Arizona nonprofit School Connect brings communities together to help students in need

A Glendale-based nonprofit is working to bring together businesses, faith communities, nonprofits and government agencies to help Arizona students in need.

School Connect partners with lower-income schools to provide students with clothing, food, mentorship and emotional support aimed at improving academic success.

Last year approximately 700 Arizona schools were assisted through partnerships serving about 420,000 students.

"In the next three years our goal is to double the number of Arizona schools who have strategic partnerships," founder Tracey Beal said. 

School Connect was one of 16 Arizona nonprofits that received A Community Thrives grants in 2021. The group received $8,400 from the program sponsored by The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com and Gannett Foundation. Gannett Co., Inc., owns The Republic. Additionally, School Connect received $13,000 in matching funds through the Community Thrives initiative.

The funds helped provide computers to schools around the state and helped students receive access to internet devices and services. 

School Connect also hosts “Love Our School Day” where students and teachers receive handwritten cards, meals, coffee vendor visits and classroom supplies. But the organization's goal is to train and coach “school champions” who work alongside principals and support participating schools.

"The amazing achievements made by school communities who have united around the core needs of our students and families proved that School Connect not only belongs to the community, but it is part of the community," Beal said. 

This year, almost three dozen Arizona nonprofits are raising matching funds to qualify for final Community Thrives grant consideration.

2022 list: Here's the list of this year's Arizona Community Thrives applicants

The 6-year-old grant initiative supports education, arts and culture, wellness and community building. In 2021, the program awarded almost $2.3 million to nonprofits nationwide.  

Applicants have to raise a minimum amount of matching funds to qualify for final grant consideration. Qualified nonprofits are crowdfunding for 2022 Community Thrives grants through Aug. 12. Grants are expected to be awarded in October.

Find more details about A Community Thrives at acommunitythrives.com. Learn more about School Connect at schoolconnectaz.org.

Roxanne De La Rosa writes about nonprofits for The Republic and azcentral.com. Reach her at rdelarosa@azcentral.com.