Desert Financial Announces $520,000 Commitment to 21 Arizona Nonprofits

Two-Year Grant Cycle Supports Nonprofits Dedicated to Serving Arizona Communities

PHOENIX, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Desert Financial Credit Union has awarded $260,000 in grants to 21 Arizona nonprofits this year as part of its 2026 grant program. The funding marks the first year of a two-year grant cycle totaling $520,000 in support of organizations making an impact in communities across Arizona.

Since 2013, Desert Financial has provided nearly $2.6 million in grant support to Arizona nonprofits.

Among this year's recipients is Tynkertopia, which was awarded $10,000 to support 300 youth and young adults through its Future Ready: STEAM, Workforce & Financial Pathways program. The program combines workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy with STEAM education at Tynkertopia MakerSpace, the nonprofit's new hands-on learning facility.

"Research shows that investing in STEAM education equips young people with the skills, confidence and experiences they need to succeed in tomorrow's workforce," said Jack Biggs, executive vice president at Desert Financial. "When we support teens and young adults on their journey toward career readiness, we're building a stronger future for all of Arizona."

The two-year structure is designed to give nonprofit partners greater stability and more time to focus on serving their communities. Organizations that fulfill the grant requirements during the first year will not need to reapply to receive the same funding in 2027.

"For the past five years, Desert Financial Credit Union has been an invaluable partner in helping Tynkertopia expand opportunities for children, teens and families in northern Arizona," said Dr. Alice Christie, CEO of Tynkertopia. "We are grateful for their confidence in our mission and are honored to continue building the partnership as we prepare Arizona's next generation for college, careers, financial wellbeing and lifelong success."

The 2026 grant recipients include:

• A New Leaf Inc. — $15,000: Providing financial education and workforce readiness skills for resident teens and youth.
• Billy's Place, Inc. — $12,500: School-based grief support in Maricopa County.
• Boys & Girls Club of Central Arizona — $10,000: Career readiness and outdoor adventure programs for teens in Prescott and Prescott Valley.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale — $15,000: Workforce readiness programming for teens in Scottsdale.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley — $15,000: Life and workforce readiness programs for underserved youth in Phoenix and surrounding communities.
• Catholic Charities Community Services, Inc. — $7,500: Financial literacy education for refugees.
• Children's Museum of Phoenix — $10,000: Free or reduced-price STEM field trips and books for children in need in Phoenix.
• Earn to Learn — $15,000: Matched-savings scholarship programming in Maricopa County and rural Arizona.
• Future for Kids — $12,500: Youth mentorship programs in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.
• Jobs for Arizona's Graduates — $15,000: Career and college readiness programs.
• Laptops 4 Learning — $15,000: Laptops for students in the Phoenix area.
• Literacy Volunteers of Coconino County — $7,500: Reading support for kindergarten and first-grade students in Flagstaff.
• Lowell Observatory — $12,500: STEAM education for fourth- through eighth-grade students on the Navajo, Hopi and Apache nations.
• Native American Connections — $12,500: After-school and summer programming in Phoenix.
• Save the Family Foundation of Arizona — $10,000: Children's services aimed at helping families overcome homelessness in the East Valley.
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul — $15,000: Workforce Opportunities programming in Phoenix.
• Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center — $15,000: Inclusive preschool programming for children with autism in Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale.
• Southwest Human Development — $15,000: Early childhood education and family support in Phoenix.
• The Launch Pad Teen Center — $12,500: Workforce development programming for young adults ages 16 to 24 in Prescott.
• Tynkertopia — $10,000: Workforce readiness and financial education for teens and young adults in Flagstaff.
• Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters — $7,500: Expansion of youth services throughout Yavapai County.

For more information about Desert Financial and its grant program, visit https://www.desertfinancial.com/en/who-we-are/community-involvement/how-we-give-back

About Desert Financial Credit Union

For more than 87 years, Desert Financial has been Arizona's most trusted local credit union with more than 500,000 members and $9 billion in assets. With 50+ locations across Arizona and top-rated digital banking, it's easy for members to click, call or come in. In 2026, members received $16 million back via the Member Giveback Bonus. Desert Financial is the official retail banking partner of Arizona State University® and the official banking partner of the Arizona Cardinals, NAU Athletics and the NAU Alumni Association. Federally insured by NCUA. Learn more at DesertFinancial.com.  

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SOURCE Desert Financial Credit Union