Invest in Arizona

Arizona Gives Day is a powerful 24-hour online giving experience that unites Arizonans around causes they believe in. The single, statewide day of giving has raised $13.4 million for Arizona nonprofits since 2013 and has given away more than $1.1 million in cash prizes to participating organizations. Arizona nonprofits do much more than provide necessary services to our communities — they are an integral part of our state’s economy. Annually, they have an economic impact of $23.5 billion, nearly 8 percent of Arizona’s gross state product. Arizona nonprofits also account for 332,000 jobs. 

At the Alliance, our mission is to unite, strengthen and advance Arizona’s nonprofit sector. Arizona Gives Day provides us with a unique opportunity to put our mission into action in a way that not only propels our Arizona nonprofit community, but also cultivates a powerful and engaging spirit of philanthropy statewide. Monetary donations are the most direct way to help a nonprofit make an impact; donations allow nonprofits to allocate funds where they are most needed. Arizona Gives is focused on helping participating nonprofits raise funds that are critical to supporting their work. By donating, you simultaneously invest in the future of Arizona and help nonprofits make an impact in your community.

This year, we are excited to have nearly 500 nonprofits who are participating! We also have a nonprofit cash prize pool of $180,000 for 2019. Prize categories change each year but are based on criteria such as most money raised in certain categories, most donations over a certain amount during a “power hour,” and even some random draws to keep the day exciting for donors and nonprofits alike. Individuals and businesses can also help their favorite nonprofits earn additional donations and prizes by creating fundraising pages on AZGives.org. 

You will also see in the following pages that Arizona Gives has many ways for businesses to get involved in the Day, including a new feature, Employee Giving Pages, where business can share the philanthropic goals with their employees and encourage them to make a donation to an organization(s) of their choice. Six businesses will have the opportunity to win $1,000 to donate to one of the participating organizations! You can also learn more at AZGives.org/Businesses.

 It is critical that we engage individuals, community leaders, corporate partners and our small-business community in helping us raise $3.2 million as we did last year. We believe everyone has a unique opportunity to “Invest in Arizona.” You can utilize the Giving Guide in this month’s issue of In Business Magazine to learn about some of the great local charities and nonprofit organizations participating in this year’s Arizona Gives Day. Pick one (or several!) to make a donation to on April 2, 2019, at www.AZGives.org. Together, we can make a huge impact!

Sincerely,

Kristen Merrifield, CAE, CNAP

Chief Executive Officer
Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits

To her role as CEO of Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Kristen Merrifield brings more than 16 years’ experience that includes leadership roles with the Arizona Small Business Association, the ASU Foundation and the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. 

Merrifield is an active participant in the business and nonprofit community in her roles as past president of the Arizona Society of Association Executives Board and active member of groups such as the American Society of Association Executives and the National Council of Nonprofits.