Season for Sharing adds options, flexibility for Arizona nonprofits

Season for Sharing is launching its 33rd cycle as Arizona's largest holiday fundraising campaign.

Over the past couple of years, local nonprofits have seen a sharp increase in demand for their services while navigating steep funding declines. What has been most incredible and hope-inspiring to me in overseeing this program is that despite those hurdles, our readers and partners have only increased their generosity.

Fundraising for the Season for Sharing campaign in 2025 surpassed the year before, increasing the support we are able to provide to Arizona nonprofits working every day to help our fellow neighbors. More than $1.3 million went to 160 organizations this year.

For over three decades, The Arizona Republic, in partnership with the Arizona Community

Foundation and the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, has helped direct more than $76 million to organizations providing programs and services ranging from basic needs to arts and education.

The Republic's commitment to this effort remains as strong as ever.

What's new this year

This year, Season for Sharing is giving applicants greater flexibility in the amount of funding they request. While grants generally range from $7,500 to $50,000, there is no minimum grant request. Organizations should request the amount that best reflects the needs of their program.

Organizations that previously received Season for Sharing funding and are requesting an increase should limit that request to no more than 50% above the last grant they received.

The application process opened Wednesday, Oct. 14, for the 2026-2027 round of grants. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. No exceptions.

To apply, an organization must have an online profile with the Arizona Community Foundation. To create or access profiles and apply, go to azfoundation.org and click on "Grantee Login." 

Applications are given an initial screening by the Arizona Community Foundation before being presented to a review committee.

Grant awards and decline letters will go out in April 2027.

Donations are accepted year-round, but the most focused period of fundraising is mid-November through Jan. 31, 2027.

Grants are funded primarily with individual donations made by residents of every Arizona county. Subscribers to azcentral.com and The Republic have led the fundraising charge since the first campaign in 1993. The Pulliam Trust provides a matching grant.

Business support, matching challenges and sponsorships are welcome. If interested, contact Republic partnerships and community relations director Silvia Solis at [e-mail] or 602-444-8749. 

Here are some guidelines for those considering applying for a Season for Sharing grant.

Children and families

Grants in this category will support programs that:

• Prevent and protect children from abuse, find permanent placement for and support children in the foster care system.
• Offer access to free or low-cost food, including food banks and meal programs for children.
• Help people receive emergency short-term shelter and long-term affordable housing.
• Provide for short-term emergency needs, including personal care or hygiene items, clothing, rental or utility assistance or disaster relief.
• Help disadvantaged populations with job training and support for the underemployed and unemployed youth and adults.
• Help victims of domestic violence.
• Provide access to healthcare navigation and community health centers, and connect with affordable medical care and preventive health services.

Arts and education

Arts and education grants will support programs that: 

• Support early childhood education and quality childcare for disadvantaged populations.
• Enhance or improve K-12 core curriculum, including tutoring and academic after-school programs.
• Provide resources for school readiness such as school clothing, supplies and school food programs.
• Ensure all students who graduate from high school are prepared to succeed in college or the workforce.
• Support adult and family literacy programs.

Older adults

Grants in this category will support programs that:

• Offer supportive services for the elderly, including assisted living, Alzheimer’s support, access to free or low-cost in-home or congregate meal programs, nutrition assistance and recreational services.
• Address affordable housing.
• Provide access to healthcare for older adults, including support for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Grant amounts

Grants generally range from $7,500 to $50,000. There is no minimum grant request. If asking for an amount larger than the organization's last Season for Sharing grant, the increase should be no more than 50%.

Eligibility requirements

All grants must be for programs in the state of Arizona, with services offered primarily in Maricopa and Pinal counties. Nonprofits can apply for grants in one funding category only.

The following organizations and programs are ineligible for funding:

• Programs that primarily support a specific disease, disability, illness or addiction, or whose primary mission is funding medical or scientific research.
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, disability, ancestry, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. 
• Religious organizations, churches and programs that are purely denominational in purpose.
• Sports teams or sporting programs that are primarily recreational in purpose.
• Schools, including charter schools.
• Camps or other summer programs (which are supported separately through the Summer Youth Program Fund).
• Projects seeking exclusive support for salaries or capital projects.

How to apply

Season for Sharing grant requests are submitted through the Arizona Community Foundation grants portal.

Season for Sharing is a collaborative fund of the Arizona Community Foundation (nonprofit tax ID# 86-0348306).

For assistance with technical questions about the online registration and application, contact ACF's Competitive Grants Management Team at [e-mail] or 602-381-1400.

Silvia Solis is the director of partnerships and community relations at The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach her at at [e-mail] or 602-444-8749. 

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Season for Sharing adds options, flexibility for Arizona nonprofits