SAFFORD — Despite only $100,000 being available, 22 charitable and nonprofit organizations requested more than $260,000 from the City of Safford, and only three may be getting everything they want.
At a recent work session the Safford City Council reviewed the applications for city grant funding.
“As we go through and look at them all, obviously, one of the things that you want to look at is how does the organization fit your vision, where you want to go, and what is the overall need,” said City Manager John Cassella. “Some of these organizations are national and rather large, whereas others are quite local and really cash-strapped; so that all plays into it.”
All the organizations that received funding from the city last year were put back on the list to receive money this year as well. Those organizations are:
- Mt. Graham Safe House — $10,000 (requested $20,000)
- SEACUS — $10,000 (requested $14,913)
- Safford Downtown Association — $10,000 (requested $20,000)
- Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition — $10,000 (requested $20,000)
- Gila Valley Arts Council — $6,000 (requested $6,000)
- Eastern Arizona Hispanic Heritage Corporation — $3,000 (requested $20,000)
In addition to the Gila Valley Arts Council, the other two that could get their full request are Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry at $2,000 and Feed My Starving Children, which has already received $2,500.
First time recipients could include:
- Safford Bulldog Booster Club — $9,400 (requested $20,000)
- Graham County Search and Rescue — $10,000 (requested $20,000)
- Gila Valley VFW Post 10385 — $8,000 (requested $18,500)
- Gila Valley Samaritan Home — $10,000 (requested $20,000)
- Gila Valley Salt Shakers — $500 (requested $5,000)
- Gila Valley Balloons — $3,600 (requested $12,600)
- Angel’s Closet — $5,000 (requested $12,500)
Members of the City Council said they didn’t know what Gila Valley Salt Shakers was, and city staff said the funding request indicated the organization is similar to both Angel’s Closet and Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry.
Gila Valley Salt Shakers is the only organization listed as an inactive nonprofit on the Arizona Corporation Commission website. According to its last update in 2022, the directors are Ruth Johnston, James Wright and Mark Cavanaugh; and it lists an address of 102 W. Main Street.
Ruth Johnston is also listed as the director of Angel’s Closet.
The City Council will be asked to take formal action on the funding requests at a future regular meeting, where the council can also make changes to the funding amounts.
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