Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott recently awarded million-dollar grants to more than 300 groups across the country that help people with the greatest need. One of them is based in Phoenix.

Elevate Phoenix supports about 5,000 urban youth in K-12 with programs and services to help them graduate and attain secondary vocational, collegiate or workforce plans. 

The organization has program and mentorship pipelines in four Phoenix Union High schools, and the four elementary schools that feed into them. 

Executive Director Dalila Gamper said this grant was a surprise and it was their first time applying.

“That’s been an amazing gift in our spaces that is not only helping now in sustaining what we’ve grown so far but it will go directly into our strategic plan for growth and expansion," Gamper said.

They are looking to expand to 11 of the biggest Title One Phoenix Union high schools and their feeder schools.