ARCH Media Club Pop Art Photography Project
August 1, 2017
STEPS Gallery 2018
March 14, 2018
Thank you to everyone who donated to our recent Land Campaign project - Cornerstone the Future of ARCH. With your help and the kindness of seven major Arizona Foundations, we managed to raise the $940,000 needed to buy our land from the City of Phoenix. ARCH is now secured for future generations!

Thanks to Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation, Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation, Del E. Webb Foundation, Thunderbirds Charities and the Molly Lawson Foundation.
Many of these foundations have supported ARCH since its inception, especially helping fund capital campaigns and campus improvements.

ARCH's Executive Director, Kip Murray recently recollected our connection with each foundation:

“Molly Lawson, of the Molly Lawson Foundation was an avid Special Olympian. My mother, Mary Lees started Special Olympics in Arizona in the 1960’s and mentored Molly in her athletic endeavors."
"Thunderbirds Charities has been a god-send over the years helping to improve our campus and services.

The Ethel and Kemper Marley Foundation supported the construction of our new ARCHKids building to ease overcrowding and now have given their legacy to securing our campus.

Mrs. Nina Mason Pulliam, founder of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, supported ARCH almost since our inception in 1975. One of the personal letters she sent to me, dated September 4, 1982, is below.

She was an avid traveler and had just returned from a trip to China. She never wanted recognition. In her letter she refers to the charming gift we sent her. We would send her a handmade gift every Christmas – One year we made her a ceramic Christmas tree with her name ‘Nina’ on it, another year we sent her a Kachina doll. There was one year at Christmas we were all scared to death we were going to have to close our doors. That year, there was a $10,000 check from Mrs. Pulliam."
“ARCH has been a light in our community for decades, providing services of immeasurable value to individuals with differing abilities. Nina supported ARCH for many years and was devoted to its mission, so we are honored to play a role in helping to secure this land.”

Carol Peden Schilling, chair, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Another local benefactor was Mrs. Piper, the founder of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. She was also a long-time supporter of ARCH and always sent beautifully worded exquisite letters. She always wanted to help others so much. When we built the new gym she provided the final amount needed to complete our fundraising goals.
In December 1983, when our previous campus building was arsoned and burned to the ground, The Del E. Webb Foundation was one of the local foundations that helped us get back on our feet. In a letter (right) kept by Mr. R.H. Johnson, its chair at that time, we recounted the story and thanked him for his continued support. Later, once we had built the current building on Colter St., Mr. R. H. Jonhson would periodically just pop-in to visit us when he came to Phoenix from Wickenburg. His son, Larry Johnson has followed in his footsteps and continues to champion ARCH whenever possible.

Our newest supporter is the Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation. This foundation stepped forward this year at the most pivotal time to complete the funding requirements needed to purchase our property and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership."

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust supports organizations that enrich health, well-being, and opportunity for the people of Maricopa County, Arizona. The Trust concentrates its efforts in six areas: Arts and Culture, Children, Education, Healthcare and Medical Research, Older Adults, Religious Organizations.
www.pipertrust.org

Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust

The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust seeks to help people in need, especially women, children and families; to protect animals and nature; and to enrich community life primarily in metropolitan Phoenix and Indianapolis. The Trust has awarded more than $292 million in grants and student scholarships since its inception in 1997.
www.ninapulliamtrust.org

Thunderbirds Charities

Thunderbirds Charities was established in 1986 as the charitable arm of the Phoenix Thunderbirds. Its purpose is to grant funds generated by the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in our communities.
www.thunderbirdcharities.org

The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation

Created in 1990 by Kemper and Ethel Marley, the Foundation has given to many Arizona charities for arts & culture; civic and community enhancement; education; health and human services; medical facilities and research-science and cancer.

Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation

The mission of The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation is to strengthen the daily opportunities and lifelong outcomes for the people and communities of the State of Arizona. The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation is a collaborative charitable resource that embraces the entrepreneurial spirit in like-minded philanthropists and non-profits to propel real social change. The Halle Foundation now serves as a leader in promoting new ways to collaborate on issues of social justice. While that begins with funding, our proudest investment is providing time, guidance and support to every partnership we form and every life we touch.
www.dianeandbrucehallefoundation.com

Del E. Webb Foundation

OUR MISSION: The Del E. Webb Foundation invests in productivity that results in long-term benefits.
OUR VISION: We believe that investing in results-based programs will impact the future of our society by allowing it to reach its maximum potential.
OUR VALUES: Following Del E. Webb's legacy, our giving is defined by new ideas and innovative adaptations. We invest in results by committing to programs operating within Arizona, California or Nevada that create or enhance opportunities for permanent improvements. We focus primarily on child and health initiatives.
www.dewf.org

Molly Lawson Foundation

A component fund of the Arizona Community Foundation, the Molly Lawson Foundation was created by Molly's parents, Dr. Michael and Doris Lawson, to extend a series of desired benefits to individuals with mental handicaps, grow financial and personnel resources over time and attract additional support from a broad group of interested parties.
The Foundation is particularly interested in funding clinical research into mental illness and Alzheimer's Disease, along with other disorders that occur with high frequency in individuals with Down Syndrome such as obesity and the lack of optimal physical conditioning. The Foundation also supports opportunities for adult social interaction among clients of group homes and the general public by providing social events and trips, and the overall health and well-being of all persons with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.
www.mollylawson.org

1 Comment

  1. Michael Brown says:

    I am so grateful for all of the wonderful organizations who truly have made a difference not only for my community but for our neighborhood. ARCH now can focus on what they do best and that’s helping people to be their best abilities accepting of differences and embracing the human spirit. I’m truly blessed to be a part of arch as a volunteer and a disabled member of our community as well as the arch family.

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