SCOTTSDALE, AZ (August 27, 2025) – Continuing its legacy of delivering meaningful community impact across the state of Arizona, Fiesta Sports Foundation provided grants to 16 Arizona nonprofit organizations for the 2025-26 season. At the end of the 2025-26 season, the full Fiesta Sports Foundation community impact will enhance the lives of one million Arizonans.

By virtue of the funding, programs that will be implemented include providing safe shelter and services for nearly 700 individuals experiencing homelessness, granting resources for people and families living with disabilities, unlocking the life-changing power of sports for kids regardless of social or economic circumstance and supplying clothing and other essentials to children in foster care and kinship care.

For a full list of 2025-26 Fiesta Sports Foundation grant recipients and how those organizations will utilize the funding, please click here.

Fiesta Sport Foundation's Grant Cycle is a core aspect of the organization's overall community engagement, which also includes the Palo Verde Fiesta Sports Foundation Wishes for Teachers and legacy projects such as playground builds, field donations and renovations of resource rooms and teachers' lounges. Adding the grant awards for the 2025-26 season, Fiesta Sports Foundation has donated more than $35 million over the last 15 years directly into Arizona communities.

"Fiesta Sports Foundation is dedicated to empowering nonprofits by directing resources to meet pressing community needs," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Chief Impact Officer Kristina Chumpol. "These grants are an investment in the incredible work being done across Arizona to strengthen communities and create meaningful impact."

This year's 16 nonprofit organizations are spread throughout the state, including the Valley of the Sun, Flagstaff, Bisbee and other regions with projects that will provide impact through the Fiesta Sport Foundation's three pillars of youth, sports and education. Through the Grant Cycle alone, the nonprofit organizations are projected to impact more than 100,000 Arizonans.

"Every year, charitable giving by Fiesta Sports Foundation provides life-changing opportunities that can make a difference in the trajectory of people's lives across our state of Arizona," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Board Chair Judy Bernas. "Arizona has tremendous needs and, in this way, we are able to help support in the areas of youth, sports and education, a mission that is so rewarding and central to our Foundation. Thanks to the tremendous work of our talented staff and our dedicated Board, Yellow Jacket Committee and Ambassadors, we are truly making an impact."

Fiesta Sports Foundation's impact includes the Palo Verde Fiesta Sports Foundation Wishes for Teachers program, which celebrates for its 10th season. Applications for this program open on Tuesday, September 2, for Arizona K-12 public and charter school teachers. Behind $8.2 million to more than 2,600 Arizona educators through its first nine years, Palo Verde Fiesta Sports Foundation 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 Sports Foundation:

• $35 million in charitable giving over the last 15 years
• 1 million Arizonans impacted during 2024-25 season
• 15 community playground builds across Arizona over the last eight years
• 10 football field dedications across Arizona with playing surface from Rate Bowl
• 6 community resource rooms renovated in last six years
• Approximately $8.2 million granted through Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charites Wishes for Teachers over program's first nine years

ABOUT FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION
Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation 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, 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 resources to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaBowl.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on Twitter.