AzBusiness Angels January-June 2018

January -June 2018

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

INSPIRED TO GIVE What motivates people to support or launch certain nonprofits?

Renee and Bob Parsons, co-founders of the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

HOW CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

W

hen was the last time you made a difference? I mean, REALLY made a difference.

I’m not sure I can answer that question. I try to make a difference every day by telling the stories that give recognition to the people and businesses that deserve the spotlight. But I get paid to do that, so that doesn’t count.

About 20 years ago in my hometown of Corning, N.Y., I used to run through a city park tunnel that had grown ugly with scribbled graffiti. It wasn’t the hip, artistic graffiti you see in Downtown Phoenix. The tunnel was covered with racist words, hateful slurs and inappropriate drawings.

I got tired of it. At the time, I wrote a weekly column and challenged the readers to meet me in the park one Sunday morning and paint over the messages of hate. I never thought anyone would show up, but 500 people did. At the end, we had all the kids in attendance dip their hands in paint and leave their prints on the tunnel walls. Who could write words of hate over a child’s handprint? It was fun. It made me feel good. And we made a difference.

But I wrote about it. I got attention for it. It wasn’t selfless. It was selfserving because it covered up something that bothered me.

This year, I want to challenge myself to make a difference — unconditionally.

That’s what Az Business Angels hopes to do: to challenge business leaders and companies to match their skill sets and desire to give back to the community with nonprofits that desperately need the help.

Az Business Angels hopes to give new hope to nonprofits and inspire businesses to make a difference and to make it their unconditional mission to connect, volunteer and give back to the communities they serve.

The last time I visited Corning, those children’s handprints were still in the tunnel.

What are you going to do to make a difference today? Enjoy this issue of Az Business Angels. We hope it will help you answer that question.

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

President and CEO: Michael Atkinson Publisher: Cheryl Green Vice president of operations: Audrey Webb EDITORIAL Editor in chief: Michael Gossie Associate editors: David McGlothlin | Jesse A. Millard Intern: Erica Apodaca Contributing writers: Alison Bailin Batz | Miranda Cyr | Tony Finneman | Bo Sederstrom | Erin Thorburn | Elaina Verhoff ART Art director: Mike Mertes Graphic designer: Bruce Andersen MARKETING/EVENTS Marketing & events manager: Cristal Rodriguez Marketing designer: Jennifer Childres Marketing specialist: Vlad Madrosky OFFICE Special projects manager: Sara Fregapane Executive assistant: Mayra Rivera Database solutions manager: Amanda Bruno AZ BUSINESS ANGELS Director of sales: Brit Kezar AZ BUSINESS MAGAZINE Senior account manager: David Harken Account managers: Cindy Kurtze | Stacie Lee AZ BUSINESS LEADERS Director of sales: Sheri Brown 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: Donna Roberts RANKING ARIZONA Director of sales: Sheri King 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 2018 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.

6 | AzBusiness Angels

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

TABLE OF CONTENTS 12

Philanthropic Companies

28

Corporate Giving Program

12

34 Fundraising 47

Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits

56

Art of Giving

64

Marketing for Nonprofits

68

Faces of Giving

86

56

Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona (TAPAZ)

90 Calendar

68

8 | AzBusiness Angels

90

AZ BUSINESS ANGELS ADVISORY BOARD Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

Az Business Angels

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

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

TYLER BUTLER Founder and principal 11Eleven Consulting 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 like-minded communities and causes and elevate their employee engagement, company culture and external positive sentiment.

DERRICK HALL President and CEO Arizona Diamondbacks 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.

KRISTEN MERRIFIELD CEO Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits 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 as 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).

ALFREDO J. MOLINA Chairman and CEO Molina Fine Jewelers

NICOLE STANTON Office managing partner Quarles & Brady

MERL WASCHLER President and CEO Valley of the Sun United Way

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.

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.

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.

10 | AzBusiness Angels

building affordable housing revitalizing neighborhoods improving communities

habitatcaz.org

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

THE MOST

PHILANTHROPIC COMPANIES

— IN ARIZONA —

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

N

onprofits are big business.

According to the Center for Civil Society Studies at Johns Hopkins University, more than 70 million people work and volunteer in the nonprofit sector. Nonprofit employees make up the third-largest workforce among U.S. industries, behind only retail and manufacturing, and nonprofits create total revenue of more than $1.9 trillion annually, exceeding the gross domestic product of Canada, Australia, Russia or India.

But nonprofits couldn’t be in business if they didn’t have the help and support of other philanthropic and socially responsible companies. The following pages put the spotlight on some of those amazing companies that are giving back to Arizona communities and whose philanthropic ways are examples the business community can admire and emulate.

12 | AzBusiness Angels

AzBusiness Angels | 13

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

COMPANIES THAT GIVE CBRE: PurSuit of Success, CBRE’s city-wide two-week business clothing drive, benefits women and men in job training programs with much-needed access to professional clothing. This year, four organizations were beneficiaries of the business clothing drive.

Cox Communications:

PROVIDED PHOTO

WISH COMES TRUE: At its annual 2017 Global Celebration, Isagenix and Make-

A-Wish surprised Triston, a 15-year-old diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, with an onstage reveal of his wish to travel to Hawaii. Nearly 15,000 attendees witnessed as Triston and his family learned his wish would come true.

ISAGENIX HELPS WISHES COME TRUE

V

alley-based Isagenix International ended its annual 2017 Global Celebration event by raising more than $500,000 for Make-A-Wish through fundraising and generous customer and corporate pledges. But the company’s impact on the organization doesn’t start and end there.

Since 2012, Isagenix has contributed more than $6.8 million to Make-A-Wish, which has helped to grant more than 800 wishes to deserving children with critical illnesses in 12 countries. This year alone, Isagenix raised more than $2 million for Make-A-Wish. More than 550,000 customers and nearly 1,000 employees have the opportunity to contribute to Make-AWish on an ongoing basis through product purchase donations and payroll contributions.

From the earliest days of Isagenix, the company wanted to ensure that it was not only financially successful, but also influential in making a difference in communities. In 2016, Isagenix contributed $960,000 in contributions to charitable causes throughout the United States.

“Contribution is truly at the core of Isagenix and having the opportunity to impact families at this level is amazing,” said Kathy Coover, Isagenix co-owner and executive vice president.

“Our organization gives back to many different charitable and civic causes; however, the one closest to my heart is Make-A-Wish because it brings hope to children and families in their most critical time.”

14 | AzBusiness Angels

Cox Charities recently awarded nearly $530,000 in grant funding to Arizona nonprofit organizations. Since the program’s inception in 1996, Cox Charities has awarded more than $7 million to local Arizona nonprofits that support youth and education.

Phoenix Manufacturing:

When Phoenix Manufacturing heard of the USA Clydesdale Preservation Foundation’s fundraiser for swamp coolers, the company champed at the bit to provide the foundation with exactly what it needed: an industrial strength mobile evaporative cooler big enough to cool its largest barn.

Phoenix Suns:

A $1 million grant from Suns Charities will renovate 50 basketball courts throughout the state. “It’s great to see that we can make a positive influence … especially in areas that maybe don’t get the best news all the time,” Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said.

WebPT: WebPT launched the national Rehab Therapists Give Back campaign.

The goal of the campaign, which launched in September at the Ascend Summit, is to bring the rehab therapy community together to support a worthy cause and collectively raise $1 million by the end of February.

SRP supports Future Forests Project S

alt River Project made a $400,000 contribution to The Nature Conservancy in Arizona to support forest restoration on the Verde River watershed. The SRP contribution, to be paid over four years, will support The Nature Conservancy’s Future Forests Project.

Launched recently by The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service to transform the way forests are managed, the Future Forests Project will also create skilled jobs and attract new investment by creating a reliable flow of wood that supports rural economies.

Bruce Hallin, SRP’s director of Water Supply, said SRP’s contribution to the Future Forests Project will support restoring 20,000 acres of forested land.

PHOTO FROM CREATIVE COMMONS

MAINTAINING BEAUTY: “SRP and The Nature Conservancy are both active in forest

restoration on the Verde River watershed,” said David Rousseau, Salt River Project’s president and its representative on The Nature Conservancy’s board. “This contribution to the Future Forests Project will help support the effort to increase the scale of restoration of this watershed area at such a critical time.”

“Forests in Northern Arizona are the lifeblood of SRP’s water supply, as the runoff from rain and snow that falls on those forests flows downstream to fill reservoirs on the Salt and Verde rivers.” said Hallin. “Arizona’s forests are unhealthy and overgrown, and without action, more catastrophic wildfires are almost a certainty. When those forests are healthy,

they protect the ecosystems and hydrology of the watersheds, ensuring that water flowing into reservoirs is clean and relatively free of sediment.”

SRP, which has been at the forefront of the push for healthy forests and watersheds, will be working with The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service on the Future Forests Project.

COMPANIES THAT GIVE Bar-S: Bar-S’ partnership with No Kid Hungry

includes providing 1 million meals to children in need.

Bar-S’ “Fighting Childhood Hunger” campaign helps alleviate childhood hunger in America together with the brand´s customers, employees and partners.

Eide Bailly: Regional CPA and business advisory firm Eide Bailly presented its Nonprofit Resourcefullness Awards to Brighter Way Institute, Arizona Humane Society and Stardust

Building Supplies. Since its inception in 2013, Eide Bailly has awarded $285,000 to 57 nonprofit organizations.

Goettl Air Conditioning: Goettl’s Fernando De La Garza rallied Phoenix employee efforts to donate clothing and other personal items for those still struggling to recover from Hurricane Maria. Besides the clothing donations, Goettl also sent flashlights, blankets, Gatorade and toiletries.

Plexus Worldwide: Scottsdale-

based Plexus donated $301,630 to The Salvation

Army to help areas hurt from Hurricane Harvey.

Plexus has more than 615,000 independent sales representatives across North America, many of which are recovering from the effects of recent hurricanes.

Sprouts Farmers Market: The

Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation will award $2.2 million to nonprofit organizations that specialize in promoting health and nutrition education. Created in 2015, the foundation identifies nonprofits that reflect the company’s brand purpose of inspiring healthy living for all.

AzBusiness Angels | 15

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Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

Giving isn’t secondary to Cardinals’ Peterson

By PERRY COHEN

T

hanks to Patrick Peterson and some Arizona Cardinals teammates, more than 200 families in need enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner.

The cornerback, along with Chandler Jones, Haason Reddick, Kareem Martin and Antoine Bethea, partnered with United Food Bank to donate 221 meals at Fees College Preparatory Middle School.

Although Peterson said he didn’t have any experiences as a child wondering where his next meal would come from, he feels grateful he is able to use his celebrity status to help others in his community.

“It’s just a blessing for me to be in a position that I am in, thinking of others during this thankful season,” he said. “Some kids are not able to experience Thanksgiving, let alone to experience

meals away from school. I just want to make sure these families have a proper way of spending their Thanksgiving.”

Rustyn Sherer, chairman of the board for United Food Bank, said the event was a big win for the organization and those looking to have their holiday spirits lifted.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “It raises awareness for us at United Food Bank because we are the food bank of the East Valley and Eastern Arizona. Any time you can associate a celebrity with a status like that to a nonprofit organization like ours, people in the community take notice.“

COMPANIES THAT GIVE Arizona Diamondbacks:

The Diamondbacks Foundation awarded Florence Crittenton with a $100,000 grant that will help the 120-year-old nonprofit purchase three new vans that will help improve the health and wellness of the girls and young women it serves by providing them needed transportation.

Barro’s Pizza: Barro’s held its sixth annual Doran Barro Holiday Hunger Fight, in which all 39 Barro’s locations donated 100 percent of the proceeds from sales to St. Mary’s Food Bank 18 | AzBusiness Angels

Alliance. The 2016 event raised $194,000 for St. Mary’s Food Bank.

BevMo: BevMo! is now donating 100 percent

of proceeds from its beer and wine tastings to local pet charities. In Arizona, the company selected Arizona Animal Welfare League, the state’s largest and oldest no-kill shelter, as the state’s sole beneficiary.

MJ Insurance: CBRE and MJ Insurance presented the 19th Annual Phoenix Children’s Hospital Golf Tournament at Troon North, which

raised $410,000 that helps the hospital launch critical new programs, purchase essential equipment, conduct cutting-edge research, provide charitable care and much more.

MRA Associates: MRA Associates

partnered with The Arizona Business Committee for the Arts to create the Community Gallery at MRA Associates. MRA’s gallery exemplifies its philanthropic efforts in the community to support local artists while fostering creativity, innovation and inspiration in the workplace.

