Two Arizona companies receive $40,000 each for their innovative philanthropy initiatives
The Arizona Community Foundation’s Pakis Center for Business Philanthropy recently announced the prize-winning companies in its first-ever BOOST! Prize competition. Fann Contracting, Inc., a Prescott-based highway and civil construction company, and Goodmans Interior Structures, an office furniture dealer with offices in Phoenix, Tucson and Albuquerque, will each receive $40,000 to boost their efforts as good corporate citizens.
“Strong executives know it’s also good for business, helping companies maintain an engaged and productive work force, improving employee recruitment and retention, and enhancing their reputation in the community,” said Fred Pakis, who co-founded Scottsdale-based JDA Software in 1985 and serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Community Foundation.
Fann Contracting was established in 1960 by James and Sylvia Fann, and for over a half-century the company has been fundamental to Arizona’s infrastructure. From the beginning, it has been the Fann family’s tradition to share their success by contributing to area nonprofit organizations. President Mike Fann — with his son, Jason, who is part-owner—proudly follows in his parents’ footsteps in many ways, including leadership of the company’s corporate giving program dubbed FEMAD, for Fann Employees Making a Difference. With employee engagement, matching gifts and in-kind giving, Fann Contracting actively supports charities that provide assistance to adults with disabilities, individuals with health-related issues, and programs that relate to the development of children and healing for families in crisis. In addition to increasing Fann Contracting’s giving portfolio, the BOOST! Prize dollars will support the community outreach program Fann intends to develop.
Goodmans Interior Structures serves corporations, hospitals, universities and government agencies located in Arizona and New Mexico. Established in 1954, the company has developed a reputation for being a family-owned business that specializes in customer-centered service, innovative office design and a commitment to the community.
Goodmans is one of the first certified B Corporations in Arizona, a legal designation that recognizes commitment to the community, the environment and employees. Under the leadership of third-generation President and CEO, Adam Goodman, the company has become a nationwide leader in products that support cultural alignment, workplace strategy and sustainable construction practices.
Goodmans will use the BOOST! Prize dollars to enhance three of its many programs for giving back to the community. GoodTHREADS Boutique is a clothing bank in Southern Arizona that collects and distributes clothing to foster, adoptive, and kinship families. The AIM to Make a Difference program will get a website portal for furniture repurposing that matches local nonprofits with surplus used office furniture. Good Inc. is an incubator that gives mission-aligned start-ups access to the Goodmans world-class work environment, including mentorship with executives in human resources, marketing, technology, finance, operations and sales.
Last fall, ACF’s Pakis Center for Business Philanthropy began accepting applications for a $40,000 BOOST! Prize from mid-size, Arizona-based companies. The challenge was designed to encourage business leaders to commit more deeply to their charitable efforts and make philanthropy a core part of their operations. Both BOOST! Prize winning companies will utilize a portion of the prize money to engage other mid-size businesses in making a difference in the communities where they live and work.
CEO OF FANN CONTRACTING MAKES PLEDGE TO HIS HOMETOWN
by Mike Fann, CEO of Fann Contracting
Dear Prescott:
I must confess. I’m not much of a sentimental, “let my emotions show” guy. The requirements of my CEO job – making objective, fact-based decisions which often involve millions of dollars –don’t leave much wiggle room for sentimentality. The margins are too close and the consequences too severe to let me do something impulsively.
But, I also must confess that I don’t follow that path when it comes to doing something to give back to my hometown of Prescott. I grew up here, went to school, played sports, went to movies and dances and made friends who are yet part of my life here. I benefited tremendously.
I also learned early in life from Mom and Dad (Sylvia and Jim Fann) that I should be socially responsible in everything I do.
I love Prescott and everything the community and its citizens have done for me. Therefore, it’s only fair and fitting that I give back what I can, when I can. I owe that to Prescott.
It was that belief that prompted me to found FEMAD — Fann Employees Making A Difference. Since its founding in 2006, our employees, most of whom live in the immediate Prescott area, have contributed more than $340,000 to help support qualified local charitable organizations.
As long as Fann Contracting is around, it will remain a vibrant part of the community.
That’s my pledge to Prescott.
