Rio Verde Community Foundation Annual Reports
The Rio Verde Community Foundation was granted 501 (c) (3) status on March 6, 2018.
FOUNDATION PURPOSE: The primary business and purpose of the RVCF is to raise funds for charitable projects that provide benefits and opportunities for Rio Verde.
FOUNDATION VISION: The Foundation facilitates, with other Rio Verde organizations, the promotion of educational, cultural and health-related activities to enhance life in Rio Verde through charitable donations.
2025 ANNUAL REPORT (in progress):
Curtis Mayse Joins RVCF Board of Directors: At the board meeting held March 12, 2025 Curtis Mayse was elected to the Rio Verde Community Foundation Board of Directors effective immediately. Curt is welcomed by the existing board members and brings business and strategic experience to the Foundation as well as operational wisdom.
2025 Sojourner Fundraiser – The women of Rio Verde annually hold a Spring fundraiser for Sojourner Center of Phoenix, AZ, whose purpose is “Overcoming the impact of domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking, one life at a time”. The Rio Verde women raise funds from residents of Rio Verde through a charity golf event, hold a silent auction and make a grant request of the Rio Verde Community Foundation. The Foundation Board unanimously approved this grant. Rio Verde Community Foundation Board members are shown below delivering a check to Sojourner Center representatives. http://www.SojournerCenter.org.
Foundation Board members shown above from left to right are Laura Buckley, Tricia Wolber, Peg Zarlengo, Kirsten Sundahl and Barbara Baker presenting the check.
The 2025 year began with news of the passing of our good friend Hugo Lisea to kidney cancer. Hugo was an ever cheerful server with a warm smile around the clubhouse at Rio Verde. Members of the community requested a way to help Hugo’s family so the Foundation received funds for the education of Hugo’s family. A celebration of life for the community was held in the Sonoran Room February 15, 2025, where President Dave Ness delivered a substantial check to the family. Hugo made a significant impact on the community.
Below is the 2024 Annual Report: The Rio Verde Community Foundation implemented an updated Strategic Plan adding clarity to where and how donor funds will be used. This criteria was developed:
- Projects have a long-term impact
- Benefit the most residents
- Funding focused on filling gaps different from other organizations
- Projects that comply with Foundation’s 501 (c) (3) regulations
- Foundation will be guided by the Vision, Values and Culture Statement adopted in 2023 by both the Rio Verde Community Association and the Club.
President Dave Ness
In the coming year the Foundation is committed to working closely with other Rio Verde organizations to learn the needs and opportunities where the RVCF can help.
The annual Foundation Fundraiser held in November, 2024, was a great success raising $48,800 from strong donor support. Scholarships is the Foundations flagship program and granted four scholarships in 2024, with two of the recipients speaking at the Fundraiser. As Maya Pelle, mother of recipient Nolan Wriston wrote, “Thank you so much for your generous help with Nolan’s school costs. We will keep you posted on his progress as he works to become a nurse, a profession that truly suits his kind heart and gentle nature. He will make you proud.” Nolan sent in a heartfelt video from Tucson, AZ, where he is focused on his school and work schedule.
(Click to Play) Video of Scholarship Recipient Nolan Wriston
A new program undertaken by the Foundation in 2024 was to co-sponsor OLLI, the Osher Life Long Learning Institute in partnership with the Rio Verde Community Foundation. This enables Rio Verde residents to become OLLI members and have free access to live and online classes at ASU, Arizona State University. This funding expands residents’ passion for life long learning.
Two exceptional residents were invited to join the Foundation Board – Janet McCone joined in January 2024 and Laura Buckley will begin her term in January 2025.
Below is the Annual Report from 2023.
2023 Scholarship Recipients Cian Brannan. Parents Howard & Eileen of Ben Danko.
Contributions to RVCF in 2023 totaled $43,641. In addition to the annual granting of Scholarships, the Foundation funded for the Rio Verde 50th Anniversary video and the Rio Verde 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book.
The Foundation was also able to accept monies which contributed to the launch of Honey & Sol in January 2024. Honey & Sol has become a great gathering place and a significant contribution to the Community. Thanks to Chuck & Liz Mooty for this terrific addition to Rio Verde.
Work was completed in 2024 on an updated Strategic Plan for the Foundation which identified beneficial roles and opportunities for the Foundation. A nominating committee replaced three strong board members who retired after many years of service, replacing retired President Jack Arnold, Greg Harvey and Vice President & Treasurer Wimp Lister. Contributions of these board members cannot be overstated. Early in 2023, Dave Ness joined the board, with Barbara Baker and Janet McCone becoming integral board members in 2024.
For more information on the Foundation and its vision, please contact Dave Ness, President, at baylakee@gmail.com.
2024 Board of Directors
Dave Ness, Barbara Baker, Peg Zarlengo, Tricia Wolber, Terry Cummings, Scott Mosby, Janet McCone
Rio Verde Community Foundation 