Community

Sam Harvey

PHOENIX SUNS/PHOENIX MERCURY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES | Grant Will Fund Community Projects Including Basketball Court Renovations and Learning Center Developments in Phoenix

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2023-24 DEVIN BOOKER STARTING FIVE GRANT RECIPIENTS

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Devin Booker x Jr. Mercury Legacy League Ambassador

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PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation and Helios Education Foundation today announced the establishment of the “El Valle Puede” (The Valley Can) scholarship for Latino high school seniors in Arizona. Funded by a $1 million grant from Helios, the scholarships will provide students with financial support for their postsecondary education.

“Through our partnership with Helios, we are helping to open new doors so that postsecondary education is more accessible, and achievable, for all students across our state,” said Sarah Krahenbuhl, executive director of Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation. “This scholarship fund marks a continuation of the Suns’ El Valle platform to celebrate Arizona’s Latino community as we empower the next generation and create opportunities for students across Arizona.”

Scholarships will be awarded over the next five years, with 25 scholarships awarded to high school seniors at the end of the 2023-24 school year. Recipients will be selected by Helios and Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation, and in the spring, students will be awarded their scholarships during a commemorative college signing day.

“For nearly two decades, Helios has been committed to advancing educational excellence by closing gaps and increasing postsecondary attainment,” said Jane Roig, vice chair of the Helios Education Foundation Board of Directors. “With this investment and establishment of the ‘El Valle Puede’ scholarship, we continue a longstanding relationship with Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation and pave a path toward success for students in Arizona.”

Helios Education Foundation exists to support postsecondary education for all students, especially low-income and underrepresented communities, in Arizona and Florida. The Suns’ and Mercury’s longstanding partnership with Helios has provided five, full-tuition scholarships to local students over the past five years.

Helios Education Foundation and Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation celebrated the $1 million grant with an on-court presentation last night before the Phoenix Suns game against the Washington Wizards.

To learn more about Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation, visit Suns.com/Foundation or follow @phxoffcourt.

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PHOENIX SUNS/PHOENIX MERCURY FOUNDATION AND HELIOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION TEAM UP TO PROVIDE $1 MILLION IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LATINO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ARIZONA

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury today announced the rebranding of Phoenix Suns Charities to Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation. The newly renamed foundation, which recognizes both the Suns and Mercury’s community efforts, will award its first series of significant grants to seven nonprofit organizations in Arizona.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

“Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation celebrates the positive impact both the Suns and Mercury teams make on and off the court,” said Sarah Krahenbuhl, executive director of Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation. “These grants will support our community partners and provide the resources to make a difference in the lives of children across Arizona.” &nbsp;

The selected organizations represent Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation’s mission to use the platform of basketball to support, strengthen and bring together the diverse communities across Arizona.

Junior Achievement of Arizona: For more than 60 years, the organization has prepared Arizona students to succeed in work and life with JA BizTown, a hands-on program that introduces 4th, 5th, and 6th graders to economic concepts, workplace skills, and personal and business finances in a student-sized town built just for them. With support from Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation, the first-ever Suns and Mercury space will open at JA BizTown where students will put their skills to work at the on-site learning “city” amongst 40 different businesses and industries.

Math Hoops: A dynamic learning experience that leverages the game of basketball and the NBA/WNBA brands to develop algebra readiness and social-emotional competency and features physical and digital basketball-themed games, a mobile app, classroom curricula and a community event series. The impact of the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation grant will be extended thanks to the generosity of longtime partner, Annexus, who is matching the grant to help the program reach approximately 5,000 students across Arizona this year.

Marcus Graham Project (MGP): Through iCR8™ programs, MGP’s goal is to provide diverse aspirants in the field of marketing and media, with the exposure and experience necessary to solidify careers within the industry. The Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation grant will support a five-day workshop to provide diverse professionals with networking, training and exposure to the Suns and Mercury brands to further their career interests within the advertising, media and marketing industry.

Positive Coaching Alliance: The nonprofit provides research-based training and resources for coaches, parents, athletes and leaders to ensure a positive youth development experience for all kids in all sports. Support from Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation will fund services and help offset the cost of workshop programming for basketball-specific organizations over the next year.

