Top-Tier College Football Bowl Organization has Donated More than $10 Million Over Last Seven Years in Charitable Giving to Youth, Sports, Education Nonprofits in Arizona

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Greater Arizona Chapter, has awarded Fiesta Bowl Charities the 2017 Outstanding Corporation/Foundation Award. This year, Fiesta Bowl Charities is donating more than $2.5 million in charitable giving to 67 nonprofit organizations in Arizona – the largest amount in Fiesta Bowl history and more than any other college bowl organization.

Through its two annual college football bowl games in the Valley, the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl and the Cactus Bowl, as well as its various community events throughout the year, Fiesta Bowl Charities has given more than $10 million to the Arizona community in the last seven years.

We’ve worked hard throughout the Fiesta Bowl’s long history to create an organization that’s recognized as a committed community partner, as well as being a standard-bear of local volunteerism and host of the best college football bowl games, “said Steve Leach, Chair of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors. “The Fiesta Bowl’s activities are driven by our three organizational pillars of youth, sports and education. We are humbled to be able to assist organizations like A New Leaf, who use our support to make an incredible difference in lives of so many Arizonans.”

In addition to the charitable organizations who receive funding, approximately $750,000 of the total grant money is being donated through the Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program, in partnership with azcentral. In the program’s inaugural year in 2016, 100 teachers state-wide earned a $5,000 grant to directly benefit students. This year, the program received 4,204 total applications and will grant approximately 150 wishes, of $5,000 each, to Arizona teachers.

“To be named the AFP Outstanding Foundation is a testament to the commitment and tireless work from the Fiesta Bowl’s passionate Board of Directors, Yellow Jacket Committee, Ambassadors, Volunteers and staff,” said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director Mike Nealy. “We’re known by many for the elite football games we put on each year, and we’ve had several of the most memorable in college football history. We’re proud of that reputation and equally thrilled to be recognized for the year-round work we do to enhance the lives of Arizonans each and every day.”

Fiesta Bowl Charities was nominated by A New Leaf after donating $15,000 to the nonprofit in 2016 to support A New Leaf’s Faith House Women’s Crisis Center in Glendale. The award was presented to Fiesta Bowl Charities during today’s Celebration of Philanthropy Luncheon.

“Faith House lost a considerable amount of federal funding last year and Fiesta Bowl Charities was very responsive to preserving this vital program which serves women and children who are victims of domestic violence, human trafficking or who are homeless due to other crisis situations,” said Joe Dulin, chief philanthropy officer at A New Leaf. “Jose Moreno and other representatives take a special interest in connecting with their partners and go beyond traditional grant funding to raise awareness and additional funding to support programs that improve the health, well-being and vitality of all our community members. We are truly grateful to have their support and partnership.”

Since 1960, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has inspired global change and supported efforts that generated over $1 trillion. AFP’s nearly 30,000 individual and organizational members raise over $100 billion annually, equivalent to one-third of all charitable giving in North America and millions more around the world.

Each chapter seeks nominations of major awards from their chapter member organizations. Awards are given for Outstanding Foundation/Corporation of the Year, Outstanding Volunteer Philanthropist, Outstanding Philanthropy Professional, Youth Philanthropist of the Year and Philanthropist of the Year.

About Fiesta Bowl Charities

The Fiesta Bowl’s vision is to be a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans. As a nonprofit organization, it believes in the importance of community outreach and service. Through charitable giving, the organization strives to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that contribute to the success of communities through youth, sports, education and human services. Since 1971, Fiesta Bowl Charities has worked to increase its footprint across the state and work to benefit Arizonans year round, during and outside of bowl season. For more information about its local impact and how to get involved, visit http://FiestaBowl.org.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter is the premiere organization for fundraisers and nonprofit professionals in the Phoenix-Metro region. We currently represent nearly 300 members from the leading nonprofit charities, foundations, and consultants across the Valley. The Greater Arizona Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals advances philanthropy by fostering the development and growth of fundraising professionals and promoting ethical and effective fundraising standards. The vision of the Greater Arizona Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is to be the leader and resource in strengthening the fundraising profession and the philanthropic community.   back...