Nonprofits may apply for A Community Thrives grants

Inspired by a story in The Arizona Republic, Mesa resident Randy Hansen gave $1 million to Jacob’s Mission, a nonprofit community center for children in foster care founded by three foster moms in Arizona.

Hansen’s act of generosity would be a humbling reward for any journalist who cares about improving her community. For Dianna Náñez, who investigates child abuse and neglect, it’s an outcome that reinforces a mission to create positive change.

Reporting is the most obvious way The Republic newsroom serves this community. We embrace direct giving, too.

Our Season for Sharing campaign has raised more than $64 million in its 25 years. And today we’re announcing an expanded “A Community Thrives” initiative, another opportunity to support the work of local nonprofits.

The program may sound familiar. For two years, A Community Thrives has provided project grants up to $100,000 in a nationwide competitive process organized by our partners at the Gannett Foundation and the USA TODAY NETWORK. That national competition isn’t changing.

New this year is a tier of local grants that could range from $5,000 to $75,000 in Arizona.

What have the national project grants been used for before? In Pensacola, Florida, the money helped build a community skateboarding plaza to combat crime and drug abuse. In South Dakota, another gift supported a pay-what-you-can eatery for struggling families.

The idea of the national project grants is to tackle a major community project.

The local grants — new this year — do not have to be designated for a specific project. Instead, they are designed to help nonprofits keep the lights on, pay staff and cover other operating costs.

We know a well-placed grant can make a difference.

The story that prompted Hansen’s $1 million gift to Jacob’s Mission was written for The Republic’s “Kids in Crisis” series, which is funded by a three-year grant from the Arizona Community Foundation.

Náñez, reporter Mary Jo Pitzl and visual journalists David Wallace and Nick Oza are producing important stories about child welfare in Arizona thanks to ACF’s support. The Republic’s reach delivered the story of Jacob’s Mission to Hansen, a subscriber who wanted to make a difference for founders Anika Robinson, Susan Woodruff and Angela Teachout.

Robinson, Woodruff and Teachout first caught The Republic’s attention while advocating for timely services for foster children. They were the force behind a law named after Woodruff ’s adopted son Jacob.

Hansen’s million-dollar donation is a perfect example of the circle that donations, journalism and good work can create.

A Community Thrives becomes a part of that circle. We’re thrilled to be a part of Arizona’s charitable community. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions about A Community Thrives or other ideas for community building.

A Community Thrives

Up to $2.3 million will go to nonprofits that support community-building as part of the expanded giving-back initiative known as A Community Thrives and sponsored by The Arizona Republic, Gannett Foundation and USA TODAY NETWORK. Here’s how it works:

❚ By Feb. 28, interested nonprofits should apply at act.usatoday.com and answer some basic questions. Nonprofits could potentially qualify for a national project grant and a local operating grant.

❚ The crowdfunding site CrowdRise will create a fundraising page for qualified applicants, which then are required to meet either a $3,000 or $6,000 fundraising goal. The nonprofit keeps the money, whether they’re awarded a grant or not. The fundraising period runs from March 18 to April 12.

❚ Up to $1 million will be distributed in the form of 16 national project grants. Another $1.3 million will be distributed as local operating grants.

❚ Grants will be announced in late May or early June.

❚ Questions? Contact Republic community relations director Stacy Sullivan at ssullivan@azcentral.com or 602444-8749.