What Stands Out About the Trends Charitable Fund in Arizona?

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Back in 1995, a group of women created the Trends Charitable Fund (TCF) as an extension of Trends Magazine, a publication about society and lifestyle geared toward affluent readers in Arizona. Today, TCF is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports programs that positively impact women, children and families. Since TCF maintains a strictly statewide focus, this is a good funder for Arizona nonprofits to know.

Funding focus areas

TCF maintains a fairly broad focus within the realm of helping women and children in Arizona. Grants typically go to human services organizations working in the fields of health, education, literacy and legal services. The organization reviews needs on a case-by-case basis and does not have hard restrictions on what it will fund. Women’s shelters, groups that help abused children and ovarian cancer research have been recent interests of TCF.

Sample grantmaking

In recent years, TCF mostly awarded grants between $25,000 and $300,000. Many of these grants are centered on the Phoenix area — this is where the highest number of Arizona nonprofits operate and TCF is based in the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale. Arizona Helping Hands, Phoenix Rescue Mission and Maggie’s Place are examples of recent TCF grantees. TCF regularly supports both capital expenditures and operational expenses.

Getting involved

TCF does not usually accept unsolicited grant applications, and the fund does not provide a clear way for grantseekers to apply for a grant. TCF raises money at an annual fall fundraiser called “An Evening of Trends.” It publicizes grant decisions in November or December after its board of directors reach a majority decision.

Interested parties can support TCF by buying a ticket to the annual fundraiser. TCF accepts donations from philanthropists who are unable to attend the event in person. There is also information on the fund’s website about purchasing sponsorship packages to support TCF.

Over the years, TCF has made donations in excess of $7.5 million. Learn more about TCF in IP’s full profile of this funder, which is part of our Arizona grants guide.