PHOTO BY PERRY COHEN, CRONKITE NEWS

COMMUNITY WINS: Patrick Peterson and his Arizona Cardinals teammates helped feed 221 families in need for Thanksgiving.

AzBusiness Angels | 19

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

APS Foundation helps train STEM teachers

T

each for America-Phoenix received a $25,000 grant from the APS Foundation that will directly support teachers leading science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classrooms in communities across Phoenix.

A lack of access to STEM education in Arizona and across the nation is leaving too many young people unprepared for a growing STEM job market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, an estimated 8.3 million STEM jobs are currently available and that number is expected to increase by 17 percent by 2024. Funds from APS will benefit classrooms in the West Valley, at Agua Fria and Copper Canyon high schools, as well as classrooms at Mesa High School and Pueblo del Sol Elementary School in central Phoenix.

Teach For America (TFA) has used this APS

grant to recruit, train and support two firstyear teachers and three second-year teachers, known as TFA corps members. Each corps member participates in a five-week summer training program to prepare them to be in the classroom and receives one-on-one coaching throughout the school year.

Matthew Nelson, a Mesa High School math teacher, is one of the TFA corps members benefiting from APS’s support.

Nelson explains that the APS partnership with Teach For America provides not only needed resources, but also the knowledge that he and other teachers are being supported by the broader community.

“By supporting STEM classrooms like mine, APS exemplifies how we can expand possibilities for students and work together to improve education in Arizona,” Nelson said.

COMPANIES THAT GIVE Abrazo Community Health Network: Three Abrazo hospitals

provided free meals to veterans in celebration of Veterans Day. “Abrazo Community Health Network is proud to continue our Veterans Day tradition to honor those who have bravely served our country,’’ said Frank Molinaro, Abrazo Community Health Network Market’s CEO.

Christopher Todd Communities: The multifamily

developer created a nonprofit called A New Lease on Life to give those in need a hand up. The first outreach saw a veteran receive three-year rent-assistance at each of the first two Christopher Todd single-family rental home communities.

Four Peaks Brewing Co.: The

seventh annual Four Peaks 4 Teachers campaign provided 3,000 teachers with boxes filled with school supplies.

In its first year as a statewide campaign, Four Peaks 4 Teachers saw increases in the number of volunteers, money raised and school supply boxes distributed.

Greenberg Traurig: Members

of the Phoenix office pledged to help create 50 pairs of shoes using donated denim.

Greenberg Traurig volunteers spent time cutting denim that can be crafted into shoes for Solo Hope. The materials are shipped to Uganda, where they are given to children in need.

Larry H. Miller Dodge Ram Avondale: With help from Safe Kids

Maricopa County, the dealership’s “Keys to Car Seat Safety” event checks, adjusts and distributes car seats for families in need.

The dealership also donated $10,000 to buy new car seats for future events.

20 | AzBusiness Angels

COMPANIES THAT GIVE Delta Dental of Arizona:

Delta Dental gave a $1 million gift to the St. Vincent de Paul Dental Clinic helping to ensure both preventive and emergency oral health care for underserved children and adults for the next 10 years.

Even Stevens:

PROVIDED PHOTO

GIVING BACK: In addition to the canned food donation from OnTrac, the logistics company

also donated $1,500 at the 10th annual 102.5 KNIX Million Can Crusade, which is equivalent to 15,000 cans of food. In total, OnTrac donated 24,192 cans of food.

OnTrac surpasses goal of giving back

O

nTrac, a logistics company specializing in delivery services in the Western United States, almost doubled its company goal of donating 5,000 cans of food to the 10th annual 102.5 KNIX Million Can Crusade. The company collected and donated 9,192 cans of food.

The Valley’s biggest canned food drive supports St. Vincent de Paul in its efforts to feed hungry families during the holiday season across the Greater Phoenix area.

Before Thanksgiving, 102.5 KNIX said the goal of collecting one million cans was reached. A grand total of 2,376,063 was donated and will fill the St. Vincent de Paul’s community food pantries. From there, the cans will be placed into food boxes and delivered to hungry families throughout the Valley.

“All of us at St. Vincent de Paul are so blessed to have partners like OnTrac that allow us to help so many people in our community, especially during the holiday season,” says Shannon Clancy, associate executive director and chief philanthropy officer from St. Vincent de Paul. “Each dollar and can of food donated not only provides hungry families with the food they need, but also lets them know that they are not alone in their moment of need. We are grateful to our friends at OnTrac who demonstrate the kindness, love and generosity of this community that cares. Thank you, OnTrac, for all that you make possible for those in need all year long.”

Local sandwich shop Even Stevens has donated more than 2 million sandwiches to charities in its communities. Even Stevens calculates its donations based on the amount of sandwich ingredients.

They donate an equivalent amount to charities at no charge.

FirstBank: In an effort to encourage kindness and inspire people to give back to organizations that make Arizona a great place to live and work, FirstBank hosts its first-ever “Good Week” to raise money and awareness for local nonprofits.

Forrest Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning: To honor the men

and women in our communities who have served, the family-owned business gave Sean Egger, a Peoria Police officer and twotime Purple Heart recipient, a free AC unit.

Wilson Electric: After Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, employees at Wilson Electric knew they had to do something to help. Wilson Electric employees traveled to Houston and helped with the cleanup efforts in the aftermath of the storm.

AzBusiness Angels | 21

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CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

COMPANIES THAT GIVE Clear Title Agency of Arizona: Clear Title’s “5-for-5” program

has impacted the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley. Last year the campaign generated more than $915,000, which provided support for nearly 2,000 youth and teens to attend the clubs and participate in its programs.

PROVIDED PHOTO

HELPING HANDS: Kyle Nelson, left, from the APS Legal team, sits down with

Vietnam War veteran and helicopter pilot Randall Ramsey to go over details of Ramsey’s estate planning needs.

Veterans receive free estate planning services

V

alley veterans were provided an opportunity to receive free estate planning services at the Wills for Arizona Veteran Heroes Clinic hosted by APS. More than 40 volunteers from the APS legal team, Snell & Wilmer and Ballard Spahr joined together to put on the one-day clinic in which 28 veterans were provided with pertinent estate planning documents.

The program was made possible by the Wills For Heroes Foundation, Inc. and the Arizona Wills for Heroes affiliate, who allowed APS to use its program for veterans. In total, 80 legal documents ranging from basic wills, personal financial or durable power of attorney and advanced medical directive documents were prepared and provided to the veterans who served in the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force.

“Hearing some of these veterans’ stories was inspirational to all of us who had the opportunity to volunteer for this clinic,” said Diane Wood, associate general counsel at APS. “From a helicopter pilot in Vietnam to an Army nurse who served 22 years and traveled the world, it was an honor to assist in preparing these documents to ensure that these veterans’ affairs are in order and their loved ones are taken care of.”

All services at the clinic are provided at no cost with more than 200 volunteer hours contributed and over 30 pro bono hours of legal service given at this inaugural clinic.

24 | AzBusiness Angels

FirstBank: FirstBank, the nation’s third largest privately held bank, announced that it donated $500,000 to multiple youth education nonprofits, including: $300,000 to the Arizona Leadership Foundation, $190,000 to Catholic Education Arizona and $10,000 to Arizona Tuition Connection.

Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale: Bob’s Biker

Blast, the event co-hosted

by Bob Parsons’ Harley dealership, attracted 10,000 bikers and raised $500,000 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Bob’s Biker Blast has contributed $2.2 million to the hospital’s Hope Fund over the past six years.

Risas Dental & Braces: On Labor Day, while most Americans take the day off, the doctors and staff from Risas Dental and Braces donate their time at its annual Labor of Love event, providing free dental services to those in need across the Valley.

Tempe Mission Palms: Tempe

Mission Palms Hotel donated 10 percent of its room revenue generated between Nov. 20 and Dec. 31 to Phoenix Children’s Hospital to benefit the Hope Fund, which helps launch critical new programs, purchase essential equipment and conduct cutting-edge research.

9-year-old raises $10K for cancer research

W

hile many kids were playing video games, 9-year-old Chloe Cundiff was pounding the pavement for ovarian cancer research.

The pint-sized entrepreneur was busy setting up her lemonade stand at The Henry, The Sparkle Bar, TGen, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield and Hines.

That’s because when Chloe was about 6 years old, she lost her grandmother to ovarian cancer. Her life has never been the same. “Gigi” was Chloe’s best friend, and is now the inspiration behind Chloe’s lemonade stand.

Chloe’s mom and dad started a nonprofit organization called Colleen’s Dream Foundation to raise money for ovarian cancer research to honor Chloe’s grandmother, Colleen Drury, who passed away from ovarian cancer. So when given the opportunity to have a lemonade stand to do some fundraising, Chloe decided from the beginning that she would donate 100 percent of her profits to Colleen’s Dream Foundation.

Little did Chloe know that all of the hard work she put into her lemonade stand would result in collecting $9,438 for ovarian cancer research. She also never expected one customer to give her $1,000, and another one to give her $700.

“I learned so many things from my lemonade journey,” Chloe said. “I met some very nice and generous people on my journey, but I also set many lofty goals and strived to achieve them.”

All of the funds that Chloe raised through her stand will be given to Colleen’s Dream Foundation, which will in turn be donated to TGen to further research for early detection of ovarian cancer.

PROVIDED PHOTO

PINT-SIZED POWEHOUSE: Chloe was so inspired from her

experience selling lemonade that she’s now started a cookie business. She’s been selling cookies by the dozen, and recently made business cards to support her endeavor.

COMPANIES THAT GIVE BBVA Compass: The

organizations that benefit the lives of Arizonans,” said Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila BBVA Compass Foundation’s Project Blue Elf initiative provided River Gaming Enterprises. toys to children in low- to moderateincome areas. This year, the program Sundance Spas: As part of its Wish For Our Heroes program, Sundance Spas and reached more than 5,500 students across Imagine Backyard Living gave a free spa to the bank’s footprint, including the 288 students at Frankie Gomez, who retired from the Army due Sunnyslope Elementary School. to disabilities in 2014 after 23 years of service.

Gila River Casinos: Gila River Gaming

Enterprises distributes unclaimed gaming jackpots to Arizona nonprofit organizations.“It is our privilege to provide these funds to such incredible nonprofit

Valley Metro: Cox Communications, in

internet service to pre-qualified students at Longfellow and Lowell elementary schools in Mesa. The internet service is provided through Cox’s Connect2Compete program.

Washington Federal: Washington Federal, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017, gave a $2,000 gift to the Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council to help complete the organization’s $18 million Campaign for Girls in Arizona.

partnership with Valley Metro and Mesa Public Schools, distributed 140 computers and Cox

AzBusiness Angels | 25

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

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 in alphabetical order are:

American Airlines

Enterprise Holdings

PetSmart

APS

Freeport-McMoRan

Salt River Project

Arizona State University

General Dynamics

UPS

Bank of America

Intel

USAA

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

Macy’s

Vanguard

Desert Schools Federal Credit Union

Nationwide

Wells Fargo

Edward Jones Investments

QuikTrip

26 | AzBusiness Angels

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

GET GOING ON

GIVING

Here’s how to cultivate a corporate giving program

28 | AzBusiness Angels

Mike Brown

Tom Davis

Mark Roden

Nicole Stanton

Trevor Wilde

By ALISON BAILIN BATZ

N

o good deed goes unpunished, right?

Wrong!

“More and more for-profit organizations, big and small, are making a concerted effort to incorporate social responsibility into their corporate culture and these good deeds are being richly rewarded,” says Trevor Wilde, managing director of Wilde Wealth Management Group.

Studies have shown that consumers have very high expectations that the companies they do business with will be a good corporate citizen. And employees are weighing in on the subject as well – 42 percent of professionals surveyed recently reported that an organization’s participation in charitable activities is at least somewhat of a factor in their decision to work there.

But, where do you start? And how do you get buy-in from your team?

Coming up with ideas isn’t always easy. Here are some great suggestions from local business leaders who’ve either launched community giving initiatives within their companies or significantly expanded programs to help fill the needs of others across Arizona.

START SMALL FOR BIG RESULTS “Don’t go into the development of any community-giving program assuming you need to raise $100,000 or rack up 1,000 volunteer hours from the on-set,” says Wilde, whose four offices Valley-wide initially got involved at the micro-level by collecting cell phones for soldiers and offering donations to local nonprofits for social media check-ins at their locations.

