Partners for Paiute Receives $200,000 Grant from Ascension Lutheran Church
Major gift will strengthen emergency assistance, family resources, and educational programs as demand for community support continues to rise.
Partners for Paiute has received a $200,000 grant from Ascension Lutheran Church to help Scottsdale families and individuals facing financial hardship. The grant will support emergency financial assistance, English as a Second Language (ESL) programming, and services at the Scottsdale Family Resource Center, located at the Paiute Neighborhood Center.
October 29, 2026 | Ascension Lutheran Church presents a $200,000 grant to Partners for Paiute in support of emergency financial assistance, educational programs, and family resource services benefiting Scottsdale residents in need.
Pictured, left to right: Molly Simpson, Partners for Paiute Board Member; Solange Whitehead, Scottsdale Councilwoman; Raoul Zubia, Partners for Paiute Board Member and Former President; Maryann McAllen, Scottsdale Vice Mayor; Nancy Hurley, Ascension Lutheran Church Grant Committee; Roger Lurie, Partners for Paiute Board President; Kevin Stone, Partners for Paiute Board Vice President; Mary Kolbe, Ascension Lutheran Church Grant Committee; Barry Graham, Scottsdale Councilman; Angie Cooper, Partners for Paiute Board Member; Charles Silver, Partners for Paiute Board Member.
The gift comes as demand for emergency assistance is rising sharply. Between July and September 2026, Partners for Paiute provided approximately $24,000 in emergency aid to 34 Scottsdale households, including 42 adults and 35 children. In many previous years, the organization distributed approximately $25,000 over an entire year.
Behind these numbers are Scottsdale residents whose financial stability can be threatened by a single unexpected setback.
This summer, a family of six, including four children, faced the possibility of losing their housing when reduced seasonal work hours left both parents temporarily short of income. An unexpected vehicle repair added to their financial strain. Partners for Paiute provided $1,900 in emergency rental assistance to help bridge the gap until their regular income resumed.
In another case, a senior couple relying on Social Security and part-time employment struggled to make their mortgage payment after health problems temporarily prevented one spouse from working. Partners for Paiute provided $835 directly to their lender to help address the immediate threat to their housing.
Partners for Paiute follows a structured grant review process designed to prevent homelessness and promote long-term financial stability. City of Scottsdale social workers evaluate applicants against established criteria, document their circumstances, and assess their ability to meet ongoing financial obligations. Each request is then reviewed by the Partners for Paiute board, which makes the final funding decision. Assistance is limited to one grant per recipient within a 12-month period, with payments made directly to landlords, lenders, utility companies, and other service providers.
Beyond emergency assistance, the grant will strengthen programs that help families build long-term stability. The Scottsdale Family Resource Center supports parents, caregivers, and young children through early childhood education, family literacy programs, parenting resources, referrals, and essential supplies such as diapers and formula. Partners for Paiute also supports ESL programming at the Paiute Neighborhood Center, helping residents develop language skills and expand opportunities.
“This extraordinary $200,000 gift from Ascension Lutheran Church means more families in Scottsdale will find support when they need it most, and opportunities to build a more stable future,” said Roger Lurie, president of Partners for Paiute. “Through emergency assistance and Family Resource Center programs and services, this grant addresses immediate hardships while strengthening families’ ability to move forward. We are deeply grateful for the church’s trust in Partners for Paiute and for a legacy of generosity that will touch lives throughout our community.”
Community Connections Create Lasting Impact
The grant grew from a relationship formed through Scottsdale Leadership. Pastor Chris Wurpts of Ascension Lutheran Church and Partners for Paiute board member Angelina “Angie” Cooper participated together in Scottsdale Leadership’s Class 40. During a class visit to the Paiute Neighborhood Center, Pastor Wurpts learned about the nonprofit’s work and subsequently encouraged Cooper to apply for the church’s Legacy Grant program.
Several Partners for Paiute board members are Scottsdale Leadership alumni, including Lurie, reflecting the value of community leadership in connecting organizations and resources to local needs.
Ascension Lutheran Church’s Legacy Grant initiative supports nonprofits serving vulnerable populations, including women and children, people experiencing poverty, and those facing hunger or homelessness.
“Generosity brings us closer to the heart of God,” said Rev. Christopher Wurpts, Co-Pastor of Peace in the Desert Church. “It shapes us. It shaped Ascension Lutheran Church throughout its history, and it will shape Peace in the Desert Church as we take our first steps together as a union congregation.”
The grant reflects Ascension Lutheran Church’s legacy of community giving as it joins with North Scottsdale United Methodist Church to form Peace In The Desert Church.
About Partners for Paiute
Partners for Paiute is a Scottsdale-based, volunteer-led nonprofit that supports individuals and families facing financial hardship. Through its partnership with the Paiute Neighborhood Center, the organization provides funding for emergency assistance, educational programs, and Family Resource Center services that help Scottsdale residents meet immediate needs and build greater stability.
Help Us Continue Supporting Scottsdale Families
The need for emergency assistance and family support continues to grow. Your contribution helps Partners for Paiute respond to these challenges and strengthen our community.
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