E-Update

Here’s proof once more that every person can make a difference – 70 percent of all funding that goes to non-profits comes from individuals. While Arizona’s corporate community is generous in supporting many causes in the Valley and state, the majority of giving to non-profits here and around the country is from regular people like you and me.

Valley Forward is an exception to the rule, generally speaking. More than half of our revenue comes from sponsorships for special events and member dues. That’s been our culture of giving for more than four decades.

But we’re working to change the status quo. Our Sustainable Funding Committee, under the leadership of Stephen Anderson of Gammage & Burnham, is exploring ways to diversify our revenue stream and help protect our financial future.

Our Board of Directors established Valley Forward’s Fund for a Sustainable Future endowment in honor of our organization’s 40th Anniversary in 2009. Since then, each board member has committed to make an annual personal contribution of $50 or more to symbolize their individual support of our mission, above and beyond what their employers provide. We recently asked the Board for its 2012 contribution and already 11 Directors have stepped up. Like last year, we expect 100 percent participation from our leadership. In fact, the board indicated it will increase their required personal commitment to $100 next year.

Last year was the first time we extended this gift-giving opportunity to the entire membership. We only received a handful of contributions, but are hoping this year more of you will consider a gift to the endowment. I wouldn’t ask for a personal contribution unless I made one of my own. All members of Valley Forward will formally be invited to contribute to the endowment next month. Please join us in helping to preserve the future of our 43-year-old organization and the communities we serve.

For a list of 2011 donors and 2012 contributions to date, click on the following link: List of Contributors.

Please note, we now have $100,000 in our endowment, with a goal to raise $1 million over a 10-year period. If we achieve this objective, Valley Forward would be able to cover its operational costs on interest from the endowment alone. We could then focus 100 percent of our resources on mission-aligned programs and issues.

To make your personal contribution and add your name to the list of donors, click here:
Valley Forward Fund for a Sustainable Future endowment.

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Want to connect with a fellow Valley Forward member, but aren't sure how to start the dialogue? Our Director of Membership Jhenifer Krutz can assist in facilitating an introduction or can provide resources and referrals for just about anything related to our organization's mission and vision. Contact her today at jkrutz@arizonaforward.org or (602) 240-2408.

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Ayers Saint Gross is internationally recognized for excellence in the planning, design and development of academic and cultural environments. The firm’s portfolio is unique in that over 85 percent of its work is for colleges, universities and cultural facilities, including 500 projects for more than 140 institutions around the world and over 130 master plans for higher education campuses. The company is committed to sustainability in its work, office practices, research and human resources. The team aims for LEED Silver equivalency as a project design standard and 75 percent of its professional staff are LEED accredited.

Since 2004, the Tempe office of Ayers Saint Gross has played an integral role in the expansion of academic functions in downtown Phoenix, beginning with the Arizona State University Downtown Campus Master Plan and the Phoenix Biomedical Campus Development Plan. These transformative projects promote high-density, urban development, establish walkable communities and support the Light Rail system.

In 2007, Ayers Saint Gross partnered with CO Architects to deliver the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix’s new Health Science Education Building. The 265,000-gross-square-foot facility will open in July and is targeting LEED Silver Certification. Additionally, to support increased urban demand resulting from continued growth in the education, research and healthcare sectors in downtown Phoenix, the firm is currently designing a new, mixed-use housing complex with 609 beds, adjacent garage and street-level retail space. This privately-developed project located on an infill site on the historic Roosevelt Row arts district is under construction and scheduled to open in the summer 2013.

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"JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT" MIXER
AT GOODMANS INTERIOR STRUCTURES

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The Environmental Excellence Awards program is one of Valley Forward's most prominent events. It recognizes outstanding contributions to the environment in 22 categories including: buildings and structures, livable communities, site development and landscape, art in public places, environmental technologies, environmental education / communication and environmental stewardship. Click here to view the Call for Entries and submit your winning projects today! The deadline for entering is Thursday, July 19.

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Valley Forward and its statewide coalition, Arizona Forward, have endorsed a citizen’s initiative underway to secure a stable, sustainable future for Arizona State Parks and to permanently provide voter protection for current and future generations to enjoy Arizona parks, natural resources and outdoor recreation.
 
Signatures are being collected for the Natural Resources Protection Act, which would:

• Guarantee that all Arizona school children, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, receive free admission to Arizona State Parks when part of a school trip;
• Voter-protect Arizona State Parks funds and the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s $10 million annual Heritage Fund allocation from sweeps by the Arizona Legislature;
• Guarantee that the first $10 million in revenues will be used to fund an Arizona State Parks annual grant program for Arizona cities, towns, counties, Indian nations, governmental organizations and non-profit organizations to finance watershed protection, trails, historic preservation, outdoor recreation, wildlife education and archaeological protection; and
• Provide the funds needed to operate and maintain Arizona State Parks and protect Arizona’s natural and cultural resources through a $14 voluntary donation when annually registering a non-commercial vehicle.

