The Wellik Foundation, a supporting organization of the Arizona Community Foundation, was established in 1998 by Vi Wellik to serve the Wickenburg area in perpetuity. The foundation is committed to preserving and advancing the unique quality of life in Wickenburg, Arizona, and has awarded over $13 million in grants to charitable organizations since its inception.

The foundation supports projects that maintain and promote the western lifestyle in Wickenburg, as well as initiatives in education, social services, healthcare, economic development, and the arts. Preference is given to proposals that leverage matching funds, engage in strategic partnerships, build organizational capacity, and support direct service projects. The foundation only accepts one proposal per organization per funding cycle.

Eligible applicants must be Arizona-based 501(c)(3) public charities, government agencies, or tribal entities that operate with fiscal accountability and responsibility. Religious organizations may apply for funding only for non-sectarian programs. Organizations must demonstrate a non-discrimination policy and maintain a complete and visible profile on the Arizona Community Foundation's website. Organizations without 501(c)(3) status must use a fiscal agent that meets these requirements.

The grant cycle follows a structured timeline. Letters of Interest (LOI) open on March 11, 2025, and must be submitted by 4:00 pm on March 29, 2025. The board will review LOIs by April 15, 2025. Organizations selected to submit a full application will be notified, with applications opening on April 22, 2025. The final deadline for full applications is May 16, 2025, at 4:00 pm. The board will make final recommendations in late May 2025, and grant awards or decline letters will be issued in June 2025. If awarded funding, the final project report is due in June 2026.

Applications must be submitted online through the Arizona Community Foundation’s grant portal. Organizations are encouraged to prepare applications in advance, ensure their profiles are updated, and verify submission through email confirmation. Technical support is available through the Arizona Community Foundation’s Competitive Grants Management Team.

Proposals are evaluated competitively based on several criteria, including community need, alignment with funding priorities, measurable benefits, sustainability plans, partnerships, clearly stated goals and objectives, and financial responsibility. The foundation's review rubric assigns scores based on these factors. A post-grant evaluation process is required for awarded projects, assessing impact, sustainability, and financial stewardship.

For further inquiries, organizations may contact the Arizona Community Foundation at grants@azfoundation.org or call 602-381-1400.