Phoenix (STN) – Arizona’s nonprofit community is navigating a period of significant uncertainty.
Funding challenges, rising demand for services, and growing community needs are forcing organizations to rethink how they operate, collaborate, and allocate resources.
During the Season 4 finale of ‘It Happens at STN,’ Valley of the Sun United Way President and CEO Carla Vargas Jasa and Sunbelt Holdings Chairman and CEO John Graham shared how they believe organizations can meet the moment.
Vargas Jasa said the past 15 months have required both flexibility and focus. After listening to nonprofit partners across the region, Valley of the Sun United Way adjusted its funding approach, strengthened support for safety-net services, and responded to emerging needs as they arose.
At the same time, the organization took a hard look inward, proactively reducing its budget and realigning resources to better serve the community.
For Vargas Jasa, the experience reinforced an important lesson: organizations must understand their strengths and stay focused on the work they do best.
WATCH: Arizona leaders say leaning in can be a superpower
She described that approach as getting back to basics and leaning into United Way’s long-standing role as a convener, connector, and advocate for community needs.
Graham said the challenges facing nonprofits are significant, but they also create opportunities for stronger collaboration.
With limited resources and increasing demand, he believes organizations must move beyond competition and focus on coordination.
“We have amazing organizations in this state,” he said. “The key is figuring out how to work together.”
Their message echoed a theme heard throughout Season 4 of ‘It Happens at STN’: meaningful progress happens when organizations focus on what they do best and work together to amplify their impact.
