Photos of covid grantees

Week 19: COVID-19 Response Grants

In partnership with our generous donors and supporters, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona has awarded more than $2 million in COVID-19 relief funding over the last five months.

In week nineteen, $42,000 in COVID-19 Community Support Grants were awarded to four organizations to provide payroll for teaching staff, cleaning supplies to follow health guidelines, learning materials for students, and technical support and internet resources for families in need.

Kino School concluded remote learning at the end of May, allowing the school to creatively utilize their unique learning environment. This includes the utilization of their outdoor desert acreage and their open-space indoor building to provide a safe and fun environment for students. However, many updates were required due to COVID-19, including sanitation upgrades, outdoor cooling systems, portable technology, and PPE supplies. Mary Jane Cera, Director, shared, “The CFSA grant will help us offset the costs needed to create usable outdoor spaces for learning, eating, and playing.”

The Cradle to Career Partnership (C2C) is a collaborative project anchored at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.  Working in partnership with Baboquivari Unified School District (BUSD) and Arizona Serve, this project centers of the provision of outreach to BUSD families in need of tech support, access to internet service, and other digital access needs.

Amanda Brockman, Associate Vice President of C2C, shared, “These funds are supporting the Cradle to Career Partnership to bring together the right partners, data, and resources to ensure children attending Baboquivari Unified School District in Sells, AZ have internet access and other supports necessary to receive a high-quality remote learning experience. Utilizing the energy and talent of Tohono O’odham youth, young people from the Nation will serve as AmeriCorps members co-developing solutions with families to make this happen.”

Tanque Verde Extended Care Program works to provide a safe learning environment for children, now more than ever during the pandemic. Marie Benson, Executive Director, expressed thanks in saying, “Since we are a separate nonprofit organization, we do not receive funding from the state and these funds will help with all the added expenses we are incurring during this time. We are doing our best to serve families that are working to provide a safe place for their children. Our deepest appreciation to CFSA for all they do for our community.” 

Fundraising for CFSA’s COVID-19 Community Support Grants continues and grant applications are still being accepted.  To learn more and support this important resource, please click here. To view a complete list of the Southern Arizona nonprofits that have received funding so far, please click here.