The Arvada Vitality Alliance is all about the betterment of Arvada.

Founded in 2013, the group raises money to benefit nonprofits which are doing good things for the people who live in Arvada. Since then, AVA has awarded $123,000 to 34 organization including local schools, Epic Experience, Ralston House, Bessie’s Hope and one public art project.

For the third year, AVA will gather bring together nonprofits and community members at its annual Celebrating Community event April 27. Six nonprofits have been selected to pitch to event attendees, who will select winners of grant money. Each nonprofit featured is guaranteed $1,000.

“It is so exciting to see how the Arvada Vitality Alliance is creatively and successfully connecting members of the community with local nonprofits,” said Lisa Steven, founder and executive director of Hope House of Colorado, one of the featured nonprofits.

Hope House provides support and self-sufficiency programs to parenting teen moms.

AWRSAY, Family Tree, Arvada Gardeners, Colorado Homeless Families and The Elevation Project will also be featured.

“Arvada Gardeners, they’ve benefited the community for a number of ways,” said Bob Dyer, president of the Arvada Vitality Alliance. “First to have a place for people to garden, but they also supply produce to the Community Table.”

With grant funds, the gardeners hope to create a more effective and efficient compost.

AWRSAY is a program that recognizes students in middle and high school that have overcome significant challenges. High school seniors receive a scholarship to Red Rocks Community College.

“It’s a program that has been a favorite of ours because it addresses the economic disparity in our community,” Dyer said.

AWRSAY has participated in the event since it began. So has Family Tree, which provides services designed to end child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness.

Colorado Homeless Families will be participating in the event for the first time this year. The organization served 45-50 families a year from throughout the state by providing affordable housing and self-sufficiency programs.

“We’re one of the few places that not only offer reduced rate housing, but an entire program for families to reach out of poverty,” said Karen Allen, executive director of Colorado Homeless Families.

Allen said grants from Arvada Vitality Alliance will go toward the organizations housing program, counseling, education classes and summer youth program.

This year Arvada Vitality Alliance is set to give out $12,000 — the largest grant total since the event began.