Scottsdale Charros offer inside look at charitable efforts
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
For many charitable organizations who call the Grand Canyon State home a key to sustainability, market reach and growth of the model is a document coined “The Impact Report.”
For more than 60 years, the Scottsdale Charros have been working behind the scenes to support those in need equitable access to quality public education, and for the community to remain dedicated to virtues of the American cowboy, “a gentleman cowboy,” they say.
The Charro Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports Scottsdale Schools and the community in a variety of ways, including promoting education through scholarships and other educational programming, as well as youth activities, sports and cultural enrichment in our community.
Formed in 1961, the Scottsdale Charros are an all-volunteer, nonprofit group of business and civic leaders committed to supporting education, youth sports, and other charitable causes in addition to promoting Scottsdale as the “The West’s Most Western Town.”
Calendar year 2022 is a watershed moment for the Scottsdale Charros as for the first time in its history, the gentlemen cowboys of Scottsdale are offering a comprehensive report outlining the staggering amount of good done, and good still to be done in Scottsdale and the surrounding area.
To learn more about what the Scottsdale Charros are doing for the Scottsdale community, download the full impact report HERE.
Dennis Robbins, who serves as executive director at the Scottsdale Charros, says the inaugural impact report coined “Saddle Up,” is an illustration of community partnership.
“Even as our primary fundraiser, spring training baseball, was canceled in 2020, limited to 25% capacity in 2021, and limited to only nine games in 2022 (56% of a typical season), the Charros maintained our level of funding to our community partners,” he said in the preface of the report to the community.
“We understand that organizations rely on our donations, that schools rely on our grants, and that students rely on our scholarships. We have given back to Scottsdale since 1961, and we will never shy from our commitments.”
Scottsdale Charros provided more than $500K to local nonprofits
In 2022, the Scottsdale Charros provided more than $500,000 in grants to over 100 qualified Arizona nonprofit organizations, the impact report states.
“In my estimation, the impact report represents the culmination of over 60 years of Charro community involvement and support, dedicated to strengthening the city we love,” Chris Watts, who serves as president of the Charro Foundation, told the Arizona Digital Free Press. “We have not always touted our accomplishments but have come to recognize that in order to have an even greater impact, the public needs to see the depth and breadth of our programs and giving.”
But in 2022 alone, the impact report offers, grant efforts provided by the Scottsdale Charros touched more than 100,000 Scottsdale-area residents.
“The collaborative efforts between the foundation board and membership have effectively supercharged our ability to not only raise money for charitable giving but extend our reach deeper into our community with programs like the Coronado Promise,” Mr. Watts pointed out of a cultural shift at the philanthropic outfit.
“My wish is that the readers understand that supporting the Charros has a direct impact on the quality of life in our Valley through community grants and education initiatives across a broad spectrum. This past year more than 100 local organizations benefited from Charros’ grants.”
The Coronado Promise scholarship, managed by The Charro Foundation, is a collaboration with the Coronado Foundation for the Future, Scottsdale Community College, Coronado High School, Scottsdale Unified School District, and the city of Scottsdale.
That support realized, and the audacious pursuit to do more, could not be a reality without 1971 Coronado High School graduate Rob Flick. The Flick Family Foundation has committed to $50,000 per year for the next 10 years in scholarship funds and will match dollar-for-dollar additional funds raised for the program up to $50,000 per year for 10 years.
In 2022, the Scottsdale Charros provided $300,000 to help support education programs within the Scottsdale Unified School District, the impact report states.
From the report:
“The Charros support Scottsdale Unified School District by investing not only dollars but their time as well, through the Charro Liaison Program where 30 members – boots on the ground – work directly with each of SUSD’s 30 schools, delivering programs, resources, and scholarships.”
Scottsdale Charro Jason Klonoski is a passionate supporter of equitable access to public education and helping others.
“It is all about the kids, they are our future. Education is the great equalizer,” he explains. “In a single generation, knowledge and wisdom can elevate a child from poverty to wealth, from dead-ends to lifelong opportunities.”
To learn more about what the Scottsdale Charros are doing for the Scottsdale community download the full impact report HERE.