SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Fiesta Bowl Charities helped Arizona communities, nonprofits and teachers during an unprecedented pandemic, to provide necessary resources that helped millions of Arizonans in the 2020-21 season. Within a total of $5.5 million in charitable giving, unique for this season was $1 million in emergency relief for COVID-19 and a $2 million donation to begin the Margaret T. Hance Park Revitalization Project.

More than 40 nonprofit organizations across the state of Arizona benefited from Fiesta Bowl Charities grant funding, in addition to the fifth annual Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program that delivered $2,500 grants to 200 K-12 teachers around Arizona.

Through the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl and various community events throughout the year, Fiesta Bowl Charities has granted $16 million in charitable giving the last five years alone.

"Giving back to the Arizona community has been core to the Fiesta Bowl mission since we were founded 50 years ago, from our Board of Directors to Yellow Jacket Committee, volunteers and staff," said Patrick Barkley, Chair of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors. "We are committed to making the lives of Arizonans better, through immediate need during a pandemic and leaving a legacy gift for the next generation to enjoy at Hance Park."

The full list of nonprofit grant recipients is available here. In addition to those, the Fiesta Bowl funded Legacy Projects that will positively impact the community for years to come. Those include the Fiesta Bowl PLAY at Hance Park mega-playground, a KABOOM! playground build in Cartwright School District, the donation of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl game field to Boys & Girls Club of Metro Phoenix and a resource room at Sunshine Acres in Mesa presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.

"The last year has been incredibly challenging for us all and that is why it is very important that the Fiesta Bowl still deliver these necessary funds. We are part of this community and it's our mission to give back to the community," said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director Mike Nealy. "The heroes are the teachers and nonprofits across Arizona who use these funds to make a difference in people's lives, right where they need it."

Aligning with the Fiesta Bowl's vision of being "More Than Just A Game®," Fiesta Bowl Charities donated $500,000 for the Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program, with 200 teachers each receiving $2,500 for their classroom. Since its inception five years ago, Wishes for Teachers has granted over $3.7 million to Arizona teachers, impacting over 250,000 children across the state.

Quick facts about Fiesta Bowl Charities:

• $5.5 million given in charitable giving for 2020-21 season
• 44 nonprofits benefit from Fiesta Bowl Charities' grant cycle in 2020-21
• $16 million in charitable giving over last five years
• $21 million in charitable giving over last 10 years
• $3.7 million granted through Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers in program's first five years
• Fiesta Bowl gives more in annual charitable giving than any college bowl organization
• More than 1 million people served in 2020-21
• 3,723,570 meals served in 2020-21
• 50,000 PPE face masks distributed in 2020-21

ABOUT FIESTA BOWL
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Fiesta Bowl Parade, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaBowl.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on Twitter and Instagram.