MentorKids Stories & Updates
Press releases, MentorMoments, announcements, reflections, and real-life updates from across our Promise Neighborhoods.
Executive Council Charities Awards $2,400 Grant to MentorKids USA
“Executive Council Charities’ investment directly supports the students we serve, many of whom face significant barriers such as poverty, unstable family environments, and limited access to resources,” said Audrey Gallinger, Grants Manager at MentorKids USA. “This grant will help ensure these youth receive the support and tools they need to realize their potential.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2025
Phoenix, AZ – MentorKids USA is honored to announce it has received a $2,400 grant from Executive Council Charities (ECC) in support of its LEAD after-school program, which equips underserved K–8th grade youth in the Greater Phoenix Area to succeed academically, grow as leaders, and build brighter futures.
LEAD—Leadership, Enrichment, Academics, and Discovery—is offered at no cost to families in MentorKids’ five Promise Neighborhoods: South Phoenix, Maryvale, Palomino, Paiute, and Tempe. Each year, more than 250 students receive daily homework help, reading and math support, enrichment activities, leadership development, and mentorship in a safe, nurturing environment.
Founded in 1997, the mission of MentorKids USA is to equip and empower youth to be transformative leaders in their lives, their families, and their communities. We are Building Leaders Who Build Leaders.
“Executive Council Charities’ investment directly supports the students we serve, many of whom face significant barriers such as poverty, unstable family environments, and limited access to resources,” said Audrey Gallinger, Grants Manager at MentorKids USA. “This grant will help ensure these youth receive the support and tools they need to realize their potential.”
Executive Council Charities is dedicated to helping Arizona’s youth overcome adversity and reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. MentorKids USA shares this mission and is proud to partner with ECC to transform lives and communities through its Promise Neighborhood model.
To learn more about Executive Council Charities, visit ECC: A nonprofit corporation dedicated to helping the youth
Media Contact:
Jill Bailey
Development Director, MentorKids USA
480-767-6707 | [email protected]
$25K Grant Helps MentorKids Teens Lead the Way
With this grant, more teens in our Promise Neighborhoods will step into leadership.
“We are incredibly grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for this generous investment in the lives of the youth we serve,” said Aaron Parrott, Executive Director of MentorKids USA. “This funding will allow us to deepen our impact and expand opportunities for students to become confident, capable leaders in their families and communities.”
MentorKids USA has been awarded a $25,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to expand its iLEAD My Generation program—a four-year leadership and mentoring initiative for high school students in underserved Arizona neighborhoods. This investment helps equip teens with academic support, paid mentoring opportunities, and real-world job training to become confident leaders in their communities.
Download Full Press Release
Learn more about Thunderbirds Charities and their commitment to youth development in Arizona.