2025 Report to the Community

I will always think of 2025 as a year of "before" and "after" for the nonprofit sector and philanthropy. Before, government, businesses, donors, and nonprofits fit together in an imperfect but familiar patchwork of support. Now that pattern is shifting, and it's clear things will be different going forward. 

Government funding for nonprofit work has shrunk and remains uncertain. Tax laws affecting philanthropy have changed, and it's not so clear how we all fit together. As generous as Southern Arizonans are, donors can't make up for lost public funding. For the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA}, where our mission is to build a thriving Southern Arizona through philanthropy, new opportunities have emerged by asking ourselves four 
key questions: 

How can we best support nonprofits? 

How can we show up for our neighbors? 

How can we help donors express their values through their generosity? 

How can we stay steady? 

Earlier this year, a neighbor asked me over coffee how to get involved. Within a minute or two, I could think of five ideas. When I asked a few coworkers, they each had five more. It's easy to feel stuck when problems seem bigger than us, but talking with others who share our values places solutions within reach. With that in mind, our team has focused on projects, large and small, where we can make a real, local impact. 

Conversations with community members, donors, and nonprofit leaders revealed a hunger for up-to-date information about Southern Arizona's nonprofit sector and ideas for actions we can take on the local level. To meet that need, we launched "The Steady Saguaro," a personalized newsletter offering valuable community updates, action items, and inspiration. Named for the strength and resilience of our desert landscape and CFSA's values of adaptability and generosity, it's fueled by the collective power we hold to make our communities better. 

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Readers appreciate its focus on practical solutions, and nonprofits are grateful for the emphasis on giving unrestricted dollars. Through this small but meaningful initiative, we've seen that our community is seeking calm, connection, and actionable solutions. 
In a time of uncertainty and change, CFSA remains steady and solutions- focused. The efforts highlighted in this year's report reflect our belief that adaptability, generosity, and connection will help Southern Arizona navigate shifting landscapes and rising needs. By listening and engaging with neighbors, donors, and nonprofits, CFSA continues to cultivate a shared sense of purpose: reminding us that even in challenging times, steady progress is possible when we move forward together.

-Jenny Flynn

President and CEO