Arizona Gives Day benefits non-profits

More than 1,000 non-profits across the state today will participate in Arizona Gives Day, a grassroots effort that invites Arizonans to support their favorite causes.

Arizona Gives is in its fifth year, with 260 organizations participating.

Donations can be submitted at azgives.org. Non-profits participating are dedicated to arts and culture, community development, health services, children and youth and animal welfare, among other categories.

All of these organizations need community support to continue serving.

“The power of collective giving can be transformative,” said Kristen Merrifield, CEO of the Arizona Alliance of Nonprofits, one of the hosts of Arizona Gives Day.

It has been just that: The giving back effort has raised more than $10.14 million for Arizona non-profits since 2013.

Last year, $2.74 million was raised on Arizona Gives Day, with more than 18,000 donors.

“Anyone can make a difference with any dollar amount they are able to give,” added Laurie Liles, president and CEO of Arizona Grantmakers Forum. “Arizona Gives Day is striving to build a community of philanthropists and help everyone understand that it does not matter what your income might be.”

Here is how some of last year’s recipients put their donations to use.

For Arizona Cattle Dog Rescue, in Flagstaff, Arizona Gives Day supported their largest expense: veterinary bills. In 2017, the non-profit spayed and neutered more than 200 animals.

Desert Voices, in Phoenix, used donations to cover the cost of direct education instruction for 22 toddlers with hearing loss and their families.

For Resurrection Street Ministry, in Mesa, donations allowed them to purchase more than 75,000 pounds of food to supplement extra meals in thousands of food boxes. This year, funds will go toward job training for veterans.

Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption, in Tucson, took in 75 greyhounds, providing vet care, housing, food and transportation until they were adopted. Arizona Gives Day accounted for more than half of their 2017 donations.