AzBusiness Angels 2017

Summer/Fall 2017

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter

Michael A. Pollack Is A Proud Supporter of

The services provided by Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona are valuable and necessary in our community. Goodwill has made a major difference in the lives of tens of thousands of individuals and families since 1947. “It is my pleasure to be a long standing supporter and community partner with Goodwill due to my belief in their programs that provide job training, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people having a difficult time finding employment. “I believe in what Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona is doing for the communities they serve and have been a supporter for more than 15 years.�

Michael A. Pollack President Michael A. Pollack Real Estate Investments

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

President and CEO: Michael Atkinson Publisher: Cheryl Green Vice president of operations: Audrey Webb

FINDING YOUR PASSION

N

onprofits are often created out of need or from a passion to serve the underserved.

Twenty years ago, I saw a need. I had a sister who is mentally disabled and an ill mother who needed relief from the constant care my then 21-year-old sister required. My parents decided to put my sister into a group home and my sister’s name was added to a waiting list. We soon found out that waiting list was years long. My family wasn’t alone. There was a need. And I became founding president of a foundation with a mission to fulfill that void and ease those families’ burdens. And today, my sister is happily living in a group home and working in a sheltered workshop that the foundation helped build.

AZ Big Media decided to fulfill a need that its leadership saw in the community: a need to help business leaders and companies match their skill sets and desire to give back to the community with nonprofits that desperately need their support. That’s the mission of Az Business Angels: to help create an alliance that will give new hope to nonprofits and inspire businesses to make it their mission to connect, volunteer and give back to the communities they serve.

What is your passion? And how are you going to use that passion to make a difference today? Enjoy the first issue of Az Business Angels. We hope it will help you answer those questions.

EDITORIAL Editor in chief: Michael Gossie Associate editors: David McGlothlin | Jesse A. Millard Interns: Madison Arnold | Bayne Froney | Cianna Leparulo Contributing writers: Jocelyn Cook | Erin Thorburn Lee Vikre ART Art director: Mike Mertes Graphic designer: Bruce Andersen MARKETING/EVENTS Marketing & events manager: Cristal Rodriguez Marketing coordinator: Kristina Venegas OFFICE Special projects manager: Sara Fregapane Executive assistant: Mayra Rivera Database solutions manager: Cindy Johnson AZ BUSINESS ANGELS Director of sales: Brit Kezar AZ BUSINESS MAGAZINE Senior account manager: David Harken Account managers: Jennifer Heberlein | April Rice AZ BUSINESS LEADERS Director of sales: Sheri Brown

Michael Gossie Editor in chief michael.gossie@azbigmedia.com

AZ HOME & DESIGN Director of sales: Joe Freedman AZRE | ARIZONA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Director of sales: Ann McSherry EXPERIENCE ARIZONA | PLAY BALL Director of sales: Jayne Hayden RANKING ARIZONA Director of sales: Sheri King

HOME-GROWN PASSION: Editor in Chief Michael Gossie and his sister Kristina, who inspired him to become founding president of the Arc of Steuben Foundation in New York in 1997.

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Az Business Angels magazine is published by AZ BIG Media, 3101 N. Central Ave. Suite 1070, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, (602) 277-6045. The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a SASE. Single copy price $4.95. Bulk rates available. Copyright 2017 by AZ BIG Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from AZ BIG Media.

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

TABLE OF CONTENTS 10

Meet Az Business Angels’ advisory board

18

‘50 of the Most Philanthropic Companies in Arizona’

32

The state of Arizona’s nonprofit sector

41

Association of Fundraising Professionals

48 AFP’s Professional Mentoring Program

18

42

52 AFP helps career advancement

60

The risks and rewards of board service

66

Marketing sees generational shift

74

Faces of giving

82

Picking the right cause

90

25 charitable events

96

Giving back

66

On the cover, clockwise from front center: Debbie Castaldo, vice president of community and corporate impact, Arizona Diamondbacks; Chad Barnett, board member of Subway Kids and Sports of Arizona and Subway franchisee; Ken Peterson, vice president of sales and marketing, Shea Homes Arizona; Nicole Stanton, office managing partner, Quarles & Brady; Mike Brown, Arizona regional president, Washington Federal; Susan Anable, vice president of public affairs, Cox Communications; Tom Davis, vice president, Pioneer Title Agency; Deborah Bateman, vice chair, National Bank of Arizona; Don Diegel, head of commercial banking, Wells Fargo; Kristen Merrifield, CEO, Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits; David Allazetta, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Arizona and New Mexico; Tina Marie Tentori, executive director, APS Foundation; and Michael Pollock, president, Michael Pollock Real Estate Investments.

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Az Business Angels advisory board

Az Business Angels

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

To help create an alliance that will give new hope to nonprofits and inspire businesses to make it their mission to connect, volunteer and give back to the communities they serve, Az Business Angels assembled an editorial advisory board of Arizona business and nonprofit leaders who could offer their authoritative views, provide editorial direction and serve as expert sources for articles in the magazine. Meet the members of Az Business Angels’ advisory board.

DEBORAH BATEMAN Vice chairman of the board of directors National Bank of Arizona

TYLER BUTLER Founder and principal 11Eleven Consulting

DERRICK HALL President and CEO Arizona Diamondbacks

Background: Bateman serves as vice chairman of the board of directors for National Bank of Arizona. She is involved with the ongoing development of the bank, with a focus on the bank’s impact and engagement in Arizona communities. A veteran banker, with more than 40 years of banking experience, Bateman’s career has spanned leadership capacities in wealth strategies, retail banking, operations and technology, treasury management, program management, service excellence, community bank consulting, and merger/ acquisition integration.

Background: Butler is a dynamic leader and creative thinker known for exceeding financial goals and identifying new revenue sources. She has been recognized for building fundamental corporate and community relationships. Working with clients like UTI, Nissan, Shell, Lyft, HR Company Store, Advanced Auto Parts, Phoenix Rising and Charity Charms, Butler makes a difference in aiding companies to connect with likeminded communities and causes and elevate their employee engagement, company culture and external positive sentiment.

Background: Hall has turned the Diamondbacks into a model franchise within the sports industry and throughout the business world during his 11 years at the helm of the club.

Hall focuses the organization’s efforts in five areas he has called the “Circle of Success” — fan experience, performance, community, culture and financial efficiency — each of which has seen tremendous growth during his tenure.

Business advice: “Be authentic in everything that you set out to do and always make sure you are doing it because you truly want to create value and make a difference by serving others.”

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Motivation: “I personally have passion and a big heart for charitable causes. I believe so many organizations want to give back and make a difference in the communities they serve, but it’s difficult to figure out where to start.”

D-backs’ difference: “Our players are unique because they have a genuine care and concern for our community. I want my children to have that same philosophy and approach.

Being active and positive members of their community is most important in the future.

There is nothing more rewarding than giving back, and our players exemplify that thought.”

KRISTEN MERRIFIELD CEO Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits Background: Merrifield brings more than 14 years experience to her role as CEO of the Alliance, serving previously as the COO of the Arizona Small Business Association, as well roles at the ASU Foundation and the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. She is the current board president of the Arizona Society of Association Executives and holds the designation of Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

Business advice: “Pick a lane. Determine what you can do better than anyone else and do that. For everything else, be a great partner and a collaborator. In the association industry, the quickest way to fail is to try to be all things to all people.”

ALFREDO J. MOLINA Chairman and CEO Molina Fine Jewelers Background: Molina is chairman and CEO of Molina Fine Jewelers and chairman and CEO of Black, Starr & Frost, America’s first jeweler since 1810. His family’s lineage as master jewelers dates back to 17th-century Italy. Molina went from fleeing Cuba as a boy without a change of clothes to rocking the jewelry world by selling the Archduke Joseph diamond for $21.5 million, the most ever paid at auction for a colorless diamond.

Wish for his legacy: “I would like to be remembered as someone who made a difference. I believe that every individual is a precious jewel and it is my commitment and social responsibility to ensure they become brilliant.”

NICOLE STANTON Office managing partner Quarles & Brady Background: Stanton is a member of the American Law Institute, Charter 100 Women and Women’s Metropolitan Arts Council. She serves on the Arizona Equal Justice Foundation board and is founder of The Dion Initiative at ASU. She was honored by the Children’s Action Alliance with its 2016 Horace Steele Child Advocacy Award for her courage, commitment and resolve in improving the lives and life chances of Arizona’s children and families.

Source of pride: “Taking on the office managing partner role at Quarles & Brady was not something I initially actively sought, but as the first woman to lead a large law firm in Arizona, I cherish this opportunity to hopefully pave the way for other women to take on similar leadership roles.”

MERL WASCHLER President and CEO Valley of the Sun United Way Background: Waschler leads the Valley’s largest nonprofit investor in health and human services.

In partnership with the board, volunteers, business supporters and community partners, the United Way and Waschler aim to achieve three community objectives: 1) End hunger and homelessness; 2) Ensure children and youth succeed; and 3) Increase the financial stability of families.

Toughest challenge: “The biggest obstacle also created great opportunity: moving from individual organization impact to creating change at a community-wide scale. The evolution requires leveraging and aligning resources beyond your own organization to change disconnected systems we don’t control. It calls for mutual goals, lots of time and shifts in community investments. It’s wickedly complex, but the results are tremendous.”

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Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

18 | AzBusiness Angels

50 OF THE MOST

PHILANTHROPIC COMPANIES — IN ARIZONA —

W

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

e know that volunteering and giving back to the community can make people feel good, but it can also make good business sense.

Over the past 15 years, Mike Donley has coached youth sports teams and served on church missions. While the assignments benefit Donley and the community, it is his 17-year stint with the nonprofit Thunderbirds that has most directly benefited his business, Donley Service Center.

As one of the Thunderbirds in charge of managing the Skybox 16 experience at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Donley enjoys networking with other professionals and providing externships to students from his alma mater, Northern Arizona University.

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“The externships at the ‘Greatest Show on Grass’ give me an opportunity to help students understand what skills are needed in business,” Donley says. “And, the students are exposed to great business contacts. Several have had interviews and at least one landed a job.”

A family tragedy led Melissa Fink, owner of Girly Girlz, to get involved with MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving. In 2004, Melissa’s sister, Lindsay, was killed by a drunk driver. Lindsay was just 21 years old.

Melissa has consistently been the top fundraiser for the annual Walk Like MADD event in Phoenix. While most business owners know that charitable donations are tax deductible, Melissa knows that her money could save property and lives.

“By supporting MADD’s campaign to eliminate drunk driving I know my dollars will

Mike Donley

Melissa Fink

be used to make the streets safer for everyone,” she says.

But giving back may boost a company beyond the feel-good moments that are created. In an era where there is a war for talent and we have devices that constantly keep us distracted and

Nicole Stanton

disengaged, experts say corporate philanthropy gives employers a chance to engage employees in a unique and fulfilling way. A recent report from Realized Worth found that in companies where employees were more engaged than not: • Profitability jumped by 16 percent • General productivity grew 18 percent • Customer loyalty increased 12 percent • Quality improved by 60 percent If there was ever a place to get engaged in the community, Arizona is the place to do it. A land filled with transplants and newcomers, Arizona offers tremendous opportunities to become part of the fabric of the communities in which we live.

“When I first moved to Phoenix, right after finishing law school at the University of Arizona, I started to explore ways to get involved in the community,” says Nicole Stanton, office managing partner at Quarles & Brady. “Phoenix is a wide open place, thirsty for leadership and for people to become engaged. It did not take me long to find numerous places to volunteer, including UMOM and Arizona Animal Welfare League.”

Stanton, who started the Dion Initiative for Child Well-Being and Bullying Prevention, isn’t alone in her passion to give back.

To commemorate the debut issue, Az Business Angels casts the spotlight on 50 companies — in alphabetical order — that are giving back to Arizona communities and whose philanthropic ways are examples we can all admire and emulate.

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Patrick Brown and his family were among the Abrazo Community Health Network team members participating in the American Heart Association’s Phoenix Heart Walk.

PHOTO BY AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

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ABRAZO COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK Abrazo Community Health Network employees raised $70,786 for the American Heart Association’s 2017 Phoenix Heart Walk to fund research to fight against heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death.

ALLIANCE BANK OF ARIZONA Alliance Bank of Arizona donated $100,000 to College Success Arizona, which will benefit students in Phoenix-metro, Tucson and Northern Arizona enrolling in a Community College AMERICAN EXPRESS As part of The Salvation Army/American Express 2015 Pack to School drive, employees donated more than 273,000 items for underprivileged children in Arizona and spent countless hours sorting, packing and distributing the supplies to needy students throughout Arizona.

APS APS’ 2015 community investment in Arizona totaled more than $10 million, which included grants, sponsorships and in-kind donations from APS and the APS Foundation. In addition, APS employees donated more than 123,000 hours in volunteer time, an economic impact of $2.8 million.

ARIZONA CARDINALS Cardinals Charities supports programs designed to improve the quality of life and enhance opportunities for children, women and minorities in Arizona. Since its inception, Cardinals Charities has distributed more than $9.1 million to worthy charitable organizations.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS This year, the Arizona Diamondbacks and their charitable arm, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, surpassed $50 million in charitable giving since their inception in 1998. Of the $50 million given back to the community, more than half has been dedicated to the state’s youth.

AT&T AT&T contributed $250,000 to the Arizona Science Center in the name of retiring board member Jon Madonna to support CREATE, a community hub dedicated to using state-ofthe-art, computer-controlled equipment to collaborate on science, technology, engineering,

ON THE FAST TRACK: Barrett-Jackson raised $3,406,000 for local and national charitable organizations during its 2016 auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale, bringing BarrettJackson’s total raised to date for charities to just over $88 million.

