(Glendale, AZ) The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) Board of Directors has voted to award a record $6.3 million to 36 organizations that promote youth and amateur sports programs in Maricopa County.
The grants will help fund an array of projects countywide, including a safe play space for kids and families experiencing grief at Billy’s Place in Peoria; equipment for a state-of-the-art fitness zone for older adults living with cognitive and physical challenges at Oakwood Creative Care in Chandler; renovation of four locker rooms and a beach volleyball venue and installation of a gymnasium video board at Mountain View High School in Mesa; installation of high-quality LED lighting on athletic fields at Sonoran Heights Middle School in Surprise; and upgrading equipment for an Athletic Trainer program provided by Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Foundation for four high schools and three middle schools in the Dysart Unified School District in the Northwest Valley.
Since its inception in 2001, AZSTA has awarded more than $39 million to help fund more than 700 projects across Maricopa County through its Youth and Amateur Sports grants, fulfilling AZSTA’s enabling legislation.
“AZSTA is proud to partner with these worthy non-profits and schools whose youth and amateur sports programs positively impact the lives of thousands of Arizonans,” AZSTA Board Chair Kim Grace Sabow said. “With more than $39 million in grants awarded since 2001, AZSTA continues to fulfill the promise made to Maricopa County voters when they approved Proposition 302.”
AZSTA received 74 applications for funding – nearly double the previous high of 38 from the previous biennial grant cycle. The awards will be distributed during AZSTA’s Fiscal Year 2026, which begins July 1.
“This money will support the AZSTA Youth and Amateur Sports grant recipients as they carry out their critical missions in our community,” said Dr. Anikar Chhabra, chair of AZSTA’s Youth and Amateur Sports committee. “It is our privilege to partner with these non-profit organizations, schools and municipalities to help make Maricopa County a better place to live.”
Grant recipients demonstrated financial need, leveraged funding, community partnerships and a benefit to a local community in Maricopa County, with priority given to youth recreational facilities that are close to public schools or benefit them. Grants were provided to organizations and projects in 12 communities – Avondale, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Surprise and Tempe.
2025 Biennial Grant Award Recipients:
- Ability360
- Arizona College Preparatory
- Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped
- Basha High School
- Benjamin Franklin Charter Scho
ol - Billy’s Place
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater
Scottsdale - Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, Inc.
- Casteel High School
- Chandler High School
- Corona del Sol High School
- Desert Vista High School
- Dysart Unified School District
#89 - Empower College Prep
- Town of Fountain Hills
- Gilbert High School
- Gilbert Youth Athletics
- City of Goodyear
- Great Hearts Archway Classical Academy Arete
- Great Hearts Archway Classical Academy Chandler
- Great Hearts Archway Classical Academy Trivium
- Great Hearts Archway Classical Academy Veritas
- Hamilton High School
- Highland High School
- Highland Prep
- Highland Prep West
- HonorHealth
- Madison Highland Prep
- Mesquite High School
- Mountain View High School
- Notre Dame Preparatory High Sc
hool - Oakwood Creative Care
- Perry High School
- St. Joseph’s Foundation
- Tempe Preparatory Academy
- Valley of the Sun YMCA
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