The African American Legacy Fund (AALF) was founded in 2013 at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona as the African American Initiative. The effort was led by esteemed educator, philanthropist, and civic leader Dr. Anna Jolivet, Ph.D., who served as CFSA Board Chair from 1996-1998.
AALF works to improve the quality of life for Black and African Americans in Southern Arizona through regional philanthropic grant-making, investing in Black and African American leadership building, and fostering grantee connections to better serve and support the Black and African American community.
AALF envisions a vibrant and equitable region where Black and African Americans of all ages have the opportunities and resources to prosper.
2013
The African American Initiative is founded as an initiative of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
2013
Joseph Blair appointed as Advisory Board Chair
2015
First grants awarded totaling $19,285
2016
Saunie Taylor appointed as Advisory Board Chair
2017
Styne Hill appointed as Advisory Board Chair
2018
The African American Initiative becomes the African American Legacy Fund
2019
AALF surpasses $50,000 threshold in all-time grant funding awarded for southern Arizona nonprofits serving the Black and African American community.
2020
Kendal Washington White appointed as Advisory Board Chair
2020
AALF surpasses $100,000 threshold in all-time grant funding awarded for southern Arizona nonprofits serving the Black and African American community.
2022
Dr. Shannon Roberts appointed as Advisory Board Chair
2022
AALF surpasses $200,000 threshold in all-time grant funding awarded for southern Arizona nonprofits serving the Black and African American community.
2023
Dr. Anna Jolivet Community Champion Award established in memory of AALF founder Dr. Anna Jolivet, Wanda F. Moore honored as the inaugural recipient
2024
AALF surpasses $400,000 threshold in all-time grant funding awarded for southern Arizona nonprofits serving the Black and African American community.
2024
Bob and Beverely Elliott honored with the Dr. Anna Jolivet Community Champion AwardÂ
2026
Dr. Tonya Strozier appointed as Advisory Board Chair
2026
AALF grants a historic one-time off-cycle Rapid Response Grant round totaling $124,000 to 13 organizations in Southern Arizona to provide urgent funding for nonprofits, with priority given to those not previously funded by AALF Grants.
2026
AALF surpasses $600,000 threshold in all-time grant funding awarded for southern Arizona nonprofits serving the Black and African American community
