Center for the Future of Arizona

Center for the Future of Arizona's mission is to bring Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. Our vision is to achieve The Arizona We Want, where all Arizonans, now and in the future, thrive and enjoy sustained prosperity, unmatched quality of life, and real opportunity. 

Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "do-tank" that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state.

Through survey research & reports, Arizona Progress Meters, and impact initiatives & programs, CFA listens to Arizonans to learn what matters most to them, shares trusted data about how Arizona is doing in those priority areas, brings critical issues to public attention, and works with communities and leaders to solve public problems.

The Arizona We Want is based on the things that bring us together as Arizonans and on which we can all agree. Through community engagement efforts and longstanding survey research with highly regarded local and national partners, seven Shared Public Values emerged, identified by a broad and representative majority of Arizonans:

1. Education
2. Health & Well-Being
3. Jobs and Economic Opportunity
4. Environment and Sustainable Future
5. Civic Engagement & Leadership
6. Fair, Just, and Equitable Systems
7. Immigration Reform.

Our goal is to ensure that these Shared Public Values are realized for all Arizonans. We created the Arizona Progress Meters to measure our collective progress in areas critical to achieving The Arizona We Want. The Arizona Progress Meters provide valuable data on education, jobs, healthcare, environment, civic engagement, infrastructure, and young talent to support policymakers' and other leaders' data-driven dialogue, decision-making, and action.

CFA leads impact initiatives and programs across the state and has deep and ongoing engagement in education, workforce development, and civic health, recognizing how essential these are to advancing economic prosperity, quality of life, and opportunity for all. Through these initiatives and programs, we aim to:
• Drive equity and excellence across the education system
• Build civic leaders and thriving communities
• Strengthen workforce & increase economic opportunity

Since our inception, CFA has impacted 385,000+ students and 15,500+ teachers, and engaged 165+ communities and 220+ partners.

Testimonials

"Over the past 20 years, CFA has provided Arizona with a unique combination of strategic thinking, positive focus, research, and unbiased, reliable, actionable data to ignite efforts on issues that truly matter to Arizonans across the state." -The Honorable Ruth McGregor, Chief Justice (Ret.), Arizona Supreme Court

"What we loved about partnering with CFA is they like to use trusted sources and data. I definitely hope generations in the future are happy there is a CFA. They are willing to build the relationships so that we can have a better Arizona that we all want." - Teniqua Broughton, M.Ed., Chief Executive Officer, The State of Black Arizona

"From my own experience, CFA's initiatives that affect workforce development have an intense ripple effect on the broader workforce ecosystem from multiple directions. From individuals to companies to entire industries - and ultimately, the state as a whole." -Steve Zylstra, President and CEO, Arizona Technology Council

"We've celebrated the profound impact of CFA's work over the past two decades. Now is the time to double down in support of their mission. By aligning our efforts, we are not just enhancing educational opportunities - we are shaping the future of our state. CFA's commitment to educational excellence is key to unlocking Arizona's potential." -Paul J. Luna, President and CEO, Helios Education Foundation

"Having a shared experience with a cohort of colleagues in my community made my participation in the Beat the Odds (BTO) School Leadership Academy more effective and meaningful. BTO Academy allowed me to plan, brainstorm, collaborate with others, and see what was happening at other schools. The strategic planning process I learned through BTO Academy became crucial when I was appointed to serve in my new role as Assistant Principal of Mount Elden Middle School." - Lawrence Watson, Assistant Principal, Mount Elden Middle Schools (MEMS), Flagstaff Unified School District BTO Academy Cohort #2

"Through the Virtual Externship with Arizona Pathways to Prosperity, I may have tripled my knowledge on how I can help prepare my students for life after high school. Hearing from so many experts in their respective fields and collaborating with teachers from all levels across the state provided many tools to share with the students in our communities. This was an amazing experience, and I would recommend this to ALL teachers." -James Kuzniak, Teacher, Yuma Union High School

"We preach a lot about student voice and participation, but we don't always have an actionable way of engaging students...