Solano’s No Limit Hoops: Solano’s No Limit Hoops creates a safe and accessible environment for disadvantaged youth to play basketball and learn leadership qualities. The grant supports program costs including gym rentals, equipment and apparel. &nbsp;

Special Olympics Arizona: Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation’s funding will support Special Olympics Arizona’s mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The year-round support offers basketball athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

UMOM New Day Centers: UMOM provides shelter, services and affordable housing for single women and families experiencing homelessness in the Metro Phoenix area. The Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation grant will fund the repair of a full basketball court at its downtown Phoenix facility.

Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation has donated more than $43 million in its 35-year history and positively impacts more than 400,000 children annually through hundreds of Suns and Mercury player appearances, volunteer opportunities and by hosting numerous community events throughout Arizona.&nbsp;

To learn more about Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation, visit&nbsp;Suns.com/Foundation.

For more off-the-court news and updates on the Suns and Mercury’s community efforts, follow&nbsp;@phxoffcourt on Instagram.

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PHOENIX SUNS CHARITIES REBRANDS AS PHOENIX SUNS/PHOENIX MERCURY FOUNDATION

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Indigenous Peoples' Day

Phoenix Suns

In October 2022, the Suns teamed up with Arizona native and Chicano artist Abomb to create a limited edition “El Valle” t-shirt to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Depicting the classic sunburst logo, a classic lowrider and script font synonymous with the car culture, the limited run quickly sold out.

The team revived the highly anticipated item for Chicano Night presented by Dos Equis on March 25, 2023, when the team hosted the Philadelphia 76ers.

Abomb has been creating art for more than 30 years in various mediums from small canvases to large murals. After embracing graffiti in the mid-1980s, his style continues to evolve throughout the Valley on buildings and in local art galleries.

The collab is the latest example of the Suns and Mercury's efforts to empower minority creatives and artists while celebrating the culture and accomplishments of the Valley community.

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SUNS PARTNER WITH CHICANO ARTIST ABOMB FOR LIMITED EDITION T-SHIRT

Phoenix Suns Charities, the philanthropic nonprofit of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury awarded $275,000 in grants to 19 Arizona nonprofits as part of the latest funding cycle during the 2022-23 NBA season. The contributions will provide future opportunities to enhance the lives of Arizona children and families in need in the areas of education, healthcare, career development and sport.&nbsp;

"Our nonprofit partners are heroes who selflessly give back to underserved communities," Phoenix Suns Charities Executive Director and Vice President of Social Responsibility Sarah Krahenbuhl said. "These funds will equip organizations across the state to continue making a difference to those in need.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Eight Phoenix Suns Charities grant committee members and 23 volunteers helped surprise organizations with their grant awards.&nbsp;

A $20,000 surprise punctuated the latest grant cycle to Blueprint Education in support of Hope High School, a Title 1 charter school in south Phoenix. Suns center Bismack Biyombo surprised the Hope High School basketball team at Footprint Center last week with transformational funds that will enable the team to purchase a van to provide safe, reliable transportation for the team's road games.&nbsp;

The complete list of recipients from the 22-23 latest funding cycle is listed below:&nbsp;&nbsp;

Arizona Helping Hands&nbsp;Barrow Neurological Foundation&nbsp;&nbsp;Black Mothers Forum, Inc.&nbsp;&nbsp;Blueprint Education (in support of Hope High School)&nbsp;Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale&nbsp;Boys & Girls Clubs of Sierra Vista&nbsp;Boys Hope Girls Hope (BHGH)&nbsp;Foundation for Blind Children&nbsp;Marcus Graham Project&nbsp;Million Dollar Teacher Project&nbsp;Native American ConnectionsRyan House&nbsp;Save the Family Foundation of Arizona&nbsp;Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)&nbsp;The Boys & Girls Clubs of TucsonUMOM New Day CentersUnited National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY)&nbsp;University of Arizona Foundation f/b/o Family Medicine Mobile Health Program&nbsp;Valle del Sol&nbsp;

Phoenix Suns Charities launched in 1988 and has focused on positively impacting the community by supporting children and family services across the state. The Suns and Mercury philanthropic vehicle has distributed more than $41 million in its 35-year history to local nonprofits and organizations in need. Phoenix Suns Charities has embedded itself locally by supporting community efforts through hundreds of player appearances, thousands of volunteer hours and hosting numerous community events across the Valley and at Footprint Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To learn more about Phoenix Suns Charities, visit Suns.com/Charities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;For more off the court news and updates on Phoenix Suns Charities' community efforts, follow @phxoffcourt.