AzBusiness Angels | 29

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

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

Pioneer gives each branch member paid time off to volunteer on “Old School” initiatives and assists in fundraising efforts for each, ranging from helping a local school cultivate a garden to hosting a full-on golf tournament to help at-risk schools in need.

Once they dipped their toes in the water, it was easy to convert staff, partners and even clients into bigger ideas such as massive toy drives for Toys for Tots, big-picture event sponsorships and even office-wide volunteer days.

PARTNER UP “Think about what kind of professional relationships your organization has with other community organizations,” says Nicole Stanton, office managing partner of Quarles & Brady in Phoenix. “You can build on those relationships by collaborating on some sort of donation drive or something more complex like a service to the community.

While the firm has a formal communitygiving program called Quarles Cares wherein lawyers and staff can donate time on their own and as an office on projects ranging from hunger to housing in the community, Stanton and her team at Quarles recently partnered with the Phoenix Children’s Hospital – a firm client – to assist with its Bill Holt Clinic Annual Holiday Party as a means to invigorate and rally them around a singular cause.

The Bill Holt Clinic is the only comprehensive pediatric HIV clinic in Arizona. In a few short 32 | AzBusiness Angels

weeks, Quarles’ staff was able to raise more than $5,000 toward holiday gifts for the patients and their families, and made a day of it when they wrapped all 300-plus gifts they purchased by hand.

They also joined together with clients from across Arizona in signing the Unity Pledge together earlier this year.

“With your powers united, the partnership can do an endless amount of good,” says Stanton.

TAKE SUGGESTIONS “Make the actual decision on who and how to give back means something to everyone in your company, not just the decision-makers,” says Tom Davis, vice president of Pioneer Title Agency, Arizona’s largest title agency. “It not only gives those at the top ideas they would have never thought of on their own, but it gives a new perspective on what the team truly cares about and what would motivate them to participate.”

At Pioneer, executive leadership turned to its staff last year on this exact topic, asking team members to submit ideas and proposals on how they wanted to band together to help their communities and which organization(s) they should choose as a partner.

“The response was overwhelming, so much so, Pioneer donated $500 to each of the organizations that were not ultimately chosen as our partner,” says Davis, noting Pioneer ultimately chose to launch an initiative in 2017 called “Old School” based on one proposal, which allows each of its 65 branches to come up with their own ideas – based on the need in their own local communities – on how to support local schools, both through fundraising and proactive volunteer efforts.

Pioneer gives each branch member paid time off to volunteer on “Old School” initiatives and assists in fundraising efforts for each, ranging from helping a local school cultivate a garden to hosting a full-on golf tournament to help at-risk schools in need.

MAKE DECISIONS THAT MAKE SENSE “Support things that make sense. Match what your company does well with a similar nonprofit or cause,” says Mike Brown, Arizona regional president of Washington Federal. “If you’re in the air duct business promoting clean air, for example, then set some funds aside for an organization that supports clean air.”

At Washington Federal, each of the 31 Arizona offices is given the ability and

necessary materials to go out and help teach financial literacy through several programs.

“Through Save at School, we empower our staff to partner with elementary schools to teach younger students the basics of money, at no cost to the school,” says Brown.

Washington Federal also partners with education technology company Everfi to provide local high schools with a formal curriculum featuring a variety of financial topics including credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, 401Ks and more.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX “Sometimes you have to carve your own path,” says Mark Roden, a 30-year Arizona Subway franchisee. “It takes support, buy-in and a huge leap of faith, but when it works, something really special can happen.”

Roden knows firsthand. Rewind to 1999, when franchisees gathered together trying to find ways to give back beyond basic sandwich donations and in-store fundraisers.

“Though it had never been done, we looked into starting our own 501(c)(3) nonprofit to help us facilitate giving on a grander scale,”

says Roden, who with Arizona Subway Development, fellow franchisees and partners including Coca-Cola, Shamrock Foods, Shamrock Farms and others founded Subway Kids & Sports of Arizona.

Launched in 1999 – and still the only nonprofit of its kind in the Subway family worldwide – its aim is to help Arizona children with disabilities and financial disadvantages gain access to sports, equipment, registration fees and more.

The bottom line: Greed isn’t good. Giving is good, and easy to make happen at every Arizona business in 2018.  AzBusiness Angels | 33

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

HA T I W Y T R A P

E S O P PUR anize a g r o o t w o Here’s h uests have g s t le t a h g event t e fundraisin a dif ferenc g in k a m e fun, whil

By ERIN THORBURN

D

iscovering and implementing new, effective ways of entertaining in the philanthropic space is nothing new. Nonprofits and charitable organizations are always considering unique methods of fundraising and awareness.

But for fundraising novices who may not “officially” be associated with a particular organization, is there a place for altruistic entertaining? The answer is simple: Yes! You don’t have to be an expert in philanthropy or entertaining to provide a fun, engaging and prosperous event to support a cause for which you’re passionate.

34 | AzBusiness Angels

Tyler Butler

Darcy Hill

Linda Schnitzer

PICK YOUR PASSION “I would advise someone to do thorough research and make sure to select a cause that they’re really passionate about,” recommends Linda Schnitzer, event planner for Pomelo at the Orchard in Phoenix.

Many individuals compelled to become involved in charitable giving have an existing cause or organization in mind – but not always.

Sometimes, simply a desire to give or become involved in philanthropy arises. Whether you have a long-standing relationship with a charitable entity or are just getting acquainted, a personal connection always helps.

“Perhaps your grandmother passed away from congestive heart failure,” says Tyler Butler, 11Eleven Consulting founder and principal. “In that case, the American Heart Association would be an authentic choice for you to support. People will typically ask why you select your charity of choice and it’s always good to have a true reason for your support.”

You don’t have to be an expert in philanthropy or entertaining to provide a fun, engaging and prosperous event to support a cause for which you’re passionate.

PUTTING PLANS INTO PRACTICE Once an organization has been selected for a fundraising event, experts suggest doing your homework before setting a date.

“There are many online publications – Frontdoors Media and AZRedbook – to check on any competing events for the dates that you’re considering,” Butler says. “You will also want to keep in mind the cause you will be supporting and whether they have a milestone on the horizon or another event of their own that could interfere with yours.”

Butler also recommends electing a committee to help with legwork while providing a way to further connect with people and develop more sustainable support opportunities.

Whether moving forward with a smallscale event intended to be intimately and independently hosted, or a larger affair collaboratively planned with a team, Darcy Hill, development manager for the Desert Botanical Garden, advises determining a goal as to how much funds you intend to raise.

“If it’s a high goal,” Hill says, “you want AzBusiness Angels | 35

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

as many people who are passionate and philanthropic about your cause in the room as you can. Here at the Garden, our highest benefiting fundraiser is ‘Dinner on the Desert,’ but we host a luncheon as well benefitting our initiative, ‘the Central Arizona Conservation Alliance.’”

Establishing a donation amount is also helpful in narrowing options for an appropriate venue, date, theme and details for a philanthropic event.

“Great guest ideas include the board of directors for the organization selected and other affinity groups that currently support the cause,” Butler adds. “Outside of this already dedicated group, inviting people of influence, financial means or political standing in the

36 | AzBusiness Angels

community will help to raise the profile and interest level in your event.”

A CLASS ACT The hope of hosting a philanthropic event is that guests have an understanding that the main intent is to raise money. With that said, it’s always appreciated when solicitation of funds is presented in as understated a way as possible.

“It’s important to highlight that the most important aspect of the event is awareness,” Schnitzer says. “You can let guests know that even if they don’t wish to make a donation, they can still attend the event so that they can become informed and spread awareness.”

An effective way to increase awareness, as

suggested by Hill, is to have an expert come and talk about one of the main points of your mission in a way that feels exclusive.

“You are giving donors and potential donors an inside look at your organization and you can gauge how interested they are,” she says. “You’ll see how these events really get people interested in the amazing work your organization is doing.”

Other ways to integrate philanthropy with integrity is to include a donation within an event pass or dinner-ticket invitation, facilitate a silent auction, or integrate a “gamification” theme or element.

“Ask guests to guess the number of beach balls loaded into an empty swimming pool and pay to play, or perhaps something more simple

— such as how many marbles are in a large glass container,” Butler says. “Regardless of the format, an easy game and the selling of tickets for each guess can be engaging and add some friendly competition.”

Consider, too, partnering with local restaurants, businesses and activity centers.

“By collaborating for a fundraiser, you can raise funds while driving traffic and awareness to the business or entity you are partnered with,” Butler says. “Typically, in this scenario, businesses agree to donate 5 percent to 10 percent of profits from a particular date or time frame to a specific cause. The business receives promotion and publicity and the charity receives funds and the opportunity to connect with its constituents in a fun, no pressure atmosphere.” 

VET BEFORE THE PARTY DATE IS SET

T

yler Butler, 11Eleven Consulting founder and principal; Darcy Hill, development manager for the Desert Botanical Garden; and Linda Schnitzer, event planner for Pomelo at the Orchard all recommend taking the time for due diligence in researching a nonprofit prior to committing to a fundraising event. Why? According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, there are approximately 1.5 million registered charities in America, with only a small portion that contribute dollars directly to the causes they represent.

To ensure you and your donors are getting the most from the financial gifts you generate, check into the background, standing and legitimacy of a nonprofit before you set a date.

• In addition to an organic Google search, ask the 501(c) (3) you are considering for their federal employer identification number to yield more credentials and information.

• Utilize Charity Navigator, GuideStar and similar online, charity-ranking sites to confirm responsible operations and responsible fiduciary.

• Speak directly and openly with the development office of a nonprofit – address any questions or concerns you might have. You have a right to know where your money is going.

AzBusiness Angels | 37

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

FUNDRAISING Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

How to fund a

MAJOR PROJECT

Here are things to remember when trying to create a public, private, philanthropic and nonprofit collaboration

40 | AzBusiness Angels

Pursuing funding for a charitable cause can be a very complex world, mainly due to government regulations that come for with the charities and nonprofits.

tax incentives

By JESSE A. MILLARD

A

s 2018 dawns, construction crews work away near Third Street and Earll Drive on First Place-Phoenix, the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from Denise Resnik and her community partners.

First Place-Phoenix is a $15 million mixed-use apartment community designed for people with autism and other neurodiversities to help them transition into adulthood and gain independence.

“First Place-Phoenix represents nearly two decades of research and travel, and commitment that we need to usher in a new wave of housing to ensure that home and community options are as bountiful for people with autism and other special abilities as they are for everybody else,” says Resnik, who is the founder, president and CEO of First Place. Renik is also co-founder of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC).

Her determination alone couldn’t have made First Place-Phoenix a reality, though. Like any major philanthropic mission, funding was needed to make the idea a reality.

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FUNDRAISING Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

COLLABORATION NEEDED Resnik says First Place-Phoenix represents public, private, philanthropic and nonprofit collaboration at its finest. The facility will have a mix of uses, consisting of 55 apartments, a Transition Academy and a Global Leadership Institute.

When Resnik began to pursue funding for First Place-Phoenix, she had to create a comprehensive capital campaign that would pay for both the real estate project aspect of the facility, along with its programs and staff.

This meant Resnik had to form many different relationships with community members to help make First Place-Phoenix a reality.

Organizers established a $21.3 million capital campaign, knowing a significant amount would come from the philanthropic sector, Resnik says. First Place-Phoenix pursued contributions from philanthropists, benefits from the New Markets Tax Credit and a private construction loan, she says.

Resnik recognized that contributions from all sectors were needed to make this project possible, which could launch a trend for a new type of housing.

Through First Place-Phoenix’s three components — housing, the Transition Academy and the Global Leadership Institute — the project was able to gather more than 100 collaborating partners, Resnik says.

Some partners include SARRC, the Arizona Department of Housing and the Foundation for Senior Living.

42 | AzBusiness Angels

Robert Erven Brown

Denise Resnik

In order to make this project a reality, and get it funded, Resnik says she built a strong, intelligent team of leaders to help her make it happen. It also helped that she had proof of her concept for the Transition Academy to help bring in funding for First Place-Phoenix.

For the last three years, the First Place Transition Academy has been working to help those with autism gain skills towards an independent lifestyle, even without the First PlacePhoenix facility being completed, Resnik says.

For making major nonprofit projects a reality, Resnik says to “dream big, and make sure you have the details to back-up the pursuit of your dreams.”

