Co-authored by Todd Sanders, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber and Foundation, and Kristen Merrifield, CEO of Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits
As we approach the end of another year, it is important to recognize our opportunities to make a lasting impact in our community. The Greater Phoenix Chamber and AZ Impact for Good are proud to support philanthropic initiatives that aim to strengthen our economy and improve the quality of life for all Arizona residents. AZ Impact for Good is the new organization formed through the recent merger of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers Forum with a focus on uniting nonprofits and philanthropy to transform Arizona. In a time when collaboration and innovation are more critical than ever, our collective efforts drive prosperity for our state.
The spirit of giving that defines the holiday season is a testament to our community’s generosity and kindness. Many local nonprofits and community organizations are struggling to meet an increasing demand for services, coupled with increasing costs due to inflation and other economic challenges. Charitable giving declined by 10.5 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, according to Giving USA’s Annual Report. This comes at a time when inflation has caused higher costs for services, and demand for those services continues to rise. According to the Nonprofit Finance Fund, between FY2019 and FY2021, demand for services significantly increased for 52% of nonprofits. As a result, nonprofits expect giving to effectively decline while the needs of residents remain high and are going up.
At this time, we have the privilege of channelling this spirit toward investments that can yield long-term benefits for our region. A prosperous economy is built on a solid foundation of well-being, innovation, and collaboration. A thriving economy means more job opportunities, improved living standards, and increased economic stability. Philanthropic efforts of the community strengthen our local businesses and enhance the region’s attractiveness to investors and entrepreneurs.
One critical component of a prosperous economy is a well-educated and skilled workforce. Local organizations, such as the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, help prepare our workforce for the jobs of the future, making the Valley a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. AZ Impact for Good considers #GivingTuesday an exciting prelude to the upcoming #AZGivesDay, on April 2, 2024. We think any day is a good day to invest in your community, and if you are looking for a local organization to support, you can find more than a thousand choices at www.azgives.org. You can also find more information about how you can help support the work of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation at www.Phoenixchamberfoundation.com. When businesses, nonprofits, and individuals come together to support a shared cause, the impact is far greater than what can be achieved alone.
We urge businesses and individuals in our community to embrace the opportunity to make a positive impact. Together, we can build a prosperous economy, create opportunities for all, and ensure Greater Phoenix remains a vibrant and thriving place to live, work, and invest. This holiday season let’s come together to make a meaningful impact that will resonate for years to come.