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PHOENIX SUNS CHARITIES AWARDS $275,000 IN GRANTS TO 19 VALLEY NONPROFITS IN LATEST FUNDING CYCLE

Jay Dieffenbach

Devin Booker is certainly familiar with the role of underdog.

He’s lived it, from high school summer workouts in a gym with no air conditioning and a leaky roof in Moss Point, Mississippi to waiting for his name to be called at the NBA Draft to willing the Suns into prominence over his first few years in the NBA.

With the Devin Booker Starting Five program, the Suns star has provided a seismic boost for underdog organizations across Arizona.

This charitable initiative allows Booker to authentically connect with the Valley community he cherishes and celebrated its four-year anniversary in January 2023 having gifted $2 million since its inception.

Digging deeper, we found a touchpoint from each of the four years, along with a couple of secrets to Booker’s success as a philanthropist.

In January 2019, Booker committed $2.5 million to be used over a five-year term as Phoenix Suns Charities introduced the Devin Booker Starting Five.

For every year during the term, Booker’s initiative recognizes five local nonprofit organizations, each of whom receives a $100,000 grant.

"A lot of people look at basketball as just a bunch of guys that make a lot of money out there on the court,” Booker said at the time. “It's not that. It's a lot bigger than that for us. …

“I've seen how serious the Phoenix Suns organization takes their relationship with our community partners."

Booker meets with the Suns Charities Board of Directors to pick his “Starting Five” recipients of those funds.

"We're going to find five deserving nonprofit organizations, give them $100,000 each to help them continue doing what they're doing in Arizona to help the kids and the families that are in need," Booker said.

Through Booker’s foundation, the groups apply by sending in videos – three to five minutes each – promoting a project and its expected impact.

With the fourth round of grants now complete, we can gain a deeper understanding of the program’s significance and its impact using the words of four recipients – one from each of the four years.

Devin Booker and … SPECIAL OLYMPICS ARIZONA

Special Olympics Arizona was among the five nonprofits forming the inaugural class in 2019.

Jaime Heckerman, president and CEO of Special Olympics Arizona, said the Suns intentionally presented a vague reason for calling her to the arena – a common theme, we’ve come to find out.

Her account illustrates how the Suns made the evening very special.

“We actually were surprised,” she told Suns.com, adding that she believed there was a planned second round of presentations awaiting.

“And so we waited, probably, gosh 30 minutes to 45 minutes and then we were brought out onto the court. And it was all dark, nobody was around, there was a spotlight on us …. And there was something on an easel covered up.

“And then all of a sudden Devin came walking out from one of the tunnels to inform us that were receiving the grant, the Devin Booker Starting Five grant.”

Heckerman said the funds for Special Olympics Arizona allowed a shift away from having to use donated office space. Now, Special Olympics has a highly functional meeting area at the facility.

“It's our training center,” she said. “So half the room is a basketball space where people can go in and play and kind of get to know each other, and the other half of the room is meant for trainings.

“So we have coaches, we have had board retreats and orientations in that room. Our athletes receive training in leadership skills. So it's a very versatile space that's really important to the work that we're doing that we've never had.”

There’s no doubting the appreciation Heckerman, her staff and the athletes have for what Booker and the Suns are doing.

Heckerman said the training center is “our shrine to Devin because Devin is all over the walls.”

Booker, whose age (26) belies his maturity and accountability, directs his impact and influence to extend beyond the monetary gifts.

