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

Our Mission, Vision and Motto

Our mission is to ensure a revenue stream which will continuously fund vocational education grants requested by struggling Arizona residents who demonstrate the desire and will to enable themselves to thrive.

Together, we create lasting change by allowing individuals to

lift themselves out of poverty and contribute to their communities.

HELPING OTHERS HELP THEMSELVES

Congratulations in order for TRVFA Secretary, Marc Snow!

Marc Snow, past president of the Rotary Club of Oro Valley, is the District 5500 selection to serve as District Governor in 2023-24. He has been a Rotarian for more than 11 years. He currently serves as an assistant governor. Marc also serves as the board secretary on the Rotary Vocational Fund of AZ ( TRVFA ) and is a board member of Healing Arizona Veterans.

Marc had a 32-year career at Hughes Aircraft and Raytheon Companies spanning Subcontract Manager, Contracts Negotiator, Program Manager, Functional Organization Manager, as well as a Mergers and Acquisitions Director.

Everyone Needs a Hand Up Occasionally

Brandon Montoya, the Past President of Prescott Frontier Rotary Club recently shared this personal story with his fellow club members. We have his permission to share it with others.

I wanted to share with you something about my journey as a Rotarian and as a person. Like many people, I grew up humble, which is a polite way of saying poor. Before the age of fourteen, my family had experienced housing insecurity on an ongoing basis for years at a time. That's a polite way of saying that we were homeless a lot before I was fourteen. I had also experienced food insecurity too. Again, that's a polite way of saying that I went to bed hungry a lot. There were a lot of complicated reasons for these experiences and I know that my story is similar to many others. The point in sharing these personal details with you is to let you know that I had a hard starting point as a young adult.

If I told that fourteen-year-old boy that he would one day be running a successful investment firm, have a beautiful family, and a beautiful home. He would ask one question: how?

The answer is that I got a lot of help along the way. That's not to say that I didn't work hard and struggle, I certainly did. However, along the way various people, often strangers, looked at me and said, "I'm going to take a chance on you and I am going to invest in your future." One of those people was a boss who made me a manager before I was old enough to really know what I was doing. One of those people was a family member who believed in the idea I had for starting a business. There are countless people who contributed to my success and I am grateful.

I can think of no better way to honor their belief in me than to further that belief into others. People who are living on the edge but working hard to improve their lot in life in much the same way that I did. What's great is that Rotary makes that not only possible but easy. The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona has done the leg work, they have found people that need our help and just need a little push over the line to make a difference. I got plenty of those along the way, let me tell you. That's why today my wife and I donated $200 to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona, I'd ask that if you can afford to, that you join me. They need our help now more than ever.

You can donate by clicking here.

Thanks for your consideration,

Brandon Montoya

Think About Making Your Donation to TRVFA Automatic

Something that repeats automatically without our having to be reminded makes our complicated lives much easier. That option is available to you as a supporter of The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona when you donate online. Many of our donors are familiar with "Rotary Direct". You might want to think of this as "TRVFA Direct." It seems to be one of our best-kept secrets, so we are sharing it with our past donors so you can take advantage of the opportunity to donate in this manner. Please let others know about it as well. The following is an image from our on-line donation form where you can see that recurring donations are an option. There is a drop-down menu where you can choose the frequency - monthly, quarterly, or annually. You do have to intentionally move the filled button from the "one-time" to the "recurring" donation choice. If you CLICK HERE or on the image, you will be taken to the form itself.

Listen to Podcast to Learn About TRVFA

TRVFA Board Member Diane Ventura-Goodyear is also serving as District Governor of Rotary District 5500 from July 2020 through June, 2021. In her role as District Governor, Diane has become very aware that there is a lack of knowledge about The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona as well as some incorrect information that many she comes in contact with believe to be true.

In August of 2020, Diane interviewed Jeanie Morgan, who had recently accepted the role of President of the TRVFA board and created a podcast which she hopes many will listen to and will share what they learn with others.

CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast - it will take about twenty minutes of your time - time Diane believes will be well-invested.

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.

Holly Shares Her Appreciation

Even though I had already received a Pell grant to help pay for the welding program, my financial advisor at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) recommended I also apply to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona for more aid. I did so as I was trying to be responsible and make sure my finances would not get in the way of being able to complete the 10-month welding program at EVIT, and turning my life around for the better. After interviewing me, the Mesa Rotary Club agreed to be my sponsoring club so I could be approved for the TRVFA grant which was funded late last summer.

"I just wanted to reach out to let you all know that Welding School at EVIT is going great. I really enjoy what I'm doing there. It's fun and trade school was a great decision. Thanks again for all of the help"

CLICK HERE to see a video of Holly cutting steel with a blow torch.