Arizona

The Arizona Community Foundation has announced grant and scholarship distributions totaling more than $22.6 million during the second quarter of its fiscal year. Between July 1 and September 30, the foundation awarded discretionary and advised grants and scholarships in five strategic priority areas: health innovations ($6.8 million), community improvement and development ($1.8 million), environment and sustainability ($1 million), arts and culture ($1.2 million), and quality education ($9.9 million, including $3.3 million in scholarships). The grants also include $161,760 in support of small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Florida

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation in Venice has announced the 20 community leaders from across the region who graduated October 28 from its 2022 Fall Gulf Coast Board Institute (GCBI), which provides high-level board governance training to new and veteran voluntary members of nonprofit boards. The group made up the 16th class to participate in GCBI, which is now offered twice a year at the foundation’s Venice headquarters and its new downtown Sarasota Philanthropy Center.

Indiana

The Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) in Indianapolis has announced that Brian Payne, president and CEO of CICF and president of the Indianapolis Foundation, will retire on June 30, 2023. Payne, who joined CICF in November 2000, is credited with leading significant growth across the philanthropic collaborative, which includes CICF, the Indianapolis Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation, IMPACT Central Indiana, and the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana. The collective’s assets have tripled to more than $1 billion and annual grantmaking has more than quadrupled to over $95 million under Payne’s leadership. Searches have been launched for both positions.

New Mexico

The New Mexico Coalition of Community Foundations and the All Together NM Fund have announced that they are partnering with UpTogether to provide one-time cash assistance to New Mexico residents, with priority given to those who have been adversely impacted by the Calf Canyon and Hermit’s Peak wildfires, the largest fires in the state’s history. Applications for the New Mexico Cash Assistance Fund will be accepted from November 14 through 11:59 p.m. on December 4, and will be randomized for approval. Eligible households will each receive $1,000. The New Mexico Coalition of Community Foundations includes Albuquerque Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, Los Alamos Community Foundation, New Mexico Foundation, Santa Fe Community Foundation, and Taos Community Foundation.

North Carolina

Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) has announced that, in recognition of a $3 million gift from local philanthropists Susan and Bob Salvin to the Carolina Theatre, the venue’s stage will be named after them. Abandoned since 1978, the theatre is set to re-open in 2023. FFTC has overseen the fundraising for and renovation of the 36,000-square-foot theater, which will feature programming such as speakers, community engagement events, town hall meetings, arts and entertainment, and films.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Foundation has announced that its 2022 Murray Family Prize for Community Enrichment has been awarded to Kate Brewster, executive director of the Jonnycake Center for Hope in South Kingstown. Brewster will receive an unrestricted gift of $50,000 in recognition of her long commitment to helping Rhode Islanders in need. Since she joined in 2015, the organization has expanded its services, renovated a 120-year-old schoolhouse and community landmark into its new headquarters, is preparing to update four multi-unit properties to provide service-enriched housing to local families, and recently announced the impending launch of a youth center.

Texas

The Dallas Foundation, which was established in 1929, has announced that it has crossed the $1 billion milestone of funding to organizations working to improve the lives of people in north Texas.