principal Investigators, where one must be an early-career investigator. Focused on impactful research from basic to translational science, this opportunity is crucial for advancing SCI knowledge and interventions.

The FY26 Melanoma Research Program Focused Program Award for Rare Melanomas supports multidisciplinary research initiatives aimed at addressing critical questions in rare melanomas. This award requires collaboration between an Initiating Principal Investigator and up to two Partnering PIs, with the inclusion of a rare melanoma survivor or patient advocate in the project team. Approximately $5.6M is allocated to fund two awards, each capped at $2.8M, over a maximum performance period of four years.

The Melanoma Research Program Melanoma Academy Scholar Award supports early career investigators within seven years of their initial faculty appointment. This unique virtual academy fosters collaboration among established researchers and Scholars, focusing on research and career potential in melanoma. With approximately $1.54M allocated to fund two Scholar Awards, each capped at $0.77M, the maximum performance period is three years, and funding is expected to be available until September 30, 2032.

The FY26 Melanoma Research Program Survivorship Research Award aims to enhance the well-being of melanoma survivors through innovative research. This funding opportunity supports studies that prioritize quality of life, involving melanoma survivors or their families as collaborators. With approximately $2.04M available, two awards of up to $1.02M each will be granted for research over a maximum period of three years. Applications must be submitted by September 30, 2027, to be funded with FY26 resources.

The FY26 Melanoma Research Program Idea Award encourages innovative and high-risk research to advance melanoma treatment. With a budget of approximately $5.6M for 10 awards, each grant can fund up to $0.56M over a maximum of 2 years. The program aims to support projects that establish proof of principle and generate preliminary data for future funding opportunities. Notably, preliminary data is discouraged, and applicants must receive an invitation to submit a full application after the pre-application stage.

The FY26 Melanoma Research Program Team Science Award promotes collaborative, hypothesis-driven research to enhance melanoma care. This funding supports multidisciplinary teams of two to three Principal Investigators (PIs) to tackle complex challenges in melanoma. With approximately $18.9M available, the program aims to fund nine projects with a maximum of $2.1M per award over three years. Awards will be made by September 30, 2027, using FY26 funds that expire on September 30, 2032.

The FY26 Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) Technology/Therapeutic Development Award (TTDA) aims to translate promising preclinical findings into burn products for clinical use in challenging environments. This award supports the development of both tangible products, like medical devices, and knowledge products that enhance health outcomes. A new Mentorship Option encourages collaboration between experienced researchers and junior scientists, fostering the next generation of leaders in military burn care research.

The FY26 Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) Discovery Award aims to support groundbreaking research in combat-relevant burn care. This award encourages innovative and exploratory studies that provide new insights and foundational data for future clinical research. The focus is on novel approaches that lay the groundwork for scientific advancements and product development in burn care, ensuring robust preliminary data generation for subsequent research initiatives.

The NIDA Core "Center of Transformative Science" Grant Program aims to enhance research on substance use, addiction, and HIV by fostering collaboration among NIH-funded researchers. Centers are expected to innovate and extend existing research through shared resources and support for new investigators. This initiative encourages interdisciplinary work and aims to transform the scientific landscape by promoting data sharing and collaborative opportunities. Applications should focus on integrating research within a specific thematic framework to maximize impact.

Who We Are

Saginaw County is home. It is a beautiful community you’d be foolish to underestimate. We may have our challenges, but seeing its cities, villages and townships continue to grow and flourish gives us a sense of satisfaction and pride like none other.

Back in 1984, The Saginaw Community Foundation was founded to enhance the quality of life in our county by providing leadership, education, and support for philanthropy. Today, we still continue this mission of supporting the needs of our community through targeted grants, investments, and scholarships.

In addition to our grantmaking and scholarship programs, the Foundation also offers donor advised funds, which allow donors to recommend charitable grants to organizations of their choice. We also manage several endowed funds, which provide ongoing support for specific causes or organizations.

Saginaw Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders and volunteers. A staff of professionals oversee our day-to-day operations and work with donors and community organizations to identify and address community needs.

CTE Scholarships

Dreaming of a career in welding? Maybe managing your own auto mechanics garage fuels your thoughts or you would love to become an electrician. Perhaps studying to become a chef in a culinary arts program suits your tastes.

No matter what your career path may be, there is little doubt that in recent years interest in Career and Technical Education (CTE) has grown. The increased need for workers skilled in the trades has resulted in larger numbers of students seeking out CTE programs.

Schools offering CTE encompass a wide variety of hands-on education, from HVAC to carpentry to cosmetology. In the past, financial assistance has been hard to come by for these areas of study, but that is no longer the case. Saginaw Community Foundation has several scholarship opportunities for those who have the desire to pursue CTE.

According to leading economists, not everyone needs a four-year degree. In fact, millions of good-paying jobs are opening up in the trades. And some pay better than what the average college graduate makes.

For aspiring welders, electricians, carpenters, and other valued skilled trade workers, there is great opportunity to take advantage of tailored CTE programs. The demand is massive as an estimated 3 million trade jobs in the United States remain vacant.

Our CTE scholarship awards range between $500 – $4,000 typically.

Reverend William D. Aldridge, Sr., Scholarship

The Reverend William Desmond Aldridge, the second oldest of five children, was born May 1, 1927, in Europa, Miss. The Reverend Aldridge was called to the ministry in 1944 at the age of 17. He completed three years of study at Rusk College before accepting his first pastorship in 1948. The Reverend Aldridge was named pastor of Christ Community Church on Easter Sunday in 1954, making him one of the longest-serving pastors in Saginaw County.

The Reverend Aldridge taught in the Buena Vista School District for nearly 10 years and has always placed a high priority on encouraging youth to seek academic excellence. Mary Viola “Jean” Aldridge, his wife of 50 years, was a teacher in the Buena Vista School District as well.

The Reverend Aldridge also worked at the General Motors Malleable Iron Plant and retired in 1981 after 28 years of service.

The Rev. Dr. Roosevelt and Dr. Nurame Austin, Sr. Scholarship, established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, honors Pastor Roosevelt Austin's dedication to his church and community. This scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from Saginaw County pursuing undergraduate degrees or Career and Technical Education (CTE) training. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, it fosters educational opportunities for students in skilled trades, reflecting Pastor Austin's belief in the power of education.

The Raymond and Mary Jane Barry Educational Scholarship Fund, established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, aims to support students from Saginaw County pursuing careers in technical fields. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, this fund honors the Barrys' commitment to education and community service. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA and demonstrate enrollment in a Career and Technical Education program or an undergraduate degree. This scholarship encourages students to overcome challenges with humor and determination.

The Pat Brady Community Service Scholarship, established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, honors the legacy of Pat Brady, a dedicated athlete and educator. Awarded annually to a deserving student-athlete from Saginaw County, this scholarship recognizes those who have demonstrated a commitment to their community while excelling in both athletics and academics. With a focus on supporting high school seniors pursuing higher education or vocational training, this scholarship fosters the development of future leaders in the community.

The Pama Brantley-Phillips Scholarship, established in 2001, honors a beloved special education teacher dedicated to helping students with disabilities. This scholarship aims to support individuals pursuing a degree in special education within the Tri-City area. With awards typically ranging from $500 to $4,000, it addresses the growing demand for skilled educators in special education, fostering a new generation of professionals who can make a meaningful impact in their communities.

The Marvin and Janice Brandle Scholarship, offered by the Saginaw Community Foundation, supports students pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Saginaw County. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled full- or part-time in an undergraduate or graduate program. Scholarships typically range from $500 to $4,000, addressing the growing demand for skilled workers in trades such as welding, carpentry, and electrical work.