Cox Charities has announced its selection of 91 non-profit organizations to receive grant funding totaling nearly $600,000 across the state—thanks in part to Cox’s internal sustainability program, Turning Waste Into Growth (TWIG), which contributes thousands of dollars to the nonprofit grant program. In the Phoenix-area, $484,000 was awarded to 58 non-profits. This year’s donation was the largest donation since the program’s inception in 1996. Over the past 17 years, Cox Charities has awarded more than $4 million to local Arizona nonprofits that support youth and education.

TWIG is Cox Arizona’s internal sustainability effort designed to raise funds for Cox Charities, provide employees with convenient recycling options, divert waste from landfills and reduce waste disposal costs. All recycling revenue directly benefits Cox Charities.

“We are proud to include new, innovative ways to raise funds to continue to make Cox Charities’ impact on the community larger each year through programs like TWIG,” said Steve Rizley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cox Arizona.”

The TWIG Program encompasses three major initiatives:

•The Cardboard Recycling Program recycles cardboard from Cox offices and stores and recycled at fulfillment centers in Phoenix.

•The Office Waste Recycling Program includes secure document shredding and general office waste recycling in partnership with local vendors. Paper, cans, plastic and cardboard are recycled then collected in bins placed throughout all Cox locations.

•The ASC Scrap Cable Recycling Program collects coaxial cable, small fittings, scrap plastics and dry cell batteries from Cox installations.

Since its inception in 2008, TWIG has raised nearly $60,000 statewide for Cox Charities. Funds raised through TWIG are combined with donations from Cox customers, employees and corporate partners to benefit statewide youth and education causes throughout the state. This year, more than 3,000 Cox Arizona employees personally contributed to the foundation through donations and fundraisers.

Phoenix organizations that were awarded grant funds this year include:

AASK- AZ- $7,500
American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter- $10,000
Arizona Opera Company- $4,000
Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped- $7,500
Arizona Science Center- $7,500
Arizona Theatre Company- $5,000
Arizona Town Hall- $10,000
Arizona Zoological Society- $5,000
Arizonans for Children, Inc.- $10,000
Arizona’s Children Association- $7,000
Back to School Clothing Drive- $10,000
Banner Health Foundation of Arizona- $5,000
Be A Leader Foundation- $5,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central AZ- $7,500
Boys & Girls Club of Scottsdale- $5,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix- $10,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Casa Grande Valley- $5,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley- $10,000
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona- $5,000
Challenger Space Center Arizona- $10,000
Civitan Foundation, Inc.- $10,000
Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts- $7,500
Desert Caballeros Western Museum- $5,000.00
Dignity Health Foundation- East Valley- $10,000
East Valley Children’s Theatre- $7,135
Elevate Phoenix               – $7,500
Fresh Start Women’s Foundation- $10,000
Friendly House- $10,000
Gabriels Angels- $5,000
HandsOn Greater Phoenix (formerly Make A Difference) – $10,000
Hope and A Future- $10,000
Junior Achievement of Arizona- $10,000
Make-A-Wish Arizona- $10,000
National Engineers Week Future City Competition- $5,000
New Pathways for Youth, Inc.- $10,000
Oddessy of the Mind After School- $2,865
one n ten- $10,000
Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation- $10,000
Phoenix Film Foundation- $6,000
Phoenix Indian Center- $10,000
Phoenix Theatre, Inc.- $5,000
Save the Family Foundation of Arizona- $5,000
Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services (STARS)- $5,000
Si Se Puede- $5,000
Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center- $7,000
Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS- $10,000
Teen Addiction Anonymous- $5,000
Tempe Community Council- $5,000
The Phoenix Symphony- $10,000.00
Treasures 4 Teachers, Inc.- $10,000
Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development- $10,000
UMOM New Day Centers- $7,500
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona- $10,000
Valle del Sol, Inc.- $10,000
Valley Leadership- $10,000
Valley Youth Theatre- $7,500
World Hunger Ecumenical Arizona Task Force- $5,000
Total=   $484,000