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Phoenix Suns Charities Awards $41,000 in College Scholarships
Sixteen high school seniors from throughout Arizona have been named winners in the Phoenix Suns Charities’ SunStudents Scholarship program. Fifteen of the students will receive a $2,000 scholarship to be used for educational expenses at the college or university of their choice. In addition, for the first time three students will be honored with the Kevin Johnson Scholar Award and will receive a total of $5,000 in scholarship funds. The announcement was made at halftime during the Suns-Trail Blazers game on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at US Airways Center.
Fulton Homes and Phoenix Suns Pair Up for Charity
Fulton Homes and the Phoenix Suns are teaming up this season to benefit Phoenix Suns Charities. Fulton Homes is sponsoring the fourth annual "Fulton Homes Proud to Own the Three-Point Zone" program. During games broadcast on Fox Sports Arizona, Fulton Homes will donate $150 to Suns Charities, for each three-point basket made. Last year, the Suns earned $37,950 for charity by ringing up 253 three-pointers.
Suns & Stars Gala
Phoenix Suns Charities held their annual Suns & Stars Gala on March 14, 2008 at the the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix. The presenting sponsor of the event was Toyota and the proceeds from the gala benefit Phoenix Suns Charities. Guests enjoyed entertainment, dinner, a silent auction and much more. This year’s entertainment was headlined by Queen Latifah, winner of both a Grammy Award for her work in music, and a Golden Globe award for her talent in film. The 2009 Suns & Stars event is scehduled for March 20, 2009, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa.
Spirit of Cotton Award
Karen Self of Seton Catholic High School receives 2008 honor
The annual Spirit of Cotton Award is presented by Phoenix Suns Charities to honor the memory of Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons and award an Arizona high school basektball coach who was deemed to have consistently demonstrated the best qualities of coach, leader, educator, mentor and community leader. After Dick McConnell of Sahuaro High School took home the honor in 2006, Gary Ernst of Mountain View High School won the 2007 award. Karen Self of Seton Catholic High School was honored with the 2008 Spirit of Cotton Award.
Our Mission
Phoenix Suns Charities was incorporated in 1987 with the mission to benefit
organizations that assist the needs of children and families in Arizona.
Phoenix Suns Charities History
Phoenix Suns Charities was the vision of Phoenix Suns Chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo. Upon his purchase of the team in 1987, he began to assemble a board of community leaders to oversee the formation and operation of a charitable organization that would reflect the Suns mission to be a constant leader in improving the quality of life in our community. The Suns new owner, Robert Sarver, has pledged to continue and expand that community support.
The foundation was incorporated in 1987 with the mission to use the unique resources of the Phoenix Suns to benefit organizations that assist the needs of children in Arizona. Due to the generosity of fans and sponsors, and underwriting by the team, Phoenix Suns Charities has experienced steady growth and now distributes more than $1 million annually to more than 100 local charities. Since its inception, Phoenix Suns Charities has donated more than $8 million to worthy Arizona organizations.
Funds are raised throughout the NBA season through special events such as the Suns and Stars Gala and the Suns Charities Golf Tournament; through scoreboard messages at Suns home games; through online and game night auctions and through other special projects. In addition, many generous fans and sponsors designate Phoenix Suns Charities the recipient of their giving.
Grants requests are accepted throughout the basketball season beginning November 1st and ending April 1st. A committee of Phoenix Suns Charities board members carefully reviews each request and makes the final decision on funding in June. The foundation’s largest grant, the $100,000 Playmaker Award, was presented to the Foundation for Blind Children in 2000, Phoenix Children’s Hospital in 2001, Chrysalis Shelter in 2002, and the Assistance League of Phoenix in 2003. The 2005 Playmaker Award went to Aid to Adoption of Special Children (AASK) and the 2006 award was presented to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. In 2007, the United Food Bank received the Playmaker Grant for their Kids' L.I.F.E. Program.
Last season, the Valley of the Suns YMCA, Christown branch was named the recipient of the Playmaker Award.
The executive director of Phoenix Suns Charities is Tom Ambrose, who is also a Senior Vice President of the Suns organization. The chairman for the 2008-09 season is Jim Brewer.
For more information on Phoenix Suns Charities, write the foundation at:
P.O. Box 1369
Phoenix, Arizona 85001
Phone: 602-379-7767, Fax: 602-379-7922
E-mail at sburgus@suns.com.
Phoenix Suns Charities Grants
2009 grant applications will be available Nov. 1 and due April 1.
Phoenix Suns Charities offers several different opportunities for non-profit organizations seeking grants.
The first opportunity comes from the SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM FUND. Phoenix Suns Charities has joined several other local foundations to create the SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM FUND. Youth programs which will take place during the summer of 2009 and which serve Maricopa County youth (K-12) should apply to the SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM FUND (Please note that the deadline for application to SYPF is January 15, 2009). Please note that non-profit organizations that apply for SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM FUNDS will NOT be considered for a Suns Charities grant for the same program in the same year. For information on the SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM FUND go to the website www.arizonasummeryouthprogramfund.org.
The next opportunity comes in the form of the PHOENIX SUNS CHARITIES PROGRAM GRANTS which range in size from $1,000 to $10,000 and are intended for Arizona non-profit organization whose programs and activities focus on helping children and families maximize their potential. This season, all Phoenix Suns Charities Program Grant applications and supporting documents, must be submitted electronically through ZoomGrants. Please consider the prerequisites, answer all questions and follow the directions carefully. The grant application process will close on April 1, 2009. Grant applications will be evaluated by Suns Charities board members in April and May. Grant funding will take place in June.
The PHOENIX SUNS CHARITIES PLAYMAKER AWARD is the foundation’s largest annual gift, a one-time $100,000 grant which can be used for capital or programs, or a combination of both. For this grant, Suns Charities looks favorably on collaborative ideas and naming or branding opportunities. The Playmaker Award grant applications and supporting documents, must be submitted electronically through ZoomGrants. Please consider the prerequisites, answer all questions and follow the directions carefully. The grant application process will close on April 1, 2009. Playmaker Award applications will be evaluated by the Suns Charities executive committee in April and May. The Playmaker Award will be announced in June.
Grant Recipients
Phoenix Suns Charities, the philanthropic arm of the National Basketball Association’s Phoenix Suns, has announced its annual grant recipients for 2008.
RECENT HEADLINES
Oct. 30, 2008: Fulton Homes and the Phoenix Suns are teaming up this season to benefit Phoenix Suns charities. Fulton Homes is sponsoring the fourth annual “Fulton Homes Proud to Own the Three-Point Zone” program.
Jan. 30, 2007: Nearly 20 nationally recognized entertainment celebrities arrived in Phoenix to compete in the 7th Annual Jack in the Box Celebrity Shootout, presented by Robert and Carole Machiz on Jan. 14 at US Airways Center.
