Tribal Gaming – Prop 202 Funding

In November 2002, Arizona voters passed Proposition 202 which led to new gaming compacts between the State of Arizona and Native American tribes and required those tribes to share a portion of their gaming revenues with the state. Under the new requirements, tribes would be assessed by the state a percentage of their gross gaming revenue. They could choose to contribute the full assessment to a state managed fund or contribute 88% to the state managed fund while retaining 12% to distribute as community grants.

The law allows local nonprofit organizations to apply for tribal grant funding, provided their applications are sponsored by an appropriate local government entity, such as the City of Maricopa. Sponsorship, as defined by the law, requires the adoption of a city council resolution authorizing both the submission of the grant application and the pass-through of funds. This resolution is a required component of the application and/or award process, depending on the specific requirements set by each individual tribe. To be eligible for City of Maricopa sponsorship, your agency must be located in the City of Maricopa and/or your proposed project must directly benefit City of Maricopa residents.

Nonprofit organizations are responsible for reviewing and complying with the specific grant requirements and deadlines established by each tribal community (see Deadline information below). Once the city council approves the resolution, the City of Maricopa will email the signed resolution—and the application, if applicable—to the nonprofit. If needed, the nonprofit may also arrange to pick up the original signed documents in person. It remains the nonprofit’s responsibility to submit the completed grant application to the appropriate tribal community for consideration.

Requests for City of Maricopa support should be made prior to the application due date to get the items placed on a City Council agenda for consideration and adoption of a Resolution. See below for more information on the Resolution process and Deadlines.

If the City of Maricopa agrees to serve as the fiscal agent and pass-through agency, it will receive the grant funds directly from the tribal community and subsequently issue a check to the designated nonprofit organization. To be eligible for funding, the grant application must include a City Council Resolution with an authorized signature, in accordance with the specific requirements of the tribal entity.

1. Submit a separate application package for each tribal community grant you are applying for. Please include the cover sheet (if applicable), completed application, proof of 501(c)(3) IRS nonprofit status, and any additional required documents. Email the full application package to Grants@maricopa-az.gov.
2. After the City Council provides their support by adopting a Resolution, the City of Maricopa will email the Resolution and the signed tribal cover sheet (if applicable) to the nonprofit.  The nonprofit can also request to pick up original signed documentation from City Hall if preferable. 
3. The nonprofit submits their application to the tribal community.