The proposed grant program replaces the State Parks Heritage Fund, which was abolished by the Legislature. Throughout the past 22 years, the Heritage Fund, financed with lottery money, helped to protect wildlife, conserve habitat, preserve historic buildings and archaeological sites, and provide safe playground equipment for children in community parks, among other accomplishments. Heritage grants were made in every Arizona county and legislative district creating an economic impact of nearly $1 billion.
 
While polling indicates that the Arizona Natural Resources Protection Act is favored by Arizona voters, the campaign must first meet a significant challenge: Secure 172,800 signatures of Arizona voters by July 5. Only then, will the initiative be qualified to appear on the November 2012 General Election ballot.
 
If you’re not involved in the campaign, we urge you to get involved. Visit aznaturalresources.org and contact campaign staff to secure petitions. Your support is crucial to the success of this citizen’s initiative campaign.

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Arizona Forward Acting Director Diane Brossart and Mike Wall of Total Transit were guests on the Down to Earth with Mrs. Green radio show last month. Click here to listen to a replay of the show.

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Diane Brossart is a regular guest blogger for KTAR 92.3 News Talk Radio and AZ Big Media. Check out our her recent postings:

KTAR Guest Blog

TREE HUGGING TAKES ON NEW MEANING


RIVER RESTORATION PROJECTS ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE


AZ Big Media Guest Blog

VALLEY FORWARD SHOWCASES ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE


VALLEY COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECT TRANSFORMS VACANT LOTS

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SAVE THE DATE…Arizona Forward, Bureau of Land Management, Public Lands Foundation and ASU’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy are hosting the Public Lands Commemoration Forum on Sept. 27. Join us to hear an overview of public lands from the perspective of the three branches of the federal government.


ARIZONA'S FIRST…Mesa Mayor Scott Smith was elected as vice president of the US Conference of Mayors last month. When Mayor Smith becomes the president of the organization in 2013, he will be the first Arizona Mayor to serve in this role.


LIGHT RAIL EXPANDS…Valley Metro system broke ground last month on its first light rail expansion project, a 3.1-mile stretch into downtown Mesa. The project is ahead of schedule by months and could be open in a little more than three years.  


GILBERT LEADERSHIP…A big congratulations to our very own Director of Operations and longtime VFA staff member Vicky White for graduating from Gilbert Leadership's Class XX.


ADOT RECEIVES AWARD…Arizona Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Planning Division was honored with the 2012 State Leadership Award by the Community Transportation Association of America.

PROJECT RISING…Six groups of IKOLOJI’s Sustainable Building Advisor Program graduates including Valley Forward’s Director of Membership Jhenifer Krutz presented at the Project Rising event last month. The real estate pitch forum is similar to ABC’s Shark Tank but with a local spin and the end goal being to get real estate development projects off the drawing board and activated into our community.


AIRPORT OF THE YEAR…Arizona Department of Transportation recently named Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport the 2012 Airport of the Year.


MEMBER NEWS…SOLON Corporation has contracted with the Tanque Verde Unified School District to build 1.15 MW of photovoltaic systems in Tucson at four school campuses which will offset a large portion of their daytime energy requirements. The company was also recently selected as the winner of the Intersolar Award 2012 in the Photovoltaic category for its SOLquick commercial rooftop systems.

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ENERGY
9 a.m., Thursday, June 28

Join us as we tour the new Arizona Headquarters for DPR Construction. A living laboratory for the community, the building showcases how to live and work sustainably in a desert environment and is on track to be the first Net Zero building in Arizona.

DPR Construction Headquarters Tour
9 a.m., Thursday, June 28
222 N. 44th St, Phoenix AZ


LAND USE/OPEN SPACE
9 a.m., Tuesday, July 17

Join us for an update on a proposed temporary use program for the Baron Collier site and the RO2 lot in Phoenix, as well as the ASU Student research project. 


CANALSCAPE
9 a.m., Thursday, July 19

Join us for an update on a proposed demonstration project along the Grand Canal, as well as a status report on potential grants/partnerships for Canalscape.


TRANSPORTATION/AIR
11 a.m., Monday, July 23

Join us as we continue working on our statewide Transportation Primer. The goal is to provide unbiased facts, background information and answers to frequently asked questions on statewide issues relating to our transportation infrastructure and funding.


WATER
9 a.m., Tuesday, August 7


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To register your participation on an Issue Committee for 2012, click here and login to your individual profile page using your email address and password. To RSVP to attend any of these committee meetings, contact Vicky White at vwhite@arizonaforward.org or (602) 240-2408.

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