RICO Community Grants

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office provides grant funding to non-profit organizations in Maricopa County that: assist victims of criminal racketeering offenses listed in A.R.S. § 13-2301 (D)(4); prevent substance abuse or gang activity in the community; educate the community on substance abuse or gang activity; provide drug abuse treatment, drug and crime prevention education, housing and job skills programs; or provide the training of officers, investigators, prosecutors, and law enforcement support personnel in any area that is necessary to perform official law enforcement duties. The MCAO funds these community programs using funds recovered from criminals or criminal activity under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) by our Asset Recovery Bureau.

For the 2022 Grant Cycle, MCAO awarded community grants to the following seven local non-profit organizations: 

Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation

Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation has been ‘funding fun’ for children in foster care since 1984. Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation creates opportunities to build self-esteem and empower children and youth in foster care by funding services to enrich their life experiences and ensure their successful transition to adulthood.

Child Crisis Arizona

Child Crisis Arizona has been helping our community’s most vulnerable children, youth and families for nearly five decades. In times of crisis, we are there to help. When no crisis threatens, we are there to strengthen families, build resiliency and prevent crisis situations. Child Crisis Arizona’s mission is to provide children and youth in Arizona a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect, by creating strong and successful families. 

Gabriel's Angels

Founded in 2000 by Pam Gaber and Weimaraner, Gabriel’s Angels mission is to inspire confidence, compassion, and best behaviors in at-risk children through pet therapy. Pet Therapy Teams visits children in crisis nurseries, domestic violence and homeless shelters, and title one schools to enhance their emotional and behavioral development by teaching core behaviors – confidence, self-regulation, affiliation, empathy, tolerance, and respect.

ICAN Afterschool Programs & Youth Development

ICAN is a free, family-centered youth service in the East Valley providing a full complement of programs proven effective in equipping youth to achieve personal and academic success by tackling substance abuse, gang involvement, and juvenile delinquency. ICAN goes beyond being just an after-school program for at-risk youth. The program helps youth develop the critical skills needed to be productive and responsible members of the community. 

New Pathways for Youth

In the communities we serve, youth experience poverty and four times the adversity of their peers. Beyond material insecurities, these challenges interrupt a youth's sense of their potential, disconnecting them from what's true: that each of us has immeasurable, inherent value - and the future holds unlimited possibilities. When our youth experience the support and personal development that our program offers, they feel unstoppable – and that spirit extends beyond the self to impact their family, community, and the world around them.

Peer Solutions

Peer Solutions focuses on preventing the root causes of harm through youth-led, community-driven solutions. Their programs deliver a year-round substance abuse and drug prevention workshops at high schools through-out Maricopa County. 

Save the Family Foundation of Arizona

Save the Family Foundation of Arizona offers a variety of programs designed to empower families to conquer homelessness and achieve life-long independence. Early on, Save the Family recognized that families need more than safe housing to conquer homelessness. They also need skills and confidence to lead productive, self-sufficient lives. Save the Family offers an array of programs for adults, youth and children including a comprehensive afterschool and summer program which utilizes a substance abuse and violence prevention curriculum.

We are no longer accepting applications for this grant cycle. Please visit our website next Spring for the 2023 Grant Cycle.