ASU Lodestar Center receives grant from American Express Foundation in support of Public Allies Arizona
For the past decade, Public Allies Arizona, a program of Arizona State University’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation, has benefited the greater Phoenix community by placing dedicated individuals in 10-month apprenticeships within various nonprofit organizations.
Recently, ASU’s Lodestar Center was selected to receive a $25,000 grant through the Public Allies National Office from the American Express Foundation. Only three sites in a nationwide network of 23 were selected for the grant (New York, and Washington, D.C. being the other two).
“Our long-standing partnership with the American Express Foundation has grown over the years through their investments in various aspects of our leadership work,” said Robert F. Ashcraft, executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Innovation and professor of nonprofit studies in the School of Community Resources and Development, part of the College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
“This latest grant extends our reach as we increase participation and retention of underrepresented citizens who are otherwise disconnected from school or jobs to help ensure they are on pathways to educational or employment success when they complete our Public Allies Arizona program,” Ashcraft added.
This grant will help the Center be able to identify more participants from diverse backgrounds and engage them to bring about positive change in their communities. Specifically the funds will be used to target men of color and increase their educational and career opportunities.
Beginning in September, Public Allies Arizona will hold its tenth cohort of 40-50 young individuals who have shown an interest in social change or a career in the nonprofit field.
Potential members (Allies) of the cohort participate in a rigorous selection process which includes an online application and an interview. The center typically receives over 200 applications each year.
Each Ally must complete 1,700 hours of service, most of which is completed at the nonprofit organization where they are placed. Throughout that time, Allies also receive values-based leadership training and personal coaching. This training sharpens the development of the Allies’ interpersonal and professional work place skills.
“What is most satisfying to us is the transformation of the Allies over the 10-month period,” said Irma Leyendecker, director of leadership programs at the ASU Lodestar Center. “For many, this position is their first professional work experience.”
These workshops help Allies build the skills to prepare them for another requirement of the program: team service projects. Each team partners with a selected, local nonprofit organization to identify a pressing need, and execute a project to solve it.
Funding from American Express will add to the program’s successful track record for building diverse leadership pipelines and further the impact Public Allies Arizona and the ASU Lodestar Center has in developing healthy, vibrant communities.