Our Mission

To drive local innovation through the support and empowerment of Arizona entrepreneurs.

We fulfill our mission through our four pillars:

  • Creating Meaningful Partnerships
  • Activating Our Community
  • Supporting and Empowering Our Youth
  • Fostering the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Our Vision

To foster a vibrant and prosperous Arizona that puts local business and community enrichment at the forefront.

Fuel Arizona Pride, Empower Entrepreneurs.

State Forty Eight License Plate Now Available! 

With every license plate purchased, $17 will go towards our mission of providing access to essential resources and grant funding for small business owners across Arizona.

What We Do

Beyond Business Events 

Guided by our mission to strengthen Arizona’s startup and small-business community, our bi-monthly Beyond Business networking events offer valuable resources, inspirational storytelling and ample opportunities for connection and collaboration among local entrepreneurs. Check our calendar of events to join us for the next one.  

Grant Funding 

State Forty Eight Foundation is committed to helping entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground and into our communities. Because we stand by our mission to foster the entrepreneurial spirit, each year we create a grant fund for new or aspiring business owners who join us for the Entrepreneur Speaker Series and fulfill the outlined requirements. To date, we've awarded nearly $100,000 to 38 Arizona small businesses. 

Impactful Partnerships

We believe that in order to make the greatest impact, creative collaboration across segments and industries is key. Our foundation aims to be a catalyst for change and unification across Arizona by bringing together nonprofit organizations, public agencies, businesses, and individuals with common goals & hopeful resolutions for the community.

Want to explore a partnership? Drop us a line at foundation@statefortyeight.com

STATE FORTY EIGHT FOUNDATION ENTREPRENEUR SPEAKER SERIES

The Entrepreneur Speaker Series is the State Forty Eight Foundation's Flagship Program. Each year, we bring together Arizona's most remarkable founders, CEO's, and industry experts for a free series that is meant to educate, inspire, and provide attendees with direct access to resources for Arizona entrepreneurs.

It is through the Entrepreneur Speaker Series that eligible attendees are able to apply for one of our small business grants.

Missed this year’s series? You can watch the session trailers or full session recordings.

Our Impact

1,270

Entrepreneur Program Participants

$87,500

Grant Funding Awarded

38

Arizona Small Businesses Funded

436

Impact Day Participants

4

Impact Days Organized

Our History

In 2019, State Forty Eight launched an initiative called State Forty Eight Community Impact, where volunteer-driven events were organized to support other local nonprofit organizations. In our first year, the movement managed to draw out more than 250 volunteers and donate more than $21,000 to local charities and nonprofit organizations.

In recognizing a desire from the people of Arizona to contribute and give back to organizations that make state forty eight a great place to live, we launched the State Forty Eight Foundation in 2020.

While the volunteer-driven Community Impact efforts continue, as an entrepreneurship-born-and-led organization, we felt called to support the entrepreneurs in the great state of Arizona. We want to eliminate competition, embrace collaboration, and foster a diverse ecosystem of small businesses and startups.

With your support, we hope to achieve prosperity for Arizona, its people and its businesses.

UPCOMING EVENTS

No upcoming events currently, more events coming soon!

Support Our Mission

You can directly donate to the State Forty Eight Foundation or any of our active fundraising campaigns with our charity partners by clicking the donation button below.

Foundation Shop

Every purchase from the State Forty Eight Foundation shop helps further our mission to drive local innovation and inspire community action through the support and empowerment of Arizona entrepreneurs and its nonprofit organizations.

Thank You to our sponsors

Who We Are

Marina Sandoval

Executive Director

Janice Vega

Director of Communications

Bethany Mok

Program & Development Manager

Mike Spangenberg

Chairman of the Board

Noah Ruiz

President of the Board

Katie Wasson

Board Secretary

Amber Cordoba

Board Treasurer

Nicholas Polando

Board Member

Tyler Sublette

Board Member

Michelle Mcqueen

Board Member

Tim Regan

Board Member

Kyle Jennings

Board Member

Jason Byers

Board Member

Bernard Johnsen

Board Member

Shannon Breen

Board Member

Dominic Orozco

Board Member

Alycia Elfstrom

Board Advisor

Join the State Forty Eight Foundation Mailing List

Sign up for our newsletter to keep up-to-date with the latest foundation news, volunteer opportunities, and events!

FOLLOW @STATEFORTYEIGHTFOUNDATION