These are some of our favorite Grand Canyon Organizations We Support Each Year
Below are some Grand Canyon-related organizations that AzRA supports each and every year. We invite our employees and guests from that season to donate to any of these organizations below, and AzRA matches that organization up to a certain amount. It’s our way of allowing our guests and staff to make a bigger impact in the organizations we all care deeply about. Philanthropy is a huge cornerstone of who we are, and it’s important to us to advocate for that in our employees and guests to steward Grand Canyon for years to come. We invite you to take a look at each organization this giving season! Click on the titles of each organization to go to their website to donate to them.
Grand Canyon Youth
Grand Canyon Youth is an amazing organization that gets youth in the outdoors. They provide youth ages 11-19 from diverse backgrounds experiential educational adventures on rivers in the Southwest, promoting environmental awareness, community involvement, personal growth and teamwork. In 1998, AzRA guides Jon Hirsh and Martha Clark became two of the original founders because of concern that younger generations were not getting the opportunity to experience the Canyon. In 2004, back when AzRA used to also run the San Juan, AzRA’s former owner, Rob Elliott, gifted a portion of our San Juan River permit to GCY, expanding river access and program capabilities beyond the Colorado River. AzRA and Grand Canyon Expeditions partner with Grand Canyon Youth to run a trip each July for Indigenous Youth from all over the Southwest.
Grand Canyon Trust
Grand Canyon Trust is the most influential conservation group in Grand Canyon. The Trust works on land, water, energy and Native American issues across the Colorado Plateau. Most recently, Grand Canyon Trust has been involved in projects opposing new Grand Canyon dam sites in the Little Colorado drainage, raising awareness to Indigenous Tribes that live in the Grand Canyon region, as well as opposing uranium mining in Grand Canyon. They are also an integral part of the Indigenous Youth trip that we run with Grand Canyon Youth and Grand Canyon Expeditions.
The Whale Foundation
The Whale Foundation was created in honor of one of the community’s most beloved guides, focusing on supporting guide mental health, physical health and career transitions. One of our owners, Alexandra Thevenin, was a member of the board for five years (2007-2011) and served as co-president in 2009 & 2010. AzRA is proud to have multiple guides on the board, as well.
Grand Canyon Conservancy
Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) has been Grand Canyon National Park’s official non-profit partner since 1932. GCC’s mission is to support the Park in its goals to provide enriching and fulfilling visitor experiences and protect the Park for future generations. Over the years, we’ve seen the impact of that support along the Colorado River and in Grand Canyon National Park with native plant restoration projects, preservation of the Zuni Rock Art panel at Whitmore wash, trail-head restoration and new hiking shade structures.
Grand Canyon River Guides
Grand Canyon River Guides is a guide association that focuses on continuing education for guides and conservation efforts such as the Adaptive Management Plan of Glen Canyon Dam. GCRG publishes the “Boatman’s Quarterly Review” featuring guides, history, environmental education and other interest pieces. Our other owner, Fred Thevenin, served on the board from 2007-2020. AzRA is proud to have multiple guides serve on the board, as well.
Photo by Peggy Martin titled “Sunset Camp on the Ledges”