Charitable Trust awards $35,000 in POWER grants to nine local non-profit organizations

The Trico Charitable Trust has awarded a total of $35,000 to nine non-profit organizations providing critical services in southern Arizona. The grants are part of Trico’s POWER Grants program and are awarded twice a year to charities throughout southern Arizona.  

Nonprofits are selected through an application process and reviewed by a seven-person committee made up of Trico employees, employee-members, and Board Members.

The following organizations received a grant in June 2022:

• Angel Heart Pajama Project – Provides new pajamas to abused or neglected children ages infant to 18
• Arivaca Coordinating Council/Arivaca Human Resource Group – Provides daily meals, emergency food boxes and related activities to clients within the community
• Arivaca Fire District Auxiliary – Purchase fire-rescue saws/blades for use by Emergency personnel when forcible entry to structures or vehicles is needed to suppress fire or rescue persons
• Ayuda Smiles, Inc. dba Smiles for Veterans – Helps veterans in need with access and payment for critical dental care
• Friends in Deed – Provide transportation in personal vehicles and wheelchair vans for senior citizens going to medical appointments. They also have weekly blood pressure clinics
• Marana Unified School District Food & Clothing Bank – Provides students and their families in need with non-perishable food, clothing, toiletries, small household items and community resources
• Mt Lemmon Firefighters Foundation – Purchase two cutoff saws to be used to gain access to patients trapped in vehicles
• Sister Jose Women’s Center – Provide a cooling center for women experiencing homelessness during the extreme heat
• Youth on Their Own (YOTO) – Provide basic needs, financial assistance, guidance, and support services to Tucson/Pima County’s students experiencing homelessness with the goal of high school graduation

Since 2008, the POWER Grant program has awarded $735,000 in grants. The categories for spring were Food and Basic Needs, Housing, Health and Mental Care, and Fire and Emergency Response. In October, Trico will be accepting applications from organizations that provide the following services: Education, Substance Abuse Prevention and Support, Arts and Literacy, and Childcare and Development. 

The Charitable Trust is funded by Operation Round Up, which allows Trico Members to “round up” their monthly bill payment to the next dollar. The money contributed goes to a variety of worthy causes throughout our service area. Past donations include food banks, fire departments, schools, youth groups, veteran’s groups, and more. 

How Can You Contribute?

• Round up your bill to the nearest dollar
• Have a small amount added to your bill. It can even be just $1-2 dollars a month
• Make an annual one-time contribution of any amount. All gifts are welcome

No matter which option you choose, your gift is tax deductible. If you wish to participate, call (520) 744-2944 or go to the Operation Round Up page here.

Angel Heart Pajama Project family wearing new pajamas.