The Arizona Economic Resource Center (AZERC) aims to enable eligible Arizona cities, towns, counties, tribal communities and nonprofits to win and implement competitive federal, state, municipal or foundation grants.

An initiative of Local First Arizona, the Arizona Economic Resource Center provides the following services free of charge to qualifying entities.

Economic Resource Center Services

Pre-Grant: Project & Budget Development

Clearly scoping your project, including its financing strategy, is a must. Plus, some grant programs require partners in the application, so early on you need to identify fitting organizations to undertake the work with you. We can help get your project grant ready and set up with some of the core elements for grant pursuits.

Grant Pursuit: Funding Research, Grant Writing, Reviewing & Editing

Our funding research saves you time finding grant opportunities fitting to your projects, and our team of grant professionals can help develop your compelling case for funds and fulfill grantors’ various application requirements, including forms and letters of support.

Implementation: Grant Management & Compliance

Grants operate under a variety of rules and regulations, often with strict deadlines and reporting requirements. Our team can assist in outlining a project management process, milestones, and deadlines that can keep your project on track and your organization in compliance with all grant requirements

Qualifying Entities (see details)

Priority given to entities that meet the definition of Rural, which includes federally recognized Indian tribes situated in Arizona 

  • Do not have a dedicated staff for development

  • Are interested in applying for work that supports a regional or local strategic plan 

  • Have a proposed application that includes at least 3 partnering organizations

If you don’t meet these qualifications, check out our resource hub for on-demand tools and learning related to grants. .


New funding opportunities are announced often. Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button to receive regular updates on the latest available funding opportunities.

Economic Resource Center Grants Secured

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Click here to see Infrastructure grant wins.

Examples of grant secured through the Arizona Economic Resource Center include:

  • USDA RISE Grant - $1,232,722.00

  • Visit Arizona Initiative Marketing Grant - $161,850.00

  • Shuttered Venue Operators Grant - $215,000.00

  • Governor's Office ARPA grant - $434,000.00ion

  • USDA Local Food Promotion Program - $673,404.00

  • USDA - $41,400.00

  • Visit Arizona Initiative Outdoor Grant - $250,000.00

  • AHEAD Grant - $50,000.00

  • AZ Humanities Grant - $15,000.00

  • Farmer's Market Promotion Program Grant - $345,405.00

 Our Arizona Economic Resource Center Team

 Questions?

Contact us at azerc@localfirstaz.com to learn more about how to win critical funds to help you achieve your goals.