GET SMART WITH LEGALITIES Pursuing funding for a charitable cause can be a very complex world, mainly due to government regulations that come with the tax incentives for charities and nonprofits.

There are three main avenues of funding for a nonprofit or charitable cause, says Robert Erven Brown, shareholder at Gallagher & Kennedy • Tax credits • Funds from private donors • Grants

Brown says one of the most popular routes is with tax credits, and in Arizona the “hottest topic” for tax credits is the Credit for Donations made to Qualifying Charitable Organizations. This tax credit used to be called the Working Poor Tax Credit before its name changed when the credit was expanded to include foster care organizations.

Taxpayers filing as “single” can claim a maximum of $500 and “married filing jointly” taxpayers may claim a maximum of $1,000 through this tax credit, according to Arizona’s Department of Revenue. Each dollar donated through this tax credit — up to the maximum — knocks a dollar off what they’d owe to the state.

For qualifying nonprofits, this tax credit has been a very popular way to raise funds, Brown says. To qualify, organizations have to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provide services that meet basic needs, assist low-income residents and spend at least 50 percent of its budget to provide qualified services to residents and more.

Often, people respond very favorably to donation campaigns for funds that are earmarked to go toward certain service, compared with donations towards the general operations of the nonprofit, Brown says.

It could be important to communicate exactly what the funds will go towards, but that can be easy when a nonprofit is raising money for a specific, major project.

PROVIDED RENDERING

SHAPING THE FUTURE: First Place AZ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working hard to ensure that housing options for people with autism and neurodiversities are as bountiful as they are for everyone else. First Place-Phoenix, located at 3001 N. Third St. in Phoenix, is a $15 million, 81,000-square-foot property opening to residents in early summer 2018.

PHOTO BY STEPHEN G. DREISESZUN, VIEWPOINT PHOTOGRAPHERS

GROUNDBREAKING FACILITY: First Place-Phoenix Founder Denise Resnik and Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton join adults with autism in breaking ground on First Place-Phoenix. From right: Arizona Department of Housing Director Michael Trailor; First Place Capital Campaign Cabinet Member and former ULI Arizona Board Chair John Graham; and First Place Board Chair Sara Dial break ground with First Place Transition Academy participants.

THINGS TO REMEMBER There are some things nonprofits should be aware of and ready to do when they seek and receive donations to find a major project.

In the event a nonprofit is offered a donation, it should know whether or not it’s a restricted or unrestricted donation.

Brown says that the nonprofit should be ready to decline a donation offering with a restriction or condition that the nonprofit wouldn’t be able to properly follow through with. Otherwise the nonprofit’s trustees could be held personally liable for the money, Brown says.

Nonprofits should also know the proper procedures for sending out a receipt for the donation.

If the proper procedures aren’t followed for the receipt, the donor’s tax deduction could be declined and that could possibly lead to donors trying to get their donation back or asking the nonprofit to pay the losses from the tax deduction, Brown says.

Nonprofits should make sure receipts follow all of the IRS rules, such as including the correct language and addressing it to the correct person, Brown says.

And there’s one last piece of advice Brown offers to anyone looking to start a nonprofit: get a certified public accountant. Having a CPA on hand is critical, he emphasizes.

“The IRS rules and regulations are very complex” Brown says, “and if you mess them up, it costs you money. And it may cost you donors and it may cost your donors money.”  AzBusiness Angels | 43

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

TOP 10

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

CORPORATE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

1

Cox Communications:

161,100

39,000

volunteer hours

2

APS:

127,000

volunteer hours

3

Bank of America:

115,000

volunteer hours

4

Wells Fargo:

110,344

volunteer hours

7

SRP:

31,243

volunteer hours

8

Vanguard:

15,372

volunteer hours

9

Avnet:

14,639

volunteer hours

volunteer hours

5

10

UnitedHealthcare of Arizona:

46,563

volunteer hours 44 | AzBusiness Angels

6

Intel:

Humana:

13,883

volunteer hours

ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA NONPROFITS Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

DAY impacts a

LIFETIME Arizona Gives Day has raised more than $10 million and changed our community

By ERIN THORBURN

D

id you know the Arizona nonprofit sector yields an annual economic impact of $22.4 billion, accounting for 325,000 local jobs? In 2013, the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers Forum recognized the influence nonprofits contribute not only to the economy, but also to bringing awareness of causes, projects and organizations in desperate need of support.

Thus, “Arizona Gives Day” was born. To date, the resulting partnership has helped raise more than $10 million for Arizona’s nonprofit sector. Every spring, nonprofit organizations team together to participate in a 24-hour online event in which donations, prizes and awareness are encouraged. This year, Arizona Gives Day takes place on April 3, 2018, and is projected to generate more than $1 million in much-needed funding for Arizona’s nonprofits.

MUCH MORE THAN MONETARY GAIN With support of a host of sponsors, including FirstBank, which was instrumental in establishing “Arizona Gives Day,” and inspired by a similar program in Colorado, Arizona Gives Day provides a user-friendly platform for both nonprofits and donors.

AzGives.org serves as home base for the 24-hour donation blitz, with the capability for donors to establish confidential accounts that enable them to set up a one-time or recurring donation.

48 | AzBusiness Angels

Although Arizona Gives Day is a 24-hour push to encourage charitable giving, donors can contribute throughout the year – anytime.

And, although Arizona Gives Day is undoubtedly dedicated to encouraging monetary donations, a wider intention is at play.

“When Arizona Gives Day began in 2013, the main goal was to create a spirit of philanthropy,” says Kristen Merrifield, CEO of Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, “and not simply to encourage donors of $100,000, but to have a spirit that everyone in Arizona can give.”

While inspiring charitable giving, Arizona Gives Day is invaluable in casting a large net in promoting awareness.

“The more we can showcase what these nonprofits are doing, the better,” Merrifield says. “We want to introduce nonprofits to new donors and try to promote them as widely as we can.”

In the spirit of growing visibility and acquiring new donors, all Arizona Gives Day partnered nonprofits are vetted. Provided that an organization is a qualified 501(c)(3), the nonprofit will be verified for legitimacy and good standing and then subsequently added to the site.

“We’ve been involved for the last two years,” says Karen Perry, founder of 3 Wings Life. “It’s a wonderful way to give and for people to connect with nonprofits. They might be local, they might not, but they can select what nonprofit for whom they want to give.”

THE ALLIANCE OF “For us, it’s not so much the monetary need,” says Gary Gregory, A-Chance-2-Play founder. “It’s about ARIZONA NONPROFITS exposure. We use Arizona Gives Day as another What: The Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits way to get our name out there so families with was formed in 2004 to be the unifying children with autism know their children can have an voice of the nonprofit sector in Arizona. opportunity to play.”

The Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits is the

only statewide association dedicated SPREADING THE WEALTH to serving the needs of the more than The added value to nonprofits participating in 20,000 nonprofit organizations all across Arizona Gives Days is that there are various goalArizona. The alliance does this through setting opportunities available. advocacy, education, information, “They come up with their own goal,” Merrifield says. connection and resources, which are “It can be a general dollar amount for a specific item, tailored specifically for nonprofits, their project or a fixed fundraising marker. We don’t want to staff, their board and their volunteers. tie any organization to an exact goal. Instead, we want to encourage donor relationships.”

Information: arizonanonprofits.org In addition to ascertaining the trust of donors, Arizona Gives Day has acquired the blessing of several AzBusiness Angels | 49

ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA NONPROFITS Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

BY THE NUMBERS Here is a look at the 2017 statistics for Arizona Gives Day. 2018 is projected to boast even greater numbers.

advantageous sponsors — including the previously mentioned FirstBank, Arizona Community Foundation, SRP, Frontdoors and many more.

From sponsors comes the opportunity for partnering nonprofits to earn prizes in categories of most dollars raised from small to large nonprofits and everything in-between.

There are additional opportunities to win (stackable) bonus prizes.

Past recipients of Arizona Gives Day Prizes are a diverse spread of nonprofits covering Maricopa, Pima, Coconino, Cochise and other Arizona counties, with organizations such as Phoenix Rescue Mission, Oasis Sanctuary Foundation Cochise, Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, Parent Aid Child Abuse Prevention Center and countless others benefitting from the philanthropic blitz. 

1,028

organizations participated from across the state

300+

organizations joined Arizona Gives Day for the first time

$175,000 in prize money was distributed to winning nonprofits

ARIZONA GIVES DAY SPOTLIGHT Arizona Gives Day raises millions of dollars for nonprofits large and small in Arizona. And while these nonprofits benefit from monetary backing, they equally appreciate the exposure the 24-hour blitz affords them – especially smaller entities that may not have the time or resources or marketing budget to raise public awareness. Here are two participants of past Arizona Gives Day grateful to get their name and mission on a potent platform of visibility and awareness.

A-Chance-2-Play (AC2P) When former Notre Dame Prep football and girls’ soccer coach Gary Gregory saw that one of his soccer players had a little brother with Downs Syndrome who attended every practice, an inspiration began to form. In time, Gregory helped shape a unified sports network for special needs children partnering with typical children to share the excitement of sports. With the ongoing support of Ron Shurts, owner of the Arizona Rattlers; professional golfer Tom Lehman; and Charles Shirley, a local businessman, A-Chance-2Play has expanded to include flag football leagues, football clinics, indoor Summer camps and special outings (Arizona Rattler games and Arizona State football field access).

Information: ac2p.org

50 | AzBusiness Angels

3 Wings of Life On Thanksgiving eve, 2011, Karen Perry experienced the inexplicable tragedy of losing all three of her children (Morgan Leigh Perry, 9; Logan Jay Perry, 8; and Luke Devon Perry, 6) in a privateplane crash into the Superstition Mountain. Out of Perry’s grief came 3 Wings of Life, a nonprofit equine-assisted therapy program that helps provide solace for children who may suffer from addiction, trauma, social/ behavioral disorders and more.

The organization has two quarter horses and a mini horse who make local school visits.

Information: 3wingsoflife.org

PROVIDED PHOTO

ANGELIC MISSION: Karen Perry, a pilot and flight attendant, was saddled with insurmountable grief after losing her three children in a plane crash in 2011. Out of the ashes of the wreckage, Perry founded 3 Wings of Life, a nonprofit equineassisted therapy program which has benefited from Arizona Gives Day.

CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH VETERANS

™

Veterans Heritage Project ™ offers educational enrichment programs which partner with veterans as primary sources of history to help students develop skills for academic and professional success, and to become responsible, active citizens.

veteransheritage.org | 1-877-VHP PROJ (847-7765) or 602-218-4036

ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA NONPROFITS Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

Business ON BOARD Why it’s important for both the nonprofit and the board member to have proper governance training

52 | AzBusiness Angels

By JESSE A. MILLARD

N

early everyone wants to be philanthropic in some way, but not every cause and nonprofit is a perfect match for every individual.

Just like it’s important to find a nonprofit that’s right for you, it’s vitally important when pursuing board membership to ensure that both you and the board are on the same page and equally equipped to face the challenges of governing a nonprofit.

Potential and incoming board members should know the ins and outs of the nonprofit board they’re joining and they need to be ready to bring their talents to the table. Joining a nonprofit board isn’t a status symbol, it’s a true commitment.

THE RIGHT FIT “I think some of the most satisfied and effective board members I know, are those that have a sense of the nonprofit from either serving on committees, volunteering with events, or being a donor for many years,” says Jenifer Gager Holland, senior director of programs and consulting at BoardSource, an organization that works to assist nonprofits with building an effective board. “That’s a great runway to serving a board position.”

It’s important for potential board recruits and the board to form a deep relationship and understanding of one another, Holland says. This is especially true for the period before someone is voted onto the board as a full member, she says.

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ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA NONPROFITS Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

Some advice: Have a myriad of conversations at any possible opportunity to get to know the nonprofit and the board member recruit, Holland says. For boards, find out what’s bringing this recruit to the board and what their idea of success is as a board member, she says.

It can be important to utilize this period to its maximum potential, Holland notes, while using the adage to “enjoy the dating period before getting married.”

Recruits should think about what kind of board and nonprofit they want to join, Holland adds. Be sure to know what kind of mission you’re looking to join, how involved you’d want to be, while also knowing how the board works, Holland says. And never be afraid to ask questions, she says.

FULL DISCLOSURE For boards, it’s vitally important not to minimize the requirements of board membership to potential recruits, Holland says. When the board is trying to recruit an especially attractive candidate, it can be tempting to tell the recruit there aren’t many

8 TO ASK

QUESTIONS

1 2

Are you passionate about the organization’s mission and vision?

