NE Valley Times

ONE Community Foundation receives $100,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

Funds to support educational programming and build a more inclusive Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ - ONE Community Foundation, an Arizona-based non-profit committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity for all, has announced a $100,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

“We are incredibly grateful to have the support of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation in our efforts to build a more inclusive and equitable Arizona and nation,” said Angela Hughey, President & Co-Founder of ONE Community Foundation. “The Parsons and their Foundation have long been supporters of LGBTQ+ rights and equality efforts, and we are excited to grow our partnership together,” concluded Ms. Hughey.

ONE Community Foundation works to empower, connect and educate Arizona’s LGBTQ+ and allied businesses, faith leaders, individuals and beyond on the benefits of respecting, protecting, and celebrating all who live in our great state.

“Everyone deserves to follow their dreams, to have a job that gives them purpose and a safe place to call home," said Bob Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “No one should have to worry about being fired, denied services or discriminated against because they are part of the LGBTQ+ community.”

The grant will help support and expand several key ONE Community Foundation programs that work to educate the community on the benefits of inclusive policies. These include:

- Expanding the ONE Community Institute: This program trains businesses and organizations around Arizona on the benefits of inclusion and helps transform how these businesses shape their internal and external policies surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion.

- Expanding the UNITY Pledge program: As the largest equality pledge in the nation, this investment will help reach additional municipalities in the West Valley as well as rural communities across the state.

- Launching the Better Together podcast: This podcast shares stories about people from all walks of life who are working in often surprising ways to make a positive impact in others' lives. These stories teach us how to value one another as neighbors, appreciate people who live differently than us, and seek unity over division.

- Supporting ONE Community Foundation’s partnership with the national Equality and Fairness Coalition: This allows Arizona cohort members to participate in a fellowship program that brings leaders together from various backgrounds. Participants often come from communities perceived as oppositional with the goal of building bridges.

“Although progress has been made, there is still a long way to go in building workplaces and businesses where LGBTQ+ individuals feel safe to be themselves,” said Renee Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “We’re proud to support ONE Community Foundation’s commitment to creating an Arizona where all are treated equally regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity or sexual identity.”

A simple way for individuals or businesses to get involved is by signing the ONE Community UNITY Pledge alongside 3,400 businesses, 20,000 individuals and 500 faith leaders committed to equality for all Americans.

About The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate, nurture and nourish people during what is often the darkest time of their lives. Founded in 2012 by philanthropists Bob and Renee Parsons to provide hope and life-changing assistance to vulnerable populations across America. Follow @WeDealInHope on social media or visit TBRPF.org for more information.

About ONE Community Foundation

The ONE Community Foundation is dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion equity among Arizonans by educating empowering connecting diverse LGBTQ+ allied communities about respect protection celebration for everyone living within our state.

For More Information:

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

Lindsay Hansen

480-205-6195

lindsay@ldhconsulting.net

ONE Community Foundation

Sophie O’Keefe-Zelman

602-380-1809

Sophie@nxstrategy.com