The Fountain Hills Community Foundation (FHCF) will now accept grant applications in the late summer this year due to a change in fundraising schedules, according to FHCF president, Dori Wittrig.

The FHCF’s grant funding season typically takes place in January, however, FHCF board members made the decision to move the dates for Flutter at the Fountain from November to April to give the planning committee time to expand the Flutter at the Fountain event to three days, according to a press release by Debbie Clason of Clason Communications.

Flutter at the Fountain is the FHCF’s main fundraiser and accounts for the bulk of grants awarded to nonprofit organizations each year, Clason added. Since its inception in 2020, Flutter at the Fountain has raised nearly $150,000, all of which was granted to nonprofit organizations in Fountain Hills and the surrounding communities, Clason said.

“Because of the change in our fundraising efforts, we will be reaching out to our nonprofit partners in late summer to make their grant requests,” Wittrig said. “We will then be disbursing funds in the last part of September.

“As always, we’ll be hosting our ‘Giving Day’ which is always a heartwarming event for everyone involved.”

Flutter ‘24 is scheduled for April 12-14 at Fountain Park.

The theme for the three-day event is “Celebrating Our Hometown Heroes,” and includes plans to honor individuals who help keep Fountain Hills’ nonprofit organizations running smoothly, Clason added.

In addition to the traditional butterfly auction and gala, activities will include a family day, Foodie Fest, Four Peaks Rotary chili cook-off on Friday, and Sami Fine Jewelry’s Love in the Hills vow renewal ceremony on Sunday, Clason said.

Proceeds from the ticket sales and auction are awarded to nonprofit organizations that serve youth, seniors and families.

The 2024 butterfly collection and ticketing information including three-day package discounts are available at Flutter24.givesmart.com.