ASU Lodestar Center receives grant from Freeport McMoRan Foundation funding nonprofit capacity building efforts

In a strong relationship that has lasted for six years, the Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation will once again team up with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold in an effort to build and strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations in various rural communities throughout the state.

Recently, the ASU Lodestar Center, part of the College of Public Service and Community Solutions, was awarded a $170,000 grant from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation to expand its capacity building practices.

As a result of this partnership, the ASU Lodestar Center and Freeport-McMoRan have been able to offer numerous tools and training sessions dedicated to building sustainability for local nonprofit organizations.

“We understand the importance of investing in the capacity of the nonprofit sector,” said Tracy Bame, president of the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation. “Partnerships with community organizations help fulfill our commitment to build capacity that grows, diversifies and sustains communities beyond the life of our operations.”

She added, “This grant is the next step in our overall effort to connect nonprofits in these communities with the resources they need to strengthen their impact, and as a result our dollars have a multiplier effect.”

The grant will serve as an extension from a similar contribution last year which gives funding for a dedicated program coordinator to assist six rural Arizona mining communities in addressing and resolving sustainability issues through capacity building activities and project development.

“The first thing we do is listen. Every community is unique, and we try to be sensitive to the needs of each community,” ASU Lodestar Center Sr. Program Coordinator Angela Laskarides said. “Having this grant continue demonstrates the commitment of Freeport-McMoRan and the Lodestar Center to building strong nonprofits and sustainable communities.”

As the role of nonprofit organizations continues to grow, many of them have an extremely difficult task to serve their communities with limited resources; this problem is even more amplified in rural communities.

Partnerships like the Lodestar-Freeport-McMoRan collaborations help to ensure the long term sustainability of rural nonprofit organizations that do not have access to assets larger communities possess.

“Our relationship to the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation is evidence of the positive impact that can occur when a conscientious corporate leader partners with a renowned nonprofit knowledge and tools leader that is our Center,” states Robert Ashcraft, executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation and a professor of nonprofit studies in ASU’s School of Community Resources and Development.

“Thanks to this latest grant we are continuing to build the quality of life in selected rural communities through our nonprofit capacity building efforts,” Ashcraft added.

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