Will you be able to serve for the expected term and attend the majority of meetings?

54 | AzBusiness Angels

3 4

meetings or that they don’t have to join a subcommittee, she says.

“I would really encourage boards to be bold and proud of the investments board members make in board service,” Holland says. “If you’ve worked really hard to build a well-running board and a board with a healthy board culture, resist the temptation to minimize those requirements, because it often backfires.”

Incoming board recruits should be confident that both the opportunity for board membership and the nonprofit is a match with their interests before accepting the post, says Tyler Butler, founder and principal of 11Eleven Consulting.

A new board member’s due diligence should include asking the important and right questions, having knowledge of what committees on which they wish to serve, while also thinking about where their skills would work best, Butler says.

Before accepting a post on a board, a new member should review a variety of materials, including the nonprofit’s Articles of Incorporation, its bylaws, recent IRS 990 forms,

the organization’s website and other public documents, says Kendis Muscheid, a partner and nonprofit attorney at Ballard Spahr.

“The more information a board member has about the organization, the better prepared the board member will be to assimilate new information that is provided about programs, financials, etc.,” Muscheid says.

Muscheid recommends new board members should also ask the nonprofit’s CEO and CFO about any pending lawsuits, governmental regulatory claims, or audits that are happening or being threatened.

Not everyone thinks of this, but folks don’t fully realize that nonprofit board members have the same fiduciary duties as for-profit board members, which are duties to act in good faith, with a duty of care and loyalty.

There’s also a misconception, Muscheid notes, about how engaged nonprofit board members are. They don’t usually run operations of the nonprofit, instead they’re in charge of the strategic planning and general policies of the nonprofit, as well as “high-level” budget and direction for the nonprofit, she says.

Potential members to a nonprofit’s board of directors shouldn’t be the only ones answering questions about themselves. New members who may be looking into joining a nonprofit board should come prepared to ask themselves questions and questions of the board that’s vetting them. Here is a list of questions, for the board member recruit to ask both themselves and the board they’re thinking about joining, as posed by Tyler Butler of 11Eleven Consulting and Ellis Carter of Caritas Law Group.

Does that nonprofit have directors and officer’s liability insurance?

Will the nonprofit train you? Is there a board manual? Will you have additional training for fundraising duties?

5 6

Will you be expected to donate financially?

Is there an annual retreat or full day meeting that you should be aware of?

7 8

How healthy is the nonprofit financially?

Are you willing to ask friends and family to donate to this nonprofit?

JOINING THE BOARD The board’s latest member has been properly vetted, voted in and took the position. That’s great. They’re officially a full-fledge member of the board, but now it’s time to get them ready for their service.

The best way, could be through an orientation. Ellis Carter, an attorney at the Tempe-based Caritas Law Group, says nonprofits should develop an orientation to help get the latest board addition up to speed.

“The orientation should introduce the new board member to the organization’s mission, vision and values, programs, goals, strategic plan, as well as policies and procedures,” Carter says.

This orientation should also be led by a variety of voices at the nonprofit.

Holland says there’s often a temptation to allow the CEO or executive director to solely lead orientation for incoming board members, but new board members should be trained in a joint way.

The board chair and members of the board’s executive committee should help the newest board member learn the ropes, Holland says.

Mentorship programs help, too, she says.

“Having a dedicated board member can be a great way to help board members who are newer understand the culture of the organization,” Holland says.

Throughout board membership, it’s important to have the mission and vision of the nonprofit front and center for both the benefit of the newest addition to the board and incumbent members.

Holland says there are a variety of ways to do this, including having nonprofit members, those the nonprofit serves and others visit with the board before meetings. Showcasing videos from the field also works.

And when new board members join, don’t be afraid to speak- up, Holland says.

“When they’re recruited for specific assets, the board needs those assets,” Holland says.

“So, to sit out two meetings of three meetings to watch the dynamic actually means the mission of the organization is missing out on the person’s impact and input.”

GETTING READY TO WORK When the latest board member joins, the current board members should be able to inform the new member about any issues the

board currently faces with full disclosure, says Butler.

Also, be aware of any potential conflict of interests that this new board member may bring, and to be open about what the conflict of interest may involve as it relates to the nonprofit’s duties, Butler says.

She also notes that new board members should be ready for a massive time commitment, depending on how often the board holds meetings.

Tyler Butler

Ellis Carter

New members should be aware that they could enter the nonprofit’s board as it faces many issues, Butler says. And this could make it important to fully disclose these issues to new board members so they can best prepare for service.

“Be prepared to ask to contribute in unusual ways,” Butler says. “Dependent on the organization, they may need a wide array of help and typically the first group that the nonprofit staff turns to is the board.” 

Jenifer Gager Holland

Kendis Muscheid

NEED SOME HELP? There are many resources out there to learn the ropes about board membership for nonprofits.

• ELLIS CARTER recommends the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits’ Business on Board program, mentioning it’s “a great place for prospective board members to learn the basics of nonprofit board service.”

•J ENIFER GAGER HOLLAND notes that BoardSource’s Certificate of Nonprofit Board Education program is a great tool to prepare for service. The six-module, on-demand or live webinar program covers the many fundamentals one should know when serving on a board.

•K ENDIS MUSCHEID says Lodestar at ASU has a program for nonprofit board members, too, and various law firms and accounting firms present seminars for board staff and members.

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THE ARTS Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

THE ART OF GIVING Experts says corporate support is critical to sustaining the arts in Arizona

Arizona Opera: Eugene Onegin Dress Rehearsal

By ELAINA VERHOFF

T

he arts enrich our communities– from murals in public spaces to the outstanding musical and theatrical performances available around the state. What some may not realize is the significant impact the arts have not only on our lives, but on our economy. A national study released by Americans for the Arts in August 2017 showed that Phoenix arts and culture organizations and their audiences spent $450 million in 2015, making it clearer than ever the arts is big business.

The millions of dollars driven by the arts engine include dollars spent by arts and culture 56 | AzBusiness Angels

nonprofits to run their programs and pay their employees, plus spending from patrons on ticket sales, meals and refreshments, souvenirs and more. Despite the significant impact the arts has on our economy, however, those involved in Arizona arts nonprofits say more support is needed to sustain arts and culture organizations into the future.

INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY Rusty Foley, who heads up the statewide arts advocacy organization Arizona Citizens for the Arts, says her organization has been working to boost public and corporate support by changing the perception of what it means to invest in the arts.

“When you call it a charitable contribution, it is given a sense of altruism without return that

shows impact,” said Foley. “It’s an investment, not a contribution.”

Foley explains that investment in the arts has a return on the whole community, providing both enrichment and an economic return. Corporate investment and public funding of the arts have ebbed and flowed over time, she says, with arts and culture nonprofits enduring significant drops in support during the recession.

“Private (investment) has been pretty important coming out of the recession,” said Foley. “In addition to cuts in public funding that arts organizations sustained, a lot of businesses and individuals pulled back from the arts. The recession taught us that we really have to work very hard to communicate the full value of public good that communities derive from the

Herberger Theater: Stage West

arts. We have to be better about demonstrating the return to communities.”

Joseph Specter, president and general director of Arizona Opera, concurs.

“Corporate investment is a relatively modest portion of Arizona Opera’s funding, comprising less than 10 percent of our total revenue each year,” said Specter. “This is an area of funding that we are eager to grow over the years to come, as we continue to identify business leaders who understand the importance of a vital arts and culture sector.”

Specter says the best example of corporate investment in a challenging time for Arizona Opera came in 2014, when CopperPoint Insurance stepped up and offered to sponsor the Opera for four seasons.

“It was an astonishing gesture of support

for the arts that has few rivals… over time, our hope would be to see more companies follow CopperPoint’s lead, not only in times of great trial but also in more normalized environments, when investment can increase our ability to contribute to the artistic and economic vitality of the communities we serve.”

CORPORATE LEADERSHIP IS KEY Foley says she is beginning to see the business community speaking up on its own about the importance of the arts, with key individuals taking on this issue of bringing the art into the economic development discussion.

“That kind of leadership leads to all kinds of opportunities,” said Foley.

Jeff Guldner, senior vice president of public policy for APS, is one of those individuals,

said Foley. When asked about the importance of the arts, Guldner’s passion comes through immediately.

“Growing up outside of Toronto, Canada, my mom was a church organist and my dad was into arts and music as well,” said Guldner.

“We went on school trips to the second largest Shakespeare festival outside the UK and saw obscure Shakespeare plays performed. It wasn’t just theater but music. When I was in the Navy and stationed in Seattle, we went to the Seattle Symphony and enjoyed a great director and music from American composers. Today, my dad is a docent at the MIM and ushers at venues all over the Valley.”

Upon joining APS, Guldner knew he wanted to be on the Herberger board, and says his company was fully supportive. Since that time, AzBusiness Angels | 57

THE ARTS Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT: Jeff Guldner is executive vice president, public policy, for Arizona Public Service Company (APS) and general counsel of APS and Pinnacle West Capital Corporation. Guldner actively serves on community boards, including the Arizona Theater Company.

“I always leave 15 minutes to talk to people about Arizona and what it is like. Arts and culture opportunities are a part of the package. We have great theaters, great options for music.”

– Jeff Guldner

60 | AzBusiness Angels

his relationship with the arts expanded from consumer to corporate supporter and advocate.

Guldner, who recently completed his term on the Herberger board and joined the Arizona Theatre Company board, says his eyes were opened to the importance of the arts as a corporate recruiting tool when he was doing a pitch for a Spanish company thinking of locating a plant in the Valley.

“I was sitting at a dinner in Buckeye with a VP of the prospective company sitting next to me, and we started talking soccer. He said to me, ‘How do I convince executives who work in Barcelona and Madrid to relocate here to Phoenix? What do I sell them on?’”

After covering sports, golf and climate, Guldner says they got into a discussion about the vibrant arts scene. This struck a chord with the executive. Since that conversation, Guldner says he consistently uses the arts as a selling point in his recruiting efforts.

“I always leave 15 minutes to talk to people about Arizona and what it is like. Arts and culture opportunities are a part of the package.

We have great theaters, great options for

music… but we can’t lose it. We can’t take this for granted. We have to invest in this to make it sustainable.”

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX Guldner says there are so many ways a company can support local arts nonprofits, beyond financial investment. At APS, employees are encouraged to volunteer or serve on the boards of organizations.

“When we put employees on the boards of arts organizations, it is truly a win-win situation,” said Guldner. “They bring their corporate skills and experience to the nonprofits, while at the same time developing business and leadership skills that help them here at APS.” Alicia Sutton Campbell is executive director of Free Arts Arizona, a nonprofit that uses art as a tool to help build resilience in children who have experienced trauma. Campbell explains that she is mindful of finding ways to work with businesses in ways that are beneficial both for her organization and for the sponsoring company, working with companies large

FREE ARTS: Professional Artist Series program

and small in a variety of ways, from in-kind donations, to matching employee donations, and marketing outreach efforts.

“Free Arts artwork is displayed in the Whole Foods art gallery in their café at their Camelback location, which helps us attract new volunteers,” says Sutton Campbell. “Versant Capital Management sponsors our spring fundraiser, sends their staff to our programs to volunteer as a group, and provides office space to use for meetings and events… and Blick Art Supplies provides us with gift cards to buy art supplies needed for some of our highly specialized programs.”

Guldner says he is optimistic about Arizona’s arts future, and encourages those in the business community to get involved.

“The more we can grow the arts community here in Arizona, the better it is for everyone,” said Guldner. “There are a lot of things that make Arizona strong, and arts is an important part of the mix.”  AzBusiness Angels | 61

MARKETING Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

WHAT ARE THE

DIGITAL MARKETING MUSTS

FOR NONPROFITS?

I

t’s hard to imagine a world without nonprofits. We lean on these organizations to 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. The inability to broaden their reach impacts fundraising, which eventually prohibits them from continuing service.

The most important step a nonprofit can take to steer its organization’s marketing program in the right direction is to make use of digital tools that can increase both efficiency and fundraising. By capitalizing on the latest website trends, building a mobile app and engaging in text-based communications, many marketing functions can be automated, measured, and fine-tuned for success.

64 | AzBusiness Angels

Tony Finneman Marketing WEBSITES Websites have been around for more than three decades, but in today’s world where everything we use has a screen and an internet connection, they have become the heart of an organization. Nonprofits relying on volunteers that aren’t always up-to-speed on initiatives, must often depend on their websites to be the main point of contact for supporters.