Booker has stayed in touch with Special Olympics and continues to value the relationship, serving as Special Olympics Global Ambassador as he furthers the important mission of inclusion, using sports – especially basketball – as a primary vehicle.

“Devin has done a few things,” Heckerman said, referencing a “Santa Booker” visit two years ago.

“He surprised a few athletes with Christmas gifts,” she said. “They came into our warehouse and Devin was on a video screen. So that was very cool. They got to ask questions and he was able to answer those.

“And then he was able to gift our USA Games basketball team some equipment and had them come out to a (Suns) game so that they were prepared to go to USA Games in Orlando, Florida.”

It’s clear Booker has won a fan for life.

“Just that feeling was amazing,” Heckerman said. “Just having that experience and knowing that Devin really cares about this organization was very cool.”

Heckerman recognizes the unusually strong connection Booker has with the community.

“I just think it is really impactful the work that he is doing,” she said. “And I know it's not just our organization. There's so many others that he gives to, especially through the Starting Five initiatives and things that are very very important to him.”

Heckerman has been inspired by Booker’s actions and is “working on something big this fall with Phoenix Suns Charities and Devin Booker, hopefully.

“He doesn't know about it yet. We're excited to hopefully host an event down at the arena, and just be able to showcase more of our athletes' talents with their help, so we're excited.”

The chances are pretty good that Booker will approve.

Primary among the promotional phrases describing the work Elevate Phoenix does is this: “Delivering long-term, life-changing, relationships with urban youth.”

Executive Director Dalila Gamper, whose nonprofit received the Booker grant in 2020, knows first-hand about the critical need for support in continuing to provide such a vital service.

Her experience was similar to that of Special Olympics Arizona’s Jamie Heckerman in that the Suns included subterfuge in awarding the Devin Booker Starting Five grant.

“We were completely surprised,” said Gamper, who was asked to come down to a Suns game to continue the process. “The Suns organization … said, ‘OK, last steps: We want you to talk to a few of our board members and we want you to bring a few kids to talk a little bit about your organization.’”

Gamper scrambled but was able to “pick a few kids from our pipelines” to accompany her for this supposed extra task.

After much preparation, it was game night.

“Needless to say, when we came to the game we were a little nervous, and couldn’t really concentrate on the game because we were waiting for them to call us up, Gamper said.

“They come out – it was a total surprise – we were facing toward watching the game. They came up on the side. I’m like, ‘What's happening?’ And they announce our names!

“And we’re like, ‘Wait, what? We actually got it?’ We were super surprised. Our kids were so excited.”

The Suns Charities’ misdirection had struck again. It’s a method Gamper ultimately came to embrace and now says: “I love the way they did it. Kinda sorta. It was nerve-wracking. But at the end of the day it was like, ‘OK, that was a good surprise. You guys totally surprised us.’”

“Shasta Industries has been a partner to us from the very beginning of Elevate Phoenix,” she said. “They donated the office space and donated the loft space.”

The money was used to expand and further develop the loft space into something spectacular – most important, it would be a safe place to be for everyone.

“We have our little kids in elementary, we have our junior high then we also have our high school and then we have our alumni.

“It's been awesome. Just having a game station, computer section that’s set aside for either homework help or interviewing skills.

“And we have a TV up there, for movie nights, along with a ping pong table, pool table, a basketball area and a foosball table.“ (We) are adding food and supplies.

“We actually held our first board meeting there so our board could see what was happening as it was taking place. It’s been exactly like how we envisioned it to be: being able to be used by all.”

As for the Booker connection, Gamper said the “give-back” lesson is integral to her mission. The kids will occasionally stop and consider that relationship.

“(They’ll ask) ‘So Devin Booker did this?’” she said. “I think for them, it’s a connection to someone they see on TV and who they root for. Knowing that, ‘Oh, they have give-back,’ for one. And that they’re cared for.

“In addition to knowing that we care, it’s like, ‘Oh, other people care about us, too.’”

She said the kids hear the story of Booker’s vision to give back to those who are underserved.

“It’s something that reinforces what we teach. So a lot of our kids can be on the receiving end. But we teach them: ‘You always have something to give. You have something to bring to the table.’