PHOTO BY MIKE MERTES, AZ BIG MEDIA

and mathematics (STEM) projects. AT&T also donated an additional $15,000 to support the Center’s Girls in STEM program.

AVNET Avnet’s employee volunteering and charitable giving program, Avnet Cares, is one of the company’s most successful corporate social responsibility programs. In 2015, Avnet donated $1,191,399 to 284 nonprofit organizations — mostly children’s services and education — and Avnet employees volunteered 15,153 hours.

BANK OF AMERICA In May, Bank of America hand-delivered nearly $300,000 in grants in just three hours to 18 local nonprofits which will help more than 225,000 low and moderate income people receive job training, skills development, internships and employment placement.

BARRETT-JACKSON Barrett-Jackson raised $3,406,000 for local and national charitable organizations during its 2016 auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale, bringing Barrett-Jackson’s total raised to date for charities to just over $88 million.

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA Five Arizona teachers and their schools received $5,000 grants from BCBSAZ to fund programs that fight childhood obesity. The grants were awarded based on the execution of the Walk On! Challenge, a health and fitness challenge that has reached more than 307,000 children.

BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION The Semper Fi Fund announced it has raised a total of $20 million in its annual “Double Down for Veterans” fundraising challenge thanks to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, which matched all donations, dollar for dollar, up to $10 million. The Semper Fi Fund provides critical resources to wounded, ill and injured military veterans.

BROKERS ALLIANCE Since December 2015, Brokers Alliance started a new incentive to raise money for different nonprofit organizations. If employees raise a certain amount each month, they get to dress down for a week. Beneficiaries of “Casual for a Cause” have included Save the Family and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

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CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

Southern Arizona. Through year-round 24-7 fundraising efforts at local stores and events throughout Arizona, the 2016 fundraising total was $5,704,370.25.

CLEAR TITLE AGENCY OF ARIZONA Clear Title raised more than $15,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley through a month-long “5-for-5” program. Clear Title donated $5 from every transaction closed in June and also raised outside donations.

COX COMMUNICATIONS Phoenix Children’s Hospital received a $200,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation — named after the founder of Cox Communications — to support the hospital’s “Connected Patient Project,” which provides customized patient care information on tablets.

DELTA DENTAL For 20 years, the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation has been committed to expanding access to oral health education and preventive dental care, especially for children and expectant mothers. In the first quarter of 2017, nearly $500,000 was distributed to 29 Arizona community groups serving high-risk children and families, pregnant mothers, dental health awareness programs and regional oral health coalitions.

ROAD TO SUCCESS: Subway Kids & Sports sponsors Cycle for Success, which surprises deserving local children (via a teacher-led nomination process) with bikes, helmets, locks and a catered lunch party for their random acts of kindness. The Cycle for Success program has been operating for more than a decade at Title 1 schools and focuses on increasing children’s self-esteem, encouraging the community to become involved in the lives of at-risk children.

PROVIDED PHOTO

CABLE ONE Cable One Inc. provided a $100,000 donation to Hance Park Conservancy, which works with the City of Phoenix to promote the creative use of public space and a culture experience at Margaret T. Hance Park in Downtown Phoenix.

The funds will go toward the construction of a multi-purpose amphitheater at the city-owned park.

CIGNA Cigna was recognized by the March of Dimes as the top corporate fundraising team in Phoenix. Employees raised nearly $75,000 for the March of Dimes March for Babies with approximately 200 participants. Cigna has been a partner of the March of Dimes and a national sponsor of March for Babies for the past 22 years.

CIRCLE K United Cerebral Palsy recognized Circle K employees, customers and vendors for raising more than $5.7 million for UCP of Central and

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DESERT SCHOOLS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Desert School provided the largest donation ever to Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s formal school program, 1 Darn Cool School. 1 Darn Cool School allows more than 10,000 patients a year to experience a traditional classroom setting while in treatment.

EIDE BAILLY Regional CPA and business advisory firm Eide Bailly recognized outstanding nonprofit revenue generation with its 2016 Nonprofit Resourcefullness Awards. The Phoenix Symphony ($10,000), Phoenix Rescue Mission ($3,000) and Greater Foothills Helping Hands ($2,000) earned honors.

FIRSTBANK FirstBank is the presenting sponsor of Arizona Gives Day, which raised nearly $3 million for local nonprofits in 2017, the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits announced. More than 1,000 participating organizations will benefit from the donations. The event has raised more than $10 million since 2013.

GODADDY GoDaddy, which has donated more than $15 million to charitable organizations, supported 65 nonprofits through sponsorships and grants in 2015, donating close to $800,000 to organizations who foster STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), computer science education and entrepreneurship.

HARRAH’S AK-CHIN CASINO Harrah’s knocked its initial volunteer goal of 15,000 hours out of the park and ended up contributing a total of 19,298 volunteer hours in 2016. Moreover, more than 90 percent of the casino’s employees participated in its employeebased volunteer program in 2016, which is an increase from the 89.7 percent of participating employees in 2015.

JPMORGAN CHASE Eight local nonprofits working to help underserved entrepreneurs in the Valley received nearly $1 million in grants from JPMorgan Chase. Chase gave out $925,000 to eight nonprofits that help local entrepreneurs expand their business through mentorships, small business loans, business development and workshops.

MICHAEL A. POLLACK REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS Over the years, Michael Pollack has donated more than $4.6 million dollars between cash donations, discounted or free rent and other in-kind contributions to Goodwill of Central Arizona.

NATIONAL BANK OF ARIZONA In 2015, NB|AZ formed NB|AZ Charities, which is dedicated to providing support and resources to Arizona nonprofit agencies, especially those focused on affordable housing, arts and culture, community services, economic development, education, health and human services and neighborhood stabilization.

ONEAZ CREDIT UNION Reinforcing its commitment to the communities they serve, OneAZ Credit Union and OneAZ Community Foundation awarded grants to 33 local nonprofit organizations from across the state. The awards are part of the community grants program, which gave $50,000 in much needed funds to organizations who serve a wide range of communities.

ONTRAC A total of 229 OnTrac employees registered for the second annual Relay For Life event

at the OnTrac Corporate office in Chandler, which raised funds for cancer research.

OnTrac made a donation of $540 to the American Cancer Society (ACS) based on the number of laps completed.

PETSMART PetSmart Charities is committed to ending pet homelessness by investing in more than 3,000 animal welfare groups across the nation.

The group has helped find homes for more than 6 million pets — representing one of every pet adoptions in the U.S. PHOENIX RACEWAY Phoenix Raceway, through Phoenix Raceway Charities, spearheaded a $500,000 renovation project for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix. The donation marks the largest contribution to date by the organization and is a result of fundraising and commitments generated from Phoenix Raceway’s 50th Anniversary season in 2014.

PHOENIX SUNS Phoenix Suns Charities has been focused on doing all it can to improve its community since 1988. Since its creation, Phoenix Suns Charities has invested more than $17 million in its community. This year alone, the charity

KNEADERS BAKERY Throughout the month of September, all 52 Kneaders locations sold elephant-shaped sugar cookies with 100 percent of the sales going toward Dr. Joshua Schiffman’s groundbreaking research into how elephant DNA may unlock the cure to childhood cancer.

LARRY H. MILLER DEALERSHIPS Each year, Larry H. Miller employees come together during the company’s annual Day of Service in honor of the late Larry H. Miller, who strongly believed in giving back to the community. Since 2010, more than 7,618 employees have donated more than 30,472 hours to 140 organizations in seven states.

LOVITT & TOUCHE In 2015, Lovitt & Touché committed more than $500,000 to charitable and professional associations and is on track to meet or surpass that in 2016. The company earned the Copper Cactus Award for Lifetime Achievement for Community Service from the Tucson Chamber of Commerce.

HEALTHY OUTLOOK: Sundt employee-owners and their families participated in the Phoenix Heart Walk. Sundt received the Cancer Gold Standard accreditation from the CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a nonprofit organization that works with companies that meet specific requirements in their endeavors to reduce cancer-causing risks across the board. Sundt has earned the accreditation every year since 2011.

PROVIDED PHOTO

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gave more than $1.2 million to Arizona nonprofits.

PIONEER TITLE AGENCY Pioneer donated more than $250,000 to organizations in need in 2016, and in 2017 launched its latest initiative, Old School.

Through Old School, every single one of Pioneer’s 600-plus employees is granted paid time off from work to help volunteer on school projects in their community.

QUARLES & BRADY Through its Quarles Cares volunteer initiatives, the firm provides opportunities for attorneys and staff to commit themselves personally to civic and charitable efforts. In 2016, the Phoenix office was honored with the 2016 Make-AWish Arizona Tom & Madena Stewart Lifetime Compassion Award for its decades of support and service to the organization.

RISAS DENTAL & BRACES Hundreds of Risas Dental & Braces dentists and staff volunteers their time on Labor Day to provide free dental services to thousands of people in need of dental care across the Valley. The Phoenix-based healthcare company provided $325,000 in free services during its 5th annual Labor of Love Day event.

SHEA HOMES Shea Homes teamed up with the Arizona Cardinals to provide a complete makeover to the House of Helps Community and Worship Center in South Phoenix. Shea Homes and its trade partners donated their time and materials to take the home down to its exterior walls, providing a complete home makeover, plus the addition of a shade structure, community garden and storage buildings.

SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation awarded $1.6 million to nonprofit organizations that support health- and wellness-related causes last fall. The foundation focuses its giving in promoting health education and nutrition, food security and hunger relief, and helping people living with disabilities and health concerns.

SRP The goal of SRP’s Corporate Contributions program is to make the community a better place for its customers and employees to live and do business.

During fiscal year 2016, SRP supported the community through monetary and in-kind contributions totaling $3,387,052.

SUBWAY RESTAURANTS OF ARIZONA Subway’s nonprofit Subway Kids & Sports of Arizona helps children, who would not otherwise be able to afford it, with access to sports, uniforms, registration fees, outdoor camps and more. To date, it has impacted more than 35,000 Arizona kids and raised more than $800,000, all of which has stayed within Arizona.

SUNDT The Sundt Foundation was created in 1999 and focused on the needs of disadvantaged children and adults. Getting most of its funding through employee-owner contributions, the foundation has donated more than $7.2 million to community organizations and programs that benefit U.S. military members and their families.

THIRSTY LION During the month of March, Thirsty Lion Gastropub and Grill partnered with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to raise money for childhood cancer patients. The eight Thirsty Lion locations raised $40,458.99 for St. Baldrick’s, the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraising program for childhood cancer research.

T.W. LEWIS Formed in 2000 by Tom and Jan Lewis, the T.W. Lewis Foundation has provided college scholarships to more than 200 future leaders, made gifts to dozens of nonprofits that help children and families in need, and supported youth education organizations that build character and encourage civic engagement.

UNITEDHEALTHCARE The United Health Foundation awarded the Maricopa County Department of Public Health a $1 million grant to support the Preventive Health Collaborative, which helps to ensure that all children from birth to five years of age, and their families, are living healthier lives.

EDUCATION BOOST: Washington Federal Financial Scholars Program, a financial education curriculum designed to provide students with the critical skills needed to make sound financial decisions, launched at Metro Tech High School in 2013.

The program provides schools with Everfi’s interactive, web-based financial management education tool at no cost to either the school itself or taxpayers.

PROVIDED PHOTO

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VANGUARD The Vanguard Strong Start for Kids Program has awarded Southwest Human Development grants totaling $360,000 for two of its early childhood programs — Healthy Families, which offers support to high-risk families with newborns; and the Reach Out and Read program, which promotes early literacy in pediatric offices.

VITALYST HEALTH FOUNDATION The Vitalyst Health Foundation, in partnership with the Arizona Community

Foundation and the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, awarded Innovation Grants totaling $624,703 to five Arizona nonprofits.

These grants will fund projects that have a direct impact on building healthy communities around the state.

VIXXO Vixxo helped rehabilitate and renovate a Phoenix facility which will provide housing for more than 170 veterans. More than 60 Vixxo associates transformed a U.S. Vets facility at 3400 Grand Ave. in Phoenix by renovating the transitional housing project, adding new flooring, installing kitchens and other amenities.

WASHINGTON FEDERAL Washington Federal has a granting program – Washington Federal Foundation – which has already donated more than $60,000 across Arizona to qualifying nonprofits. The mission of the Washington Federal Foundation is to facilitate direct donations to community-based nonprofits that are serving the needs of low and moderate-income individuals.

WELLS FARGO Wells Fargo & Company announced that in 2016 the company donated $4,109,630.00 to support nonprofits in Arizona – which amounts to $11,269 in daily giving to local nonprofit organizations. Separately, Wells Fargo team members in Arizona showed their commitment by volunteering 97,267 hours with nonprofits, schools and community organizations, and donating more than $3,719,261.08.

WILDFLOWER BREAD COMPANY Continuing its annual “Wildflower Cares” celebration, Wildflower Bread Company again joined forces with No Kid Hungry to bring an end to childhood hunger. With the help of its customers, the local restaurant chain targeted a goal of providing 450,000 meals, while raising awareness of childhood hunger.

Z’TEJAS SOUTHWESTERN GRILL Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill formed a partnership with the United Phoenix Firefighters Charities through its charitable giving campaign, Cornbread for a Cause. Since launching Cornbread for a Cause in December 2015, Z’Tejas has donated more than $150,000 to local nonprofit organizations in the Phoenix community. n

LIVE UNITED

TOP 20

The Valley of the Sun United Way announced this year’s members of the Live United Top 20, which honors the 20 companies and organizations that are making the most dramatic impact on the work done by United Way through fundraising, volunteerism or providing expertise and resources.

