While our collective focus turns toward the holidays and the new year, the nonprofit sector also needs to be thinking about the upcoming state legislative session. State lawmakers will be back on the job on January 13th with many issues to tackle, including education, healthcare and transportation. So, what should the nonprofit sector’s New Year’s resolutions be, heading … [More]
Three Questions with a Board Member
What drew you to the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits board? First, our foundation is an Alliance member, and I immediately volunteered to serve on the public policy committee. I am impressed with the work the committee does for nonprofits in our state and keeping everyone informed about what is happening on a local, state and federal level and how it impacts our missions. … [More]
Nonprofits: Just Like For-Profit Businesses and Completely Different
Many a budding film writer will pitch a movie idea to a producer by saying it’s just like such-and-such blockbuster and completely different. That’s basic marketing to appeal to the familiar and profitable) and the different (perhaps new and improved). The distinctions between for-profit businesses and charitable nonprofits can be described similarly, but for substantive and … [More]
Building Better Nonprofits Builds Healthier Communities
No business is an island. Businesses are successful as a community — at least in part as a result of partners and suppliers with whom they work. The nonprofit sector is the same way. There are more than 22,000 registered nonprofits in Arizona. While they are the fifth largest non-governmental employer in the state, fewer than 3,000 nonprofits employ people full- or … [More]
Good Deeds in Spring Lead to Good Vibes All Summer Long
May has long been one of my favorite months of the year. The beautiful transition between spring and summer, with temperatures still bearable even in the Valley of the Sun. It’s a time for graduations and celebration of new seasons in life. During my time at the Arizona Small Business Association, we had a month-long celebration during May because it was Small Business Month. … [More]
Arizona Gives Day 2019 Results Are In!
Arizona Gives Day is an annual statewide day of giving that invited Arizonans to donate to their favorite local causes during a 24-hour period on April 2, 2019. This year’s Gives Day raised a record total of more than $3.6 million for more than 650 nonprofits organizations statewide. Hosted by The Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers Forum and presented by … [More]
Three Questions with a Board Member: Penny Allee Taylor
Penny Allee Taylor Company: Valley of the Sun United Way Job Title: Chief Public Policy Officer What drew you to the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits board? When I joined Valley of the Sun United Way, there were members of our team who participated in a variety of programs that were offered. I began participating in their committees and found organizations that had similar … [More]
Decisions, Dollars and Data, Oh My!
Businesses of all types, take note: Decisions coming out of Washington, DC in the coming months will affect employment practices and business planning decisions for years to come. For-profit and nonprofit organizations have a vested interest in what comes of proposals from the U.S. Department of Labor on overtime pay and the Department of Commerce on the 2020 census. This is an … [More]
Not a Far Stretch
We have been conditioned that combining the words “stretch” and “dollar” is an overreach or unattainable. But what if we change the connotation of how the words are paired together? We have a mission at DollarDays to stretch your dollar so that any need is attainable. With nonprofits, we know an order for a case of soap it isn’t simply bars of soap. They may be part of hygiene … [More]
Leading Discussions about Unconscious Bias
As the EEOC Outreach & Education Coordinator for the Phoenix District Office, I am often called upon to lead discussions or provide training in the areas of diversity, EEO sensitivity and awareness, unconscious bias, and microaggressions. While not an expert in any of these areas, I believe I have found ways to lead these discussions so that by the end of a session, … [More]
Employers of National Service Program
Employers of National Service connects AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni with employers from the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Through this initiative, employers have increased access to a dedicated, highly qualified and mission-oriented pool of potential employees, and national service alumni have additional opportunities to apply their skills in the … [More]
Passionate Work
As we are just coming off one of the most generous and philanthropic seasons of the year, and with a brand new year at our fingertips, now is an important time to consider how we will continue to support our communities in the coming year. As business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs, you have an important opportunity to engage in and support the nonprofit sector as we … [More]
Arizona Gives Announces Employee Giving Landing Pages for Businesses
Arizona Gives is excited to announce a new way for businesses to get involved in Arizona Gives Day (April 2) through employee giving landing pages. The customizable pages can be created with just a few clicks and will allow a business to share their philanthropic principles and encourage employees to donate to a local nonprofit on Arizona Gives Day. How will it work? … [More]
Corporate Philanthropy
Do you engage your customers in your community involvement? We have a wide range of stakeholders that includes the State, our providers, our members, the communities we serve and more. Many times we partner with one of our providers to conduct health screenings at events we sponsor or attend. In other opportunities, we support community efforts that further state … [More]
January 2019 On The Board and In The Spotlight
Name: Yvonne Moss Company: Caritas Law Group, P.C. Job Title: Attorney What drew you to the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits board? I work with nonprofits on a daily basis. I was drawn to the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits because of its positive impact on the Arizona nonprofit sector. What would you say to someone considering joining a nonprofit board? Anyone interested … [More]
Rethinking our Approach to Community Solutions
On a slightly chilly yet sunny day in November in Arizona, crowds descended upon a local art festival, gazing at the unique vendors, their mouths watering at the smell of kettle corn cooking in the distance. A man in his 50s sat with his dog asking for spare change. My wife walked over to hand the man a few dollars and pet the pup. “His name’s Kansas City,” he said and … [More]
A December of Challenges for Charities
Businesses and governments in Arizona and across the country rely on charitable nonprofits to help build the communities we want and address critical needs of our fellow residents. Those charitable organizations rely on steady funding, stable laws and consistent court decisions to advance their missions and be the reliable partner that businesses and governments expect. This … [More]
It Might Be Time to Get on a New Ship
I vividly remember my first experience with the concept of corporate sponsorship. A local arm of a large corporation had given the chamber of commerce I was working for at the time a sponsorship of $50,000 for our networking events we were holding all over the Valley. As a young professional just starting my career, that amount was mind boggling to me. And what did they get in … [More]
