Bernard J. Johnsen
Praesidium Law, PLLC
INVOLVED WITH: State Forty Eight Foundation
"I appreciate and understand the courage and dedication that it takes to start a business, but most importantly, I know that it can be terrifying. The education and support that the State Forty Eight Foundation provides is invaluable to entrepreneurs."
Myranda
Owner, Myranda Fine Jewelry
INVOLVED WITH: Chandler Service Club
"I am a member of the Chandler Service Club because it’s very simple: we feed children in our community. We also clothe children in our community and that personally touches me because I grew up and I did not have the means sometimes for even food, so this is my way of giving back for something that I’m passionate about."
Denise McCreery
Owner, d'Vine Gourmet and Boutique on Boston
dVineGourmet.com, BoutiqueOnBoston.com
INVOLVED WITH: Operation Thrive
“As a family of veterans ourselves, we love and respect what Lashay Markscis doing with Operation Thrive Vets! Serving those who defended our country right here in our community ... how could we not want to support that?”
CarolAnn Tutera
Principal, Tutera Medical® & SottoPelle®
TuteraMedical, SottopelleTherapy.com
INVOLVED WITH: Dream Works
“I am involved in a women’s group called Creative Women of Pinnacle Peak. I joined this group to meet other women who support charities in town. My main reason is to help raise money for Where Hope Lives.”
Mindy Jones
Amy Jones Real Estate Group & Founder, Community On Purpose
FOUNDED: Community on Purpose
“I founded Community on Purpose to create an accessible platform for volunteering and supporting local organizations while amplifying the work of Valley nonprofits. After building a real estate business focused on service, I wanted to foster leadership, philanthropy, and connection in others.”
Dr. Radi Rahiminejad
President/CEO of BackFit Health + Spine
FOUNDED: BackFit Cares
"BackFit Cares is a foundation started by myself and my sister, Dr Yasmin Rahimi, shortly after our mother passed. As the CFO for BackFit for close to two decades, our mom encouraged us on a regular basis to give back to the community in any way we can. She was the driving force that pushed us begin the process of creating our foundation and after her loss we wanted to make sure we followed through with it. We know she is smiling down at us and proud of the impact BackFit Cares has made in the health of many kids in our Valley."
State Forty Eight Foundation
Founded in 2020 by state-centric lifestyle and apparel brand, State Forty Eight, the State Forty Eight Foundation was created to champion entrepreneurs in Arizona.
The 501(c)(3) foundation empowers Arizona entrepreneurs and small businesses by offering supportive programming, access to grant funding, and a thriving community network.
Its programs include Beyond Business Events, which are free, bi-monthly gatherings that allow Arizona business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to connect, network, and build community—as well as the Entrepreneur Speaker Series, a free, four-part event that takes place weekly every August. Each week, the series tackles a topic or theme that is central to the entrepreneurial journey.
Also, through its Entrepreneur Grants Program, State Forty Eight Foundation awards grant funding to small business owners across the state. By the end of 2024, more than $137,000 will have been awarded to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Chandler Service Club
Chandler Service Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all volunteer women’s organization that was founded in 1933. Over the past nine-plus decades, members have focused on community service and responding to the fulfilling the many basic human needs within the Chandler community.
The nonprofit helps people of all ages and backgrounds, addressing problems associated with poverty, hunger, low self-esteem, and academic achievement.
One of the many ways the Chandler Service Club serves the community is through the Weekenders Food Program, which provides over 700 bags of “kid-friendly food” every weekend to children in need throughout the Chandler Unified School District. Also, thanks to its Warm Feet Warm Hearts Program, thousands of shoes and jackets have been given to children in Chandler over the last 27 years. Chandler Service Club also offers scholarships through its community scholarship programs.
Operation Thrive
Operation Thrive aims to support veterans and others through a variety of wellness and community-building services that are designed to improve physical and mental well-being.
The Chandler-based charity, which was founded in 2024, offers a number of programs, including cold plunge sessions in the spring and fall that allow participants to take part in cold water immersion therapy.
Operation Thrive also offers yoga sessions that focus on flexibility, strength, and mindfulness; monthly organized hikes that provide participants with the opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy physical activity in a group setting; and ruck walks, which are designed to help build endurance, mental toughness, and can foster a sense of shared purposed among participants.
Finally, Coffee with a Vet allows veterans and community members to gather and connect in a casual setting. All of these activities are designed to foster resilience, connection, and well-being for participants.
Where Hope Lives
Where Hope Lives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to offering shelter, recovery services, and educational opportunities tailored specifically for teenage and young adult survivors of human trafficking.
Founded by Dream City Church in 2005, the center has become the cornerstone for the largest recovery operation for human trafficking survivors worldwide. Since its inception, Where Hope Lives has rescued and restored the lives of over 3,381 children and 2,707 young adults from situations.
The organization is recognized for its exceptional standard of care, utilizing evidence-based practices that prioritize the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of each survivor.
Their holistic healing model includes therapy, education, vocational training, and spiritual mentorship, empowering survivors to rebuild their lives after their experiences. Additionally, 100% of financial donations go directly to supporting their programs.
To request a presentation or create a fundraiser, contact JoAnna Shipe, corporate initiatives director at jshipe@phxdreamcenter.org.
Community on Purpose
Community on Purpose is a nonprofit organization that serves youth and families throughout the Valley.
The 501(c)(3), which was founded in 2022, focuses on three goals: serving youth and families, supporting women in leadership and business, and direct giving as needs are uncovered by the community.
Since its inception, Community on Purpose has helped more than a dozen organizations with their fundraising efforts and completed large and small volunteer projects. These have included the makeover of the teen center at ICAN, the renovation of the shop closet at House of Refuge, and two Love Local events with Cabi Clothing where volunteers clothed and pampered local women from organizations like Clothes Cabin and Positive Paths.
More recently, the organization partnered with the local real estate community to renovate the Azcend campus in Chandler—75 volunteers applied a fresh coat of paint to many of the outdoor areas.
BackFit Cares Foundation
The BackFit Cares Foundation works to improve the lives of underprivileged children by offering natural options for physical and mental health and wellness, as well as alternatives to medication.
The foundation, which was established in 2022, focuses on raising funds which are used to implement holistic and alternative health options to children that live in underserved communities around the Valley.
The chiropractors, physical therapists, and holistic health professionals who are part of the foundation see firsthand how mental and physical health are intertwined, and how natural and holistic care changes the lives of their patients.
Since its inception, BackFit Cares Foundation has aligned with like-minded holistic healthcare specialists to provide information and workshops on important topics like mindfulness, nutrition, acupuncture, meditation exercise, and more.
The foundation’s biggest fundraiser is its BackFit Cares Golf Classic, which is typically held the first week of May.