This year’s Top 20 are: 1. APS 2. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. 3. USAA 4. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Inc. 5. QuikTrip 6. Nationwide E&S/Specialty 7. Wells Fargo Arizona 8. Vanguard 9. Arizona State University 10. UPS

11. Edward Jones Investments 12. Salt River Project 13. Enterprise Holdings Incorporated 14. American Airlines 15. Bank of America 16. PetSmart Inc. 17. Desert Schools Federal Credit Union 18. General Dynamics 19. Target Corporation 20. Macy’s

BY THE

­NUMBERS

The combined impact of these 20 companies is truly remarkable — including the following key statistics:

2.1 MILLION

850

20,000

1,200-PLUS

12,000-PLUS

2,500

breakfast in the classroom meals for students

meals for children provided with weekend hunger backpacks

school readiness kits packed and distributed

teens received job training

supportive housing units secured to end homelessness

students provided needed tools for high school graduation

2,600

received financial literacy coaching to increase income and reduced debt

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EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF MIM’S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS Global partnerships help craft one-of-a-kind exhibitions If one looks back at MIM’s beginning, the museum was created with the input of ethnomusicologists, museum professionals, and other consultants from around the world. Today, MIM continues to value such international relationships in developing original content and exhibitions to share with its guests.

“As a global museum, it makes perfect sense to be part of the world community,” says April Salomon, MIM’s executive director.

In January 2016, MIM partnered with Museo del Violino and the Friends of Stradivari in Cremona, Italy, to showcase the special exhibition Stradivarius: Origins and Legacy of the Greatest Violin Maker (above). The city of Cremona has one of the richest and most historic backgrounds in Western musical tradition. By working with international partners on the exhibition, MIM was able to explore how early violin makers shaped music from the sixteenth century through today as well as to highlight rare and treasured masterpieces.

“These international relationships allow MIM to develop unique content that is rarely seen outside of its place of origin,” says Manuel Jordán, PhD, MIM’s deputy director and chief curator.

Later in 2016, the Mexican government showed interest in working with MIM while developing a new museum, Museo de la Música Mexicana, in Puebla, Mexico. That museum opened in December with several instruments and artifacts from MIM’s permanent collection (right) as part of a reciprocal partnership between the two institutions.

The collection as well as video content are featured in a wing of Museo de la Música Mexicana, offering a wider glimpse into music from around the world and celebrating the universality of music. The organizers of the new museum felt that a global music angle was complementary to their museum’s larger focus on the history of indigenous Mexican music displayed chronologically.

As a reciprocal arrangement, MIM will identify select instruments and artifacts from Museo de la Música Mexicana to exhibit within its own Geographic Galleries.

one group to the public. As with Museo de la Música Mexicana, MIM will reciprocate and display some of its instruments and artifacts at the Henan Museum.

“MIM is fortunate to develop partnerships with international museums that share our vision and allow for meaningful cultural exchange,” says Salomon.

“MIM will always be able to tell new stories from the voices of people who are directly involved—whether it’s from the musicians, artisans, or their families,” says Jordán.

More recently, MIM is working with a new international partner to create the next exciting special exhibition scheduled to open in early November at the Target Gallery.

As MIM continues to grow, it looks forward to collaborating with more international partners to share intriguing global stories that celebrate music.

MIM and the Henan Museum of China are collaborating to spotlight archaeological, musical treasures of central China.

It will be the first time all the items are presented together as

“Moving forward we plan to seek and work with more like-minded institutions that share MIM’s goal of expanding knowledge of music and cultures from around the world,” says Salomon.

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

THE STATE OF NONPROFITS According to a report from the Concord Leadership Group that polled more than 1,000 organizations, most nonprofits are struggling to grow leaders and retain donors, which threatens the nonprofits’ very existence and the services they provide to the communities they serve. So what should nonprofits be doing to survive and thrive? Az Business Angels asks members of the magazine’s advisory board to analyze the current state of nonprofits in Arizona and offer advice on how businesses can help nonprofits realize their goals and achieve their missions. You’ll want to read what they have to say.

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ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

N

onprofit organizations are finding the need to constantly adjust their priorities to balance an ever-evolving economic climate with the changing needs of those they serve.

The top priority for most nonprofits from years past – acquiring new donors and maintaining relationships with existing donors – has been surpassed by the need for nonprofits to engage the community, promote brand awareness and the conflicting pressures placed on nonprofit leaders’ time, according to the Nonprofit Marketing Guide.

To talk about the issues and trends facing nonprofits today and the ways businesses can boost their bottom lines by improving their efforts to be socially responsible, Az Business Angles talked with members of Az Business Angels’ advisory board to talk about the trends and challenges facing nonprofits, the benefits of corporate giving and how Millennials are changing the existing business models for nonprofits.

The Az Business Angels advisory board members who offered their views are: • Deborah Bateman, vice chairman of the board of directors, National Bank of Arizona • Tyler Butler, founder and principal, 11Eleven Consulting • Derrick Hall, CEO, Arizona Diamondbacks • K risten Merrifield, CEO, Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits • Nicole Stanton, managing partner, Quarles & Brady • Merl Waschler, president and CEO, Valley of the Sun United Way

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Az Business Angels: What is the biggest trend that will impact nonprofits in 2018?

Deborah Bateman: It’s difficult to predict the “biggest trend” to impact nonprofits in 2018, but I would lean toward trends in the financial or social media realms. If President Donald Trump is successful with a material tax cut, then we should expect financial trends that would result in boosted philanthropic giving from corporations, foundations and wealthy donors.

Regardless, I would recommend that all nonprofits stay abreast of new developments and trends in social media. Nonprofits should be creating strategies to get the most out of their social media for fundraising, new initiatives and better engagement with their audiences.

Tyler Butler: I think joining the corporate and charity brands through partnerships and joint campaigns is going to be something that becomes more prevalent. I think by doing that, there is going to be a big boost that enables causes to raise more awareness. And in turn, hopefully raise more funds for their needs.

Derrick Hall: I think the economy has recovered and consumers are now confidently spending money and generously donating money.

A trend I have seen is more and more of the six to seven-figure matching gifts that are generating larger sums in a shorter amount of time due to deadline attachments to the development.

Kristen Merrifield: Rapidly advancing technology will continue to be a trend for nonprofits and it will require them to stay up to speed in order to remain relevant to their donor base. I have heard from several nonprofit colleagues that they don’t feel newer

technology (think Facebook Live or even mobile giving for example) is as important because their donor base still trends older and isn’t as engaged on these platforms. However, where are the next generation of donors coming from and what are we doing today to begin to engage them with our causes?

Nicole Stanton: There will be a continued steady increase in the use of mobile technology to simplify the donation process. But conversely, there is a greater need than ever to be authentic and offer donors, partners and supporters a true human connection to the organization so that the technology does not end up a deterrent.

Merl Waschler: We’re in a rapidly changing regulatory environment and many of the changes impact the people we serve, the issues we care about and, in some cases, our nonprofits themselves. It’s imperative that nonprofits advocate for themselves and build constituencies who will speak out on their behalf. To accomplish this, we must deepen people’s understanding of the issues and our work to solve them. We must engage people in authentic ways so our mission and work is relevant to them, and we must clearly articulate the value our work provides to the community, to the economy and to individual lives.

Az Business Angels: How has the Millennial generation changed the way businesses view social responsibility?

Tyler Butler: I’ve been a practitioner of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for some time. I’ve seen the needle move very slowly to it being a must-have for companies. But I think since

Millennials have entered the workplace, what I’m seeing is more of an emphasis on that piece. Companies are now feeling the pressure to compete in that space to get the best Millennial talent. And Millennials are known to give a lot of prudence and a lot of thought on where they’re going to work and often base that decision on the company’s overall character and the principles by which they all do business, and I think that all leads back to being a good corporate citizen.

Derrick Hall: It has made corporate giving more of an individual employee decision. Millennials do not seem to embrace a corporate nonprofit campaign or target. Rather, they would like to give only to what is important in their lives.

Kristen Merrifield: This dovetails on the trend question as it involves engaging a new, growing set of philanthropists. While this group may not be yet writing the $100,000 checks, they are absolutely paying attention to how their colleagues and their employers are taking care of the communities around them. Millennials truly embody the “walk the walk” and don’t just “talk the talk” mentality.

They want to be a part of the solution, which includes being offered opportunities to do so through their choice of workplaces.

Nicole Stanton: Cone Communications just published a study reporting seven in 10 Americans now believe companies have an obligation to take actions to improve issues — even ones that may not even be relevant to everyday business operations. The study, which I see as a clear indicator of Millennials making their voices heard, also showed that this generation’s definition of what being a “good business” means today is clearly linked to authentic CSR.

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ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

MAKING WISHES COME TRUE: Quarles & Brady partner and past-Make-aWish Chair Brad Vynalek with “Wish Kid” Jayne, 13, who had her wish to be a fashion designer granted during the 2016 Wish Ball. Quarles & Brady, led by Office Managing Partner Nicole Stanton, earned the 2016 Make-A-Wish Arizona Tom & Madena Stewart Lifetime Compassion Award for its several decades of support and service to the organization.

PROVIDED PHOTO

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Deborah Bateman: I am truly inspired by the Millennial generation. They demand transparency and they want to make an impact on the world. Businesses need to understand this generation’s values, because they are our trending and growing workforce and consumer.

There is an abundance of data that supports this, but one that I find very telling is that according to the 2015 Cone Communications Millennial CSR Study, “more than nine-in 10 Millennials would switch brands to one associated with a cause.”

Az Business Angels: What impact do you see on businesses that put extra effort into corporate social responsibility?

Derrick Hall: Those businesses that do will have stronger loyalty from their consumers. When companies truly make a consistent impact on their communities, customers tend to take pride in an association with those brands and companies.

Kristen Merrifield: I have seen the biggest impact coming from those businesses who incorporate social responsibility and philanthropy into their culture and their core values. If it is buying a table once a year at a gala, or small clothing drive or food drive once every few years, you probably aren’t truly affecting change in your community. The big impact comes when businesses truly become partners with the nonprofits in their community and work together and through their employees to engage in meaningful ways.

Nicole Stanton: Corporate social responsibility helps to both attract and retain engaged and productive employees. It often also attracts potential investors and clients with similar values and beliefs, which leads to better partnerships from the onset and develop into longterm relationships.

Deborah Bateman: Businesses that put extra effort into their social responsibility or philanthropic efforts net big benefits. It puts a “halo” on the company brand. In addition, it attracts potential employees that want to be part of a workforce that is doing good things and making the world a better place. More than once, I have had a prospective client contact me and say, “I want to move my banking relationship to National Bank of Arizona because of what you are doing in the community.” Great companies don’t “give” to get back, but it has been my experience that it can comeback tenfold.

Tyler Butler: I think businesses need to really authentically put effort into a full-circle partnership. And what I mean by that is having all different aspects of giving — from financial to volunteerism to inkind support. But I think for philanthropic efforts, companies are going to get a greater positive sentiment boost, which I think is so valuable for companies these days. I think companies who navigate their CSRs strategically will have their employees more activated, who will be out and about doing more good through volunteerism and donation drives.

For companies that are involved with philanthropic efforts, I think employee retention is better. Stakeholders are more invested in the success of the company as well. I definitely see there is an opportunity to have a higher degree of sales for companies, as well as their products being more well received.

Az Business Angels: Where do you see the biggest need for businesses to help nonprofits in Arizona?

Kristen Merrifield: The need is truly abundant. I think this goes back to the previous question as well — determine how the community intersects you and your employees. Find a nonprofit that matches your passion, or better yet, that of your employees or customers. Talk to the nonprofit and better understand their unique needs — maybe its a financial contribution for operating expenses or maybe its expertise in a certain field or it might even be a board member or volunteer. The other area I think is becoming increasingly important is to simply be an advocate for the sector. Help share the good report of what the sector is doing, not only the “feel-good” work, but as a peer in employing Arizonans and generating revenue to support our local economy.

Nicole Stanton: Aside from funding, businesses have a great opportunity to provide mentoring and advice regarding best practices in management of an organization. While not all ideas are applicable to nonprofits, some will be and could be impactful for a nonprofit.

Merl Waschler: Whether you’re a business or a nonprofit, it’s likely that you’re facing some kind of disruption. Business can help nonprofits by sharing your expertise and experiences as we evolve to meet needs in a fast-changing environment.

Deborah Bateman: I believe partnerships, alliances and advocacy are key in helping nonprofits in Arizona. The ability for a nonprofit to market itself is expanded when a business will align and partner with that on events and in social media. For the past 12 years, I have consistently asked our nonprofits, “What can I/NB|AZ do to serve and support ?” Consistently, the answers are, “help us to tell our story, provide us with greater visibility and introduce us to your clients.”

Tyler Butler: From a nonprofit standpoint, what I see is a growing need for financial support. I think businesses are being really savvy and smart in diversifying ways they give back through various in-kind support. And there is volunteerism, but I do see the skill volunteer pieces being integral as well. With nonprofits having budgets cut, their organizations may not have specialty areas, whether it’s PR and marketing, accounting or legal. They need skilled volunteerism in those areas and it’s a service to them. They can continue to do business as normal, besides having budgets cut. So, you know that’s one of the biggest needs for nonprofits in Arizona, to have that skilled talent, as well as the financial support on a consistent basis.

Derrick Hall: I believe it’s through campaign leadership or board leadership. With that partnership comes the ability to draw from other corporate leaders and Rolodexes.

Az Business Angels: What advice would you give to business leaders looking to spread their philanthropic wings and make their businesses more socially responsible?

Nicole Stanton: Authenticity is everything. You can’t fake caring.

