Christine (Christy) Burton is co-founder and chair of The Burton Family Foundation, an Arizona-based philanthropy and supporting organization of the Arizona Community Foundation. The Burton Family Foundation invests primarily in education and human services organizations across Arizona that advance individual achievement and recognize the dignity of all people. The foundation prioritizes funding for organizations, initiatives, and innovations serving high-need, underserved, and underrepresented communities.

In the area of education, the foundation supports a range of student engagement and success programs, including early learning programs, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) initiatives, civic engagement and education programs, arts and culture programs for youth, experiential learning opportunities, and college preparation, access, and workforce development programs. Additionally, the foundation supports educator recruitment, retention, and development initiatives, and supports innovations in teaching and learning. Through its focus on human services, the foundation invests in organizations providing basic needs support to individuals and families on the brink of, or currently experiencing, homelessness, and provides support and resources to organizations serving immigrants and refugees in Arizona.

Christy serves on the boards of Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy, Society for Science, the Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation, and the Phoenix Regional Board of Teach for America. Previously, she was appointed by Governor Doug Ducey to the Arizona State Board of Education where she served a five-year term.

Christy holds a B.S. in economics and a master of public administration from Arizona State University.