Events
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Building Equity Through Philanthropy

The African American Legacy Fund (AALF) was founded in 2013 at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona as the African American Initiative. The effort was led by esteemed educator, philanthropist, and civic leader Dr. Anna Jolivet, Ph.D., who served as CFSA Board Chair from 1996-1998.

AALF works to improve the quality of life for Black and African Americans in Southern Arizona through regional philanthropic grant-making, investing in Black and African American leadership building, and fostering grantee connections to better serve and support the Black and African American community.

AALF envisions a vibrant and equitable region where Black and African Americans of all ages have the opportunities and resources to prosper.

AALF History

Historic Timeline

2013

The African American Initiative was founded as an initiative of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.

AAI Logo
2013

Joseph Blair appointed as Advisory Board Chair.

Joseph Blair
2015

First grants awarded, totaling $19,285.

AALF History 2
2016

Saunie Taylor appointed as Advisory Board Chair.

Saunie Taylor
2017

Styne Hill appointed as Advisory Board Chair.

Styne Hill
2018

The African American Initiative becomes the African American Legacy Fund.

AALF Logo
2019

AALF surpasses the $50,000 threshold in all-time grant funding awarded for southern Arizona nonprofits serving the Black and African American community.

AALF History 3
2020

Kendal Washington White appointed as Advisory Board Chair.

Kendal Washington White
2020

AALF surpasses the $100,000 threshold in all-time grant funding awarded for southern Arizona nonprofits serving the Black and African American community.

AALF History 4
2022

Dr. Shannon Roberts appointed as Advisory Board Chair.

AALF Dr Shannon Roberts
2022

AALF surpasses the $200,000 threshold in all-time grant funding awarded for southern Arizona nonprofits serving the Black and African American community.

AALF History 5
2023

Dr. Anna Jolivet Community Champion Award established in memory of AALF founder Dr. Anna Jolivet, Wanda F. Moore honored as the inaugural recipient.

Wanda F Moore
2024

AALF surpasses the $400,000 threshold in all-time grant funding awarded for southern Arizona nonprofits serving the Black and African American community.

AALF History 6
2024

Bob and Beverely Elliott were honored with the Dr. Anna Jolivet Community Champion Award.

Bob and Beverely Elliott
2026

Dr. Tonya Strozier appointed as Advisory Board Chair.

AALF Dr Tonya Strozier
2026

AALF grants a historic one-time off-cycle Rapid Response Grant round totaling $124,000 to 13 organizations in Southern Arizona to provide urgent funding for nonprofits, with priority given to those not previously funded by AALF Grants.

AALF