Each year, Az Business magazine, a publication of AZ Big Media, presents the Champions of Change Awards to recognize those dynamic innovators and trailblazers who are changing Arizona’s business landscape through leadership, visionary thinking and philanthropy. The Champions of Change Awards honor both individuals and organizations. The Champions of Change Awards will be held Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Each day leading up to the event, we will preview one category of finalists. Today, meet the Champions of Change finalists for nonprofit organization of the year.
The winner of the Champions of Change award for nonprofit organization of the year will earn a grant from BOK Financial.
Sponsors of the Champions of Change Awards include BOK Financial and Diversified Partners (spotlight sponsors), Optum (dessert sponsor) and Wilde Wealth Management Group (step-and-repeat sponsor).
To learn more about the Champions of Change Awards of to purchase tickets, click here.
Nonprofit organization of the year finalists
Here are the Champions of Change Awards finalists for nonprofit organization of the year:
ACT ONE – Nonprofit Arts Organization
Act One makes arts accessible for tens of thousands of children and families in Arizona each year through three distinct programs: in-person field trips for pre-K through 12th-grade students from Title I schools, the innovative Arts Immersion Virtual Reality Field Trip program that brings arts education directly to classrooms with VR technology and its Culture Pass program available in libraries across the state.
Area Agency on Aging, Region One
Offering 58 programs and services to 115,000 Maricopa County residents annually, the Area Agency on Aging, Region One is a private nonprofit with a mission to “partner with the community to foster innovative programs and services to enrich the quality of life for older adults, caregivers and diverse populations.” For 50 years, Area Agency has responded to the unmet needs of older adults, adults with disabilities and other special populations.
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation
For over 40 years, Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation has served as an advocate and empowering ally for Arizona’s current and former foster youth. AFFCF closes critical funding and service gaps to economic, academic and employment success through its diverse programming and outreach, which serves youth up to 27 years of age. AFFCF changes the path of trauma, neglect and abuse for foster youth.
Child Crisis Arizona
Since 1977, Child Crisis Arizona has served vulnerable children and families in Arizona and is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect through education and intervention by offering emergency shelter; residential care with education and health services for children and youth from birth to 21; foster care and adoption services; early education as well community-wide parenting classes, workshops, support groups; and much more.
Executive Council Charities
Executive Council Charities has been giving back to youth in the Valley for more than four decades and continues to take the lead in making positive changes in kids’ lives to help them overcome adversity and reach their potential during their most pivotal years. In the past five years, through its grant programs and hosted events, the nonprofit has raised more than $12 million to give to Valley charities.
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Family Promise of Greater Phoenix
Family Promise of Greater Phoenix’s innovative Legacy Village project transforms repurposed ocean containers into a community-based housing development for families experiencing homelessness. Legacy Village features six 640-square-foot repurposed ocean containers converted into fully furnished apartments. Built on the property of Iglesias Dios de Segunda Oportunidad in Glendale, this project offers a scalable, replicable model to address the critical need for affordable housing in a region where rents have surged 72% since 2010.
Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation
The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation leads the charitable and education initiatives of the Greater Phoenix Chamber. As workforce needs and trends shift, the Foundation remains at the forefront of innovation and change, constantly finding new ways to build on its four pillars of education, workforce, wellness and research. Pertaining to education, the Foundation’s initiatives are not only engaging students and schools across Arizona, they’re also building a talent pipeline that will benefit our state’s economy for years to come.
Kid in the Corner
Kid in the Corner was started by Zachary Sumner’s family and friends shortly after he died by suicide in 2017 in Scottsdale. Zachary’s story is not unique. At Kid in the Corner, leaders believe that through education, kindness and community connection, they can help change the story for the next kid in the corner by providing access to resources, promoting kindness and fostering a supportive community.
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back, the nonprofit arm of Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys, just wrapped up a successful year of charitable giving. In 2024, the nonprofit distributed over $2 million nationally, participated in over 3,800 volunteer hours and had an impact on over 3.56 million lives (human and animal). This year, Lerner & Rowe Gives Back’s Charity Golf Classic raised over $1 million to fuel a year of local giving.
Local First Arizona
Local First Arizona, founded in 2003, strengthens communities statewide by supporting local businesses, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting economic self-reliance. Their initiatives have generated over $130 million in economic impact, creating jobs and increasing wages. Through programs like the Fuerza Local Business Accelerator and the We Rise mentorship, they empower underserved entrepreneurs, contributing to a thriving, inclusive Arizona economy.
St. Joseph the Worker
St. Joseph the Worker (SJW) is committed to creating pathways to self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of poverty through employment. As Arizona’s leading workforce organization, SJW has been transforming lives since 1988. Through programs like Employment Without Barriers, Workforce Villages and Workforce and Housing Training (WHaT), SJW has not only connected individuals to quality-paying jobs but has also provided critical resources such as transitional housing, training and support.
Solari Crisis & Human Services
Solari Crisis & Human Services answers all calls and texts made in Arizona to 988, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, as well as to its statewide crisis line at 844-534-HOPE. The company’s trained and caring crisis specialists are available 24/7/365 in both English and Spanish and responded to more than 500,000 calls in 2024. Calls can be answered in more than 100 other languages via real-time interpreter services.
The Home of Record Project
The Home of Record Project hash a passionate mission to provide transitional housing and financial assistance to veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. In a very short time, multiple veterans have been given assistance without all the bureaucracy of local, state, and federal government where veterans often slip through the cracks.
Treasure House
Treasure House, founded by Brenda and Kurt Warner, is a beacon of hope and opportunity for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). This nonprofit provides a unique residential community designed to help individuals with IDDs transition into adulthood with independence, purpose, and inclusion. It’s not just a home; it’s a place where dreams are nurtured and individuals are empowered to live fully.
Waste Not
For more than 35 years, Waste Not has been on a mission to eliminate food waste and hunger in Arizona by rescuing fresh, nutritious food and delivering it directly to organizations that serve people in need. The local nonprofit works to accomplish this by creating sustainable food systems that help people and the planet flourish through innovative partnerships. Waste Not also plays a key role in recovering surplus food from large-scale events held in the Valley.
West Valley Mavericks Foundation
The West Valley Mavericks Foundation isn’t just a charitable organization—they truly are champions of change. With a bold vision to elevate the West Valley and create lasting change, the Mavericks channel their efforts into four key pillars: charity, community, culture and commerce. Since their inception, the Mavericks have funneled over $2.5 million back into the community , fueling programs that fight food insecurity, support local businesses, champion education and uplift those in need.
