The Scottsdale City Council recently approved more than $1.9 million for nonprofit agencies that provide programs and services to assist thousands of at risk and in need residents.

Funds help organizations like the Phoenix Rescue Mission through the Scottsdale Works Brick by Brick program, which provides jobs and resources to homeless individuals, according to a press release.

Participants are paid to produce earthen bricks that can be used later to construct city projects or housing for the homeless. The program also allows the city to build a more sustainable future.

Some funding for the Phoenix Rescue Mission comes from residents who support Scottsdale Cares, the city’s voluntary utility bill donation program. Scottsdale Cares allocated $160,000 to 14 nonprofit agencies for this fiscal year, which ends in June 2022.

In addition to Scottsdale Cares funding, the city’s Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community grant funding provided $100,000 to seven agencies, and the Endowment Program funded $8,700 to the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy.

Due to the coronavirus and its financial impact, the city shifted its General Fund priorities, the release said, noting in lieu of using General Fund dollars to finance social service partners, the city elected to contribute part of its SRPMIC award to the General Fund.

Detailed information is available on the June 22 City Council agenda.
Scottsdale Cares is a voluntary donation program that allows residents to add an extra $1 or more to their monthly city utility bill. Money supports programs that provide meals, emergency rent and mortgage, drug intervention and prevention, youth mentoring and self-sufficiency, according to the release.

Agencies funded:

• Best Buddies - $5,000
• Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central AZ – $5,000
• Community Bridges – $24,000
• Cortney’s Place - $5,000
• Family Promise - $15,500
• Free Arts for Abused Children - $5,000
• Health World Education - $5,000
• Homeward Bound - $5,000
•  notMYkid - $5,000
•  Phoenix Rescue Mission - $24,000
•  Save the Family Foundation – $10,000
•  Scottsdale Community Partners - $22,500
•  Tempe Community Action Agency - $24,000
•  Valley of the Sun YMCA –$5,000

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community grant funding goes toward agencies that provide food and shelter services:

• A New Leaf - $18,000
• Catholic Charities - $15,000
• Chrysalis Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence - $7,500
• Community Legal Services - $15,000
• Duet Partners in Aging and Health - $18,500
• Family Promise - $18,000
• UMOM New Day Centers - $8,000

The City Council in May also approved $1,310,812 in Community Development Block Grants and $344,448 in HOME funds, which support a variety of public facility improvements and community programs including high quality, safe and affordable housing for lower-income households.

The federally backed grant must be used to benefit those whose income falls below 80 percent of Scottsdale’s median level, added the release.

Learn about resources to help residents at scottsdaleaz.gov/human-services.
If interested in donating to programs, visit Scottsdale Shares at scottsdaleaz.gov/shares.