Arizona Lottery Awards $100,000 to Free Arts for Arizona to Support Trauma-Informed Arts Programming for Arizona Youth

PHOENIX (October 16, 2025) – Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is proud to announce it has received a $100,000 grant from the Arizona Lottery. This generous funding will support Free Arts’ mission of transforming children’s trauma into resilience through the arts by providing 600 meaningful interactions between youth participants and trained volunteer mentors or performing artists.

“The Arizona Lottery is honored to support organizations like Free Arts that are creating real and lasting change for children in our state,” said Alec Thomson, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. “Programs like these not only help young people heal and build confidence, they strengthen the very fabric of our communities. When you play, Arizona truly wins.”

The Arizona Lottery is proud to support programs and organizations that strengthen the health and well-being of communities statewide. The Lottery funds initiatives that provide critical services in higher education, economic development, environmental conservation, and health and human services. This includes investments in organizations that uplift vulnerable Arizonans, helping them heal, grow, and thrive.

Free Arts engages children, teens, and young adults aged 3–24 who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness—most of whom are living in out-of-home care such as group homes, treatment facilities, shelters, or with foster and kinship families. The organization partners with 40 social service agencies across 120 sites throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, and Tucson, to reach young people facing some of life’s greatest challenges.

At the core of Free Arts' work is its Art + Mentors = Resilience model, a research-based approach that combines intentional arts programming with the support of caring adult mentors. This model builds protective factors like self-expression, emotional regulation, and trust in others—foundational elements for long-term wellbeing and resilience.

“The trauma these young people face often leaves deep emotional scars,” said Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts. “With this grant from the Arizona Lottery, we can deepen our impact and provide safe, healing spaces where children connect, create, and begin to reclaim their stories through art and consistent support from trusted adults.”

The $100,000 grant will fund four of Free Arts’ core programs:

• Performing Artist Series

• Weekly Mentor Program

• Free Art Days

• Camps

  
  

These programs are designed to build resilience by providing recurring, safe, and creative experiences with trauma-informed mentors and artists. Each funded interaction will last between 1–3 hours and take place over several weeks to support ongoing trust and connection.

Recent program data underscores the effectiveness of Free Arts’ work:

• 85.87% of youth reported improved well-being

• 89.91% gained new coping skills

• 87.6% reported having more trusted adults who care about them

• 88.1% felt an increased sense of safety

  
  

With nearly 9,200 young people currently in the Arizona foster care system, the need for trauma-informed, resilience-building programming has never been greater.

The Arizona Lottery continues to play a pivotal role in uplifting vulnerable populations across the state. This investment in Free Arts for Arizona reflects a shared commitment to improving the lives of children and families in crisis. For more information on Arizona Lottery Gives Back initiatives, visit ArizonaLottery.com/GivesBack.

About Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona 

Founded in 1993, Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a non-profit organization that transforms children’s trauma to resilience through the arts. Free Arts programs include creative elements that promote safety, self-expression, and a sense of belonging. Free Arts programs are delivered by 900 volunteer mentors and artists who serve more than 7,000 children annually through partnerships with 43 social service child welfare agencies at 120+ sites across Maricopa County. For more information on Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona and its programs, please visit www.freeartsaz.org.