So the best way to develop your own or your business’ philanthropic wings is to seek out causes – being children, homelessness, animals, et al. – that mean the most to you and/or your team. Follow your passion!

Deborah Bateman

Tyler Butler

Derrick Hall

Kristen Merrifield

Nicole Stanton

Merl Waschler

Merl Waschler: The most impactful, lasting solutions happen when businesses and nonprofits work together to achieve common goals. I suggest a business chooses a philanthropic focus that authentically aligns with its business objectives, while at the same time creates lasting, systemic change in our community. Don’t spread your philanthropy too thinly across many focus areas; you’ll lose your impact and your identity.

Go deep into one or a few issues, and then work with the relevant nonprofits to engage your leadership, your employees and your customers.

Deborah Bateman: First, have a plan (a corporate social responsibility strategic business plan). Within the plan, identify your areas of focus, your key initiatives, and the resources available/dedicated to insure the successful execution of this plan. Make sure that one of the company’s executives is fully accountable for the plan, its results and its perceptions. In addition, make it part of your regular corporate/business reporting — just like your financials, key business metrics and service standards. Accountability is key.

Derrick Hall: It starts at the top and must be genuine, but it is the employee base that can make the difference. Encourage and incentivize employees to be a part of giving or volunteering and provide paid time off for a set amount of hours per month.

Kristen Merrifield: Walk the walk. Don’t just put it in your marketing, but embed it in the heart of your business. n AzBusiness Angels | 39

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

TOP 10 VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS Here are the state’s Top 10 corporate volunteer programs, based on total number of volunteer hours in Arizona:

Intel: 161,100 volunteer hours

APS: 127,000 volunteer hours

Bank of America: 115,000 volunteer hours

Wells Fargo: 110,344 volunteer hours

UnitedHealthcare of Arizona: 46,563 volunteer hours

Cox Communications: 39,000 volunteer hours

SRP: 31,243 volunteer hours

Vanguard: 15,372 volunteer hours

Avnet: 14,639 volunteer hours

Humana: 13,883 volunteer hours

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Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter

2017

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

THE

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ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS

gift of giving

Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter shows strong donor relationships create a stable funding source

By ERIN THORBURN

ADELE DIETRICH: “Good fundraising isn’t about convincing a donor what to do,” says the president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter. “It’s about helping them discover what they want to do for others.”

PHOTO BY MIKE MERTES, AZ BIG MEDIA

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E

ducation, training, mentoring, research, credentialing and advocacy: all are pillars supporting the mission of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter. In addition, they are all initiatives Adele Dietrich, legacy giving officer of Phoenix Rescue Mission and president of the AFP Greater Arizona Chapter, fervently perpetuates within the local chapter. Above and beyond practicing the previously mentioned principles and philosophies, Dietrich believes there is something else paramount to the safekeeping and longevity of effective fundraising: relationship building.

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ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS

THE 6 PILLARS supporting the mission of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter

EDUCATION TRAINING MENTORING RESEARCH CREDENTIALING ADVOCACY

Through Dietrich’s efforts and of those by her side, the AFP Greater Arizona Chapter strives to excel in nonprofit fundraising and relationship building. Az Business Angels visits with the president of the AFP Greater Arizona Chapter to learn more about why AFP is an invaluable asset to local fundraisers (or development professionals as Dietrich prefers to call them) and the nonprofits for whom they advocate.

Az Business Angels: Can you share how the pillars tie in with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and what you find valuable in them?

Adele Dietrich: The way I see the pillars as tying into our local chapter is

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that they elevate the work of the nonprofit sector. We promote the welfare of others, through their philanthropy, in a way that only we can do. The pillars represent a broad picture of how we do that – leading social change, advancing advocacy, education and ethics.

We strongly promote ethical behavior in fundraising — from grass-roots nonprofits to the larger nonprofit organizations.

There can be unethical ways of raising money and there can also be shortterm efforts in fundraising. AFP works to counter these negative aspects of fundraising by legitimizing the work involved with raising money. That’s why I prefer the term “development

professional” over “fundraising professional.”

Development professionals should not be perceived as taking advantage of donors.

In fact, they work over long periods of time to develop authentic and lasting relationships.

ABA: Who would you describe as an ideal member of the association?

AD: The AFP is for a fundraising professional new to the role, all the way to a very experienced professional. It’s designed for someone who wants to be part of the collegial community, a sharing environment and it’s ideal for networking in the nonprofit sector.

Our AFP chapter is also valuable to someone seeking to strengthen his/her career

“AFP helps provide development professionals with skills to understand their organizations and donors. This knowledge helps the nonprofits they work for succeed.”

— ADELE DIETRICH

and continuing education in fundraising. We have it all!

ABA: Can you share a few benefits of membership?

AD: One of the benefits of an AFP membership is tremendous online resources.

AFP International provides information and resources from top fundraising professionals across the country; members are able to access this information and much more.

The other incredible advantages of membership are that members find a community of people who do the same work, can acquire mentorships, participate in continuing education and discover leadership and volunteer opportunities.

Volunteerism can sometimes be overlooked.

But in AFP, all our board members are volunteers. Ours is a safe environment in which to expand areas of interest without incurring a lot of risk.

A member who relocates can easily transition from one chapter to another and tap in to a new community.

ABA: What are some success stories directly resulting from membership/involvement with the association?

AD: Our AFP Chair of Career Services Committee Darcy Hill started her fundraising involvement in the mentoring program as a result of having a membership in AFP. It has helped her in her role with the Desert Botanical Garden’s fundraising team and now she’s on the board. It’s helped to grow many aspects of her career.

A lot of job connections come from membership and involvement. We have a job-posting service and you hear of many opportunities through word of mouth. Again, we offer a safe environment for members to explore opportunities without a lot of risk.

One of my co-workers at Phoenix Rescue Mission has recently completed the mentoring program. She has worked in fundraising for organizations for over a decade, but has learned foundational practices embedded within the science of fundraising and relationship development. Her membership in AFP led to her becoming an even better gift officer.

ABA: There is no doubt that there has been a great impact on local nonprofits as a result of the work of the AFP in Phoenix. How do you view that impact?

AD: The nonprofit sector has been called the third sector. It has operated in the shadows for a long time – minimal funding, first funding cuts. Our feet are held to the fire for results in ways that can be burdensome to some nonprofits. Often, they run on a skeleton staff and a shoestring budget. Bringing someone on staff who understands the value of building relationships with donors who love what your nonprofit does is irreplaceable.

AFP helps provide development professionals with skills to understand their organizations and donors. This knowledge helps the nonprofits they work for succeed. Members of AFP can help their organization achieve a diversified funding base that will last into the future.

The aspect of building relationships with donors is vital and requires planning, organization, includes key volunteers, and executive board members – everyone is important in a lasting relationship with donors.

We provide lessons on how to serve the donor at each level of the relationship.

For local nonprofits, AFP members can ultimately help provide sustainability through ethical fundraising and continuity in providing services.

ABA: What is your particular background with nonprofit involvement?

AD: My involvement with nonprofits started in 1998 with the United Way of Anchorage.

I began as loaned executive from Providence Hospital. I was later hired on with the United Way, where I learned what a healthy community looks like. It was insightful in understanding that you want an array of services that meet community needs.

I also worked with the Humanities Forum for the state of Alaska; in social services with Catholic Social Services and faith-based development for the Archdiocese of Anchorage for a couple of years.

Here in Arizona, I worked for the Arizona Community Foundation before circling back to faith-based human services with Phoenix Rescue Mission.

ABA: How did you become involved with the AFP? AD: When I was at United Way, my supervisor was very involved in the local chapter. Once a member, I served as treasurer, president-elect and president of the Alaska chapter.

Before I moved to Arizona, one of the first things I did was look up the local chapter. I didn’t know anyone here and I thought it was the best way to learn about nonprofits and become connected.

ABA: How does AFP membership work and how can people join?

AD: Easy! Contact Chapter Administrator Karolyn Kiburz at 480-947-3459. She’ll walk you through the application. We have three levels of membership: Professional, which means your role has a level of responsibility; Young Professional if you are 30 and younger; and Associate, if you’re in a field similar to fundraising.

ABA: Working with nonprofits has likely come with some challenges, what have they been?

Alternately, what rewards have manifested?

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ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS

The aspect of

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS with donors is vital and requires planning, organization, includes key volunteers, and executive board members –

EVERYONE IS IMPORTANT

in a lasting relationship with donors. We provide lessons on how to serve the donor at each level of the relationship. ­— ADELE DIETRICH

AD: Because a professional in fundraising is a fairly new profession. Being part of AFP provides a level of recognition that the fundraiser adheres to best practices and high standards. It’s often thought that anyone can raise money (maybe), but often it’s for the short-term, not the long-term. We want to find donors who will continue to give to

an organization over long periods of time.

By developing authentic relationships, we elevate fundraising as an honorable profession.

One of the challenges with nonprofits can be justifiability in the budget for membership.

We help demonstrate to nonprofits how crucial donor relationships are, which leads to a more stable funding source.

The real reward happens when a donor starts to tell you why they give to your organization and why it’s so important to them. It gives me a personal sense of what a privilege it is to walk beside that donor and help them give that gift.

Good fundraising isn’t about convincing a donor what to do; it’s about helping them discover what they want to do for others. n

ARIZONA LEADERSHIP

Here is the 2017 executive committee of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter: President: President-elect:

Immediate past president: Treasurer: Secretary:

Adele Dietrich, CFRE, legacy giving officer, Phoenix Rescue Mission Chris Sar, CFRE, chair, Professional Mentoring Committee Torrie Taj, CFRE, CEO, Child Crisis Arizona Keith Kerber, CFRE, development officer, St. Joseph’s & Barrows Neurological Foundation Rebecca Zandarski, major gifts and planned giving officer, Phoenix Zoo

Diversity Committee:

Education Committee:

Career Services:

Advancement Committee:

Membership Committee: Philanthropy Day Committee: Communications Committee:

Association Administrator: Sponsorship:

Jerry Diaz, CFRE, Ronald McDonald House Charities Lisa Evans, CFRE, senior manager, chapter fundraising advancement, Make-a-Wish America Darcy Hill, development director, Desert Botanical Garden Maureen Jorden, vice president and development director, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center Laine Seaton, CFRE, development officer, Child & Family Resources Jodi Stoken, CFRE, chief development officer, Child Crisis Arizona Sarah Weisman, development manager, Make-A-Wish International Karolyn Kiburz, CMP, Meetings & Concierges Source LLC Liz Kaplan, director, Plexus Charities at Plexus Worldwide

2017 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

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THE ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS What it is: The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is the professional association of individuals and organizations that generate philanthropic support for a wide variety of charitable institutions.

Founded in 1960, AFP advances philanthropy through its 33,000 members in more than 244 chapters throughout the world. AFP has inspired global change and supported efforts that have generated over $1 trillion. AFP’s individual and organizational members raise over $115 billion annually, equivalent to one-third of all charitable giving in North America, and millions more around the world.

Mission statement: AFP, an association of professionals throughout the world, advances philanthropy by enabling people and organizations to practice ethical and effective fundraising. The core activities through which AFP fulfills this mission include education, training, mentoring, research, credentialing and advocacy.

Learn more: afpgreateraz.afpnet.org

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Guiding Professional Mentoring Program helps aspiring professionals develop fundraising prowess

By ERIN THORBURN

B

enjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

It’s a quote befitting of those who participate in the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter Professional Mentoring Program. For more than 22 years, the local AFP mentorship program has provided ample opportunities for fundraising professionals to not only become involved, but to also elevate the entire Arizona nonprofit sector.

AFP’s Greater Arizona Chapter provides continuing education, relationship building and networking opportunities to fundraising professionals both novice and expert, while also effectively propagating a strong and virile nonprofit community. As a result, the AFP Greater Arizona Chapter mentoring program has caught the attention of the national AFP, becoming the model of mentorship programs across the nation.

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MASTERING MENTORSHIP Part of what makes the AFP Professional Mentoring Program exemplary is its comprehensive attributes.

AFP mentorship is more than simply pairing a mentee with an experienced fundraising professional who acts as a mentor.

“Our program offers much, much more than matching mentee with mentor,” explains Independent Fundraising Consultant Chris Sar, AFP mentor committee chair. “What we’ve built into the program is about 25 hours of continuing education curriculum spread out over 12 programs.”

All mentors of the program must hold a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation and a high level of commitment.

Nine months of the year-long program is dedicated to a service project, for which there must contain measurable results. These projects vary from stewardship activities and event planning to marketing and social media campaigns, and are designed to provide an impactful asset to the nonprofit for which the mentee reports.

Professional mentorship alumni Laurel Coil, community relations manager for Maggie’s Place, an organization that helps house and provide resources for pregnant and new

mothers, created a structured program for monthly givers for her service project.

During the course of the year, while working on service projects, participants will work with mentors and meet twice a month for continuing education classes, as well as one-on-one meetings and networking occasions.

BENEFITS FOR FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS “There are very few academic programs designed for those who choose to go into nonprofit management and/or fundraising,” Sar says.

One of the top benefits for individuals seeking to learn more about these areas is the diversification the mentoring program invites – having options for both the protégée and the proficient.

“The program was ideally built for those with less than five years experience, but for someone who has a true desire to make nonprofit fundraising a career path,” Sar says.

For those with more fundraising experience, the mentorship program offers an advanced fast track.

“The ideal person for the Advanced Professional Mentorship program typically has three to five years of experience and is seeking to learn more than beyond what they specialize in their current role,” Sar says.

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VALUE ADDED TO THE NONPROFIT COMMUNITY It isn’t the participants of the mentorship program who exclusively benefit. The nonprofits for which they work receive much (maybe even more!) of the reward.