Beyond informing the community about important information, websites can now be built to streamline marketing tasks. They can be used to help organize an event, connect others to social media channels, and most importantly, accept donations. In fact, now that Apple is allowing qualifying nonprofits to accept Apple Pay donations via websites and apps, the donation page of a nonprofit’s website has become an undeniably necessary resource, as online donations are simpler and more secure than ever before.

APPS According to the Pew Research Center, more than 72 percent of American Adults now own mobile phones. The need for organizations to optimize their communications for mobile devices is greater than ever. Much like websites, mobile apps can drive efficiency and increase donations.

Nonprofits that invest in mobile apps will widen their networks, and have the ability to communicate with people wherever they are.

Features like push notifications that can reach community members at the optimal time of day or geographical functions that make it possible to incentivize those in close proximity, can be a huge benefit to nonprofits. Rather than spending the money and assigning essential staff to deliver key messages to supporters via email, phone calls or physical mail, messages can be sent directly to a smartphone that is used constantly throughout the day by everybody.

Since Apple Pay for nonprofits can also be integrated into a mobile app, messaging to supporters on-the-go has the potential to translate to an immediate donation at the click of a button. The fundraising that is so essential to a nonprofit’s survival, can now be partly automated and made convenient for all.

TEXTING SERVICES The use of text-based services is often the most overlooked digital marketing tool.

Similar to a mobile app, it provides the ability to capture an audience with immediacy at the most optimal time. It also gives an organization a personal and engaging way to deliver messages to its target market.

An added benefit of texting for nonprofits, especially those involved with communities or segments of the population that are in danger, is that they are less likely to need to put their staff in harm’s way in the event of a crisis.

Nonprofits that offer disaster relief services, such as United Way, can use texting to warn communities of affected areas during a flood, tornado or other natural disasters.

The goal of all digital marketing tools is to provide automated solutions that will increase desired outcomes and help an organization devote its staff’s time to core functions. The importance of this in the nonprofit world cannot be overstated.

Every day, developers are improving or creating game-changing software that can transform a nonprofit’s outreach. The great news is that the digital tools that are necessary for a nonprofit to be successful are getting less expensive. All nonprofits can now make use of these powerful solutions so they can continue their mission of making the world a better place.  Tony Finneman is the CEO and co-founder of OneEach Technologies, a digital service provider for nonprofit organizations founded in 2000.

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TOP 10

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

NONPROFITS FOR VOLUNTEERS

1

3

5

7

9

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance,

Habitat For Humanity Central Arizona,

Catholic Charities,

Chicanos Por La Causa,

United Food Bank,

86,418 volunteers

10,000 volunteers

4,449 volunteers

4,344 volunteers

2,684 volunteers

6

8

10

2

4

Society of St. Vincent de Paul,

Valley of the Sun United Way,

Christian Care/ Fellowship Square,

A New Leaf,

Phoenix Rescue Mission,

18,000 volunteers

5,000 volunteers

4,422 volunteers

3,180 volunteers

2,300 volunteers

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68 | AzBusiness Angels

GIRL POWER Renee Parsons hopes to impact the lives of underserved populations throughout Arizona

By ERIN THORBURN

A

s a businesswoman and philanthropist, Renee Parsons adds tremendous value to Arizona’s underserved communities (and beyond) in partnership with her husband, Bob Parsons, through the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

Undoubtedly a successful humanitarian, Parsons is also unequivocally Arizona’s most philanthropic G.I.R.L. – especially in the eyes of the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC), from whom the acronym originates. In the summer of 2017, the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation issued a $1.6 million matching challenge to the GSACPC in an effort to help complete its $18 million Campaign for Girls in Arizona. So what drives Parsons to be such a significant contributor to Arizona’s altruistic environment and beyond?

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE G.I.R.L.

In the world of the Girl Scouts of America, being a girl is honorable, special and worthy of notice, being a G.I.R.L., however, means you are a Go getter, Innovator, Risk taker and Leader.

“Mrs. Parsons represents all these qualities,” says Jessica Lyon, senior manager of the Campaign for Girls for the GSACPC. “Her involvement means so much to us and the fact that we’ve raised what we have in our community is a huge testament to that.”

It’s clear why the GSACPC would want to covet a relationship with a female community leader with respected business acumen and philanthropic ties, but what was it that drew Parsons and the foundation for which she co-founded with her husband to their local Girl Scouts?

“The impact that the Girl Scouts have in providing a forum where local girls can participate in leadership and life skills motivates me and makes me feel rewarded,” Parsons says.

“There is a need in the community for skilled professionals and leaders and this is the perfect platform for young women to learn what they need to go into — business, politics, medicine — and it’s providing confidence.”

Parsons was on hand to commemorate the opening of The Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls & Women

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FACES OF GIVING Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

at Camp South Mountain, imparting a personal message to Girl Scouts. If you listen closely, however, there are portions in her dedication letter that provide insight into her vision and application as a philanthropist.

“As we celebrate this exciting and momentous occasion, I can’t help but to think about the generations who have come before us to build this amazing organization: the Girl Scouts. In doing so, they have laid the groundwork for this facility and for the girls of the future who will walk through these doors for years to come.”

TRANSFORMATIVE GROUNDWORK Beyond the Girl Scouts of America, the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has been involved with numerous other communitybased organizations, including (but not limited to) Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, UMOM, the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona and a host of others whose focus centers on marginalized and disenfranchised populations.

Nationally and internationally, the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has made not one, but two trips to Haiti and has joined in relief for the area devastated by the recent hurricanes.

With so many projects, many may wonder what factors determine the Parsons’ and their foundation’s giving decisions.

Did you know?

• 85% of Arizona Girls Scouts troops reside in Maricopa County • The Camp at South Mountain is accessible to everyone in the community • The new Girls Scouts hub also encourages low barriers usage • The Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, in partnership with community organizations, hosted “Day of the Girl” and “Badge Bash” to further support the match challenge • During the summer, local Girl Scouts have the opportunity to learn leadership, kitchen, garden, cooking and healthy-living skills while staying in one of the 15 onsite cabins.

The Camp also has a pool, archery station and sports field.

“We focus on the less glamorous, underserved populations,” Parsons says. “Mainly three groups of people: critically wounded veterans, families living in poverty and needs within the LGBTQ community.”

The groundwork that Parsons referred to in her letter to the Girl Scouts relating to building

a future can be witnessed in many of the lasting relationships between the organizations the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has worked with and continues to work with.

“We provided a $2.5 million grant to help the Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona expand their space and resources,” Parsons says. “They are doing so many good things to empower homeless and foster care children to use art in a therapeutic way and it’s been an honor to see how truly transformative this gift has been and continues to be.”

PROLIFERATING A PLEDGE

While continuing to witness the transformative impact the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has helped to yield, Parsons, alongside her husband signed “The Giving Pledge ” in December 2013 – the first Arizona philanthropists to join the pledge, a commitment by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to giving back. And while the general assumption of The Giving Pledge designates a specific dollar amount for charitable allocation, Parsons explains that rather than centering on monetary figures, the pledge’s true value is to inspire others to give and contribute to their community.

“We remain dynamic in our giving,” Parsons explains, “We don’t’ have a five-year plan. It’s our goal to keep making an impact within our community. We seek to leave a lasting impact and legacy of transformative gifts to people who need a leg up or extra push to make a difference.”

And as she sets her sights on future philanthropic endeavors and continues to watch the progress that endures from past giving, Parsons reflects on those lives she’s helped transform. One of those lives she’s impacted is Tiffany, a Make-A-Wish recipient who Parsons first met while still in high school.

Perhaps even more challenging than pinpointing the most personally impactful recipient the foundation she co-leads, is trying to zero in on the most memorable individual.

“There are so many great kids and people, it’s very hard to pick just one,” Parsons says.

Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls & Women at Camp South Mountain: The fully ADA accessible camp sits on 14.5 acres near the core of Downtown Phoenix, perfect for serving the girls living in the surrounding community.

70 | AzBusiness Angels

RENEE PARSONS: “We are proud to be the only

individuals in Arizona to sign the Giving Pledge,” says the co-founder of the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, shown with some of the Girl Scouts at the Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls & Women. “We want to make sure that people understand that The Giving Pledge doesn’t limit giving to $1 billion or even half, but rather that the pledge is meant to be a public declaration of giving intended to inspire people to give what they can.”

PHOTO BY MIKE MERTES, AZ BIG MEDIA

Impact on Scouts

Jessica Lyon, senior manager, Campaign for Girls for Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus Pine Council, is not shy in her appreciation of the $1.6-million (dollar-for-dollar) matching challenge presented by the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation, which ended December 31, 2017.

“As a result of the monumental gift given by the Parsons, other foundations stepped up,” Lyon says.

The $18 million capital Campaign for Girls in Arizona not only enabled the completion of the Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women at Camp South Mountain, it’s creating a safe, resourceful and inspiring place for young women in Maricopa County.

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FINDING YOUR PASSION pays dividends for the entire community

M

y mother spent 20 years battling chronic depression. She was institutionalized more than a dozen times.

We were lucky. Because my father owned a business, he could provide the care she needed.

Not everyone is that lucky.

Today, depression affects 1 in 10 Americans and more than 300 million people worldwide.

More than 80 percent of people with clinicaldepression symptoms are not receiving treatment. That’s an alarming statistic, particularly when you consider that the number of people diagnosed with depression increases by about 20 percent a year.

The good news is that organizations like the Recovery Empowerment Network (REN) are doing impressive work that changes lives for people with mental illnesses.

Depression leads to other things. When my mother was depressed, she was lonely and her response was to drink. Had she had access to REN’s highly effective peer-support model, who knows what her life would have been like.

REN’s program would have been great therapy for her.

I first learned about REN several years ago when I became its real estate broker. Today, I’m chair of the agency’s board of directors.

REN is my passion project, a concept I adapted by donating my services and two-thirds of my commission back to the agency after completing the purchase of a building REN had leased the previous three years.

I’d like to think that other members of the Valley’s real estate industry would consider a similar idea for other nonprofits doing great work.

My motivation comes from addressing the critical need for mental health services, 74 | AzBusiness Angels

Bo Sederstrom resources and programs. Individuals facing those challenges need support and it’s much more difficult to raise money for them than for other causes.

With more than 21,000 Arizona-based nonprofit organizations registered with the IRS, according to the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation, there are plenty of options for other real estate

professionals to turn a passion project into a financial benefit that pays dividends for the entire community.

I was raised from pretty good Midwestern stock. My father always told me that if “you don’t contribute more than you take out, you’re not worth much. Your placement in the world is not based on the house you own or the car drive.”

It’s a lesson I’ve passed on to my children with the hope they’ll do the same with theirs.

This may be something I’ll do once, perhaps twice, in my lifetime. But I really believe in what REN is doing and I can’t imagine there aren’t many others who feel the same about nonprofits they’re involved with.

Most of us will only have a couple of opportunities to make a passion project. When we see an opportunity like that, we should seize it.  Robert “Bo” Sederstrom is senior vice president at Kidder Mathews and chair of the Recovery Empowerment Network board of directors.

FACES OF GIVING Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

dreams Making

come true Here’s the unlikely story of a state trooper who died and came back to life to help create Make-A-Wish

By ERICA APODACA

A

s Frank Shankwitz set out on a high-speed chase, he never thought the pursuit that would lead to his death would also result in the birth of a nonprofit that would make a global impact.

The day started out like any other. Shankwitz put on his Arizona Highway Patrol uniform and went to work. Not long after, he found himself in pursuit of a drunk driver who wouldn’t pull over. As the chase continued, another drunk driver pulled in front of Shankwitz. He hit the vehicle’s broadside with his motorcycle, which was traveling at 80 mph.

“People said the crash was spectacular and I was pronounced dead at the scene,” Shankwitz said.

After attempting to revive Shankwitz, his partner called in the code: an officer was killed in the line of duty.

For four minutes, Shankwitz didn’t have a pulse. An off-duty emergency room nurse happened to drive by the scene. The nurse begged the patrolmen on the scene to work on Shankwitz. The officers simply told her that Shankwitz was dead. She ignored them.

“And for four minutes she performed CPR and brought me back to life,” Shankwitz said. “I’m glad she didn’t listen to my partner.”

During Shankwitz’s six-month recovery, he often thought about why God spared him.

Two years later, Shankwitz met a 7-year-old, terminally ill boy named Chris Greicius who would change his life forever.

