PHOENIX (AZFamily) — At the heart of the Arizona Cardinals organization lies a mission far beyond the gridiron.
The Arizona Cardinals Foundation is hosting the first-ever Cardinals Climb at State Farm Stadium on Feb. 21, 2026. This unique event will transform the stadium into various hiking routes of different difficulty levels to raise funds for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Participants can become “climb leaders” to create teams, recruit others and fundraise. Others can join existing teams to support friends, colleagues or a specific organization. To register for the event, click/tap here.
Donations can also be made in support of the climb, with no participation needed.
Today, we’re proud to introduce the Cardinals Climb, a community fundraising event dedicated to the special needs community
🫂 Family-friendly hike at State Farm Stadium
❤️ 100% of proceeds go to the special needs community
👇Form a team & start fundraising today#ClimbWithUs
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 11, 2025
Owner, Michael Bidwill, sat down with Arizona’s Family anchor Susan Casper to share why the Cardinals are committed to making football, and life, accessible to everyone.
“It impacts my own family I have a nephew with special needs,” Bidwill said.
The Cardinals have been supporting various philanthropic efforts for the past 30 years. Some say it’s what lies at the heart of the organization.
“What the mission is, is to raise as many dollars as we can for organizations that support special needs,” he said. “There’s not a sports organization that’s focused on that. There’s more need. And as these kids grow and age, their parents’ age, they worry about services for those young women and men that need extra help.”
At the center of the Arizona Cardinals Foundation, there are four cornerstone charities: Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, Treasure House Phoenix, Special Olympics Arizona and Barrow Neurological Foundation. Each of the charities received a three-year commitment from the foundation to fund new, innovative programs, expand services and promote inclusion.
“Why the special needs community? Why was that so important?” asked Casper.
“There’s so many folks with special needs that can be productive members of a workforce, can be, you know, continue their education. And also, they want their independence. You know, my nephew wanted to move out of the house. I know Kurt Warner’s son, Zach, wanted to move out of the house, and that’s why he and Brenda created the Treasure House, which is where Zach lives, and he’s built his own life there, and he’s thriving. So that’s what we’re hoping the foundation and Cardinals Climb can fund,” Bidwill replied.
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