Local Causes Grant Program

A credit union foundation that gives small Arizona nonprofits grants of at least $5,000 each year, picked partly by public vote.

Amount: $5,000 minimum award
Can a for-profit school apply?: No: for-profit schools excluded
Deadline: Closed
Who this fits: Private school · Microschool · Homeschool co‑opSmall Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofits with yearly expenses under $2 million. A nonprofit school or co-op with its own 501(c)(3) fits; a for-profit school does not.Religious schools: not stated, ask the funder
New schools: Not stated for new schools
Where: Arizona only
Last checked: Oct 28, 2026on arizonafinancial.org

See the funder’s page

Unconfirmed: check with the funder

We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.

2027 dates
Whether a religious school is treated as focused only on denominational activity (the rule excludes only those; ask the foundation)

What to do now

Step 1: Confirm your school or co-op has its own 501(c)(3) and spends under $2 million a year
Step 2: Gather your logo, signed W-9, EIN, four photos and a short impact story (300 words) or 60-second video
Step 3: Watch the page for the 2027 summer window and apply in the first days (first 100 qualified go to voting)
Step 4: Rally families to vote during the public voting round

Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.

Who can apply

“You are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing. You are based in Arizona and serve Arizona communities. Your annual operating expenses are under $2 million.”

In the funder’s own words, from arizonafinancial.org, checked Oct 28, 2026.

Winners are picked by a committee and then a public vote; the first 100 qualified applicants move to voting. You can't apply if you won a Local Causes grant the year before or have a paid vendor contract with the credit union. Religious organizations focused only on denominational activity are not eligible. A representative must attend the award event in person.

501(c)(3) in good standing, based in Arizona
Yearly operating expenses under $2 million
No Local Causes grant the year before
Not a religious organization focused only on denominational activity
Someone attends the award event in person

Timing

Once a year. The 2026 window was July 6 to 19, with public voting August to September and awards in late October. 2027 dates are not posted yet; watch for a summer window.

Not legal or tax advice. Whether your school should be for-profit or a nonprofit, or take on a loan, is a decision for your CPA or attorney. Always confirm the details on the funder’s own page before you apply.

Something off?

Tell us what looks wrong and we’ll re-check it against the funder’s page. Nothing here changes until a person checks.

What to do now

Confirm your school or co-op has its own 501(c)(3) and spends under $2 million a year

Gather your logo, signed W-9, EIN, four photos and a short impact story (300 words) or 60-second video

Watch the page for the 2027 summer window and apply in the first days (first 100 qualified go to voting)

Rally families to vote during the public voting round

Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.

Who can apply

“You are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing. You are based in Arizona and serve Arizona communities. Your annual operating expenses are under $2 million.”

In the funder’s own words, from arizonafinancial.org, checked Oct 28, 2026.

501(c)(3) in good standing, based in Arizona

Yearly operating expenses under $2 million

No Local Causes grant the year before

Not a religious organization focused only on denominational activity

Someone attends the award event in person

Something off?

Tell us what looks wrong and we’ll re-check it against the funder’s page. Nothing here changes until a person checks.