From Sahuarita to Nogales, more than 60 local nonprofits are working every day to meet real needs—supporting families, strengthening education, protecting our environment, uplifting the arts, and creating opportunities across our communities.
We invite you to visit our Causes page to discover the organizations making a difference throughout Southern Arizona. Explore their missions, learn their stories, and find the causes that resonate most with you.
Long-Term Financial Stability for Non-profits
Sustaining nonprofits in our area is a priority of the Community Foundation. We understand that annual fundraising and grant funding are not an effective means to sustain organizations over time; planned gifts, legacy or estate gifts do.
- Planned giving supports long-term nonprofit sustainability.
- Legacy gifts can have a transformative impact.
- Provides predictable future funding.
- Endowments generate ongoing income.
- Funds can be established with $25,000.
Planned gifts are major, long-term contributions arranged by donors during their lifetime to be given to a nonprofit after their passing. They are often the largest gifts a donor will ever make and can have a transformative impact on an organization’s mission.
Unlike annual giving, which can fluctuate with the economy, planned gifts provide predictable, future funding. This helps nonprofits maintain operations, fund programs, and plan for growth without relying solely on short-term fundraising cycles. Relying only on annual campaigns, grants, or events can be risky. Planned giving diversifies funding sources, helping nonprofits withstand economic downturns and continue fulfilling their mission.
Bequests, charitable trusts, and other planned gifts can be used to establish or grow endowments, creating ongoing income for programs and services. Endowment funds are funds invested in the market to grow without touching the principal. Many organizations seek to establish non-restricted endowment funds with the Community Foundation. There are many other types of funds donors can establish through the Community Foundation for only a $25,000 investment.
Donors may not have the means to make large cash donations now, but they can leave significant assets (real estate, stocks, retirement accounts) through planned giving positioned to make transformative support.
Why Consider making a planned gift?
Planned gifts are necessary because they deliver large, sustainable, and mission-aligned funding that supports long-term stability, strengthens donor relationships, and diversifies revenue for organizations. In addition:
Secure an organization's future.
Planned giving offers the highest ROI of all fundraising types.
Planned giving increases annual giving.
Donors can create a legacy for themselves or their families.
Donors can secure the tax benefits of planned giving for themselves and their heirs.
Planned giving donors can determine how their gifts are spent.
If you are interested in making a significant contribution to your favorite charity listed on the Shine Forward site by establishing a ‘fund type’ or would like to speak with someone about your funding vision, please email the Community Foundation at [email protected]