Arts & Culture Grants (ACF of Sedona)

Arts & Culture Grants (ACF of Sedona) is sponsored by Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona. The Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona aims to develop a legacy of giving in their communities to enhance the quality of life in Sedona and the Verde Valley, which includes support for arts and culture.

Give Locally to Sedona and the Verde Valley Since 1991, the Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona has supported local donors, community members, nonprofits, and students with the passion and expertise that drive effective, long-lasting impact. Serving Sedona & the Verde Valley This regional office focuses on mobilizing enduring philanthropy for those in Sedona and the Verde Valley.

We are staffed with people who reside in and are passionate for these communities. With back-office support from our central office, ACF of Sedona can focus on community building and local donor development. Support communities throughout Sedona and the Verde Valley with a gift to one of our local funds.

ACF of Sedona hosted the 25th annual Spirit of Philanthropy Awards, bringing together dedicated donors, hardworking volunteers, and resilient nonprofit partners to honor the generosity that defines the Verde Valley. We are thrilled to announce Chelsea Buck-Leilich's promotion as ACF of Sedona's Regional Director.

On April 22, 2026, we honored those who help make Sedona and the Verde Valley more compassionate, connected, and thriving places to live. Credit: Andrew Dean Studios. One of the best ways to invest locally is to start a charitable fund.

You can get started in as little as one meeting with Regional Director Chelsea Buck-Leilich. One of the best ways to invest locally is to start a charitable fund. You can get started in as little as one meeting with Regional Director Chelsea Buck-Leilich.

Nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, and tribal entities serving Sedona and the Verde Valley must submit applications for the ACF of Sedona Annual Grant Cycle by August 21. ACF will host free virtual Grant Application Workshops to equip organizations serving Sedona and the Verde Valley with the knowledge and tools to submit successful applications.

More information on eligibility requirements, timelines, and elements of an effective application are in our grant guidelines. Dancing Into Sedona's Future Sedona Ballet embodies a powerful commitment to bringing world-class performing arts to northern Arizona.

Under the leadership of Chairman Winifred Muench, whose executive background in healthcare, business development, and finance has helped strengthen long-term sustainability, the nonprofit continues to elevate access to high-quality, live performances in Sedona.

In June 2025, the inaugural Sedona Choreography Retreat, a groundbreaking collaboration between Sedona Ballet and Ballet Arizona, was made possible through an Arizona Community Foundation grant. The retreat positioned Sedona as a national destination for dance innovation, while also inspiring local pride, stimulating tourism, and strengthening the city’s cultural economy.

ACF’s support did not just fund a program, it planted the seeds for an annual tradition that will continue to elevate Sedona’s identity on the global arts stage. The retreat brought nationally recognized choreographers, composers, dancers, and dramatists into the community for 10 days of creation, dialogue, and exchange.

Local students and community members were engaged through open rehearsals, free masterclasses, and conversation-focused events. Looking ahead, Sedona Ballet is expanding its vision with initiatives such as the Reflections Festival, founded with Christel Veraart.

The festival celebrates both performing and visual arts, uniting master teachers, professional performers, and emerging artists to explore contemporary life through global culture and universal wisdom. Winifred hopes the effort “plants the seeds for an annual tradition that becomes the hallmark of our cultural life for the next 30 to 100 years. ” ACF’s partnership underscores how philanthropy sustains this work.

By investing in Sedona Ballet, donors are helping preserve a vibrant cultural identity while ensuring that the arts remain a cornerstone of civic pride, economic strength, and community life in Sedona. When you bring the very best talent into this incredible landscape, you inspire young people to see the art of the possible. Grants are available year-round for nonprofits serving Sedona and the Verde Valley.

ACF of Sedona is guided by local community members who enhance our work.