HELPING OTHERS Seligman, Arizona is known for the birth of Route 66, but to Shankwitz, it’s his childhood home.

His mother was rarely there, disappearing and reappearing as she pleased. As a result, 76 | AzBusiness Angels

Shankwitz relied heavily on a man named Juan Delgadillo for moral guidance.

Delgadillo was there for Shankwitz when it felt like the rest of the world wasn’t. He taught Shankwitz to give back to all the helping hands and to always see the positives when all Shankwitz saw were negatives.

“I said, ‘Juan these people are feeding me.

How do I have anything to give back?’ He said, ‘Look at Mrs. Sanchez, she’s always bringing you beans and tortillas so you have something to eat. But look at the weeds in her yard. You can go over there and clean those weeds up.

Make her yard look nice. You’re giving back that way,’” Shankwitz recalled.

When his mother abandoned him for the last time, Shankwitz was in the seventh grade and had nowhere to call home.

DREAM MAKER: Frank Shankwitz, the co-founder of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, has received the President’s Call to Service Award, the Making a Difference in the World, the Making a World of Difference and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor awards. PROVIDED PHOTO

Delgadillo came to the rescue. He found Shankwitz a home, one with indoor plumbing, the first television in town and his own room – luxuries his mother was never able to provide.

Turn that negative into a positive. Delgadillo engraved this philosophy into Shankwitz and he has carried it with him to this day.

Shankwitz would go on to enlist with the Air Force as an air policeman. After the service, he worked for Motorola briefly. The job didn’t fully satisfy Shankwitz’s desire for adventure and to give back. So he joined the motorcycle unit with the Arizona Highway Patrol.

AN UNLIKELY MEETING When Chris Greicius was 7 years old, doctors diagnosed him with leukemia. As a result, he spent most of his time in a hospital bed. Despite his illness, Chris dreamed of one day becoming a highway patrolman, just like Ponch and Jon in “CHiPs,” Chris’ favorite TV show.

Meanwhile, Shankwitz joined a motorcycle squad that traveled town to town across Arizona. Two weeks in one town, two weeks in another. As CHiPs became increasingly popular for the young children in the area, Shankwitz was often associated with the show.

“All of the sudden these kids would start yelling at us ‘Hey CHiPs! Hey Ponch and Jon!’” Shankwitz said.

Chris became the first and only honorary highway patrol officer in the history of the Arizona Highway Patrol, Shankwitz said. Chris was granted his own badge and certificate making him a full officer. The 7-year-old was also presented with motorcycle wings and later a custom-made uniform.

FINAL WISH COMES TRUE

START WITH A HEART: State Trooper Frank Shankwitz helped make 7-year-old Chris Greicius — who was dying of leukemia — Arizona’s first and only honorary DPS officer in 1980. The meeting helped launch the Make-AWish Foundation. PROVIDED PHOTO

In 1980, Customs Agent Tom Hoffman contacted Arizona Highway Patrol asking if there was any way for 7-year-old Chris to meet motorcycle highway patrol officers like Ponch and Jon. Shankwitz was chosen to be the patrolman that Chris would meet.

Chris was flown from his Scottsdale hospital to the headquarters building in Phoenix.

“I was standing by with a motorcycle and I had no idea what to expect. I had never met this little boy before,” Shankwitz said, “The helicopter landed, the door opened and out jumps this little boy, he runs over to the motorcycle and says, ‘Hi, I’m Chris. Can I get on your motorcycle?’”

Chris knew where all the configurations were, which switch turned on the sirens and what should be placed in which pocket of the motorcycle, Shankwitz recalled.

“Chris is just giggling and laughing and I look at his mother and she’s crying. It dawned on me that for this moment, she had her typical 7-year-old back instead of this little boy laying in a hospital bed,” Shankwitz said.

A few days after his wish was granted, Chris passed away. The boy passed away as a fellow officer, and Shankwitz was flown out to Kewanee, Illinois, where he was met by Illinois state, federal and city police to give Chris his full police funeral. Chris was buried in his uniform and his grave marker reads, “Arizona Trooper.”

It was during the flight home from Illinois that the seed that would grow into Make-AWish was planted.

After months of planning, organizing and finding people as passionate in the project as he was, Shankwitz helped found Make-A-Wish.

The first official Make-A-Wish child was nicknamed “Bopsy.” Bopsy was yet another 7-year-old boy with terminal leukemia and had three wishes; to go to Disneyland, ride in a hot air balloon and to be a fireman.

Shankwitz was able to grant all three wishes for Bopsy and Bopsy became the golden key for the foundation, opening up the sponsorship between Disney and Make-A-Wish.

“The goal has always been just to bring joy and happiness to the children,” Shankwitz said.

“Just to give them and their families something to look forward to, no matter how small or large the wish is. Whether it be Disneyland or meeting a celebrity, the wish gives the child and the family something to look forward to. A special moment.”

Shankwitz currently lives in Prescott and has since given up his position with Make-AWish. He is now a keynote speaker and travels presenting his, “Everyone can be a hero,” talk around the country.

It is during the small meet-and-greets following his speech that Shankwitz receives his greatest reward; meeting and speaking with Make-A-Wish children.

“The biggest reward to me is when an adult will come up to me and say, ‘I’m a wish kid.’

They’ll start describing the experience and I’ll look in their eyes and I can just see all of that thrill come back. They just relive that moment,” Shankwitz said.  AzBusiness Angels | 77

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REBEL WITH A CAUSE

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Shelley Martin is one of Valley’s most philanthropic bikers

By MIRANDA CYR

S

helley Martin shouldn’t have a head.

When she woke up after a car T-boned her Mustang, she couldn’t see and thought she was on fire due to the smoke from the airbags.

“My car flipped twice and landed upside down,” Martin said. “This scream came out of me that I didn’t even know was possible, but when you think you’re going to die that’s pretty frickin’ intense.”

When she managed to squeeze out of the car, she knew she had a greater purpose.

Martin is a philanthropic biker, who spends nearly every moment she’s not working as the senior events coordinator at Harley Davidson of Scottsdale getting involved in various charities around the Valley.

“I made a promise to God that if I made it out of my car alive, I would make my second chance at life count,” Martin said, “and I’d never forget that promise. I suppose that’s where my passion comes from. I see everything in brighter colors.”

In 2009, Martin founded Bikers 4 Boobies, an annual breast cancer awareness motorcycle ride, which is the largest ride in Arizona and raises tens of thousands of dollars in donations each year.

“I didn’t know it was going to turn out the way it did, as big as it is,” Martin said. “Cancer just sucks, but it’s here and the support system that we offer is so wide.”

Before the first ride, organizers only received 11 pre-registrations.

“I just remember thinking to myself, ‘Oh my God, I don’t care if I donate a dollar, I’m donating something,’” Martin said. “And next thing I know, there are 130 bikes outside and nine years ago, that was big for your first ride.

And since then it’s grown to 3,200 riders.”

Martin later started up the ride called Peace Out Prostate Cancer in honor of her father and grandfather, who both battled prostate cancer.

“I didn’t care what situation I was going through in my own person, I had to have that ride,” Martin said.

Martin’s father, James Martin, moved to live near her and his sister after he was diagnosed.

Martin and her sister became close with her father over nine years and she now dons an intricate tattoo in his honor, so “he’s with me every day.” She kissed the image of his face as she explained all the details.

“My family is my No. 1,” Martin said, “as my core and my main support system.”

Beyond cancer, the biker also focuses on other organizations, such as animal shelters, homeless shelters and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, which she holds dear to her heart.

“Through her work at Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale, Shelley has assisted in putting on a half a dozen events that have raised more than $1 million for Phoenix Children’s Hospital,” said Patricia Barney, accounting manager at the hospital, who works closely with Martin.

“Shelley is very connected to our patient ambassadors, who are involved in our charity rides. She makes regular visits when she hears

one of the kiddos is in the hospital, just so they know she cares.”

Martin’s closest friend is 7-year-old Brendan. Her face lit up with a smile as soon as she said his name because she “could talk about him all day.”

When the hospital contacted her to inform her Brendan wanted his “biker family,” she left work and visited the hospital.

“That day started one of the best friendships I’ve ever had,” Martin said. “You have to give them reasons to be positive. I always climb in bed and I sit next to him and I just love on him.

His mom was saying he’s a dwarf, and yes, he may be. But I’d say, ‘Brendan you are not small.

You are a young man.’”

Martin has participated in every telethon and donation campaign since PCH first called her.

“I wish I could move into PCH,” Martin said.

“Those kids, they’re warriors. When I hear the negativity that floats around, I just want to take them down to PCH for 30 minutes. I guarantee their lives will change.”

Martin has many layers to her life. Her volunteering and occupation only scrape the surface.

Through her involvement in the motorcycle community, Martin has made endless

connections. It’s “all she knows.”

“She is genuine and sincere with everything that she does,” said Tracy Cain, Martin’s close friend. “If she tells you that she loves you, she means it. And she would take a bullet for anybody who is genuine to her. She makes you feel loved. She makes you feel special.”

Although she grew up surrounded by the biker community, Martin herself didn’t get her first motorcycle until 2011. Now she strives to ride through all 50 states. She’s halfway there.

Martin is passionate about everything, even her unknown hobbies of sewing and painting.

“There are very few people that I let into that because that’s my time out,” Martin said. “I can decompress and find my own center. It’s very easy to get lost and I’ve gotten lost. I have to pull myself back and that’s how I pull myself back.”

Martin manages to juggle a staggering number of duties while always staying positive and optimistic.

“When you love something it’s very easy to do,” Martin said. “I don’t think about it, I just do it. I do what’s in my heart. Sometimes gets me buried, and that’s when I bust out my sewing.”  PHOTO COURTESY PHOENIX CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

AzBusiness Angels | 79

© Blake Gordon © Justin Bailie

© IstockPhoto

© TNC

© Wyatt Mendez © AGFD

© 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

© Tana Kappel/TNC

© 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.

FACES OF GIVING Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

Enduring passion Go-getter Teri Kelley can overcome ‘anything’ to instill spirit into local youth

By ALISON BAILIN BATZ

F

inding your way in life can sometimes be hard.

For Teri Twarkins Kelley, she has Girl Scouts to thank for finding her anything and everything in life.

“I started with my Brownie troop in second grade and the courage, confidence and character I learned at even that young age transformed my life,” said Kelley, who would earn a Girl Scout Silver Award – their second highest honor—before she left for college. “With these ‘Three Cs,’ I knew I could do anything.”

The first major “anything” she did after Girl Scouts was running Division I track and cross country for the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“Two-a-day workouts and year-round competitions made the college experience very full,” says Kelley, who earned a degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations when she wasn’t busy running laps.

The next “anything” took courage not many people have in their early 20s – moving across the country, from her home in the South to Arizona. And doing so based simply on a book.

“As a little girl, I read a book about a girl who MAKING A DOFFERENCE: Teri Twarkins Kelley, center with blonde hair, is board chair of the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council of the Girl Scouts, which serves more than 20,000 girls in grades K-12 in the region.

PROVIDED PHOTO

82 | AzBusiness Angels

lived in this cool town called Tucson, a city no one in the Southeast really knew at that time, save for perhaps college basketball,” Kelley explains. “So when I graduated, I contacted a friend from Arizona State University I had met in college, who helped me make Arizona my home.”

Once she made her way to Arizona, she would embark on her next “anything.”

“I got my start in public relations and marketing and then eventually moved on to product management. After I earned my MBA at ASU in the early 2000s, I jumped in head first with a complete career change,” says Kelley, who became a financial advisor for then-

Smith Barney, now Morgan Stanley.

And she didn’t just become a run-of-themill advisor . She worked her way up to senior vice president and now serves as a corporate retirement plan director. Kelley also dipped her toes back into Girl Scouting, volunteering as a troop leader with the local Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC), which serves more than 20,000 girls in grades K-12 in the region.

“As I tend to do – both literally and figuratively – I took the volunteer position and ran with it, eventually joining the council’s board of directors in 2008,” says Kelley.

She would also get back into actually running that same year after being diagnosed with

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: After being diagnosed with osteopenia, a type of bone deterioration that is the precursor to osteoporosis, Teri Twarkins Kelley completed her first Ironman, which included a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run.

osteopenia, a type of bone deterioration that is the precursor to osteoporosis. “As if I would let anything stop me from living my life.”

About 18 months after her diagnosis, Kelley completed her first Ironman, which included a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run. This race, which helped her stave off the symptoms of the osteopenia, led to four more such competitions over the next three years, including participating in World Championship Ironman in Hawaii in 2011.