“The program impacts nonprofits by raising the professionalism and capabilities of a fundraising staff,” Sar says.

Graduates of the mentoring program agree with Sar’s assertions, adding that going through the AFP mentoring program creates a level of legitimacy in fundraising that would otherwise be less poignant.

“As a young fundraiser with less than five years in the nonprofit space, to say I have a local board membership not only at a local level but at a national level has been a quick transition,” says AFP mentorship program alumni Darcy Hill, chair of the local AFP career services committee and development manager for Desert Botanical Garden.

Adding more to the resume of fundraising professionals adds to the potency of Arizona’s nonprofit community.

“On a large scope, the service projects improve the quality of local nonprofits. Stewardship and communication assessment assist with strategic planning for organizations that don’t have that level of planning,” Sar emphasizes. “It raises the level for small organizations who have never thought about fundraising in those terms.”

Laurel Coil The proof is in the continued involvement of well-known nonprofits and the fundraising professionals that work for them: Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Desert Botanical Garden, Habitat for Humanity, Phoenix Rescue Mission and perhaps less familiar nonprofits like The Whale Foundation, an organization that provides mental and physical health resources and support to Grand Canyon river guides.

SECURING A FUTURE IN FUNDRAISING While graduates continue to solidify a noteworthy nonprofit standing in Arizona,

Darcy Hill

Chris Sar

new enrollments begin this fall for the Greater Arizona Chapter Professional Mentoring Program.

Past, present and future mentees/mentors unanimously agree, that for the price of the mentorship program – a one-time $495 fee – you can’t get a better return on investment.

“There is absolutely nothing you can lose from going through the program,” Coil says.

“The gains far outweigh the costs associated with the program. What I obtained in friendships and other networking opportunities has been beyond beneficial.” n

CAREER BOOST Looking for a career in nonprofit fundraising? If so, you could be one of 12 participants for the 2018 Professional Mentorship Program. Applications will be available online (afpgreateraz.afpnet.org) in November. Until then, here is the criterion for mentorship program candidates: •F ill out a complete application (deadline mid- to late December, TBA) •P repare for a direct supervisor to approve your application (due to time commitment involved) •P ay a one-time enrollment fee of $495 •S cholarships are available (check online for qualifications) •A dvanced track applicants must have 5 years of prior nonprofit/ fundraising experience •F or questions, email AFP Mentor Committee Chair Chris Sar at csartempe@gmail.com.

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ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS

Career

advancement Association of Fundraising Professionals helps members through continuing education and certification

A

By ERIN THORBURN

ccording to Bureau of Labor statistics, the nonprofit industry employed close to 14.4 million people in 2013 – a steep 13 percent jump over the previous decade and a healthy indicator of growth in the nonprofit sector. But despite that piece of good news for professional fundraisers, the nonprofit sector remains one of the smallest in terms of the total employee pool.Â

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What does this mean for members of organizations like the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter?

Only good news. In short, well-trained, certified and educated fundraising employees — the likes of which AFP grooms and supports — are in high demand within the nonprofit sector. Perhaps no one understands this better than Desert Botanical Garden Development Manager Darcy Hill, chair of AFP Greater Arizona Chapter’s Career Services Committee.

SOMEONE JUST BECAME A LOT MORE MARKETABLE Many AFP members agree that going through the AFP Professional Mentoring Program, the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) Program, and taking advantage of Career Services resources, elevate nonprofit and fundraising professionals exponentially within the nonprofit sector.

“Going through the CFRE program can benefit fundraising professionals in so many ways,” says Hill, “including increasing salary potential, opening doors for greater nonprofit employment options, or becoming more viable to work with a large-scale staff.”

Hill has experienced the benefits and elevation that comes from plunging into AFP programs like CFRE. Prior to her position as chair of the Career Services Committee, Hill went through the mentorship program and was fortuitously paired with mentor Sandra Searle, director of the Barrow Neurological Foundation and St. Joseph’s Foundation. At the time, Searle was chair of the Career Services Committee.

When Searle’s two-year commitment was nearing an end, Hill was asked if she would be willing to assume the role, which she happily accepted.

“The combination of the mentoring program and my role as Career Services Committee chair has introduced me to so many people in AFP who continue to help me advance in my career,” Hill says.

Darcy Hill

Sandra Searle AzBusiness Angels | 53

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS

For 50 years, AFP has been the standard-bearer for professionalism in fundraising. Learn more about AFP, its activities and people, and how you can becomes involved by visiting afpnet.org.

OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYMENT AND ELEVATING NONPROFIT CAREERS “Career services is focused on young professionals in AFP, catering mostly to fundraisers early in their career, or seeking resources,”Hill explains.

As part of AFP’s career services resources, members can access a comprehensive job database.

“Our jobs are more office based,” Hill says, “but the majority offer networking opportunities and an emphasis on doing things ethically, reiterating quality standards.”

While AFP fundraising professionals peruse nonprofit career opportunities, employers, too, can search for qualified talent to fulfill their staffing needs.

There is also an AFP Consultant and Resource Directory that enables consultants to place their company in view of nonprofit and fundraising professionals.

GETTING CERTIFIED

If you have a minimum of five years of professional fundraising experience, consider enhancing your nonprofit career and talent by taking the Certified Fund Raising Executive exam. Here is a glimpse into the application process through AFP: •A pplications for initial certification require candidates to document information in three categories: Education, professional practice and professional performance.

• The application works on a point system, in which a minimum number of points will be documented (automatically through the CFRE online application) in each of the 3 categories to qualify for the CFRE examination.

•Y our application must be approved before you can be scheduled for the CFRE exam.

•E xam fees vary – $700 to $875 (discounted rates apply only to certain AFP chapters) •L earn more: cfre.org/apply/requirements

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Nonprofit and fundraising employment postings — in addition to aiding both employer and employee — ultimately help AFP’s bottom line.

“The job postings ensure that we secure revenue, so it’s important that we get them published in a timely manner,” Hill says.

CERTIFIED FUND RAISING EXECUTIVE PROGRAM Whereas employment opportunities are a focus for the nonprofit apprentice, CFRE certification is designed for fundraising veterans with five years of field fundraising experience.

“It’s important that individuals who apply (for CFRE) are seasoned professionals,” Hill says. “There is a lot of education involved – the equivalent of 80 hours, in addition to webinars and workshops.”

This year, the AFP Greater Phoenix Chapter Career Services will host two-day courses for CFRE and 2017 Fundamentals of Fundraising.

Fundamentals of Fundraising is similar to a condensed version of the continuing education program AFP members receive in the Professional Mentorship Program, according to Hill.

“We’re excited to offer these programs to both audiences,” Hill says. “We don’t typically mesh beginners with experts, but we need to put these two demographics together more often and this is a way to help us do that.”

Experts, Hill adds, whether they have the required five years of prior experience or more, will benefit from going through the CFRE program.

“An experienced fundraising professional may have 20 years of experience in one area, but could benefit from intensive learning in a different area – like social media,” she says.

Creating best ethical practices in fundraising is the likely one of the best byproducts of going for the CFRE exam, Hill says.

“Whether you are a fundraiser on a staff of one or 20, you will learn how to speak better within your organization and with colleagues,” Hill says, “which in turn will also prepare the same treatment for donors – whether they give a little, or a lot.” 

AFP

member spotlight

Liz Kaplan

L

iz Kaplan, director, Plexus Charities at Plexus Worldwide and Association of Fundraising Professionals member since 1989, shares how being involved with the fundraising organization has been — and continues to be — a bright spot in her nonprofit success and invaluable to the prosperity of Arizona’s nonprofit sector.

“I joined AFP right out of college,” Kaplan says, “and it has always been at the heart of my involvement in fundraising.”

Kaplan, who currently serves on the board of the AFP Greater Arizona Chapter, explains that AFP armed her with the knowledge to serve on both sides of the nonprofit table.

“Working for nonprofits has helped me to now be on the ‘other side’ of fundraising,” she says. “It has enabled me to make sure the money is going where it should.”

It’s the continuing education and resources, however, that Kaplan explains is an invaluable commodity provided through AFP. “You can always learn something,” Kaplan says, “I think it’s great for your career. If you feel like you want to move up in your present job or are seeking a new job, AFP is a tight-knit community that stays relevant and on top of trends.”

In terms of networking in a professional fundraising environment, Kaplan says there’s no better way to meet like-minded people with aligned goals and vision.

“I always find it interesting that I am still in contact with people today that I knew 25 years ago through AFP,” Kaplan says. “I really can say that I have been helped through good and bad times – all the ups, and all the challenges.”

There’s no better way to meet like-minded people with aligned goals and vision.

—Liz Kaplan

AzBusiness Angels | 55

Nomination deadline June 12, 2017

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© IstockPhoto

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© Zoe Marks

The World We Depend On, Now More Than Ever, Depends On Us Learn more about the power of nature at nature.org/arizona

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© Justin Bailie

T

he Nature Conservancy in Arizona works to conserve our rivers, lands and forests. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our state’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together.

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP

BALANCING risks and rewards

By JESSE A. MILLARD

A

s business leaders rise through the ranks, the increase in prestige comes with an increasing call for them to serve their communities. “Most

business leaders want to give back in some way,” says Matthew H. Mason, general counsel at Clear Sky Capital Inc. and former shareholder at Gallagher & Kennedy. “They feel a sense of duty.” But what many of them don’t know, Mason says, is that there are risks involved when they join nonprofit boards.

What are the risks you face when you take a seat on a nonprofit’s board?

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J

oining a nonprofit organization’s board of directors is a noble and powerful undertaking. As a new board member, you’re now playing a large role in the success of the nonprofit’s mission to assist the community.

As a board member, you have to ensure that you’re carrying out the fiduciary duties, which is a mighty responsibility.

Keep in mind, though, that you have the same fiduciary duties, same duty of good faith, same duty of care and same duty of loyalty on a nonprofit board as you have as a member of a for-profit board, says Kendis Muscheid, partner at Ballard Spahr.

You’re in charge of making sure the nonprofit is being accountable with its finances and you’re responsible for making sure the organization is well managed, adds Muscheid.

Yet, despite all of these responsibilities, some business leaders may take easily avoidable risks when they agree to sit on a nonprofit’s board.

“I think sometimes when people go on nonprofit boards, they don’t completely appreciate the fact that they are helping run a business,” Muscheid says.

Joining a nonprofit board is just like running a for-profit business, except the “profits” are just going to different expenses instead of being distributed to shareholders, she says.

Scott DeWald, a partner at Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie who

works with nonprofits, says potential board members may not realize the risk of liability and reputational harm that could stem from failure to oversee a nonprofit.

Directors on nonprofit boards can be held liable for failure to detect misconduct, misusing funds, self-dealing and for authorizing excessive compensation for executive employees.

“One need only to read the news about financial mismanagement, particularly involving a misuse by staff of funds that were donated or provided under circumstances in which some public purposes was intended, to be reminded that directors are expected to be guardians of the integrity of nonprofit activities,” DeWald says.

But there are ways you can protect yourself. Robert Erven Brown, a shareholder at Gallagher & Kennedy, often visits nonprofit boards to explain proper operating procedures for board members. Brown shared several key items with Az Business Angels to keep in mind when navigating the world of nonprofits as a board member.

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NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP

7

THE

DEADLY SINS OF

NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS

“When business leaders are brought onto a nonprofit board, they often take off their business hat and think, ‘I’m here to raise money,’” says Matthew H. Mason, general counsel at Clear Sky Capital Inc. and former shareholder at Gallagher & Kennedy. “While that is part of their job, their role is also to manage the nonprofit, just as they manage their own business. When they don’t do that, that’s a big danger.” To help board members navigate those dangers, Mason and Gallagher & Kennedy Shareholder Robert Erven Brown outlined what they call “The seven deadly sins of nonprofit board members.” Here they are:

1. B reach of fiduciary duty because of a private inurement 2. Failing to observe corporate formalities 3. Are not properly indemnified 4. Committing gross negligence 5. Violating the good business judgement rule 6. Failing to properly manage officers 7. Causing deepening insolvency

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Robert Erven Brown

Scott DeWald

FOLLOW PROPER CORPORATE FORMALITIES Brown says this is a key concept when acting as a nonprofit board member. An easy way to visualize this concept is with hats. You should always remember which hat you’re wearing when you’re doing board work. Some hats you have say corporate officer, while others say board member. For whatever hat you may be wearing, it’s important to remember that you’re acting in that role and there are certain limitations and powers. Since corporations are legal entities designed to protect you from personal liability, it’s important to follow these corporate formalities so you’re protected. One example of protecting yourself is to always use the correct signature block when signing for something on behalf of the nonprofit. Brown has seen people become personally liable for a charity’s debts because they failed to clearly indicate that they were signing as an “authorized agent” for the nonprofit. One way to ensure that you’re signing correctly, is to state clearly in the signature on any document you sign that you are signing as an “authorized agent” for XYZ Nonprofit, an Arizona nonprofit corporation, and state your role on the board in the signature.

UNDERSTAND YOUR ROLE IN THE NONPROFIT You don’t want to go around doing things that aren’t within your wheelhouse when working on the board of a nonprofit. Using the signature example, Brown says, board members are never supposed to sign papers on behalf of the corporation. This is because board members, except for officers, are not authorized agents who are able to act on behalf of the corporation.

The only time this rule can be broken as a non-officer member of the board is if the board passes a resolution appointing you as the authorized agent to sign documents.

