Phil and Nita Francis and John and Kathleen Graham generously commit to step up to the $5 Million Dollar Roundtable and $1 Million Dollar Roundtable, respectively to lead other strategic community investments.

Phoenix (March 14, 2022) - Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW) announced a $2M challenge to incentivize additional philanthropic gifts in support of the Mighty Change 2026 (MC2026) initiative. The inspiring match is made possible by two new $1M commitments from Phil and Nita Francis, as well as John and Kathleen Graham. They are inviting other major donors and corporations to join them as Million Dollar Roundtable Members to create Mighty Change by 2026 (MC2026).

MC2026 is a five-year plan to create positive, lasting change in Maricopa County. The plan was created from direct insights from the community. VSUW gathered information over a 15-month period through surveys, virtual town halls and focus groups. The insights led VSUW to adopt seven bold community goals under the pillars of health, housing/homelessness, education and workforce development. To achieve these goals, VSUW formed strategic partnerships on behalf of the Maricopa County community. “The MC2026 coalitions, will build a Maricopa County where every child, family, and individual is healthy, has a safe place to live and every opportunity to succeed in school, life, and work,” shared John Graham, Chair of the VSUW Board of Directors and MC2026 Cabinet. Phil and Nita Francis added, “No other organization has the scope and scale to move the needle in Maricopa County like VSUW does.”

In addition to challenging other Million Dollar Roundtable members, the Francis’ and Grahams will also leverage new corporate lead gifts of $100,000 through a corporate challenge. VSUW highlighted the opportunity through a CEO Advisory Circle meeting where more than 30 Phoenix business leaders were in attendance. APS was the first to make a five-year partnership commitment to MC2026. APS CEO, Jeff Guldner says, “APS is committed to the customers and communities we serve. We are confident that Valley of the Sun United Way’s Mighty Change goals will create a brighter future for everyone in Maricopa County.” PNC Bank and Nationwide also committed to a $100,000 lead investment in the initiative.

VSUW will further recognize area philanthropists, including individuals and corporations that set the example for giving. Two immediate opportunities for recognition will be the upcoming “We Are United” event for commitments made by April 15, 2022 and at the Annual Scorecard Event for commitments made by September 15, 2022. “We cannot accomplish this bold vision alone. It is only through the power of partnership and our donors’ support that we will be able to change Maricopa County. We believe it is possible and invite others to join us,” commented Carla Vargas Jasa, President and CEO of Valley of the Sun United Way.

To learn more about the $2M challenge and corresponding giving opportunities, including benefits and all media inquiries, please contact Laura Kaiser, Chief Corporate Relations and Brand Officer at lkaiser@vsuw.org or via phone at 602-631-4802.

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About Valley of the Sun United Way
Valley of the Sun United Way envisions a community where every child, family and individual is healthy, has a safe place to live, and has every opportunity to succeed in school, in life and in work. As we work with our community, corporate and nonprofit partners to implement MC2026, our five-year plan for Mighty Change, we will put all of our efforts toward reaching bold goals for Maricopa County in Health, Housing and Homelessness, Education and Workforce Development. We invite you to join us. www.vsuw.org