Brief History of Every Voice in Action Foundation

Every Voice in Action Foundation took root in Tucson in 1992. Originally a family foundation, the organization engaged in anonymous grantmaking in greater Tucson until 1999. These early grants supported programs to improve parenting and early childhood well-being, with a focus on Mentoring and Respecting Kids.

The Foundation’s first Youth Philanthropy Crew and first competitive Request for Proposals began in 2000, and in 2004 the Board of Directors was expanded to include community members.

In 2005, the Board narrowed the Foundation’s focus to Youth Voice and committed to having an approximately equal number of youth and adult Directors. In the process, the Foundation’s current mission statement was formulated: to ignite and support Youth Voice, infusing the community with the unique perspectives of young people.”

To achieve this mission, the Youth Crew continued its tradition of awarding $50,000 toward Youth Voice projects in greater Tucson each year. At the same time, the Foundation conducted additional grant rounds for innovative Youth Voice projects, and also awarded sustaining grants to support organizations promoting Youth Voice in the community.

In 2008, the Board of Directors mandated an advocacy initiative to achieve the Foundation’s mission. We are now taking a more active role in supporting youth as they advocate for themselves and their own issues in schools and government, media, and non-profit organizations.

In alignment with this emphasis, and articulating it in a profound way that resonates with everyone at the Foundation, the 16 members of Youth Crew X defined their mission as follows: “to create the change we want to see through passionate, youth driven projects, thereby inspiring youth activism and ultimately changing the role of youth in our community.”