NEVER SERVE ON A BOARD UNLESS YOU’VE COLLECTED PROPER DOCUMENTATION How could you know what you’re getting into if you haven’t reviewed

Matthew H. Mason

Kendis Muscheid

the paperwork? Before accepting your post as a board member, review and collect sample minutes of past meetings, the Articles of Incorporation and the bylaws. One of the most important things you should verify, though, is that the board has directors and officers liability insurance, along with typical insurance for the nonprofit, such as general liability (with a cybersecurity endorsement), fire and casualty, property, worker’s compensation and automobile insurance. Get a copy of the insurance paperwork and make sure everything is current and regularly renewed.

FILE ANNUAL REPORTS WITH ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION AND THE IRS Make sure to file your annual report to the Arizona Corporation Commission, along with any necessary filings with the Internal Revenue Service. If you fail to file your annual report to the ACC, then your nonprofit will lose its corporate charter. If that happens, your nonprofit is no longer a corporation, losing the corporate shield that defends you from personal liability. “If you’re going to be a director, you need to make it your personal responsibility to confirm that the corporation is in good standing,” Brown says.

FOLLOW THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS The Articles of Incorporation contain a purpose clause which defines the scope of activities which the nonprofit corporation can legally do. Your nonprofit cannot legally do anything outside of this purpose. Otherwise, the persons who take the unauthorized action may be personally liable. It is also equally vital to follow the bylaws — the rules that your nonprofit must follow — for any action to be valid and defensible by law.

One area to follow is when you’re calling for a meeting. To hold a valid meeting of the board of directors, you must be able to prove

that you followed the proper rules, such as sending out a written invitation, ensuring the proper number of board members are present for the meeting to be valid and confirm there are enough votes to pass a resolution. Finally, carefully describe these actions in the “minutes” of the meeting and have them signed by the secretary. If these steps are taken, you now have an official act of the corporation defensible at law. Two iron rules, Brown notes, are: 1. Actions taken in contravention of the bylaws are void or voidable 2. A reviewing court or jury may conclude that actions that aren’t in writing probably didn’t happen. So be sure to have everything written down in the minutes from each board meeting.

DON’T ACCEPT MONEY AS A BOARD MEMBER To protect yourself from liabilities, it’s important to not accept money from the nonprofit for your services as a board member (sometimes called an honorarium). As long as you don’t accept money, you’re considered a volunteer who’s protected under Arizona’s Volunteer Protection Act. Under the act, you’re not liable for negligence of the corporation as a volunteer. But if you accept an honorarium, you lose your volunteer status and the protections of a volunteer, Brown says.

Of course, you can be reimbursed with a written receipt for reasonable expenditures for corporate business. It is always best to confirm the reimbursement with the CPA or the auditor for the charity.

DON’T SERVE UNLESS YOU CAN ATTEND THE MEETINGS Every board member owes the nonprofit a fiduciary duty to protect the best interest of the nonprofit and its money. If you’re not present at the meetings, then how can you possibly do that, asks Brown. It’s OK to miss one meeting out of 12 in a year, but it’s still important to document the fact that you missed the meeting and have a copy of its minutes so you’re aware of what happened and are keeping involved.

“If you live by those guidelines, then both you and your charity will have a lot less trouble,” Brown says. n

TOP 10 ARIZONA-BASED FOUNDATIONS, RANKED ON THEIR AMOUNT OF ANNUAL GIVING.

1. U niversity of Arizona Foundation: $82.9 million 2. ASU Foundation for a New American University: $72.3 million 3. A rizona Community Foundation: $43.1 million 4. Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation: $24 million 5. H elios Education Foundation: $18.1 million 6. Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust: $17.8 milion 7. K emper & Ethel Marley Foundation: $15.4 million 8. N ina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust: $12.2 million 9. G lenn Foundation for Medical Research: $11.5 million 10. Dorothy D. & Joseph A. Moller Foundation: 10.7 million

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MARKETING

GENERATIONAL SHIFT IN MARKETING

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N

onprofits support those who are struggling and provide assistance to segments of our population who are in need or in danger. However, many nonprofits find it difficult to stay connected to the donors and volunteers essential to their success because they are hyper-focused on those they serve and lack the resources to stay on top of the latest marketing tools in today’s digital world. What can nonprofits do to capitalize on the latest trends and technology to utilize marketing to fine-tune their success?

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MARKETING

By JESSE A. MILLARD Nonprofits have been enriching communities for many years with a mission to focus their resources in ways that directly benefit their primary causes.

As a result, many nonprofits are often unable to utilize modern marketing techniques to help the organization further its mission.

Worries about general funding, making sure those in need are helped and securing future donations has many nonprofits too busy and resources too strapped to invest in a digital marketing campaign.

Yet, digital marketing is very important in terms of engaging constituents, says Tony Finneman, co-founder and CEO of OneEach Technologies. Everything is changing, including how and why people donate to charities and how they find out about a nonprofit.

Older donors — including Baby Boomers — have been donating to nonprofits in a general sense over the years, Finneman says.

If an older donor wants to help a cause in their community, they’ll give a donation to a group and that will be it. But Finneman, whose firm helps nonprofits navigate the digital world, sees a shift in how different generations interact with nonprofits.

Take a look at Millennials, who are increasingly becoming the donation source of the future as they get older and become the majority of workers in the workforce.

As an example, many Millennials don’t engage with the general concept of helping a cause out in broad terms, Finneman says. Instead, Millennials are all about supporting something that is more tangible.

“So we’re seeing that shift in the younger generation, who are more cause oriented,” Finneman says. “They want to have an emotional attachment to what they are giving to.”

And experts say the digital world is the perfect place to engage these new donors by appealing to them on a personal level.

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THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE Navigating the world of digital marketing can be a daunting task, especially with the vast number of tools and platforms that can be utilized.

OneEach Technologies helps nonprofits in this digital world through three mediums: websites, mobile applications and texting.

When a nonprofit comes to OneEach with website needs, Finneman and his team help develop the nonprofit’s website and then continues to help manage the site for the nonprofit. OneEach is engaged with a nonprofit on a daily basis, Finneman says.

His firm works with nonprofits to help integrate old funding campaigns onto the site, while also making new funding campaigns utilizing modern tools.

OneEach will also help the nonprofit create a mobile application, which helps simplify the donation and communication

E

tips

6

for successful marketing

very marketing campaign has to start somewhere. In order to help your nonprofit form a successful marketing campaign, Marianne Guenther, CEO of BIG YAM, The Parsons Agency, offers six key tips for a successful marketing campaign:

1

2 3

4

BE EFFICIENT WITH YOUR RESOURCES

Guenther says it’s important to sit down with your team to create a content and marketing calendar. This will help you spend time on the onset to figure out how and what you want to promote to your nonprofit’s audience. Planning ahead with a calendar can help you better spend your resources, too.

DIVERSIFY YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS NETWORKS

Early on, marketers tend to make the mistake of only writing one message and sending it out across multiple networks, be it email, social media or online. But there are multiple customer segments within each network, Guenther says, and you want to make sure you send a message within each network directed towards those segments.

So, make sure you’re providing the right message to the right audience at the right time, she says.

DATA, DATA, DATA

One of the keys to efficiency is to make sure you’re doing more of what’s working and you’re changing, pivoting or stopping what isn’t working. The best way to figure this out is by analyzing the data. Make sure you have a measurable goal and objective for your digital efforts before you start your campaign. Measurement is key in any campaign, especially for a nonprofit’s campaign, Guenther says. Don’t go by your gut, measure it.

5 6

BE COGNIZANT OF HOW YOU’RE SPENDING YOUR BUDGET

You want to make sure the money given to your nonprofit by donors is spent in the most efficient manner. So make sure your nonprofit is using all of the free tools that it can. The easiest and most impactful tool, Guenther notes, is Google Analytics. It will help you with your data measurements to gauge the success of a campaign. And you can always apply for Google Ad Grants through AdWords to dive into the realm of pay-for-click advertising, Guenther says.

SPEND TIME WITH INFLUENCERS

This tip could take the most time, but connecting with folks that Guenther calls “digital warriors” can help expand your nonprofit’s online reach. These influencers can advocate for your nonprofit to the community by posting blogs and content that benefit your nonprofit. They can also spread the word about your cause to their networks in an impactful way by sharing your nonprofit’s content to their online following.

ENGAGE AN AGENCY

Depending on the budget, nonprofits can get a lot of benefit from engaging with a marketing agency that likely understands the community the nonprofit wants to get involved with. Most nonprofits don’t have a budget for a longtime relationship with a marketing agency, so a nonprofit may want to have one strategic planning session a year, or every other year, with a marketing agency.

These meetings can give nonprofits the tools for a successful marketing campaign while also laying the groundwork for these campaigns. And if there isn’t any kind of budget, there are many marketing agencies that do pro bono work.

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MARKETING

processes. And then there are texting campaigns, which Finneman says can yield instantaneous results.

One of Finneman’s clients utilizes what he calls “workplace campaigns.” Someone will walk into a workplace and pitch the nonprofit’s cause to the employees. Those who are interested can text a number and then they’ll immediately receive a link sending them to a donation page, Finneman explains.

“Within five minutes, they can engage an entire room and helps people give a donation or provide information instantly,” he says.

One digital marketing tool Aric Zion, CEO of Zion & Zion, an advertising and digital marketing agency with many nonprofit clients, thinks all nonprofits should be aware of is Google Ad Grants. Eligible nonprofits can receive $10,000 worth of in-kind advertising every month from Google’s AdWords through the program.

Zion says nonprofits can use this free advertising budget with Google to gain more visibility for the nonprofit through Google searches. Zion has seen tremendous success with the program.

And, of course, nonprofits need to start utilizing social media more, Zion says.

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“Many nonprofits we’re aware of have been around a long time and have older donors,” Zion says. “But are Millennials and other younger folks aware of these nonprofits?”

Not really, since some nonprofits aren’t fully engaging social media audiences, experts say. “(Younger) people are absolutely heavily on social media,” Zion explains.

“Millennials are a generation of givers, sharers, collaborators and are cause driven. So, nonprofits have a real opportunity, especially through social media, to build campaigns, to engage these audiences.”

WHY GO DIGITAL? Nonprofits have fallen behind the world of digital marketing because they often see themselves as a different animal, Zion says.

Nonprofits aren’t prodded with the urgency to be competitive for future donors like a normal corporation, Zion explains. But nonprofits should be thinking in this way, because they are competing for donation dollars with other nonprofits and other activities and products that are competing for those

discretionary dollars, he says.

The digital world is a unique place where grassroots marketing efforts can thrive organically thanks to the almighty share button. Since nonprofits work towards a greater cause, they are in a unique position to leverage this world by asking its supporters to share information about its cause, Zion says.

Corporations can’t go out and ask customers to share news about its product with their friends and urge customers to share information with their friends without folks laughing it off, Zion explains. But, since a

TOP

10

NONPROFIT BUDGETS Top 10 nonprofit organizations serving the Valley of the Sun, based on operating budget:

Tony Finneman

Marianne Guenther

— 1— St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance: $130 million

— 2— Valley of the Sun United Way: $104.1 million

— 3— Food for the Hungry: $93 million

— 4— Chicanos Por La Causa: $70.6 million

— 5— Christian Care/Fellowship Square: $55.5 million

— 6— Jewish Family & Children’s Service: $49 million

— 7— Society of St. Vincent de Paul: $43 million

— 8— Ability360: $42.7 million

— 9— United Food Bank: $42.6 million

— 10— Area Agency for the Aging: $37.7 million

Aric Zion

nonprofit is working towards a cause that may benefit many people, nonprofits can ask supporters to spread the word as much as they can, Zion notes.

“There are really no barriers to a nonprofit doing it,” Zion says about nonprofits asking folks to spread the word about its cause, “because (nonprofits) are engaged in a selfless enterprise.”

There’s an enormous amount of opportunity in the digital landscape for nonprofits, they just have to seize the opportunities, experts say.

Zion believes some nonprofits under-devote resources towards the Millennial generation.

Baby Boomers are only getting older, which means they’ll soon be relying on fixed incomes, making some unable to donate like they once did.

“We’re going to see a huge hit in donations over the coming years and (nonprofits) need to look at replacement revenue for those sources,” Zion says. “And social media is a natural way to tap into the next generation, which are Millennials.” n

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FACES OF GIVING

IT TAKES

A VILLAGE Motorcross champion sacrifices a kidney and her career to save the life of a virtual stranger in need

I

didn’t know what to expect walking into Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ Restaurant. I had heard his story and researched him endlessly, but nothing prepared me for the smiling 12-year-old boy in front of me.

Logan Carson’s mother, Candace Carson, stood near the door, while Logan and his little brother, Bryce, 9, messed around with the lollipops on the hostess desk. Logan saw me first. I smiled at him and he smiled right back as I shook his hand.

Logan isn’t like every 12-year-old. He is missing his right eye, the lower half of his right leg, and a few fingers on his right hand due to septic shock, yet he still has the brightest smile on his face.

The four of us sat at a large booth, the two boys were quickly scribbling on their kid menus, while Candace and I started talking.

When Logan was 10 years old, he was sent home from daycare, just one week after summer break started. He wasn’t feeling well and Candace and Jamie Carson, Logan’s father, assumed it was just a small virus.

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Bayne Froney Az Business Angels

Logan Carson

WISH HELPS OTHERS: The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted Logan Carson’s wish for a new playground at his Gilbert neighborhood park. It was the largest ever granted by Make-A-Wish Arizona.

“He has such a positive outlook on life and just made me realize that there are such good people out there in the world that need help,” — Adrienne Cooper

PHOTO BY MIKE MERTES, AZ BIG MEDIA

Throughout the night, Logan was vomiting every 15 minutes for almost two hours.

Candace stayed with him through the night.

