Photo By Freeport-McMoRan: Freeport McMoRan has announced the recipients of $406,000 awarded to nonprofits in the Gila Valley.
Contributed Article
PHOENIX – Freeport-McMoRan is pleased to announce the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation has awarded $406,000 in Graham County as part of just over $3 million awarded to 55 projects in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, New Mexico, and Texas through its Community and Social Investment Fund process.
Recipient organizations will receive their monetary awards and be recognized by members of the Community Investment Committee during presentations in the coming months.
“The success of our community investments relies on partnering with communities to think through opportunities to address potential risks to resilience and well-being, and actively working to identify projects and programs that will strengthen communities over time,” said Tracy Bame, President, Freeport-McMoRan Foundation. “We are grateful for relationships with community partners that allow the kind of collaboration needed to deliver projects and programs that will yield the most meaningful social benefit and continue to build the foundation needed to ensure resilience in a post-mining scenario.”
The Freeport-McMoRan Foundation works with a range of committed partners throughout the investment process. The Foundation has an ongoing partnership with True Impact, allowing organizations to forecast the impact of their project in the community.
Community Investment Funds are led by seven to nine local leaders representing diverse organizations, and along with two to three Freeport-McMoRan representatives, they decide how funds are awarded. These community leaders are selected by members of the local Community Partnership Panel, a stakeholder engagement process established by Freeport-McMoRan more than 18 years ago to foster open and ongoing dialogue with the community. The process allows the company and the community to work together to develop thoughtful solutions that address community needs.
Since 2012, more than $5 million has been invested through the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Community Investment Fund in Graham County. The funds have been awarded to programs and projects that help foster sustainability and reduce dependency on any single industry. In 2023, $406,000 was awarded to the following grant recipients:
Boys & Girls Club of The Gila Valley
Growing Smarter 2023 Tech Lab + STEAM – $24,000
Funds will be used to provide out-of-school programming for Gila Valley youth to gain advanced educational and technical skills.
City of Safford
Safford Regional Airport Commercial Air Service – $100,000
Funding will support efforts to bring commercial airline service to the Safford Regional Airport, improving tourism and economic development opportunities for the region.
Easter Seals Blake Foundation
Palomita Children’s Center Leadership Training and Skill Building – $22,000
Leadership training and skill-building opportunities will be made available to early childhood staff at the Palomita Children’s Center to retain employees and provide quality childcare.
Gila Watershed Partnership of Arizona
Capacity Building: Fleet, Grounds and Leadership – $60,000
Funds will support the procurement and repair of vehicles as well as other infrastructure improvements deemed critical to the successful and safe completion of biodiversity activities.
Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition
Caring Hearts Sober Living Home Project – $100,000
Funds will help ensure women in recovery have access to a sober living environment, as well as educational, vocational, and recovery programs to ultimately gain employment and successfully reenter society.
Town of Thatcher
“Bringing Light” to the Town of Thatcher Recreation Complex – $100,000
Funding will support efforts to help ensure all sports and event fields are illuminated for better visibility and public safety.
