Stronger Communities Together: The Hirschman Fund's Impact

The Peter and Pat Hirschman University-Community Research Partnership Fund empowers the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences to recognize and award community-based social justice projects across the U of A campus. SBS has built a cross-campus collaboration model, with a review committee of faculty from multiple colleges and community leaders. The campus-wide competition highlights strong, community-based research across disciplines. Focusing on sustainable, measurable outcomes, the fund strengthens connections between the university and the southern Arizona community. 

The Hirschman Fund powers past and present grant projects across campus and beyond. 

Iskashitaa Community Garden Project: CAPLA and the Iskashitaa Refugee Network partnered to launch a course and long-term collaboration supporting refugee food security and student engagement. 

Puentes Mentales: The College of Public Health and binational partners are expanding mental health access for migrants displaced by violence in Sasabe, now residing in Tucson. 

Tucson Hope Factory Shelter Studio: CAPLA and local housing groups will train students to build climate-responsive micro-shelters for Tucson’s first pilot village for the unhoused. 

Developmental Disability Navigation Program: The College of Medicine and the International Rescue Committee are creating support systems and advocacy connections for refugee families with disabilities.

“We viewed SBS as the best partner to carry this vision forward,” Peter Hirschman said. “Our aim with this fund was to support social justice-related programs in southern Arizona that build capacity and to develop programs that benefit the community and stand the test of time. I am excited to see the impact these grants are already having on our community.” 

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For more information and to apply to be a recipient of the Hirschman Fund, please visit Arizona Cultivate. 

This story was included in the fall 2025 Developments newsletter.