Arizona Gives Day brings in $2 million

Arizona Gives Day was only one day, but it was a big one.

Donations poured in from across the state Tuesday during the once-a-year, 24-hour online fundraiser, which challenges individuals to support local nonprofits they believe do good work in Arizona.

As of Wednesday, fundraising had totaled more than $2 million, far surpassing the $1.4 million raised last year. The total will grow as donations that were not processed through the fundraising website are tabulated this week.

The donations will support the more than 650 non-profits that participated in Arizona Gives Day.

The message from people working with small and large non-profits serving Arizonans was consistent: no donation is too small when it comes from the heart.

Donors and non-profits promoted the fundraiser on social media using the hashtags, #WhyIGiveAz and #AZGivesDay.

Hosted by the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and the Arizona Grantmakers Forum, Arizona Gives Day was launched to boost funding that often fades after the holiday season. To qualify, non-profits must be a registered 501(c)(3) and headquartered in Arizona or providing services in the state.

St. Vincent de Paul was among the many charities to show appreciation on social media Wednesday.

The non-profit, founded in 1946 to serve Arizonans who are poor, posted: “Thanks to your generosity, over $57,000 was raised to continue serving our community. This is our best @azgives yet!”

“The generosity of Arizona was on full display yesterday, as residents virtually linked arms across the state to support the nonprofits who work hard every day all year to make Arizona the place we can be proud to live,” said Patrick McWhortor, who heads the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, in a news release Wednesday.

More information: www.azgives.org