Scottsdale-based Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation gives $1M to Local First Arizona

In the largest private donation in Local First Arizona’s 21-year history, the Scottsdale-based Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has awarded the nonprofit more than $1 million to expand community gardens and entrepreneur development.

The funds will allow Local First Arizona to double the size of the Heart & Soil People’s Garden and expand programming for the surrounding central Phoenix community, according to a press release. The grant will also support Local First’s business accelerators Fuerza Local, Nivel Ejecutivo and We Rise, all of which are designed to supercharge Spanish-speaking and Black entrepreneurs’ success.

“The extraordinary generosity of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will enable Local First Arizona to positively impact so many business owners and families in our community,” Local First Arizona Founder and CEO Kimber Lanning said in the release. “These programs are truly envisioned and guided by the communities they serve to build healthy eating, economic well-being and strong neighborhoods from the ground up. Local First Arizona will continue unleashing our state’s potential with transformative gifts like this one.”