Since launching the Local Causes Visa® debit card program in 2020, Arizona Federal Credit Union has supported more than 60 unique nonprofits throughout Metro-Phoenix. Today, the local credit union has announced the latest group of 10 nonprofit organizations that will receive grants to support community-based initiatives. This round of grants amounts to a total of $44,000, and the overall program has provided nearly $200,000 to nonprofits with annual operating budgets under $2 million.



The recipients were notified during a virtual awards ceremony, where a new tiered grant system was unveiled. The Down Syndrome Network of Arizona was granted $10,000, the largest single amount in the Local Causes program history, and additional grants were awarded in the amounts of $7,500, $5,000 and $1,000. This year's selection process was different as it involved a public vote to determine the finalists and funding amount based on total votes. The organizations were given a chance to share their missions through video features to the public.



Below are this year's winners and grant amounts:

Afri Soul Education Center - $5,000 grant

Arizona Ghostbusters - $1,000 grant

Career Concepts For Youth Inc - $1,000 grant

Down Syndrome Network of Arizona - $10,000 grant

Families Raising Hope - $7,500 grant

Friends of the Quartzsite Food Bank - $5,000 grant

Hey Babe Group - $1,000 grant

Live and Learn AZ - $5,000 grant

Natural Restorations - $7,500 grant

QCAMELS - $1,000 grant



Like other debit card programs offered by Arizona Financial, each time a credit union member makes a purchase with their debit card, they donate to a community fund that supports the grant program. This is the first time Arizona Financial has opened applications to statewide nonprofits since completing their name and charter change in 2022 and the acquisition of Horizon Community Bank in Western Arizona in 2023.



“Seeing the response to this giveback program twice a year reassures us that Local Causes truly highlights the impact each individual organization has on the local Arizona community, said Rachel Galvez, Marketing Partnerships Manager at Arizona Financial. “We were excited to be able to extend our eligibility boundaries to Western Arizona this round and support a variety of nonprofit organizations doing important work in communities across the state.”



To join the group of nonprofits supported by the Local Causes initiative, each organization must have an operating budget under $2M and meet the criteria surrounding Arizona Financial’s focus on education, community services, equality/social inclusion, children and youth, and sustainability.



“The financial support gathered for these organizations is the result of our member-owners making daily purchases on their Local Causes Visa®?Debit Cards. Even small transactions add up to make a huge difference to these organizations,” said Jason Paprocki, EVP & Chief Strategy Officer with Arizona Financial. “As a company, we take great pride in this program as it showcases the importance of community and enables us to have a positive impact on local causes that our employees and member-owners are passionate about.”



Arizona Financial will continue to distribute the bi-annual gifts to hyper-local nonprofits to further their community support efforts. For more information about Arizona Financial and the Local Causes give-back program, please visit ArizonaFinancial.org/Community.