Thunderbirds Charities Grants $50,000 to the MVP Foundation for their Annual Leadership Academy

PHOENIX (June 9th, 2025) – The MVP Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at making a difference in the lives of under-served middle school boys, has been awarded a generous $50,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to help fund its Spring 2026 Leadership Academy.

“We are extremely grateful to be awarded this grant and are so appreciative of our partnership with Thunderbirds Charities,” said Mike Olson, President of the MVP Foundation. “This grant will allow us to add an additional 100 boys to our Leadership Academy next spring.”

The grant from Thunderbirds Charities will not only fund the young men’s weekend at the academy but will also act as a stepping-stone, impacting their futures. Many boys will subsequently participate in the Be a Leader Foundation program, a partner of the MVP Foundation for over a decade, which promotes continued education and creates a pathway to college or trade school.

The MVP Foundation offers two academy options during the year. The three-day Leadership Academy, March 20th-22nd, 2026, offers over 300 inner-city boys from low-income neighborhoods the opportunity to immerse themselves in educational activities and utilize resources that lead to productive behaviors and positive decisions as they continue to grow into young adults. The academy, which is held at Lost Canyon in Williams, AZ., focuses on leadership principles, character development, and building self-confidence. The boys take part in interactive workshops with National leadership speakers and professional athletes, as well as participate in team-building activities while being mentored by adult volunteers. The MVP Foundation also does an annual one-day intensive Academy in Phoenix. The one-day Academy will take place on November 2nd at the Kroc Center in downtown Phoenix.

Tom Higginbotham, MVP Treasurer, states, “This organization is worthwhile, and the message that these young men get at our academies makes a difference. Therefore, our board gives back with donations and time. It is amazing to see the impact the academy has on their lives.”

To be eligible, each boy must follow the MVP Code of Conduct, which can be found on the MVP website. https://www.themvpfoundation.org/about If a parent, guardian, administrator, or teacher believes that the student has adhered to the code, they are approved to attend the Leadership Academy at no cost.

“Thunderbirds Charities is honored to support the work of the MVP Foundation and its mission. The MVP Leadership Academy continues to make a powerful impact on the lives of so many at-risk, middle school boys,” said Matt Mooney, President of Thunderbirds Charities. Every dollar from Thunderbirds Charities will go directly to funding the boy’s experience at the academy.

About the MVP Foundation

The MVP Foundation was established in 2011 by a group of Phoenix business leaders who were concerned by the lack of positive role models provided to inner- city 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade boys. MVP’s goal is to instill the foundations of leadership in these young men and expose them to new educational opportunities. Since its inception, began, the MVP Foundation has had more than 3000 students attend the Academy.

About Thunderbirds Charities

Thunderbirds Charities is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to distribute monies raised through the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to support organizations that assist children and families, help people in need, and improve the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.