Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County connects donors and groups with local nonprofits
Photo by Marchetti Photos
Helping other people improve the quality of their lives is a noble endeavor, but for Carol Chamberlain it’s an inspired mission—and her life’s work.
As Regional Director for the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County, Chamberlain manages the local affiliate office of the statewide Arizona Community Foundation. She matches groups and individuals who want to make a positive difference in their communities with local organizations that demonstrate compelling needs.
Established in 1993 as the first and largest of six regional affiliates of the Arizona Community Foundation, ACF of Yavapai County reaches out to prospective donors in our community and provides them with a simple way to meet complex community needs.
“We believe strongly in sustainable solutions,” Chamberlain said. “Connecting the needs of a community to people who have a passion for giving is what we do best.”
Offering administrative support to more than 100 charitable funds allows ACF of Yavapai County to achieve its mission to “lead, serve and collaborate to mobilize enduring philanthropy for a better Arizona.” The funds support multiple programs focused on education, community improvement and development, health care, arts and culture, the environment and more.
To honor individuals, groups and organizations that come together to fulfill community needs, the foundation also hosts an annual Joy of Giving Philanthropic Awards Luncheon.
“Organizations choose to work with ACF of Yavapai County because they have the pleasure of giving without worrying about all the administrative tasks,” Chamberlain explained. “Philanthropy is more fun for them that way.”
With assistance from Lisa Sahady, ACF of Yavapai County’s Philanthropic Coordinator, Chamberlain encourages donors to raise the philanthropy bar. Donors can contribute in any amount to any of ACF of Yavapai County’s established funds, which support community grantmaking across a range of focus areas, such as the arts, education, scientific research or animal welfare.
“It takes only $25,000 to start your own fund with ACF of Yavapai County,” Chamberlain pointed out. “We make it easy for people to achieve their philanthropic goals, and we offer an endowment option to continue the gift past their lifetimes.”
Donors can establish a donor-advised fund and remain involved in recommending grant recipients on an ongoing basis, a scholarship fund to help students pursuing higher education, or a specific field of interest fund to provide support to broad areas of personal interest.
Since 1993, ACF of Yavapai County has awarded more than $13 million in competitive grants and scholarships countywide. For more information, contact Carol Chamberlain with the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County at CChamberlain@azfoundation.org, call 928-583-7816 or visit azfoundation.org/Yavapai.
