Press release:
The Patagonia Regional Community Fund grant cycle recently awarded grants totaling $30,700 to nonprofit organizations supporting the local community. Housed at the Arizona Community Foundation and guided by a dedicated group of volunteer reviewers, the fund reflects the heart and priorities of eastern Santa Cruz County.
This year’s grants support a wide range of efforts that touch lives across generations—from creative arts programs and educational opportunities for youth to vital services for seniors, hands-on community gardening, and resources that help local families thrive.
Grants were awarded to the following nine organizations for the stated purposes. These organizations were celebrated at the annual grant celebration on April 2, at the Patagonia Museum.
Family Healthcare Amigos: Administrative support as the organization’s Patagonia facility will be taking over space that has been occupied by Long Realty. Administrative funds to purchase office furniture and equipment.
Patagonia Area Resource Alliance: PARA will lead an education and mobilization initiative to build local understanding of Arizona’s groundwater crisis and the need for reform. The project will also provide regular updates on the local mining activity, keeping Patagonia residents informed while strengthening grassroots support for water protection and policy change.
Patagonia Community Garden: Funding to extend and improve their existing irrigation system. The PCG serves the community of Patagonia through growing local produce and additionally welcomes residents of Sonoita, Elgin, Nogales, and any rural residents of southeastern Arizona.
Patagonia Creative Arts Association: Funding for our Learning Through the Arts enrichment program. These funds will be applied to our three popular programs for youth/kids ages 5-17 and to support staff salaries.
Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center: To support operations of the heated Patagonia pool through administrative support. In its 2nd year of transitioning this grant will help PRAC retain an outside lifeguard manager until it can get the higher liability insurance required by the school system, and build a secure base of financial support as the organization looks to implement a comprehensive fundraising plan.
Patagonia Regional Times: Funding to support organization’s growth. Staff currently use their own computers to do their work. This grant request ensures the PRT has the infrastructure it needs to continue to serve and support the news needs of the Eastern Santa Cruz community.
Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center: To support the continuation of PYEC’s afterschool program’s Respectful Resource Room, a daily living resource room that offers daily living supplies and school supplies to local youth.
Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc: Funding to support the Senior Center’s electric generator needs, including an inspection and preventive maintenance services. The generator preserves food supplies and operates facilities when electricity is off.
Society for Bevel Intentions, Inc. DBA Mat Bevel Company: Funding support general operations to ensure consistent community access. The Universe Within provides a free, publicly accessible applied STEAM learning lab for 4–8th graders from all schools and homeschool communities in the region. Through hands-on, project-based learning, students build creative problem-solving skills and STEAM literacy.
These PRCF grants are awarded by committees of local volunteers who have the difficult task of deciding which projects to fund. The need regularly exceeds funds available for granting more than two to one, and often three to one. This year, applicants requested more than $76,000 in grants.
To learn how you can help support the Patagonia Regional Community Funds and local initiatives, visit www.azfoundation.org/Patagonia.