Local Non-Profits Receive $600k in Grants

Members of FCF and collaborating organizations after the grant ceremony Friday. (Photo: Kyle Anderson/NAZ Today)

FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today) – It was a solid half hour program where almost every audience member received a cash prize. This sounds like the perfect game show, but prizes won by this audience will arguably be used for a more philanthropic purpose.

The Flagstaff Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Arizona Community Foundation, awarded $600 thousand to local non-profit organizations, from social and educational services to youth and medical care programs. The 12th annual grant presentation was held this morning at the Coconino Center for the Arts.

“We had over 100 organizations recognized with over 250 checks, which is quite an accomplishment in itself,” said Mark Lamberson, Chairman of Flagstaff Community Foundation’s Advisory Board.

Recipients of grants included Flagstaff Shelter Services, Second Chance Animal Shelter, Flagstaff Family Food Center, Flagstaff Medical Center, Northern Arizona Food Bank, Planned Parenthood and several cultural programs at Northern Arizona University.

A large increase of grant money was seen since last year’s event: up $130 thousand.

“To grow because of the power of endowment is quite a remarkable story,” said Lamberson, “especially in today’s economy when we hear about budgets being cut and not grown.”

Endowments, such as the ones used by Flagstaff Community Foundation, are invested donations. Profits from investing are put toward the grants such as those distributed today.

“It’s really marvelous to see that anyone can be a philanthropist,” said Lamberson. “Your money is always going to stay in Flagstaff and continue to compound and build in value over time.”

Flagstaff Community Foundation was founded in 1987 and maintains $12 million in assets.

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On the net: http://flagstafffoundation.org/