That morning, Jamie and Candace noticed that Logan’s right eyelid was swollen and he couldn’t open his eye. Candace took Logan to the hospital, where he was hooked up to fluids because he was severely dehydrated.

After Logan was given the fluids, he still wasn’t “perking up”. Doctors did a CAT Scan to check his brain for any damage. Nothing came up in the scan.

Logan was admitted for observation and stayed in the hospital that night. Around midnight, Logan had gone to the bathroom and noticed that his fingers were a charcoal gray color, his mother explained.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Logan grab a crayon. I hear a cracking noise and look over at him. He breaks a few more of the small crayons and smiles proudly as Bryce starts to mimic him.

“You don’t even know your own strength,” Candace said to Logan.

I laugh as Bryce decides to start breaking the crayons with his forehead. I look back over at Candace and she continues.

They started running fluids and antibiotics. Candace explained that the sooner the antibiotics get in the system the better the chances.

“It might have been what saved his life,” Candace said.

Their second night at the hospital, the doctor didn’t want to give the family false hope, and told them to prepare for Logan to not make it through the night.

“I started shaking uncontrollably,” Candace said.

But Logan powered through and made it through the night, and many nights after that.

The doctors discovered bacteria in Logan’s bloodstream and it is unknown how it got there.

He had had strep throat and the bacteria didn’t stay in his throat like usual.

For the next two to three weeks, Logan was put on a paralytic, which kept him completely paralyzed in order for his body to heal.

Jamie and Candace stayed in the hospital

for an entire week to be with Logan, until they started alternating nights.

He had many wounds all over his body, swells, fluid leaking out of his body, blood circulation was being cut off at parts of his body, and he weighed twice as much as when he went into the hospital.

At this point, the Carsons needed to find a burn center to care for Logan’s wounds.

Candace called many universities, such as UCLA, Stanford, etc. The only one who called back was University of San Diego.

Logan spent four and a half months at a children’s hospital in California, where USD helped in skin grafting and healing his wounds.

Just then, our food arrived. The two young boys quickly grabbed their meals and I let Candace have a break. Logan, Bryce and I talked about spaceships and cars and Logan admitted to being obsessed with the movie “Cars” when he was younger.

After a while, the boys went back to playing on Logan’s phone and Candace and I continued talking.

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FACES OF GIVING

“ There’s always something bigger than you.”

— Adrienne Cooper

SELFLESS ACT: When Logan Carson was facing death due to kidney failure, ATV Motocross champion Adrienne Cooper, who heard about the boy who needed a kidney, offered to donate her kidney — which meant she could never race motocross again.

PROVIDED PHOTO

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Throughout the long process, Logan went into heart failure and his kidneys were only releasing fluids, not the toxins, in his urine.

His heart function eventually came back. His kidney function did not.

He was going to need a transplant.

A friend of the Carson family had originally wanted to donate her kidney to Logan, but there was a slight difference in her anatomy and therefore she couldn’t donate.

It was Adrienne Cooper’s turn.

The only thing Adrienne knew about Logan was what she’d heard and read about the 10-year-old boy before they met at a youth motorcycle race near Phoenix in November 2014. But it was a day that would change both of their lives dramatically.

Cooper was a two-time ATV Motocross National Champion when she and Logan first met. The sport had taken her around the U.S. and as far away as Australia, Ecuador and France. She’d had her share of injuries along the way, but nothing she’d ever endured compared with what Logan had been through.

“Just hearing his story, he has been through so much in his life,” Adrienne said to me in an interview a few days before I met Logan myself.

When Adrienne first met the Carsons, she immediately offered her kidney, just in case there was any trouble with the other potential donors. She had seen Logan’s story on YouTube and knew that she wanted to help in some way.

She wasn’t even a registered donor.

“If I’m completely honest, I was a pretty selfish person before I met Logan,” Adrienne said, explaining that she had been devoted primarily to herself and her racing.

But the selfish motorcross star became selfless in a hurry after meeting Logan, even though Adrienne knew that giving up a kidney would also mean giving up her motocross racing career.

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

FACES OF GIVING

“ It was kind of day by day, taking baby steps at a time. One challenge at a time” — Candace Carson After Adrienne agreed to go through with the transplant, the process was very fast and Logan was finally taken off dialysis.

“He has such a positive outlook on life and just made me realize that there are such good people out there in the world that need help,” Adrienne said. “And there are people, like myself at the time, a healthy person, who is in the position to help and has the support and you should always help people in need.”

After months of being in the hospital, “everybody gets to live under one roof again,” Candace said.

“That’s probably been my biggest lesson,” Adrienne said. “There’s always something bigger than you.”

During his illness, the Make-a-Wish Foundation granted Logan a wish of his choice,

in which he chose to give his neighborhood a playground where all his friends could play.

“I thought of the green area and I thought of how there would be a lot of people that would move into this neighborhood and they would be there for years and years,” Logan said. “But there was nothing at the green area except for soccer and football. But now there’s a playground for littler kids who can’t play soccer or football.”

Two years after the transplant, Logan is incredibly active and loves playing with his little brother, messing with his light sabers, playing whiffle ball and practicing his cello.

The Carsons and Adrienne get together a few times a year and make sure they stay in touch. They all recently celebrated Logan and Adrienne’s two-year “transplantaversary”.

GIVING BACK IN ARIZONA • Volunteers engage in a wide variety of activities, the top three of which are religion, education, and social services.

• Volunteers in Arizona provided an estimated $3.4 billion worth of services in 2012.

•N early one-quarter of Arizona’s residents volunteer, giving 169 million hours of service in 2012.

• There were 1.17 million volunteers in Arizona during 2012.

Source: Volunteering in America 2012

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“One foot in front of the other,” Candace said.

“It was kind of day by day, taking baby steps at a time. One challenge at a time.”

I noticed Bryce getting tired and Logan cuddling up to his Mom. We all got up from the table and grabbed our leftovers, getting ready to leave. The boys grabbed lollipops on the way out.

I turned to wave goodbye to the Carsons and Logan gave me a big hug. I tried my best to hold back my tears.

I watched as the three of them walked back to their car. Candace walking on the right, Bryce on the left, and Logan right in the middle.  Bayne Froney is a student at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and a former competitive swimmer and competitive synchronized swimmer.

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VOLUNTEERING & GIVING

82 | AzBusiness Angels

F INDING DIREC T ION Y

ou want your company to give back to the the communities you serve, but how do you know where your skill set will be best utilized if you want to volunteer your time? And how do you know which nonprofit best aligns with the culture and values of your company? Experts offer advice to help you determine how to make the best philanthropic fit for both you and for your company.

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VOLUNTEERING & GIVING

WHERE TO FIND NONPROFITS Celeste Edmunds

By JESSE A. MILLARD

Melissa Fink

T

hink of the last nonprofit cause or event you supported. Chances are there was some sort of corporate sponsor, which played a big role in helping move the cause forward or make the event a success.

“Businesses and nonprofits both have a critical role to play in making Arizona a place we are all proud to call home,” says Kristen Merrifield, CEO of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits. “Nonprofits also have a huge impact on our local economy, especially in relation to revenue generation and employment.”

Because of that, it only makes sense that nonprofits and businesses would partner together to better serve the communities they impact, Merrifield says.

There are many reasons for companies and business leaders to give back to the community. You’d be hard-pressed to find a business or an individual that is unwilling to help out any kind of philanthropic cause.

But it can be difficult to find the right group to support. How do you know where your skill set will be best utilized if you want to volunteer your time? And how do you know which nonprofit best aligns with the culture and values of your company? For businesses, partnering with nonprofits can be a balancing act.

Interest from employees, being able to properly help a nonprofit and the nonprofit’s mission are just a few things one must consider before finding that right partnership between a business and a nonprofit.

84 | AzBusiness Angels

Denise Gredler

Kristen Merrifield

Michael Seaver

Partnering with a nonprofit is an important service to the community, but where do you go to find nonprofits with which to work?

Kristen Merrifield, CEO of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, says the Alliance is a great place to start when searching for a nonprofit that aligns with your firm’s values.

On the Alliance’s website, http://arizonanonprofits.org/search/, you can search through the group’s database of local nonprofits.

There’s also a section to find volunteer and board opportunities with nonprofits throughout Arizona.

“We wanted to have a place for the community, whether they’re businesses or individuals, to connect with local nonprofits,” she says. “If they want to find someone they can work with, they can search through the database.”

FINDING A FIT So, what exactly goes into finding a match in nonprofit heaven?

Michael Seaver, an executive coach and leadership consultant who helps businesses find nonprofits with which to partner, believes in basing a firm’s nonprofit work with its own strategic objectives.

When finding a nonprofit match, Seaver’s goal is to create a deep level of cultural connection between the nonprofit and the business.

This translates to both the business and the nonprofit trying to accomplish the same things in the community, Seaver says.

“If there is a connection between the organization’s mission and the nonprofit’s mission that’s high or closely correlated, then there will be a strong synergy between them as well,” he says.

Maybe the nonprofit needs a new website and your firm happens to have a web developer who can provide pro bono services.

That makes a good fit. Or if your business works with the military, then veterans groups may be a great type of nonprofit with which to work.

Finding these types of matches can help foster success.

FINDING A MATCH But how do you find out if there’s a mission and value match?

It’s simple. Personally asking what a

BUILDING ON A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO A NONPROFIT

By Jocelyn Cook Like many businesses, our team at BestCompaniesAZ is committed to give back to organizations making a difference in our community and in people’s lives.

And with our 15th anniversary honoring the 100 Best Arizona Companies, most of these companies have strong corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Down Syndrome hits close to home for our team since my daughter Julia has Down Syndrome. So I want to share about an amazing organization committed to improving the lives of people with Down Syndrome, which can directly impact our communities, as well as our companies.

Ruby’s Rainbow is making a difference not only in individual lives, but also broadening our society’s view of the capabilities of people with Down Syndrome.

The mission of Ruby’s Rainbow is to grant scholarships to adults with Down Syndrome who are seeking post-secondary education, enrichment or vocational classes.

It is their goal to create awareness of the capabilities of these amazing

individuals and help them achieve their dreams of higher education.

The unemployment rate among people with disabilities is more than double that of the general population – 10.7 percent in 2015, compared to 5.1 percent for non-disabled workers. By helping a segment of this community

Julia Cook

further their education, we can potentially help chip away at the high unemployment rate for the disabled.

One way for corporations to make a difference in the disability community now that can impact their prospects of securing a fulfilling career is through contributing to Ruby’s Rainbow. You will play a part in allowing more young adults with Down Syndrome to realize their dreams of attending college and learning valuable skills for their future employment. Think about the longterm effects this can have for the unemployment rate for the disabled community, and what it can do for our company cultures to truly have more diverse and inclusive organizations.

Look at what Walgreens and other companies have done and the benefits they have experienced: Employees with disabilities can boost business success.

It’s exciting to think about the impact we can have in people’s lives through giving of our time and resources. By giving back, you will see the difference it makes not only in our communities, but within our companies.  Jocelyn Cook is the director of marketing and client services for BestCompaniesAZ.

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VOLUNTEERING & GIVING

Many business owners and firms follow this course.

Melissa Fink, owner of boutique shop Girly Girlz, experienced a family tragedy, which spurred her work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

In 2004, Fink’s sister was killed by a drunk driver and since then Fink has been one of the top fundraisers for MADD’s annual event in Phoenix, Walk Like MADD. “By supporting MADD’s campaign to eliminate drunk driving I know my dollars will be used to make the streets safer for everyone,” Fink says.

HOMETOWN PRIDE: Shea Homes and the Arizona Cardinals gave the House of Helps Community and Worship Center in South Phoenix a makeover as a part of the nationwide NFL/United Way Hometown Huddle program that allows NFL coaches, players, wives and staff to participate in a service project for their hometown.

PROVIDED PHOTO

nonprofit’s mission is and how it hopes to accomplish those goals goes a long way when finding out whether or not a business should partner with a nonprofit, Merrifield says.

Finding a value match and seeing what skills or resources a nonprofit may need are important too, she adds.

“From the get-go, this lets you find out if there’s a match,” Merrifield says. “That way, you know your business can help the nonprofit” Also, you find out straight from the nonprofit what its mission is, which helps inform you whether or not your partnership with them would be a sure success.

LOOK TO YOURSELF AND YOUR EMPLOYEES One way to find that perfect partnership between your business and a nonprofit is by finding out what makes you and your employees passionate.

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What cause are you or your employees closely tied to?

Denise Gredler, founder and CEO of BestCompaniesAZ, makes sure her employees know that if there are any nonprofit groups they want the company to support in some way, they should let her know.

One employee at BestCompaniesAZ has a daughter with Down Syndrome, so the firm partners with Ruby’s Rainbow, an organization that grants scholarships to adults with Down Syndrome for postsecondary education.

Gredler’s son has Celiac Disease, so BestCompaniesAZ supports the Celiac Disease Center to help raise awareness about the disease.

“It’s a commonality that people will serve on boards with which they either know someone or were personally effected by the cause for which the nonprofit is an advocate,” Gredler says.

THAT PERSONAL CONNECTION Celeste Edmunds, head of public relations at personal financial services firm Progrexion, has a personal connection with her firm’s philanthropic efforts.

As a child, Edmunds was in the foster care system and now helps Progrexion’s philanthropic efforts, which are geared towards helping many of the same services she utilized growing up.

Edmunds says she has a passion on the personal side to help those types of groups with which her firm is aligned.

When creating relationships between a business and a nonprofit, Edmunds says it’s important to tap into the employees’ motivating factors to ensure a successful partnership.

What’s a good motivator? A cause an employee or co-worker is connected to in some personal way.

