Sidebar Story

The Arizona Cardinals are a historic NFL team with over a century of existence. After

starting in Chicago and moving to St. Louis, the team has been based in Arizona since 1988,

where they have established strong ties with the local community. The Bidwill family owns the

team, and Michael Bidwill is currently leading the organization and driving its community

initiatives. The Cardinals are committed to giving back to the community and have created

various support programs.

Arizona has a significant Latino population, and many of them benefit from the Cardinals'

community initiatives. According to Pamela Vigil, a school principal in South Phoenix, the

support provided by the team is critical to the education of Hispanic students. The Cardinals'

donations have allowed schools to purchase necessary resources and equipment”. The Cardinals

have also impacted students in Arizona. Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill addresses 260 students

on the Civics Matter trip to Washington D.C. on June 14, 2023. “Civics Matter Arizona trip to

Washington D.C. Pairing with the Close Up Foundation, which organizes trips to the nation's

capital, the Cardinals lend out the team plane to send the kids East to learn more about how the

country is run”, the Az Cardinals stated”.

Michael Biwdill keeps making a difference in the community in a unique manner. "It's great

that we can put 275 children on that plane and send them to Washington, DC, for four days and

three nights to learn about our nation's history and the ways in which various leaders have

influenced us politically and culturally, and I think leadership has been important," Michael
Bidwill stated. Students get an opportunity to travel but so do Michael Biwill and his colleagues.

Michael Bidwill says, "I've been fortunate enough to go on both trips and I am excited to go

again this year. Our staff loves being a part of this journey and makes us all feel good." Cardinals

owner Michael Bidwell stated, "For most of those kids, this will be their first airplane flight."

"These children are all from Title I schools located around the state. Northern Arizona, Western

Arizona, Southern Arizona, the entire state, and the greater Phoenix area as well.

Established in 1990, Cardinals Charities provides funding for initiatives aimed at enhancing

opportunities and quality of life for women, minorities, and children in Arizona.

Annually, funding from Cardinals Charities is given out in response to submissions received

from various qualified non-profit groups whose goals and efforts complement the mission

statement. On behalf of the Arizona Cardinals and the National Football League, Cardinals

Charities has given more than 10.8 million dollars to hundreds of deserving charitable groups

since its founding. Although the Arizona Cardinals may not have achieved victory on the field,

they have certainly proven themselves to be champions in the local community.

 References

Urban, D. (2023, June 14). Cardinals again emphasize how civics matters through D.C. trip.

Cardinals Again Emphasize How Civics Matter Through D.C. Trip.

https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-again-emphasize-how-civics-matter-through-

d-c-trip

The official site of the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona Cardinals In The Community. (n.d.).

https://www.azcardinals.com/community/programs/