A Letter from the Board Chair
We are pleased to submit Forest Highlands Foundation's 2024 Annual Impact Report. I hope you are as inspired reading the report as our board was while organizing events, raising funds, analyzing grant requests, and awarding selected non-profits in Flagstaff the funds they needed to make their missions a reality. This success has been made possible by a great board and set of officers listed on the previous page, as well as several committees and task forces
composed of FHGC members who unselfishly gave countless hours of service. Perhaps most significant has been the work of Ed Lesser and his task force in establishing us as our own 501(c)(3). This move, which had been contemplated over the past several years, has allowed us to be more nimble and responsive to our community’s needs moving forward. It also enables us to host different types of fundraising events. The 2024 events included a record-breaking Annual Denise Martinez Memorial Tournament coordinated by Vickie Selzer and her team, as well as the unforgettable Foundation celebratory Cheers to 2025 Years Gala coordinated by Michelle Arena and Phyllis Banucci. Under their leadership and with the support of their excellent committees, they raised close to $500,000. While we thank the many community members who made these events so successful, we must also recognize one of our longest-standing committees that runs like a well-oiled machine: the FH Foundation Grants Committee. This committee analyzed millions of dollars in grant requests in collaboration with the Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff (ACF). Under the guidance of Kathy Haake and Wendy Godfrey, the Grants Committee spent countless hours reviewing requests, financial information, annual reports, and 990 federal reports to ensure your funds made the greatest impact in our community. Please read their committee report a few pages ahead. We also could not have been as effective as we are without the support of the FHGC board and staff. It has been the FHGC Board’s backing and the behind-the-scenes efforts of Doug, Kim, Katrina, and especially Julie that have made a huge difference. Lastly, and most importantly, all of what we do would not be possible without the continued generosity of our Forest Highlands Golf Club members. 2024 was a record year for giving, with over $900,000 contributed. Those who assisted are recognized later in this report. As I finish my term as Chair, I want to thank everyone in the community who has supported our Foundation, challenged us to do more, and contributed through donations of time, treasures, and talents. My final word of advice—stay tuned. Under the direction of our incoming Chair, Howard Nute, I am confident even bigger and better things are on the horizon. Sincerely, Marcus Sipolt Forest Highlands Foundation Board Chair
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