261657951 · AZ ↑ parent cluster ·
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LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA FOUNDATION

AZ · EIN 261657951 · $14.5M rev · operational · infrastructure · localfirstazfoundation.org
profile

Local First Arizona Foundation supports local entrepreneurs and small businesses across Arizona through business development programs, resource access, and community engagement initiatives. It operates incubators for food-based startups, promotes local economic development, and connects consumers with local businesses through directories and events. The organization focuses on inclusive economic growth in urban, rural, and Tribal communities statewide.

activities · 6

what they do

direct service · 1
  • Connects consumers with local Arizona food producers
    Operates a digital platform that helps consumers discover, buy, and support local food across Arizona, including a local food directory, stories, and resources that celebrate the state’s food community.
advocacy · 1
  • Advocates for entrepreneurship as key to Arizona's economy
    Positions entrepreneurship as central to building a lasting and resilient Arizona economy through advocacy efforts that elevate the role of local businesses in regional development.
capacity building · 4
  • Operates a commercial kitchen program for food entrepreneurs Culinary Training and Food Entrepreneurship Programs
    Runs a two-year Community Kitchen program that provides food entrepreneurs with access to licensed commercial kitchen facilities, enabling them to legally produce and scale their food products.
  • Promotes rural Arizona destinations Historic Route & Cultural Heritage Interpretation
    Provides information about rural Arizona destinations, including details on activities, accommodations, and cultural and historic sites, to support local economies through visitation and engagement.
  • Provides business incubation and training for food entrepreneurs
    Offers a six-week Good Food Boot Camp and longer-term incubator programs that provide expert support, best practices, and business consulting to help new food entrepreneurs scale from ideation to market. Participants receive quarterly goal-setting meetings with business consultants.
  • Supports inclusive economic development across Arizona Local Food System Development
    Drives inclusive community and economic development in Arizona by delivering resources to rural, Tribal, suburban, and urban communities to expand economic opportunity. This includes targeted support for local entrepreneurs and food producers.
strategies · 3

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.

named programs · 5

what they call their work

Community Kitchen program
Two-year incubation program providing access to commercial kitchen facilities and permitting support for food-based businesses
Devour Culinary Classic
Annual culinary event celebrating Arizona’s local food culture and honoring outstanding food entrepreneurs
Explore #RuralAZ
Initiative to promote and support businesses in rural Arizona communities through visibility and resource access
Good Food Boot Camp
Six-week program designed to help food entrepreneurs scale their business from ideation to marketplace
Local Learning Lab
On-demand business resources and consulting for entrepreneurs, including marketing, financial planning, and operational scaling
relationships · 3

who they work with

  • Good Food Finder AZ Partner — Co-branded program delivery and referral pathway for food entrepreneurship resources.
  • Local First Partner — Collaborates with Local First on boot camps and incubators for food entrepreneurs and farmers.
  • Local First Arizona Coalition — Operates the Business Coalition for members to join and support local businesses.