Arizona Coyotes remains steadfast in dedication to local community
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
The Arizona Coyotes Foundation announced today that it invested over $1.2 million into the Valley community during the 2022-23 season.
The total includes the Arizona Coyotes Foundation awarding grants to over 50 nonprofit organizations that support underserved and under-resourced communities and programs throughout Arizona, according to a press release.
Those philanthropic efforts include scholarships to the Arizona Kachinas girls hockey program, holding ‘Raise the Pack’ hockey clinics throughout the state, and working with Valley schools as part of the Coyotes Reading Program.
“The Arizona Coyotes are committed to being leaders in our community with a mission to use the incredible power of sports to make an impact,” said Coyotes President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez. “We are very proud to support all of these incredible organizations and programs in Arizona that help so many people in need, help grow our great game, and make a difference in the lives of so many individuals and families.”
Eddie Mehta, development officer at Junior Achievement of Arizona in Tempe, says the Arizona Coyotes investment in the community are vital funds.
“Junior Achievement of Arizona is extremely grateful for the support we received from the Arizona Coyotes Foundation,” he said. “With the funding we received, we will be able to provide our critical JA BizTown program to 172 primarily low-income students throughout Arizona. We would not be able to provide our critical financial literacy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship programs to our students without generous partners like the Arizona Coyotes.”
The Arizona Coyotes Foundation supported over 50 nonprofit organizations in 2022-23 with 501 (c)(3) status, and funded school-based programs including the Coyotes Reading Program. The Arizona Coyotes supported over 10,000 students through school programing, including 40 Title 1 schools. In addition, Coyotes players, alumni & front office staff logged over 1,000 in person volunteer hours in the community.
“With access to essential personal hygiene items and clothes, Tempe Community Council knows a student is more likely to feel more confident, increase attendance and achieve academic goals thanks to the support from the Arizona Coyotes Foundation,” said Octavia Harris, executive director of the Tempe Community Council. “We are very grateful for everything they do for us and our programs.”
In conjunction with the NHL, the NHLPA and the League’s Industry Growth Fund, the Coyotes supported the development of youth hockey in the Valley and State by funding hockey programs that introduced the sport to 8,000 boys and girls.
“The Arizona Coyotes Foundation grant to Tempe Community Action Agency’s Financial Success Center helps us to assist low-income households in Tempe with preparing for and securing better paying jobs, and navigating the resources they need to meet career and family goals,” said Deborah Arteaga, CEO of the Tempe Community Action Agency. “Their volunteer involvement in our community garden last month furthers our ability to provide fresh, locally grown produce to our food pantry, which reduces food insecurity in our community.”