“The Arizona Foundation for Women was founded by a shared dream of making Arizona a safer place to be a woman.  As a founding funder and an emotional and political partner over 25 years, we have been able to ensure the SHE Counts! (Safety, Health , Economic Empowerment ). All of this has been made possible by the continued belief in and support of our mission by Deb and Bill Carstens.”

“Visionary leaders and philanthropists like the Carstens Family Funds help us provide and develop the programs that are most important to girls here in Arizona. Your investment in GSACPC is an investment in our community, in our country and in our future. Together, we help girls discover their untapped potential and build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. We are incredibly grateful for your dedication to our mission and their enduring partnership.”

“The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is dedicated to providing students with a comprehensive legal education. Our commitment to our students’ success means not only providing a top-tier legal education but also the support needed to graduate and start a legal career. We are especially proud of the students who have served our country, and we want to do everything possible to help prepare them for meaningful careers as they transition back to civilian life. With the generous donation from Deb Carstens and the Carstens Family Funds, we are able to provide veterans an opportunity to start their legal careers without having to worry about the financial obligations.”

“Teach For America exists to ensure that all kids have access to an excellent and equitable education. Over ten years, Carstens Family Funds has sponsored nearly 80 new Teach For America teachers to the Phoenix region, impacting over 12,000 students and ensuring our community has a strong pipeline of diverse and exceptional leaders working toward educational equity in our community.”

“Founded in 1962, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has been Honoring Marines by Educating Their Children with the help of loyal investors like Deb Carstens who supports multiple scholarship initiatives and established the William W. Carstens, Basic School 2-56 Scholarship to ensure no child of a Marine is left behind. To date, this special tribute has funded 72 scholarships worth over $215,000 allowing us to perpetuate Bill’s legacy through our students’ academic success.”

“Although I did not have the pleasure of knowing Bill, his legacy to advance the status of women’s safety, health and economic well-being is truly a blessing. He and lovely wife Deb, gave generously to a group (women) that still to this day is underfunded in the philanthropic space. Women are the core to what makes our families and communities thrive and prosper; and thanks to Bill and Deb many women in Arizona have a better place in life. With much gratitude.”  –Mesha Davis, CEO of Arizona Foundation for Women.

 Founded at ACF in 2002, Carstens Family Funds has created an enormous impact in Arizona and across the country by supporting education, women, social justice, and many other meaningful and transformative initiatives. Arizona is a better place because of Bill and Deb and ACF is extremely proud and honored to partner with Deb in fulfilling their philanthropic endeavors.”

“Since Carstens Family Funds first provided funding for Helping Hands for Single moms in 2017, over 100 low-income single mom college students have earned a college degree with their assistance.  These women, their children, and our community have greatly benefited from the legacy of higher education left by Bill Carstens.”

The YMCA of San Diego County has been generously blessed by the care and support shown by Bill and Deb Carstens. For decades, Bill worked closely with Y staff to determine how he could uniquely support the Y, especially his beloved Camp Marston. Deb has continued to honor Bill’s commitment through her philanthropic support. The partnership between great Y programs and facilities combined with Carstens generosity has created impact that will last for generations.

“The Be A Leader Foundation’s mission is to increase the number of students who are prepared for and succeed in higher education by empowering them with tools, leadership skills and consistent support, transforming lives and creating life-long opportunities for success. Our vision is of a community where ALL students have the opportunity to succeed in higher education and have the skills and resources to ensure personal success. We want to thank Carstens Family Funds for its unwavering support of our pipeline of college-going programs for students from 7th grade through college, particularly within the Murphy Elementary School District and Carl Hayden High School geographic boundaries. Your dedication and commitment to our programs over the years have allowed us to provide thousands of students with critical college-going resources, tools, and mentorship that is needed to become college bound, focused, prepared. Together, we have been able to work towards a brighter future and a more educated community, and we are forever grateful for your support.”

Bill Carstens forever changed the face of YMCA Camp Marston in Julian, California!  Demonstrating his commitment to youth development, Bill sponsored three new camper-lodges that can house 72 happy campers, new athletic fields, a platform tent village, lakefront gazebo, underground infrastructure and more.  He also established the Bill Carstens Endowment Fund, ensuring that no child is turned away from experiencing one of Bill’s passions – overnight camp for kids.

The Carstens Family of Funds has also supported the “Camp Reach for the Sky” program for over a decade.  This inspiring program provides children with cancer a joyful, accepting week at overnight camp.  Dedicated volunteers, including the same doctors and nurses that treat these children during the year, rally to provide this precious children a week of fun, laughter and acceptance.

Thanks to the support of the Carstens Family Funds, dating from 2005-2020, STEP: Student Expedition Program has grown into the robust organization it is today – educating and empowering low-income Arizona students to enroll in and graduate from college at an unprecedented rate.  Bill Carstens was one of the very first community leaders to recognize the importance of STEP’s mission and the impact our work would have on Arizona families and communities for generations to come.  Because of the visionary support of the Carstens Family Funds, STEP now works with over 250 low-income Arizona high-school students each year, and over 95% of STEP alumni are attending or have graduated from college!