Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is leading the way as the first corporate donor to support the implementation of the Prosperity Initiative, a local effort aimed at reducing generational poverty and advancing economic mobility.
TEP committed $100,000 to the Community Coalition for Prosperity (CC4P), working in partnership with the City of Tucson and Pima County.
The Prosperity Initiative is a community-wide, evidence-based policy framework adopted by the city and county to reduce generational poverty and improve economic stability through policies and community collaboration throughout our region. The CC4P brings together government, business, community organizations, researchers, funders and others to address issues collaboratively.
“We need every sector of our community: public, private, nonprofit and academic to lock arms and support the implementation of the policies in the Prosperity Initiative,” said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. “Disrupting the cycle of generational poverty by investing in economic mobility and growing our local economy benefits us all.”
Before TEP pledged its support, donations had come solely from individuals and family foundations.
“Corporate partnerships are one of the most reliable and influential funding streams for nonprofit organizations today,” said Jennie Grabel, Project Director for the Community Coalition for Prosperity. “When companies support nonprofit groups, they’re investing in the strength of the communities they serve, along with the long-term health of their business, workforce, and customers.”
TEP’s donation will help the coalition bring together local leadership across nongovernmental sectors to intentionally align with the evidence-based interventions outlined in the Prosperity Initiative. These are in the areas of housing, health, education and workforce through the CC4P’s three pillars of alignment, implementation, and advocacy.
“At Tucson Electric Power, our focus on community vitality is designed to break cycles of generational poverty and increase wealth in our community. By supporting our neighbors, we’re helping to create pathways to opportunity and a stronger, healthier community for everyone,” said Steven Eddy, Director of Public Affairs for TEP.
Twenty nonprofits will each receive $2,500 stipends from the TEP donation to support their work on the initiative.
In early June, CC4P will held a kickoff breakfast at TEP’s downtown headquarters to bring together representatives from local nonprofit organizations to learn more about the initiative, the stipend process and a self-assessment to determine how their work may align with the initiative’s focus areas.
Launching in August 2026, organizations receiving a stipend will form the GROW Alignment Cohort to go through a structured, year-long process to build shared goals and collaboration on the work in the four policy areas.
TEP’s donation will also efforts to build awareness and impact through the coalition across community sectors. The donation will be paid for through corporate resources, not customer rates.
CC4P’s work corresponds with TEP’s focus on community vitality and addressing affordability in our community. Learn more here: www.cc4ptucson.org
