The First Year of the Arizona Economic Recovery Center - Wins, Wins, Wins!
The Arizona Economic Recovery Center (AZERC) has had a busy year working with organizations across Arizona!
With our programming, the AZERC works hand-in-hand with organizations in the state to identify their needs. It can be over a series of calls, video chats or whatever works for each organization. Oftentimes, it may involve doing grant research for the organization after learning about the overall mission and goals of each program. Other times, we find grant writers with focused expertise to really tell the story of a specific group – something that’s so necessary when requesting funds. Sometimes, organizations just need a little help getting their books in order or short-term support for a new program.
We have CPAs, program managers and facilitators to jump in for a couple of months. The best part about our program is if you are a qualifying organization (small town, municipality, government agency, nonprofit), we are able to cover the cost of the services for free! This is thanks to our generous sponsors; the State of Arizona, Vitalyst Health Foundation, Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, SRP, Arizona Complete Health, Arizona Community Foundation and Arizona Generation and Transmission Cooperatives. We also have a weekly newsletter (emailed every Monday) that has a list of new and upcoming funding opportunities including community webinars, scholarships and grants.
The whole purpose of the AZERC is to enable qualified Arizona cities, towns, counties, tribal communities and nonprofits to win competitive federal, state and foundation grants and to assist with your finances, project management, facilitating the grant and every step to ensure success. And it’s working! The numbers show the impact and the beneficiaries can attest to the assistance and relief that follow funding wins. Here’s a snapshot:
More than $4.6 million in awards has been funded to organizations using AZERC capacity
building resources.215 organizations from all 15 counties in Arizona have been assisted resulting in successful
grants in 13 counties.108 consultants have been deployed to assist grant efforts of rural and tribal towns and organizations in every county.
100% of participants to date have found the expert consulting and processes provided were helpful in increasing their capacity – not just now, but into the future.
These are more than just numbers - they’re real people, communities and stories. One of our earliest wins was in the town of Miami, working with Miami Mercantile. They were awarded two grants that go directly to the restoration of the historic YMCA building in town to become an event venue, shared shop space and community cultural hub!
Another organization, Pinal Hispanic Council (PHC), was awarded a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Funds will cover internet technology equipment and room improvements. This will assist in strengthening and improving technology and telehealth capabilities allowing PHC to improve telehealth services in facilities in Eloy, Coolidge and Douglas.
Yet another organization, Kingman Main Street, won an award from the Visit Arizona Initiative for their Outdoor Recreation Revitalization. The grant provides funds for a self-guided walking tour featuring 30+ points of interest centered in Kingman’s historic downtown.
That’s a lot of grants — a LOT of WINS — for our first six months, don’t you think? And we’re just getting started. This visual (Infographic) gives a look at the progress and fulfillment of the program. And take time to learn more! Follow the link to find out about assistance and supporting the AZERC.