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The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona

Annual Giving
$1.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona

Quick Stats

  • Charity Number: 86-0186064
  • Annual Giving: Approximately $989,000+ (2024)
  • Total Assets: $67+ million
  • Decision Time: 8-10 weeks
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $50,000 (up to $100,000 for multi-year Innovative Grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Cochise and eastern Santa Cruz counties, Arizona
  • Total Impact: Over $22 million awarded since 2015

Contact Details

Address: 302 El Camino Real, Suite 1, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

Phone: (520) 335-6015

Email: info@lfsaz.org

Website: www.lfsaz.org

Grant Portal: Applications through Foundant Grant Portal (accessed via website)

Pre-Application Support:

  • Grant Writing & Research Support: 2nd Wednesday of each month, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM (1-hour appointments with Melanie Greene)
  • Finance Support: 3rd Thursday of each month, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (1-hour appointments with Bruce Norton)
  • Available in-person and via Zoom

Overview

The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona (LFSAZ) was established in 2013 as a health conversion foundation when the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center—originally founded in 1963 as Western Baptist Hospital—transitioned to for-profit operation under RegionalCare Hospital Partners. Beginning with a corpus of approximately $60 million, the foundation has since grown to over $67 million in assets. Since awarding its first grant in 2015, LFSAZ has distributed over $22 million to nonprofit and government organizations throughout Cochise and eastern Santa Cruz counties. The foundation's mission is to promote population health and community wellness in Southeast Arizona, with the vision of establishing the region as a health and wellness model for the nation. In recognition of her leadership, CEO Margaret Hepburn was named Citizen of the Year in 2019. The foundation celebrated its 10-year anniversary in May 2023, marking a decade of community investment and impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Responsive Grants: Up to $5,000 for one-year projects (Applications open January 13-31, 2025; awards announced after July 2025). Rolling application cycle with specific windows throughout the year.

Innovative Grants: Up to $50,000 per year for projects not exceeding two years ($100,000 maximum). Projects must meet innovative criteria and demonstrate sustainable solutions beyond the grant term (Grant cycle: June 2 - September 26, 2025; awards announced December 13, 2025; grants awarded January 2026). Online portal application.

Fast Pitch Grants: Up to $2,500 for capacity building through education (conferences, webinars, speakers, training), technology, or software purchases. One grant per organization (Application opens March 3-28, 2025). Online application.

Strategic Grants: Board-identified focus areas with invitation-only applications. Organizations encouraged to submit collaborative applications. Recent focus: Behavioral Health (FY22-FY24). Major example: $2 million grant to University of Arizona Cooperative Extension for healthy eating and active living initiatives (2018-2021).

DEI Grants: $1,000 per organization for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training for staff, board, and volunteers. Always open, rolling basis.

Emergency Grants: Urgent needs considered on individual basis outside routine cycles.

Community Collaboration Grants: Partnership with Arizona Community Foundation of Cochise, each funding up to $5,000 for one-year projects.

Priority Areas

  • Population health initiatives
  • Community wellness programs
  • Healthy eating and nutrition
  • Obesity and diabetes prevention
  • Behavioral health services
  • Youth development and sports programs
  • Educational access and support
  • Capacity building for nonprofits
  • Collaborative partnerships addressing community health needs
  • Innovative, sustainable solutions with community impact
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish a comprehensive exclusions list, eligibility is restricted to:

  • Organizations that serve populations residing in Cochise and eastern Santa Cruz counties only
  • Projects must align with promoting population health and community wellness
  • Organizations must be Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofits or government entities with clear connection to health and wellness mission
  • Organizations must demonstrate non-discrimination policies regarding staff, employment, governing board, and volunteers

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Margaret Hepburn, RN, MS, FACHE - Chief Executive Officer (since October 2013) A native of Scotland, Hepburn served as CEO of Sierra Vista Regional Health Center from 2005 before founding the Legacy Foundation. She was named Sierra Vista Citizen of the Year in 2019. Hepburn has stated: "It gives me a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction, this work" and noted the role "was really an eye-opener for me, for the needs of the community." Her guiding principle: "The words I live by 'making a difference' — that truly was why I always took a promotion."

Becky Smyth, MSN, RN, FCN - Community Outreach Coordinator

Board of Directors (2024)

Michael Groves - Chair; Staff Software Engineer at SailPoint Technologies; U.S. Army (Ret.)

