Valley of the Sun United Way announced Thursday it would granting more than $9.3 million into programs and services provided by 101 Maricopa County nonprofit organizations and schools.

In partnership with First Things First and other government support, Valley of the Sun United Way also provides nearly $80 million to support families with affordable quality child care and strengthening literacy capacity, serving over 10,000 children statewide.

“These partners are a fundamental and a critical component aligned to reach the bold goals of our community-driven, five-year plan for Mighty Change by 2026, which has prioritized improving outcomes in health, housing and homelessness, education and workforce development," said Carla Vargas Jasa, president and CEO of Valley of the Sun United Way.

The investments include Valley of the Sun United Way’s recent competitive grant funding process in which $5.8 million was awarded to support 90 programs and services led by 67 community organizations.

It also had additional investments in the nonprofit’s Grassroots Funding initiative that supports nonprofits with annual budgets of less than $250,000, as well as multiyear and transformational grants that support long-term programs like Mighty Families and Pathways to Economic Opportunity. Grant amounts had a $10,000 minimum and were capped at $200,000 each.

The organization’s competitive grant process was open to all nonprofit organizations and schools throughout Maricopa County that submitted funding proposals aligned to Valley of the Sun United Way’s impact agenda and strategies for Mighty Change, also known as MC2026.

More than 230 funding applications were reviewed by a panel comprised of 36 community members, subject-matter experts, Valley of the Sun United Way board members, staff and other community leaders who ensured greatest alignment, impact and viability for achieving Mighty Change.

Panel recommendations were then considered and approved for funding by the Valley of the Sun United Way board of directors.

Valley of the Sun United Way also manages a Gift-in-Kind Program that distributes more than $350,000 worth of supplies to dozens of nonprofits throughout Maricopa County. The organization has also built and convenes several MC2026 coalitions and action teams focused on the five-year initiative’s key impact areas and other strategic initiatives. 

Community-based organizations interested in joining one of the MC2026 Coalitions and Actions Teams should contact Eileana Gudiño at egudino@vsuw.org.

To learn more about Valley of the Sun United Way, its impact and journey to Mighty Change 2026, or to get involved, visit www.vsuw.org.