So for them it’s like a real life example of, ‘Oh he doesn’t just play basketball and get all this money. He has give-back, too.’

“So I think that’s been a good connection for them.”

Devin Booker and … ARIZONA CACTUS-PINE COUNCIL GIRL SCOUTS

For the third year of the Devin Booker Starting Five grants, in 2021, Suns Charities again happily and deftly used a creatively misleading invitation for the recipients.

Christina Spicer, co-CEO of the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Girl Scouts, applied for the award to provide a one-of-a-kind bus for the organization.

“We applied for the grant,” she said. “Asked for the Devin Booker bus.”

The process “was so special,” said Spicer, who was told she and a group of her scouts were invited to a Mercury playoff game.

“I got a phone call from Sarah Krahenbuhl … all great things start with Sarah. She said we have the suite. We have about 60 tickets and we want to have some girls, some volunteers there … and the game is tomorrow. We were all very excited to meet the Mercury players and support them for the playoff game.”

Spicer and the group were taken downstairs “and I was like, ‘Something seems off. There’s a lot of production, a lot of cameras, there's a lot of stuff happening here.’

“And all of a sudden, Sarah starts sharing: ‘The Girl Scouts are our incredible partner and they applied for the Devin Booker Starting Five grant. And he has a quick video for you.’

“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is happening.’ But the girls had no idea. So the video stops and Devin Booker comes walking out with the check! They still have no idea what was happening except the fact that Devin Booker was coming out with a very large check.”

The award process was executed to perfection by Krahenbuhl and Co., and the ulterior motive wasn’t lost on Spicer.

“Once it hit me that we were actually receiving this money, I was so thrilled that the girls got to participate. It was such an honor, but the thoughtfulness of presenting it at a Mercury game … at a playoff game .. and allowing our girls to witness them playing.”

The experience was a foundational life lesson.

“As we were sitting in the suite, there were several Suns players on the sideline just cheering super loudly for the Mercury.

“So our girls got to see an incredible champion – for them – give them resources to give them access to a bus. They got to witness incredible athletes playing in a playoff game and they got to see their male counterparts cheering them on and encouraging them.

“So it was just a really special, special night. The impact on the girls was so thoughtful. And so it was an incredible gift.”

In addition to the bus (which includes a very useful, detachable regulation-size basketball hoop and backboard), Girl Scouts was able to produce a Devin Booker patch. When the girls ride the Devin Booker bus, they also receive a patch to say that they rode on the bus.

“Some girls have adopted Devin,” Krahenbuhl said. “And I don’t even know if he fully knows the level (of affection) these girls have for him. These 6- and 7- and 8-year-olds are obsessed with Devin Booker – they’ve almost adopted him as a Girl Scout.

“It’s just the cutest ever, it’s amazing.”

Spicer shared the contents of a video featuring a Girl Scout named Daphne who is a Devin Booker fan.

“She thinks they’re best friends,” Spicer said.

Daphne, on the video, explains her interaction with her “best friend.”

“So, um, it was after this last ceremony – I just had a milkshake … down on the floor I did the honor guard. Devin Booker walked up to me – for the second time – and hugs me – for the second time. And I think he’s handsome and cool.”

Spicer underscores the importance of the messenger.

“Because Devin Booker took a stand and said that girls matter and that it’s important to support girls, there’s now all these other dads and grandpas and moms who are also huge Suns fans who see ‘A local hero of ours supports our girls’ and there’s this really nice synergy around communities supporting communities and really rallying around our girls, not just during cookie season.

“So the bus is used all the time,” Spicer said, “and we take it everywhere.”

At Cookie Night at the arena, the bus – along with a regulation basketball hoop attached – was a huge hit.”

As evidence from the successful partnership with the Suns and Mercury, Spicer pointed out another benefit.

“Last year, for the first time in history, our cookies sold out,” she said.

Devin Booker and … RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

The 2022 recipients were announced at a Dec. 7 home game against Boston.

Among the five was Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona, whose CEO, Kerry Schulman, headed up the organization’s third attempt to win this grant.

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Booker’s Starting Five: A superstar endeavor in every sense

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