“There’s an alignment that has to happen around what you want to be focused on as a company in your social responsibility efforts,” she says. “And you have to figure out how to align the employees and how they want to give. Once you can marry those two, then I think you have a win.” n

TOP 10 NONPROFITS FOR VOLUNTEERS

Here are the Top 10 nonprofit organizations in Arizona, based on the number of local volunteers it attracts annually:

1

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, 30,000 volunteers

2

Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 18,000 volunteers

3

Habitat For Humanity Central Arizona, 10,000 volunteers

4

A New Leaf, 5,737 volunteers

5

Chicanos Por La Causa, 5,316 volunteers

6

Valley of the Sun United Way, 5,000 volunteers

7

Christian Care/ Fellowship Square, 4,527 volunteers

8

United Food Bank, 4,004 volunteers

9

Catholic Charities, 3,914 volunteers

10

Phoenix Rescue Mission, 3,200 volunteers

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CALENDAR

25

can’t miss

charitable events in Arizona

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

T

hey attract celebrities, sports stars and deep pockets. They are the places to be seen and provide some of the best people-watching opportunities this side of the Kardashian complex.

But most importantly, these 25 charitable events raise money for organizations that change lives, offer hope to the hopeless and make Arizona a better place to live, work and play.

Here are 25 charitable events you should consider adding to your calendar:

January

February

Barrett-Jackson: Eight charity vehicles crossed the Scottsdale block this year, including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and four-time Grammy winner Steven Tyler’s 2012 Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, which sold for $800,000, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to charity. To date, Barrett-Jackson has raised more than $93 million for local and national charities.

Information: barrett-jackson.com

Jump Ball: The Phoenix Suns Charities’ Jump Ball is always one of the most enjoyable charity galas of the year. The basketball-themed evening helps raise money to help Arizona children, while providing some exceptional entertainment.

The 2017 Jump Ball raised nearly $1 million for children and families throughout Arizona.

Information: nba.com/suns/suns-charities

Waste Management Phoenix Open: The 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open attracted 655,434 fans, breaking the previous weekly attendance record of 618,365 set the previous year. With more than $86 million raised for Arizona charities, countless individuals and groups have benefited from the monies raised through the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Information: wmphoenixopen.com 90 | AzBusiness Angels

PACKS A PUNCH: Reba McEntyre performed at the 2017 Celebrity Fight Night, which has raised $127 million in its 23-year history, with the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute as a significant beneficiary.

PHOTO BY ERIN THORBURN, AZ BIG MEDIA

HIGH ROLLER: Barrett-Jackson, which was held at Westworld of Scottsdale in 2017, has raised more than $93 million for local and national charities.

PHOTO BY MIKE MERTES, AZ BIG MEDIA

March Beach Ball: Over the past two decades, Beach Ball has been a vital source of funding for Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The event’s guests and sponsors have raised more than $16.2 million to help patients and families – all while having a ball. Each year, guests experience a new theme and destination.

Information: phoenixchildrensfoundation.org

Black & White Wish Ball: The Wish Ball is the annual fundraising gala of Make-A-Wish Arizona. The ball, which celebrates the mission of Make-AWish Arizona by raising funds to grant the wishes of Arizona children with life-threatening medical conditions, has long been a significant event for the chapter.

Information: arizona.wish.org

Evening on the Diamond: The Arizona Diamondbacks, in conjunction with Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, host the annual “Evening on the Diamond” event, which allows fans to mingle with some of the most generous people in Arizona and tables are set up on the playing field around the infield dirt. The foundation surpassed $50 million in charitable giving this year.

Information: arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com Celebrity Fight Night: Recognized as one of the nation’s elite charity events, celebrities and professional athletes from all over the country participate in a night filled with auction items and live musical performances by

today’s brightest stars. Throughout Celebrity Fight Night’s 23-year history, $127 million has been raised with the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute as a significant beneficiary.

Information: celebrityfightnight.org Fresh Start Fashion Gala: Fresh Start Fashion Gala is the premier charity event of the season. Featuring a lively cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and a full-scale runway fashion show. The evening finishes off with an after-party of dancing and fun. The event raises more than $1 million annually for the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation.

Information: freshstartwomen.org AzBusiness Angels | 91

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS BestCompaniesAZ is honored to celebrate 15 years of identifying, developing and promoting Arizona’s BEST companies

2010-present

2013-present

2013-2017

2017/2018

Visit BestCompaniesAZ.com for more on these award winning employers and for information on how to get your company involved BestCompaniesAZ.com

|

480-545-5151

Arizona’s Best Give Back

These award winning companies not only impact our economy and provide great places to work, they also support our communities through their corporate giving and employee volunteer programs

BestCompaniesAZ is honored to work with the Best Employers

These organizations benefit from Arizona’s Best Employers giving back For more information on these charities and how to give back, visit BestCompaniesAZ.com

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

CALENDAR

Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars: Featuring a fabulous evening of fine food, a spectacular live auction with world- class trips, unique experiences and one of the most extensive silent auctions in town, Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars, which benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix, is one of the Valley’s most highly anticipated events of the year.

Information: bgcmpstars.org Tour de Cure: Enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran Desert at the Tour de Cure, the premier cycling fundraising event of the American Diabetes Association and the nation’s largest diabetes cycling event.

This event is a unique opportunity for businesses, clubs, friends and families to come together to form teams with the vision of a life free of diabetes and all its burdens.

Information: tour.diabetes.org

April 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 $7.4 million for Arizona nonprofits since 2013.

Information: azgives.org

Brokers for Kids: This year, the Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club raised $500,000 for local children’s charities during its annual Brokers for Kids/ Agents Benefitting Children event at Scottsdale Stadium. Nearly 600 residential real estate agents and commercial real estate professionals participate in an Olympiad Championship, which included football toss, basketball toss, bag toss, bocce ball, and dodgeball.

Information: scottsdale2030.org Larry Fitzgerald Celebrity Softball Game Weekend: The flagship Celebrity Softball Game brings out many of your favorite athletes and celebrities to have fun with the crowd, show off their skills and knock it out the park for the Larry Fitzgerald’s First Down Fund. In 2016, the weekend added the Larry Fitzgerald Charity Classic, 94 | AzBusiness Angels

which adds a great time for the golf lovers to enjoy the charitable weekend.

Information: larryfitzgerald.com Relay for Life: Relay For Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It is a team fundraising event where team members take turns walking around a track or designated path. The event draws more than 10,000 participants and raises more than $1 million annually.

Information: relay.acsevents.org

These 25 charitable events raise money for organizations that change lives, offer hope to the hopeless and make Arizona a better place to live, work and play.

May

children of BGCMP. The group raised nearly $100,000 through “The Big Event” in 2016.

Information: bgcmp.org

August KTAR’s Give-A-Thon: The Give-AThon for Phoenix Children’s Hospital is the Hospital’s largest annual fundraiser.

Bonneville Media’s two powerhouse stations, KTAR News 92.3 FM and Arizona Sports 98.7 FM will simulcast the event live from Phoenix Children’s Hospital in August 16-17, 2017. The 16th Annual Give-A-Thon for Phoenix Children’s Hospital in 2016 raised a record-setting $1,578,349.

Information: phoenixchildrensfoundation.org

September Tee It Up To Cure Leukemia: Tee it Up to Cure Leukemia was founded

by Jana Brickey, director of business development at Dick & Fritsche Design Group, as a way to support her great niece while she was going through chemotherapy. This tournament is a collective effort to help with research and the eradication of blood cancer worldwide.

Information: teeituptocureleukemia.com

October

Night for Life: Night for Life is an annual fundraising event to support the many free and low-cost programs and services offered by Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. Night for Life’s SpeakEasy event aims to show love, remove stigma and raise money to support free and low-cost programs for people living with and touched by HIV/AIDS throughout the Phoenix Community.

Information: swhiv.org

NiteFlite Gala: NiteFlite is the Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club’s signature fundraising event of the year. Over the past quarter century plus, NiteFlite has raised millions of dollars for local charities, with last year’s event raising more than $350,000. The gala features live entertainment and signature dishes from the Valley’s finest restaurants, all while benefitting more than a dozen local children’s charities.

Information: scottsdale2030.org

The Big Event: The Connect volunteer group for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix (BGCMP) hosts “The Big Event,” which features local dining, live auctions and entertainment as guests come together to raise awareness and funds directly benefiting the deserving

Salud: Gabriel’s Angels, the only organization in Arizona that delivers healing pet therapy to abused, neglected and at-risk children, will host its seventh annual “Salud! 2017 Signature Wine Dinner.” Salud! 2017 features a wine reception, a tasting

menu featuring wines from around the world, live musical entertainment, a Live Auction lead by renown auctioneer Letitia Frye, and Gabriel’s Angels Pet Therapy Teams greeting attendees.

Information: gabrielsangels.org Susan G. Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure: More than 10,000 people each year participate in the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in downtown Phoenix. The event raises $1 million annually for the fight against breast cancer and has granted a combined $26.4 million in research and support of local breast cancer education and women’s health since the first race in 1993.

Information: komenarizona.org

November

Badge Bash: Badge Bash is the largest fundraiser for the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council and an opportunity for adults to see through the eyes of a Girl Scout. Guests will experience a fun night of building courage, confidence and character to make the world a

better place. Bring your “troop” of friends and test your skills in earning badges and patches.

Information: girlscoutsaz.org JDRF Promise Ball Gala: The event pays tribute to honorees, features a popular live auction and culminates with Fund A Cure.

Fund A Cure provides an opportunity for all guests to support JDRF funded research. The auctioneer will call out giving levels from $50,000 to $100 with and their 100 percent tax-deductible contribution will drive critical JDRF research priorities.

Information: jdrf.org Phoenix Heart Ball: The 58th Annual Phoenix Heart Ball will celebrate the impact the American Heart Association community has had on building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The 2017 event will be held at the Phoenician Luxury Resort with musical guest JB Project. The American Heart Association has been working to save and improve lives from heart disease and stroke for more than 90 years.

Information: heart.org/phoenix

December ARTrageous Benefit Gala: Scottsdale Arts’ annual ARTrageous Benefit Gala celebrates and supports the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts, which includes the Center, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale Public Art, as well as arts education and outreach initiatives reaching more than 40,000 participants each year. The “Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” Michael Feinstein, headlined the 2016 event.

Information: scottsdaleperformingarts.org White Christmas: The White Christmas Gala is Ryan House’s unique, holiday signature fundraising event. Enjoy an intimate, nostalgic evening commemorating the musical classic “White Christmas,” written by Irving Berlin poolside at The Arizona Biltmore. The event will transport you to a glamorous nightclub experience, featuring fine dining, dancing and entertainment. Attire is white dinner jacket or tuxedo for gentlemen and evening gown for the ladies.

Information: ryanhouse.org

DRIVE FOR SUCCESS: With more than $86 million raised for Arizona charities, countless individuals and groups have benefited from the monies raised through the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

PHOTO BY MIKE MERTES, AZ BIG MEDIA

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WRAP-UP

HOW TO MAKE

GIVING BACK PART OF A COMPANY’S DNA

By LEE VIKRE

G

oDaddy’s vision and mission involves integrating good corporate citizenship into its business model.

This is just one of the reasons they were one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies for 2016 and the Spotlight Award winner for Social Responsibility.

Social responsibility isn’t just a volunteer program for GoDaddy. It involves making a real difference in the community, engaging employees, and in the process providing tangible benefits for the company. Yes, there are tangible business benefits from giving back.

Take a look at the numbers: • 93 percent of Americans say they have a more positive image of a company when that company supports a cause.

• 90 percent of Americans say they are more likely to trust and would be more loyal to companies that give back.

•6 0 percent of a decision to buy a product or service, work for a company or invest in a company is driven by the company’s reputation.

GoDaddy Cares is the company’s philanthropic arm, driving corporate social responsibility programs and financial support to nonprofit partners. Here’s how they do it.

Inspiring employees GoDaddy employees (called GoGetters) can donate talent and time, up to two paidvolunteer days per year, to charities of their choice through the GoDaddy Inspires program. Each person has the opportunity to earn $1,000 to award a charity by volunteering 30 hours or more with one nonprofit each year. Additionally, GoDaddy will match donations dollar for dollar up to $500 per employee per year.

96 | AzBusiness Angels

Community partnerships GoDaddy has developed close relationships with key partners in the community who are aligned with their social-responsibility vision.

Some of those partnerships include Code.org, Hack the Hood, Society for Science, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Anita Borg Institute, and Girls in Tech.

PRESIDENTIAL PLEDGE: GoDaddy’s pledge to hire 500 military veterans or spouses over the next five years as part of the national Joining Forces campaign earned employees a visit to the White House.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Donations GoDaddy supported 65 nonprofits through sponsorships and grants in 2015, donating close to $800,000 to organizations that foster STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), computer science education and entrepreneurship. Over the years, GoDaddy has donated more than $15 million to charitable organizations.

Team volunteering Large volunteer activities encourage teams to get out and join together for causes such as the International Science and Engineering Fair, Junior Achievement, Boys and Girls Clubs and local science fairs.

Look at the impact GoDaddy has had in Arizona and beyond: • 16,958 volunteer hours logged for Arizona charities • More than 1,000 charities positively impacted • More than 200 charities received GoDaddy products in-kind • More than $100,000 in matched donations • $1 million through the Round Up for Charity program nationally • More than 18,000 pounds of food donated through the annual food drive • More than 1,500 toys donated for the annual toy drive campaign As GoDaddy continues to transform its brand, it has shown that great strides can be made in a relatively short period of time by focusing in the right areas. By giving back, GoDaddy is likely encouraging customers to do the same, since nearly 80 percent of consumers say that they would donate to a charity supported by a company they trust.

Now that’s social responsibility. 