activities · 5
what they do
direct service · 3
- Class Selection and Cohort Management Youth Civic Leadership TrainingIdentifies and selects new cohorts for Project CENTRL, such as Class 34 with 14 members, through a competitive selection process for individuals connected to rural Arizona.
- Community Rural Council (CRC) Events Indigenous Cultural Wellness EventsOrganizes Community Rural Council (CRC) events focused on community building in rural Arizona towns, such as Bisbee, with planning and implementation led by program alumni and current participants. The next event is tentatively scheduled for October 3rd-4th in Superior.
- Project CENTRL Leadership Development Program Youth Civic Leadership TrainingOperates Project CENTRL, a twelve-month, tuition-free experiential leadership development program for 16 competitively selected individuals connected to rural Arizona. The program includes nine seminars held across Arizona, Washington, D.C., and Sonora, Mexico, and has graduated multiple classes, contributing to a network of over 700 alumni.
capacity building · 2
- Alumni Engagement and Regional ConnectionsEngages over 700 Project CENTRL alumni through the CENTRL Alumni Committee, which organizes at least two Regional Connections events annually across Arizona to sustain leadership networks and community impact.
- Alumni Leadership ImpactSupports alumni who volunteer on nonprofit boards, launch new organizations, serve as subject matter experts, and run for elected office, with four current members serving in the Arizona State Legislature.
strategies · 5
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.
- Alumni engagement and curriculum relevance for sustained impact alumni_engagementThe organization maintains long-term engagement with alumni through Regional Connections events and continuously enhances its curriculum to reflect key rural Arizona economic drivers, ensuring ongoing relevance and network strength.
- Community and political engagement as a mechanism for change community_engagement_and_political_educationParticipants are equipped to engage in political and community processes to drive local change, including through advocacy and "Make a Difference" projects that identify community needs and mobilize action, without requiring elected office.
- Diverse cohort selection to enhance peer learning and community development diversity-focused_participant_selectionThe organization intentionally selects participants across age, gender, industry, culture, and geography to foster rich peer learning and to model inclusive community development, where diverse perspectives contribute to stronger rural leadership and community-industry synergy.
- Leadership development through experiential and structured learning leadership_developmentThe organization builds leadership capacity in rural Arizona by delivering a structured, year-long program that combines monthly seminars on public policy and community development with experiential learning, including local, national, and international tours, to deepen understanding and broaden perspectives.
- Strategic organizational planning for growth strategic_planningThe organization uses a three-year strategic plan to guide its development and ensure sustainable growth.
named programs · 3
what they call their work
Alumni in Action
Program that engages alumni in community service and leadership initiatives post-graduation.
Make a Difference Projects
Initiatives aimed at addressing specific community needs through collaborative projects.
Project CENTRL
Experiential leadership development program designed to equip participants with advocacy skills for rural issues.
relationships · 21
who they work with
- Aravaipa Cafe Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- Bard Water District Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- Burks Environmental Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- CENTRL Alumni Committee Partner — The Alumni Committee helps organize CRC events.
- Cochise College Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- Colorado River Indian Tribes Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- Hualapai Tribe Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- K. R. Saline & Associates, PLC Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Funder — Provided a $1,000,000 gift to support the mission of the organization.
- Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Partner — Based out of Maricopa County Cooperative Extension.
- Maricopa County Farm Bureau Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- Maricopa Water District Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- Pima County Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- Proven Home Realty & Patagonia Meat Co. Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- Regenerative Desert Solutions Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- Ringmaster Consulting Partner — Guided the Center's alumni, board, and staff through a strategic road mapping process in the summer of 2022.
- Salt River Project Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.
- UA Cooperative Extension Partner — Partnered to secure legislative appropriations for the leadership program.
- University of Arizona Funder — Contributes to the program's funding.
- University of Arizona Partner — Operates as a public-private partnership with the University of Arizona.
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Partner — Organization affiliated with a Class 34 member.