Cox Charities Awards $100,000 Grant to Strengthen Mentoring Support for Phoenix Youth
Phoenix, AZ – March 16, 2026
New Pathways for Youth is honored to have been selected to receive a $100,000 grant from Cox Charities, part of $850,000 in statewide grants awarded to 10 Arizona nonprofits this year through the generosity of Cox employees across Arizona.
For 30 years, Cox employees have raised funds through Cox Charities to support nonprofit organizations that strengthen the communities where they live and work. Since 1996, Cox Arizona employees have raised and granted nearly $12 million to local nonprofits, supporting initiatives focused on K-12 education, conservation and sustainability, and food and housing insecurity.
This year’s anniversary grant holds special meaning for New Pathways for Youth. The unrestricted funding will help expand access to mentoring, life-skills training, and post-secondary readiness support for teens facing adversity in the Phoenix area. Through the Level Up mentoring program and related services, youth gain the stability, guidance, and confidence they need to graduate high school, pursue higher education, and build a future filled with possibility.
“When a community invests in its young people, the impact lasts for generations,” said Karen Johnson, President and CEO of New Pathways for Youth. “This generous gift from Cox Charities reflects a deep belief in the potential of our youth and the power of consistent mentorship. Because of partners like Cox, we can continue providing the relationships, skills, and support that help young people move forward with confidence and purpose.”
The grant is part of Cox Enterprises’ broader social impact initiative, 34 by 34, which aims to empower 34 million people by the year 2034 by removing barriers to education, economic stability, and opportunity. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, Cox is working to expand access to resources that help individuals and families live more prosperous lives.
At New Pathways for Youth, that mission aligns closely with the daily work of connecting teens with trained, committed mentors who walk alongside them through some of the most critical years of their lives. Each match represents more than a program — it represents a promise that no young person has to face their challenges alone.
This year’s Cox Charities grants were awarded to a select group of Arizona nonprofits making meaningful impact in their communities, including:
New Pathways for Youth is grateful to Cox employees and Cox Charities for their continued commitment to Arizona’s communities and for recognizing the importance of long-term mentoring relationships in helping young people reach their full potential.