If you’ve been seeing a bit about AZ Gives Day or Arizona Gives Day in your Facebook feed or inbox, you’re not alone. The statewide online movement to “harness the giving power of the community” and “strengthen the fundraising capacity of Arizona nonprofits” set March 20 as the day to give.
Seems to be a similar concept that Matt Swaim (producer of the “Son Rise Morning Show” heard on EWTN and Phoenix’s Immaculate Heart Radio) promotes as #FundingFriday on his blog which he writes alongside his wife.
The couple launched their effort in October. His announcement post explained the process like this:
- Every Friday, based on a specific need that they learn of through the news, because it’s been privately brought up or it’s something not getting the attention it rightly deserves, they share the organization’s name via their blog and Twitter with the hashtag #FundingFriday and a link to donate online.
- They suggest making a donation ($3, $25 or more depending on ability)
- Offer an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the organization while payment is processing.
- Tweet about your effort
The Arizona initiative has 12 categories of nonprofits from religion to medical care to libraries, art galleries, farmer’s markets and more. Here is a list of Catholic organizations to consider supporting March 20 or any of the other 364 calendar days:
- Catholic Charities Community Services
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — the diocesan council already secured four donors to further its mission of feeding, clothing, housing and healing local working poor and homeless.
- St. Joseph the Worker — helps the homeless and those just released from jail create resumes, learn interview skills, secure bus passes to find meaningful employment. Also provides interview clothing, work attire, work supplies and other resources to help clients obtain self-sufficiency.
- Catholic Community Foundation — awards scholarships and grants to students, schools, parishes, agencies and manages endowments and funds
- The Welcome to America Project — A local Catholic founded the organization to welcome and provide for newly arriving refugees with basic furniture and housewares. Six donors already.
- Maggie’s Place — Provides home and resources for women facing unplanned pregnancies who are without a system of support. Live-in staff.
- Parishes — including St. Thomas the Apostle in Phoenix, St. Benedict in Ahwatukee
- Schools — including St. John Bosco in Ahwatukee. Sarah Calfee, an alumni of St. Francis Xavier, set up a page under her name with funds going to “Best in Class at St. Francis Xavier School.” She already secured 14 donors giving $810 toward school construction costs.
Some 835 organizations are registered for Arizona Gives Day, according to the Alliance of Arizona nonprofits.
DONOR CAUTION: all donations are “received and receipted by Razoo Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) charity that operates a donor advised fund to fulfill donor advisements.” Links to the above organizations show its page within the Arizona Gives Day website. Most pages include basic contact information, including independent website, where you can often donate directly to the organization of choice.
As the of the Arizona Gives Day webpage says, “Give us one day and we’ll give back 365.”
