In an age when instant gratification is more the norm than giving back and philanthropy, AZ Impact for Good has made it easier to change some of this behavior with its Arizona Gives Giving eCard.
A Giving eCard is truly a gift that keeps on giving and the dollars stay local. These gifts help nonprofits provide vital services and improve our economy. The purchaser is also able to claim these dollars as a federal tax deduction or state tax credit.
Where Can I Get a Giving eCard?
Giving eCards can be purchased on AZGives.org at any dollar amount, for any occasion, and at any time of the year. Purchasers (individuals or businesses) can choose to immediately “gift” the eCard to the recipient via email or send to themselves first to pass along at the right moment. The eventual recipient then decides which of the approximately 1,000 Arizona nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations featured on AZGives.org they would like to donate to using the Giving eCard code at checkout.
Why Is Giving and Philanthropy Needed So Much Right Now?
Every day, we hear how inflation continues to impact our community members, and it is charitable organizations that often come to the rescue to assist, even if it’s temporary assistance.
Since the pandemic, the need for health and human services has not slowed for things like food and shelter as well as basic health and mental health services. While arts and culture organizations like theaters, museums and gardens have opened their doors back up, people have fewer expendable resources to spend on these experiences, putting our cultural institutions at risk. And the costs of goods for nonprofits to provide their services has also increased dramatically, making it harder to stretch donations further than ever before.
Every year, GivingUSA produces a giving report to help provide a picture of giving in comparison to previous years and trends over the past 40 years. Here are some key data points to help you understand the important role individuals play:
In 2022, after two of the most generous years of giving on record, giving by individuals declined by 6.4%. Adjusted for inflation, total individual giving declined 13.4%.
Overall charitable giving in 2022 (which includes individuals, foundation, corporations and bequests) declined 3.4% compared to 2021. Adjusted for inflation, total giving declined 10.5%.
Data continues to show that, overall, the percentage of individuals giving has continually declined since the early 1980s, going from 81% to now 64%.
State Tax Credits
Giving eCard donations can potentially qualify for a state tax credit. The State of Arizona provides two separate tax credits for individuals who make contributions to charitable organizations: one for donations to Qualifying Charitable Organizations (QCO) and the second for donations to Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organizations (QFCO).
Individuals making cash donations to these charities may claim these tax credits on their Arizona Personal Income Tax returns. Go here for details. Always consult a tax advisor.
Arizona Gives Day
While Arizona Gives Day isn’t until April 2, 2024, Giving eCards are available on AZGives.org to gift any time of the year. With the holidays right around the corner, we encourage you to give a gift in 2023 that will keep on giving.
For more information about Giving eCards or Arizona Gives Day, please contact Jennifer Purcell at AZ Impact for Good.
Jennifer Purcell is chief impact officer at AZ Impact for Good