Mark H. Savage, JD - Vice Chair; Fire Chief, Fry Fire District

Andrea Ruble, DNP, FNP-BC - Secretary; Canyon Vista Medical Center, Advanced Wound Care Center

Board Members:

  • Alexandra Boneo - Owner, Blueberry Cafe
  • Joseph Delgado - State Farm Insurance Agent (Ret.)
  • Kraig Fullen - Chief of Police, City of Douglas
  • Polly Gosa, MSN, RN - Faith Community Nurse; Philanthropy Committee Chair
  • Maureen Kappler, RN, CDCES, CCHC, NDMS, TCCT - Clinical Nurse Specialist, CTE Educator at Bisbee High School
  • Robert White - Board Director

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All grant applications are submitted online through the Foundant Grant Portal accessed via www.lfsaz.org. Applicants must read guidelines before starting an application.

First-Time Applicants: Mandatory grant workshop attendance required before applying.

Returning Users: Log in using existing email and password; do not create duplicate accounts.

Technical Requirements: Use Google Chrome 14+ or Mozilla Firefox; Internet Explorer not recommended.

Application Tips:

  • Save application frequently using "Save as Draft" button
  • System will not allow submission without required attachments
  • Character limits apply to text fields (spaces and punctuation count)
  • Not required to reach character limits
  • Have someone review application before submission
  • Foundation will follow up if clarification needed

Decision Timeline

Review Process: Applications reviewed by philanthropy committee, with recommendations presented to Board of Directors for final approval.

Notification: 8-10 weeks from submission to decision notification for Responsive and Fast Pitch grants. Innovative and Strategic grants follow announced timelines.

Notification Method: Direct contact to applicant organizations.

Success Rates

The foundation has demonstrated strong grant-making activity:

  • 2024: 109 awards
  • 2023: 106 awards
  • 2022: 117 awards

FY23 Specific Examples:

  • Fast Pitch Grants: $33,029 total
  • Responsive Grants: 18 organizations, $73,331.56 total
  • Innovative Grants: 6 organizations, $347,500+ total

FY25 Example: August 2024 awards totaled $68,511 to 27 organizations in Responsive Grants

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation directly at (520) 335-6015 or info@lfsaz.org for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Collaboration is Critical: The foundation explicitly states that "partnerships are so critical to success" and "organizations are encouraged to submit applications that reflect collaboration with other organizations." Collaborative applications demonstrate greater community impact and are strongly prioritized, particularly for Strategic Grants.

Mission Alignment: Projects must clearly demonstrate how they promote population health and community wellness in Cochise and eastern Santa Cruz counties. The foundation emphasizes sustainable solutions that extend beyond the grant term.

Innovation Criteria: For Innovative Grants, projects must meet specific innovative criteria outlined in grant guidelines and engage mission-driven collaborations/partnerships.

Geographic Service: All funded projects must directly benefit populations residing in Cochise and eastern Santa Cruz counties.

Capacity Building Emphasis: The foundation values organizational development through its Fast Pitch and DEI grant programs, recognizing that strong nonprofits create stronger community impact.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Arizona Rangers: $3,500 for protective ballistic vests
  • Aviva Children's Services: $2,000 for emergency resource closet for foster children
  • Boys and Girls Club: $3,000 for collaborative flag football league across multiple communities
  • City of Tombstone: $2,500 for less-lethal response equipment

Foundation's Stated Vision: CEO Margaret Hepburn has emphasized the foundation's aspiration for "southeast Arizona as a health and wellness model for the nation," indicating preference for projects with potential for broader replication and systemic impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Collaboration wins: Multi-organization partnerships are explicitly encouraged and strongly weighted in funding decisions. Consider forming alliances before applying.

  • Start small, build relationships: With grants ranging from $1,000 (DEI) to $2,500 (Fast Pitch) to $5,000 (Responsive), smaller initial grants can establish credibility for larger Innovative or Strategic grant applications.

  • Mandatory workshop for first-timers: Plan ahead—attend required grant workshop before your first application. Also utilize free monthly technical support for grant writing and finance.

  • Population health lens required: Every project must clearly connect to population health and community wellness, not just individual health outcomes. Think community-wide impact.

  • 8-10 week decisions: Build this timeline into your planning. The foundation is responsive and processes applications relatively quickly compared to many funders.

  • Government entities eligible: Cities, counties, tribal entities, and universities can apply if aligned with health/wellness mission—an uncommon opportunity worth exploring.

  • Save and review carefully: The online system is particular about character limits and required attachments. Save frequently and have colleagues review before submission to avoid technical rejections.

References

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