SCOTTSDALE, AZ (August 13, 2024) – Following another impactful year of delivering impact to one million Arizonans statewide, 22 Arizona nonprofit organizations across the state will receive donations from Fiesta Bowl Charities during this year's Grant Cycle, officially marking the start of the 2024-25 charitable giving season.

With the funding, a sampling of the programs that will be implemented with the grant awards includes supporting life skills for youth and young adults with autism, creating college preparation programs for first-generation college students, expanding flag football programs for athletes with disabilities and purchasing a van to bring preventative oral health care to underserved youth.

For a full list of the 2024-25 Fiesta Bowl Charities grant recipients, please click here.

Fiesta Bowl Charities' Grant Cycle is a core aspect of the organization's overall annual community impact, which also includes the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program and legacy projects such as playground builds, field donations and renovations of resource rooms and teachers' lounges. Adding the grant awards for the 2024-25 season, Fiesta Bowl Charities has donated $32 million over the last 14 years directly into Arizona communities.

"Our Fiesta Bowl Charities Grant Cycle is always an exciting time to present much-needed financial resources to nonprofits across the state," said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. "For more than 50 years, this organization has been known for our charitable giving and our nonprofit partners deliver impact to their beneficiaries at deeper levels by virtue of these grants. We have seen first-hand the benefit from the programs and projects that come to fruition through the Grant Cycle."

This year's 22 nonprofit organizations are spread throughout the state from the Valley of the Sun to the Navajo Nation to Southern Arizona with projects that will provide impact through the Fiesta Bowl Organization's three pillars of youth, sports and education. Through the Grant Cycle alone, the nonprofit organizations are projected to impact nearly 200,000 Arizonans.

"What's so impressive about our organization is the wide scope of our impact on and especially off the field across the state of Arizona," said Fiesta Bowl Board Chair Judy Bernas. "I'm so inspired by the work of Fiesta Bowl Charities and the life-changing opportunities that result from the funding our Grant Cycle provides. The applications from charitable organizations demonstrate the need in the areas of youth, sports and education, where we are able to help close the gap thanks to the work of our talented staff and our dedicated Yellow Jacket Committee."

Fiesta Bowl Charities' impact continues with the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program returning for its ninth season. Applications for this year open on Tuesday, September 3, for Arizona K-12 public and charter school teachers. Behind nearly $7 million to more than 2,100 Arizona educators through its first eight years, Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers is the state's preeminent teacher support program.

To view the organization's Community Impact Report, please click here.

Quick Facts about Fiesta Bowl Charities:

• $32 million in charitable giving over the last 14 years
• 1 million Arizonans impacted during 2023-24 season
• 14 community playground builds across Arizona over the last seven years
• 9 football field dedication across Arizona with playing surface from Guaranteed Rate Bowl
• 5 community resource rooms renovated in last five years
• Approximately $7 million granted through Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charites Wishes for Teachers over program's first eight years

ABOUT FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION
Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaBowl.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on Twitter.