Grants Committee Report
On behalf of the entire Forest Highlands Foundation, thank you for the meaningful impact you have made through your charitable giving. We are proud to continue our long tradition of giving back to the Flagstaff community, impacting lives in ways we could only have imagined 25 years ago! We are energized and inspired by the continued generosity and dedication of our community. Last year, the Forest Highlands Foundation awarded a record $608,105 to area nonprofits. This Impact Report highlights three organizations funded in 2025 and offers just a glimpse of the lasting value Forest Highlands brings to the broader Flagstaff community.
$608,105 AWARDED IN 2025!
Expedited Cycle ($49,000) In late January 2025, nonprofits nationwide, including those in Flagstaff, began receiving notices of federal funding cancellations and freezes. Organizations providing emergency shelter, hunger relief, mental health services, and other essential supports were forced to suspend programs and lay off staff. Even nonprofits that did not rely on federal funding reported significant ripple effects, as disruptions altered the broader philanthropic landscape and created new fundraising challenges. Several long-time Forest Highlands Foundation partners, including Flagstaff Family Food Center, Flagstaff Shelter Services, Catholic Charities, and others, felt an immediate impact. The Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff (ACFF) also experienced strain, observing unusually high nonprofit fund withdrawals beginning in March.
In response, ACFF launched an Expedited Grant Track on April 10, 2025, alongside its annual grant cycle, to provide rapid support to organizations grappling with federal funding cuts and delays. Recognizing the urgency and scope of the need, ACFF invited collaborative funders, including the Forest Highlands Foundation, to participate in this streamlined process. From application to funding, the entire cycle was completed in just over four weeks. The FHF Grants Committee sprang into action. Within a two- week timeframe, more than 15 grant applications were reviewed, scored, and finalized for board consideration. At the May 8 meeting, the Board unanimously approved $49,000 in grants to 10 Flagstaff organizations, each aligned with the Foundation’s mission.
Photos provided by Catholic Charities
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