Welcome to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona

The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA) is a non-profit organization under IRS Code 501(c)(3) whose purpose is to assist those people who qualify under Arizona law to obtain financial assistance to further their vocational studies. TRVFA is an organization which meets Arizona’s Credit For Contributions To A Qualifying Charitable Organization requirements. Our QCO Code is 20698.

Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements are identified and recommended to TRVFA by financial aid counselors in vocational education institutions. and/or Rotarians and their clubs.

Mailing Address: TRVFA, P O Box 14412, Scottsdale, AZ 85267

The Essence of Why We Exist

The mission of The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona, Inc. (TRVFA) is to partner with Rotary Clubs to provide assistance to Qualified Candidates in obtaining education, training, and skill development so they may, in turn, attain career oriented employment and financial stability and contribute to their communities.

Our vision is for students go on to become productive citizens in our state. The education they obtain will help them earn a living and raise their families. Because of their increased earning potential they help grow the economy of the state of Arizona.

Check out our video to learn more about us...

Click on the image to view an informational video about The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona.

TRVFA Board Welcomes New Members

At their quarterly meeting Saturday, September 28, the board of directors of The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona elected and welcomed two new Board Members, Susan Fitzgerald (l), from the Peoria Rotary Club, and Lori Dekker (r), from the Prescott Frontier Rotary Club. In stating the reason why she is willing to invest her time, talent, and treasure in TRVFA, Susan stated, "I've seen the joy on the faces of scholarship recipients in the past and I want to make sure that other Rotarians get to experience the same thing. I'm looking forward to speaking with Rotary Clubs and showing them how they can make a difference in the lives of people that really do want to improve themselves." Lori says, "I was so grateful to be asked to be a TRVFA Board Member because I know that education is the gift that truly keeps on giving. It improves the life of the student in so many ways as its benefits seep into the world around them. I'm delighted to be a part of the process."

There is one open position on the Board which needs to be filled by a Rotarian from District 5500.

Information reviewed at the meeting included the number of vocational students already funded for programs with start dates after July 1 of this year. Forty-five students have benefitted from $85,433 in total grant funding. At their July meeting, because there were so many grant applications already in progress, a freeze was put in place by the Board on new applications for programs with start dates prior to January 1, 2020. That freeze remains in place, as does the reduction to $2,000 of the maximum grant amount which was initiated in the summer of 2018. Applications are being accepted for vocational education programs with start dates in the new year.

TRVFA is a Vocational Service opportunity uniquely available to Arizona Rotarians because of the Arizona tax credit opportunity which allows citizens to direct where some of their tax dollars are used. Board members are enthusiastically ready, willing, and able to visit clubs and raise awareness. It is hoped that in doing so, support will increase and expand the capacity of TRVFA to serve more students. If fundraising in the coming months is abundant, the Board might eventually be able to increase the maximum available grant back to $3,000 or more.

Shout Out to Prescott Frontier Rotary Club

They may look like an ordinary club, meeting in a friendly local restaurant, but they are no ordinary Rotary Club. In late July, Prescott-Frontier Rotary Club Membership Chair, Lori Dekker, made an impassioned plea to club members to support The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona. As a former school nurse, she has a large place in her heart for families that suffer from lack of opportunities such as what TRVFA provides. Since then, TRVFA has received a total of $5,255 in total donations from eleven Prescott Frontier Rotary Club members. To put this in perspective, this is a higher percentage of members giving than any club in the state accomplished in the entire 2018-19 fiscal year, and the total is already higher than the 8th largest-giving club in the state last year.

It would be a dream-come-true for the TRVFA board to have a booster like Lori in every Rotary club in Arizona! Way to go Lori and Prescott Frontier Rotary Club!!!

TRVFA Board members are ready, available and enthusiastically looking forward to opportunities to make club presentations this fall. CLICK HERE to arrange for a visit.

TRVFA is a Qualifying Charitable Organization – QCO Code 20698 – in the State of Arizona for tax credit donations. For more information, visit trvfa.org. On-line donations are easily made at donate.trvfa.org.

Grant Recipients Featured at District 5495 Conference

Rotarians attending the District 5495 Conference June 22, 2019 had an opportunity to hear from vocational education grant recipients telling about the profound difference their TRVFA support has made in their lives. CLICK HERE or on the image to watch a video of their presentation.

Sofia Ibarra, seated closest to the podium, was sponsored by the Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary Club to study phlebotomy at East Valley Medical College during the 2016-17 academic year. She was hired immediately after graduating, but has since completed other studies and advanced in her medical profession. She has enjoyed many positive transitions in her personal life as a result of the beginning her TRVFA grant provided for her.

Jocelyn Castillo, seated in the middle was recently sponsored by the Peoria Rotary Club to begin a Surgical Technology program July 12, 2019 at East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa, Arizona. The grant will enable her to enter a career where she will earn a livable wage while she seeks to achieve her real goal of becoming a surgeon.

Cayanne Nelson, seated on the left, was sponsored by the Paradise Valley Rotary Club in March of this year to study phlebotomy at the East Valley Medical College in Mesa. She interned at the VA medical facility, and was so touched by what they have given for all of us, that she plans to continue to volunteer there even though her permanent paid position will be with another employer.

TRVFA Earns GuideStar 2019 Gold Seal

The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona was recently recognized for our transparency with a 2019 Gold Seal on our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile! GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. More than 8 million visitors per year and a network of 200+ partners use GuideStar data to grow support for nonprofits. In order to get the 2019 Gold Seal, TRVFA shared important information with the public using our profile on www.guidestar.org. Now our community members and potential donors can find in-depth information about our goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress. We’re shining a spotlight on the difference we help make in the world. CLICK HERE or on the image to check out our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile.

Sarah sent TRVFA an appreciative update

Hi! My name is Sarah and you all helped me get my Certified Nursing Assistant license and my Patient Care Technician certification. I really appreciate everything you all have done for me.

I got a job as soon as I graduated. I have now been working in the hospital for three and a half years.

I will be going back to school soon to get my RN.

Sarah is a 2014/15 graduate of East Valley Medical College in their Certified Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician program. Gilbert Rotary Club sponsored her TRVFA grant application.

Message from Misha,
a happy TRVFA grant recipient

The Estrella Rotary Club recently received the following note from Misha, whose TRVFA grant was sponsored by their club"

“School has been amazing! I finished my program at the top of my class with a 98% and am currently continuing my studying to take my state RHS certification test! With the help of my teachers, I was able to work with a number of different dentists, shadow an oral maxillofacial surgeon and have an internship lined up to begin on October 2nd! I am so excited to be moving into this next phase of my career, and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of you and your organization’s funding!”

Antonio's Message of Appreciation

I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything. For all your assistance and guidance in applying for and for going through all the steps with me to receive this grant. You've provided me with life changing help that I can never repay. I can now concentrate on my grades and not how I will pay for my schooling.

I will not let you down and you will not regret this help you have provided for me. TRVFA is truly a great program. Once again thank you.