McCarthy Heart Hats, the community involvement arm of McCarthy Building Companies Inc., has begun its annual submission process for nonprofit organizations to apply for financial grants and/or a hands-on community building project.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 14.

Each year, McCarthy’s Heart Hats seeks recipients of its annual financial grant(s) and a construction project in which McCarthy employees and families assist a Valley charity with an improvement project using their expertise as builders.

Eligible 501(c)3 non-profit organizations must support children and families experiencing dramatic economic needs within the Greater Metropolitan Phoenix area. Organizations are invited to apply for one or both of the opportunities.

Last year, UMOM New Days Centers’ Next Step Housing was selected as recipient of the hands-on community building project. Heart Hats volunteersbuilt a new playground for the charity’s housing project located in downtown Phoenix over two weekends.

The 2012 grant recipients were Children’s Cancer Network and Starbright Foundation. Each received a $20,000 grant.

Applications for grants and/or the hands-on community building project, along with a complete list of criteria for each type of submission, can be found at mccarthy.com/locations/phoenix/

The McCarthy Heart Hats community outreach program ensures real community needs are being met through hands-on activities and financial support. Last year, more than $1M in financial support, in-kind and hands-on building contributions were made through McCarthy’s Heart Hats program nationwide.

“Our employees strive to find ways to have a positive impact on our community. The grants and hands-on construction project allow us to support organizations that specialize in providing critical services to children and families in need,” said Bo Calbert, president of McCarthy’s Southwest Region. “We feel privileged to be able to offer assistance to organizations that are filling these needs in our community.”

For questions regarding the grant application, contact Michelle Dionne at mdionne@mccarthy.com.