activities · 10
what they do
direct service · 7
- Administer veteran scholarship programs Military and First Responder Family ScholarshipsEstablishes, manages, and maintains scholarship programs for honorably discharged U.S. military veterans residing in Arizona, including Arizona Reserve and National Guard members. Since 2016, expanded to include subprograms for Native American veterans and immediate family members of 100% disabled or killed-in-action (KIA) veterans, such as the Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa Scholarship. Awards up to $5,000 annually to three eligible recipients.
- Administers veteran scholarship programs Military and First Responder Family ScholarshipsEstablishes, manages, and maintains scholarship programs for honorably discharged U.S. military veterans residing in Arizona, including members of the Arizona Reserve and National Guard. Since 2016, expanded to include subprograms for Native American veterans and immediate family members of 100% disabled or killed-in-action (KIA) veterans, such as the Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa Scholarship. Awards up to $5,000 annually to three eligible Arizona residents.
- Hosts Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Veterans Recognition and Awards ProgramsHosts an annual Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to honor distinguished veterans. Conducted in partnership with the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society.
- Present Copper Shield Award to Arizona legislators Veterans Recognition and Awards ProgramsEstablished in 2009, the Copper Shield Award recognizes Arizona State Legislators who have advanced legislation supporting military members and veterans. The award is presented annually at the Patriotic Gala.
- Presents Copper Shield and Copper Star (Bucky O'Neill) awards Veterans Recognition and Awards ProgramsPresents the Copper Shield Award annually to current or former Arizona State Legislators who have advanced legislation supporting military members and veterans; also presents the Copper Star (Bucky O'Neill) Award to recognize public servants and agencies for exemplary service to Arizona veterans and their families. Both awards are presented at events such as the Patriotic Gala.
- Veteran Recognition Awards Veterans Recognition and Awards ProgramsPresents the Copper Shield Award annually to current or former Arizona State Legislators who have advanced legislation supporting military members and veterans. The organization also presents the Copper Star (Bucky O'Neill) award and established the Bucky O'Neill Arizona Veterans Award to recognize public servants and agencies for exemplary service to Arizona veterans and their families.
- Veteran Scholarship Programs Military and First Responder Family ScholarshipsEstablishes, manages, maintains, and operates scholarship programs for honorably discharged U.S. military veterans residing in Arizona, including those from the Arizona Reserve and National Guard. These programs have expanded to include subprograms for Native American veterans and immediate family members of 100% disabled or killed in action (KIA) veterans, such as the Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa Scholarship, awarding scholarships up to $5,000 to eligible individuals.
advocacy · 1
- Present Copper Star (Bucky O'Neill) Award to public servants and agencies Veterans Recognition and Awards ProgramsEstablished the Bucky O'Neill Arizona Veterans Award to recognize public servants and agencies for exemplary service to Arizona veterans and their families. The award is presented alongside the Copper Shield Award.
capacity building · 2
- Partner with Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Veteran Recognition and Community IntegrationCollaborates with the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society to support veterans and veterans service organizations across Arizona through joint initiatives and recognition programs.
- Support for Veterans and Veteran Service Organizations Veteran Recognition and Community IntegrationPartners with the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society to support veterans and veterans service organizations within Arizona.
strategies · 9
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advocacy through Symbolic and Legislative Recognition symbolic advocacyAdvances veteran advocacy by honoring public servants, agencies, and legislative champions through symbolic awards and recognition programs, reinforcing political and institutional support for veterans and military families.
- Arizona-Based Veterans Membership Network membership_networkBuilds a unified advocacy and support ecosystem by restricting membership to veteran organizations and veteran-affiliated groups within Arizona, ensuring localized, coordinated efforts.
- Exclusive Membership Network for Arizona Veteran Organizations membership_networkRestricts membership to veteran and veteran-affiliated organizations within Arizona to strengthen a unified, localized network that amplifies collective advocacy and ensures alignment with state-specific veteran needs.
- Exclusive membership network for Arizona-based veteran organizations membership_networkRestricts organizational membership to veterans and veterans-affiliated groups within Arizona to strengthen localized, coordinated support and ensure alignment with state-specific veteran needs and priorities.
- Merit-Based Scholarships to Support Veteran Advancement merit-based scholarshipsOffers one-time, merit-based scholarships to honorably discharged veterans and their families in Arizona, prioritizing community contribution and service as criteria to promote upward mobility and recognize ongoing commitment beyond military service.
- Merit-based scholarship program for veterans and families merit-based scholarshipsProvides one-time, non-renewable scholarships to honorably discharged veterans and their immediate families in Arizona based on merit, community contribution, and service, reinforcing values of achievement and continued civic engagement.
- Recognition-driven advocacy and service motivation symbolic advocacyUses awards and symbolic recognition to honor military service, incentivize political and public service support for veterans, and advocate on behalf of veterans who cannot self-advocate, thereby motivating continued commitment to veteran welfare across sectors.
- Veteran Recognition and Honor as Advocacy Mechanism veteran_recognition_and_supportUses formal recognition—such as awards, Hall of Fame inductions, and symbolic honors—to elevate veteran contributions, inspire continued service, and advocate for veterans by publicly affirming their value and visibility.
- Veteran Recognition and Support through Awards and Scholarships veteran_recognition_and_supportRecognizes military service and supports veterans by offering awards and merit-based scholarships, which incentivize community contribution and service while providing educational opportunities for honorably discharged veterans and their families in Arizona.
named programs · 5
what they call their work
Copper Shield Award
Recognition award for Arizona State Legislators who have supported or sponsored legislation benefiting military members and their families.
Copper Star (Bucky O'Neill) Award
Honors public servants, agencies, or elected officials outside the state legislature who have made significant contributions to Arizona veterans and their families.
Lori Piestewa Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship honoring Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa, awarded to honorably discharged veterans or immediate family members of KIA or AOT service members residing in Arizona.
Native American Veteran Scholarship
Scholarship for honorably discharged Native American veterans or their immediate family members residing in Arizona or on tribal lands within the state.
Service and Support Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship for honorably discharged U.S. military veterans or immediate family members residing in Arizona, focused on community service and educational commitment.
relationships · 9
who they work with
- Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services Government — State agency providing direct assistance with benefits and entitlements for veterans, dependents, and survivors
- Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Partner — Co-hosts the Patriotic Awards Luncheon event.
- Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Partner — Organizes the Patriotic Awards Luncheon where UAV presents awards and scholarships.
- Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Partner — Partner organization that hosts the annual Patriotic Gala where the Copper Shield Award is presented.
- Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Partner — Partners with UAV in endeavors that complement and serve Arizona military veteran communities and veterans service organizations.
- GCU Partner — Carla Piestewa, a recipient of the Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa Scholarship, attended GCU.
- NAU Partner — Brandon Whiterock, a recipient of the Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa Scholarship, attended NAU.
- Northern Arizona VA Health Care System Partner — Collaborates with Prescott VA Hospital, part of the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System
- Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV) Network — Unified Arizona Veterans Inc is a member of the UAV network, which includes various veterans' service organizations that participate in monthly information-sharing meetings.