So, after all this, Kelley must have been satisfied – and ready to take a break from anything?

Not by a long shot. In fact, the two biggest “anythings” in her life (so far) were still

to come, in the form of having her children and embarking on the local Girl Scouts’ “Campaign for Girls in Arizona,” a five-year, $18-million fundraising campaign to make it possible to significantly expand and enhance the Girl Scout experience for more girls, culminating in the building and opening of The Bob and Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women at Camp South Mountain in 2017.

“The Parsons Leadership Center represents all it means to be a girl and a G.I.R.L. – gogetter, innovator, risk taker and leader – in this community,” says Kelley, who took on the role of GSACPC board chair just months after its opening.

And what a first few months it has been.

“We were so proud to launch our newest signature event this year – Badge Bash – an ‘un-gala’ of sorts, where guests bring their own ‘troop’ of friends to The Parsons Leadership Center to test their skills at earning fun badges and patches, as well as enjoying a night of food, drinks and entertainment,” says Kelley. “And, we just successfully celebrated the International Day of the Girl on October 11 locally in a big way — by raising $1 million in less than 24 hours to support local girls through the Campaign for Girls.”

So, what’s next for Kelley?

“In case you missed it, I am up for anything,” says Kelley, noting she’s added mountain biking to her repertoire in recent months.  AzBusiness Angels | 83

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

TOP 10

FOUNDATIONS THAT GIVE

Here are the Top 10 Arizona-based foundations, based on their amount of annual giving.

1

3

5

7

9

University of Arizona Foundation:

Arizona Community Foundation:

Helios Education Foundation:

Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation:

Glenn Foundation for Medical Research:

$82.9 million

$43.1 million

$18.1 million

$15.4 million

$11.5 million

2

ASU Foundation for a New American University:

$72.3 million

84 | AzBusiness Angels

4

6

8

10

Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation:

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust:

Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust:

Dorothy D. & Joseph A. Moller Foundation:

$24 million

$17.8 milion

$12.2 million

10.7 million

BUILDING A NONPROFIT Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

Incubating nonprofits TAPAZ helps ideas take flight through fiscal sponsorship

86 | AzBusiness Angels

W

hen Judy Pearson completed her cancer treatment, she found herself wondering “What just happened? What was that all for? And how can I help someone else?”

After living through what she describes as a “hellacious experience,” Pearson says it became evident that there were plenty of women cancer survivors giving back to the greater good, and that her calling was to create a way to support and celebrate their efforts. This was the beginning of what would become the organization called A 2nd Act. “I knew that the concept of A 2nd Act would work. But I needed to get it up and running. I started researching what it takes to become a nonprofit and I read about fiscal sponsorship. After researching fiscal sponsorship in Arizona, I found TAPAZ.” Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona (TAPAZ), an affiliate of Vitalyst Health Foundation, offers a breadth of fiscal sponsorship options for emerging and early-stage nonprofit organizations. In a nutshell, TAPAZ serves as “an outsourced CFO” while providing the financial backbone, reporting and management that is valued so highly by grantmakers such as government and philanthropies.

FISCAL SPONSORSHIP Fiscal sponsorship has been described by some as a sort of incubator for nonprofits, or those who are considering becoming 501(c)(3) organizations – but it is much more.

There are three levels of support offered by TAPAZ: comprehensive fiscal sponsorship, grant-specific fiscal sponsorship, and fiscal agency.

In the case of comprehensive fiscal sponsorship, George Redheffer, associate director of sponsored projects at TAPAZ, explains that an entity does not even require a checking account; all money flows through TAPAZ. “Their donations, grants, corporate sponsorships, contracts… everything comes through us,” said Redheffer.

This level of support is typically needed by groups or

Judy Pearson

Roy Pringle

George Redheffer

AzBusiness Angels | 87

BUILDING A NONPROFIT Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

A2ndAct.org celebrates and supports women survivors of ALL cancers who are using their newly realized gifts of life and experience to give back for the greater good.

Fiscal sponsorship can allow one to avoid other possible “start-up� hurdles like qualifying for a grant (some grantors require that the recipient organization be legally established for a number of years in order to be eligible to apply) or establishing credibility through audited financial statements.

88 | AzBusiness Angels

younger entities – as well as coalitions or alliances. Fiscal sponsorship is potentially a faster way to begin working without having to start a 501(c)(3) organization from scratch.

It allows a group to stay focused on their community passion and not be bogged down with administrative requirements involved in establishing a legal framework.

Perhaps just as important, fiscal sponsorship can allow one to avoid other possible “startup” hurdles like qualifying for a grant (some grantors require that the recipient organization be legally established for a number of years in order to be eligible to apply) or establishing credibility through audited financial statements.

For both full and grant-specific fiscal sponsorship, TAPAZ fronts the required working capital for reimbursement contracts and grants, allowing groups to pay staff and bills in a timely fashion while TAPAZ awaits reimbursement.

Jessica Beresford, director of operations for the nonprofit Father Matters, says her organization worked with TAPAZ as a grant-specific fiscal sponsor, when the 501(c)(3) applied for, and received, a federal grant for $300,000.

“We were a small organization trying to analyze if we could take on such a high funding amount,” said Beresford. “We still felt like a small grassroots organization. TAPAZ helped put the audits and accounting systems in place to make sure our organization was fiscally responsible.”

Roy Pringle, executive vice president of TAPAZ, says TAPAZ support was a critical element in helping Father Matters secure that federal grant from the Department of Justice.

“The organization didn’t qualify to apply on their own, because they didn’t have audited financials. TAPAZ was the grant-specific fiscal sponsor and we were awarded the grant. That money would never have made it into south Phoenix if it were not for the fiscal sponsorship platform, because they wouldn’t have qualified to apply.”

GETTING STARTED So who should consider exploring fiscal sponsorship? It could be a nonprofit organization needing back-office accounting and financial assistance, an alliance or unincorporated association who has a mission and wants to test it first, or a group of people who have a passion, such as an early stage nonprofit, early stage coalition, or part of an alliance.

Entities who think they could benefit from fiscal sponsorship are encouraged to visit tapaz. org to learn more. An online form enables

What TAPAZ does FISCAL SERVICES:

Comprehensive full fiscal sponsorship.

Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona (TAPAZ) handles all accounting and finance functions. The fiscallysponsored project becomes a program of TAPAZ, which maintains all legal and fiduciary responsibility for this sponsored project, its employees and activities. This allows unincorporated groups and alliances to engage in their mission work without building a new, separate corporate entity. Grants are applied for in the name of TAPAZ and donations are made directly to TAPAZ. Funds are then disbursed to execute the program goals.

GRANT-SPECIFIC FISCAL SPONSORSHIP:

Only specific accounting and reporting related to a new grant. TAPAZ provides administration and support exclusively for a specific grant being applied for by an existing organization that may have other programs running outside of the sponsored project.

FISCAL AGENCY:

TAPAZ serves as an outsourced bookkeeper, providing accounting, finance, bookkeeping and bill pay service for organizations. Requirements to be considered for this service include: (a) being a 501(c)(3); (b) having accounting policies and procedures in place; (c) having dedicated financial staff in charge; and (d) having an experienced board of directors.

applicants to complete and submit a fiscal sponsorship profile.

Pearson says A 2nd Act utilized all services included in comprehensive fiscal sponsorship.

“Everything they could do for us… that’s what they did,” said Pearson. “It is a brilliant way to launch yourself. They were very caring, they were very responsive. Our mission is so unique that I wanted to make it available as soon as possible. Without fiscal sponsorship being available and without such a dedicated organization as TAPAZ, all of that would have been very difficult and would have delayed me in getting it off the ground. They really cut six months minimum or maybe a whole year out of what I would have needed to plan and grow.”

Currently, TAPAZ has 72 active projects, and is open to taking on more, scaling resources as needed. TAPAZ does not charge a fee to meet with groups, and there is no cost to have TAPAZ submit grant applications. The fiscal sponsor charges a 7 percent fee when money flows through the platform in the form of donations, grants, sponsorships or contracts. In the case of federal grants, TAPAZ charges a 10 percent fee and acts as the legal reporting entity.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money if you’re not making money,” said Pearson. “So that is hugely beneficial.”

FLYING THE NEST Pringle says the goal of fiscal sponsorship is to have sponsored entities fly from the nest, noting that the role of TAPAZ is incubating, teaching, growing and helping.

“It isn’t always the best idea to become a nonprofit,” said Pringle. “We have a lot of groups that come in and they presume they want to create a 501(c)(3). If they are not already incorporated, we have a long conversation about if that is the right path. There’s nothing magic about being a 501(c)(3). Often it’s easier to be a for-profit with a social mission. If their business is predicated on earned revenue, then a 501(c) (3) can burden the founder with finding a board and potentially losing control of his or her idea.”

In Pearson’s case, TAPAZ did help A 2nd Act incorporate to become a 501(c)(3). Within a year, they had graduated from the program, after developing the needed financial skills.

“That was always my intention,” said Pearson.

“I wanted to build a financial cushion and not have to put out a lot of my own money to get up and running. We grew more quickly than expected. TAPAZ was our fiscal sponsor for 15 months, from 2016-2017. In March we were approved as a nonprofit.”  AzBusiness Angels | 89

CALENDAR Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

PARTIES WITH

A PURPOSE Here are 25 Arizona charitable events that make a difference for the world

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

H

an Solo has attended ... well, his alter ego, Harrison Ford, was there. So was Michael Phelps, the greatest Olympic swimmer of all time, along with Amy Van Dyken-Rouen, who may be the most inspirational.

Arizona’s biggest charitable events 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 Old Town Scottsdale on a Saturday night.

But most importantly, these 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 2018 calendar.

HIGH NOTE: The McDowell Mountain Music Festival, which donates all proceeds to nonprofits, is celebrating its 15th year, attracting visitors to Arizona with previous headliners such as Widespread Panic (photo), Flume, Chromeo, Grouplove, Beck, Kid Cudi, The Avett Brothers, Dwight Yoakam, Michael Franti, The Roots, The Shins, Slightly Stoopid, Umphrey’s McGee and many others.

PHOTO BY MIKE MERTES, AZ BIG MEDIA

90 | AzBusiness Angels

JANUARY Barrett-Jackson: Eight charity vehicles crossed the Scottsdale block last 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 Waste Management Phoenix Open Presented

by Ak-Chin Indian Community: 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

FEBRUARY A Love Not Forgotten Gala: The Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter’s 6th Annual A Love Not Forgotten Gala is the organizatiuon’s marquee black tie event and funds Alzheimer’s care, research and support. This elegant evening will feature a silent and a live auction, dinner, dancing and musical performances.

Information: alz.org 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

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-AWish Arizona. The ball, which celebrates the mission of Make-A-Wish 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.

Past guests include Muhammad Ali, Tom Brady, Garth Brooks, Jim Carrey, Kevin Costner, Miley Cyrus, Robert De Niro, Celine Dion, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Lopez, Jack Nicklaus, Rod Stewart, Robin Williams and more. 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 AzBusiness Angels | 91

CALENDAR Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

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

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

McDowell Mountain Music Festival: M3F is a 100 percent nonprofit music festival that was established in 2004 and has become a musical destination for festivalgoers. In a commitment to giving back, M3F has adopted a three C’s belief – community, culture, and charity. These three C’s fuel the festival’s underlying dedication to its local people and causes. In the spirit of this belief, all of the proceeds from the festival benefit local nonprofit organizations.

Information: m3ffest.com

APRIL

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

Arizona Gives Day: 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 Larry Fitzgerald’s First Down Fund. In 2016, the weekend added the Larry Fitzgerald Charity Classic, 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

MAY 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 lowcost programs for people living with and touched by HIV/AIDS throughout the Phoenix Community.

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

Information: bgcmp.org

AUGUST

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

94 | AzBusiness Angels

KTAR’s Give-A-Thon: The Give-A-Thon 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 GiveA-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

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 Salud: Gabriel’s Angels, the only organization in Arizona that delivers healing pet therapy to abused, neglected and at-risk children, will host its eighth annual “Salud! 2018 Signature Wine Dinner.”

Salud! 2018 features a wine reception, a tasting menu featuring wines from around the world, live musical entertainment, a Live Auction led by renown auctioneer Letitia Frye, and Gabriel’s Angels Pet Therapy Teams greeting attendees.

Information: gabrielsangels.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

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

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 AzBusiness Angels | 95

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