Fiesta Sports Foundation Launches Circle of Champions

For more than a decade, Fiesta Sports Foundation and Phoenix Children’s have worked together to support Arizona children and families. Now, that partnership is expanding into a new year-round initiative. Fiesta Sports Foundation has launched Circle of Champions, a new enterprise-level partnership platform created for organizations that share the foundation’s commitment to strengthening Arizona communities. Phoenix Children’s joins as the inaugural Founding Partner and the Foundation’s official Youth Health and Wellness Partner.

Unlike a traditional sponsorship, Circle of Champions partnerships are designed to connect organizations with Fiesta Sports Foundation throughout the year. Each partnership is anchored by the naming rights of a signature event or program and extends into at least two additional initiatives, programs or hospitality experiences through customized activations. For Phoenix Children’s and Fiesta Sports Foundation, the expanded partnership builds on a relationship that began in 2011. Since then, the organizations have contributed nearly $1 million in financial support toward pediatric emergency and trauma care, inclusive play and innovative patient experiences.

The partnership has also included more than 11 years of Give-A-Thon support, hospital visits, participation in the Fiesta Bowl Parade and other community efforts benefiting Arizona children and families.

“Circle of Champions is our premium partnership platform for organizations that want to connect their business, their people and their purpose to Arizona and to the Fiesta Sports Foundation in a deeper and more meaningful way than a simple sponsorship. Our approach with partners in this program is ‘what can we accomplish together’ rather than ‘what assets do you want to buy,’” said Erik Moses, Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director and CEO. “We often talk about the power of teamwork in sports, and to achieve big goals, you need committed teammates. Phoenix Children’s plays a pivotal role in Arizona and their addition to our community engagement platform will allow both organizations to achieve even greater success together.”

As the Circle of Champions Founding Partner, Phoenix Children’s will be integrated across a range of Fiesta Sports Foundation initiatives throughout the year. Those efforts include the Foundation’s AED Assistance Program and Wellness Forum, Wishes for Teachers, youth football and flag football, patient and family experiences and community engagement efforts across Arizona. The naming rights for Phoenix Children’s signature event are expected to be announced this fall.

The partnership gives the two organizations opportunities to connect with Arizona children and families in different settings, from sports and schools to hospitals and community programs.

“At Phoenix Children’s, we have a bold vision to improve the health of a generation,” said John R. Nickens IV, President and CEO of Phoenix Children’s. “Partnering with Fiesta Sports Foundation helps us reach even more children and families where they learn, play and grow. By working together to support the health and well-being of Arizona’s kids, we can help them build a healthy future.”

The Circle of Champions program reflects Fiesta Sports Foundation’s broader evolution as an organization whose community work continues throughout the year, rather than being limited to a single sports season or event.

The Foundation plans to identify prospective partners that are interested in shared purpose, year-round participation and measurable outcomes. Because Circle of Champions partners will participate across multiple areas of the Foundation’s portfolio, the program is designed to create more frequent and sustained engagement between partners and the communities they serve. For more behind this Frontdoor, visit fiestasportsfoundation.org.