Nonprofits are big business in Arizona.

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. During this holiday season, we 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.

Angry Crab Shack

Angry Crab Shack, a full-service Cajun seafood restaurant, raised more than $40,000 in July for the You Dine We Donate month-long promotion benefiting the Arizona Housing Coalition, a local nonprofit organization that aids and provides resources to homeless veterans and their families. “In our organization, one of the main priorities is giving back to the community that has been very supportive of us over the years and throughout our growth,” said Andy Diamond, CFO of Angry Crab Shack. “We are thankful to our guests for supporting our mission and aiding our communities. Knowing that Angry Crab Shack can make a small impact means the world to us.” Angry Crab Shack has been partners with the Arizona Housing Coalition for three years and has raised more than $87,500 to date with the You Dine We Donate program.

APS

As the education conversation in Arizona continues common themes like teacher retention and professional development dominate. To address these recurring topics, Arizona Science Center, in partnership with the APS Foundation, continues the growth of its Rural Communities Expansion Project, providing teachers from rural areas throughout Arizona the opportunity to receive hands-on professional development within the walls of their own school. Currently, the Rural Communities Expansion Project operates in the Prescott, Humboldt, Holbrook, Sedona, Winslow, Cottonwood-Oak Creek, Verde Valley, Florence, and Saddle Mountain (Tonopah) school districts.

Arizona Builder’s Alliance

When the holiday frenzy starts bringing you down, the Arizona Builder’s Alliance (ABA) has a way to bring you up. The ABA’s Sunshine Project is an effort to brighten the holidays of 1,400 children and youth who face unfortunate circumstances by collecting new, unwrapped gifts. Ranging in ages from 1 month to 18 years, these children were forcibly removed from their homes after experiencing neglect, abuse, alcohol and/or drug addiction. The gifts are shared with children residing at Sunshine Acres, Sunshine Residential Homes, Santo Nino Catholic Communities, Sequoia Charter Schools and A New Leaf. Visit this link to make a donation: https://eventinterface.com/en/2019-toy-drive-donations/. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Barro’s Pizza

Barro’s Pizza is doing their part once again in the fight against hunger in Arizona. On Tuesday, December 3, Barro’s Pizza will host the eighth annual Doran Barro Holiday Hunger Fight benefiting St. Mary’s Food Bank. The Barro family will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from all 43 Barro’s locations on this day to help those in Arizona facing hard times during the holidays.

Burch & Cracchiolo

The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. has kicked off its “B&C Star Teachers Award” program. A Valley teacher is chosen each month to receive $500 through a nominating process on the firm’s website. Many teachers spend their own money to augment the costs of classroom supplies, field trips and other non-covered costs that arise throughout the school year. B&C hopes to alleviate that burden for one deserving teacher each month. “Educators have played a huge role in the lives of our attorneys and staff so this is a natural fit for our firm,” said firm president Andy Abraham.

Cox Communications

In September, Cox Charities announced its selection of 108 Arizona nonprofit organizations focused on youth and education to receive nearly $570,000 in grant funding. Most of the funds awarded came from the generous donations of Cox’s 3,500 Arizona employees. Since the program’s inception in 1996, Cox Charities has awarded more than $8 million to local Arizona nonprofits that support youth and education. “Cox employees are deeply embedded in the communities we serve in Arizona and are committed to supporting and volunteering to make a difference,” said John Wolfe, senior vice president and southwest region manager for Cox Communications.

Delta Dental

Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Changing Lives Center for Women & Children (CLC) has received a $17,495 grant from the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, the charitable arm of Delta Dental of Arizona, to fund its Gateway to Comprehensive Dental Care for the Homeless Project. The grant will sustain and help improve the CLC’s onsite Dental Care Clinic for an entire year, enriching the oral health of formerly homeless children and pregnant women residing at the CLC, a faith-based recovery program offering long-term, comprehensive services to women and children who have suffered from addiction, trauma or both.

FirstBank and PB Americano

After winning FirstBank’s ‘$20K Good Business Giveaway’ in 2018, Peanut Butter Americano (PB Americano) was awarded $20,000 and a personalized marketing campaign of their choosing. With assistance from FirstBank, PB Americano launched a cause-marketing campaign in partnership with local nonprofit, St. Mary’s Food Bank, that donated $1 of every jar of peanut butter purchased over two weeks. In all, the campaign raised $2,000 that will be donated to St. Mary’s Food Bank. “From the onset of last year’s business contest, it was clear that PB Americano and the Malkoons were dedicated to doing the right thing for their customers and community,” said Joel Johnson, FirstBank market president. “We are proud to partner with PB Americano in donating some of their prize money to St. Mary’s, a nonprofit that does so much for Arizona. We look forward to building a long-standing relationship with these two amazing organizations.”

Forrest Anderson

Forrest Anderson Plumbing and Air Conditioning Inc., a family-owned business in the Phoenix area since 1961, honor men and women who served in our military by providing one local veteran with a new air conditioning unit each year. “This is an important opportunity for everyone at Forrest Anderson to thank veterans for their service and acknowledge their contributions to keeping our families safe,” said Audrey Monell, president of Forrest Anderson. “The men and women who enter the military sacrifice so much for our national security and we think it is important to share their stories and honor their dedication to our country.” This is the fourth consecutive year Forrest Anderson has sponsored the Military Hero AC Giveaway.

Fulton Homes

The Fulton Family Foundation made a $5 million gift to the Banner Health Foundation to establish the Dr. Robin Blackstone Childhood Obesity Center of Excellence at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. The Fulton Family Foundation is chaired by longtime Valley homebuilder and philanthropist Ira A. Fulton, founder of Fulton Homes. This gift established Arizona’s first center of excellence dedicated specifically to pediatric obesity and metabolic disorders, a passion of Fulton’s based on his own experiences as a patient of Dr. Blackstone, MD, FACS, FASMBS. This gift marks the Fulton Family Foundation’s second investment in obesity care and research in partnership with Banner – University Medicine. In 2018, Fulton endowed the Ira A. Fulton Clinical Chair in Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Disorders with a $2 million gift. Dr. Blackstone was appointed to this prestigious position, leading the multidisciplinary team at Banner’s Obesity and Bariatric Surgery Center.

HonorHealth

Circle the City is partnering with HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center to address the healthcare needs of the homeless population in Sunnyslope, a north Phoenix community. An estimated 25.3 percent of the population in Sunnyslope lives below the poverty threshold, including hundreds of individuals who live unsheltered on the streets. “Circle the City’s vision is to have a healthy community without homelessness and to do that we must meet individuals where they are,” said Circle the City Development Director Kimberly Hall. “This partnership with HonorHealth gives us that opportunity.”

Hyundai

Hyundai Hope On Wheels (HHOW), a nonprofit organization supported by Hyundai and its dealers, gave a $100,000 Hyundai Impact Award Grant to Phoenix Children’s Hospital to continue its long-standing fight against pediatric cancer. The institution is one of 77 recipients receiving a combined $16 million in new grants this year to develop innovative approaches to finding a cure for the disease. HHOW remains one of the largest funders of pediatric cancer research in the nation. This year will reach $160 million in total lifetime funding since 1998 towards finding a cure.

Isagenix

From nourishing children around the world to packaging products more sustainably, Isagenix International is dedicated to giving back, as highlighted in its “2018-2019 Isagenix Social Impact Report.” The inaugural report showcases how the global health and wellness company makes a positive impact on communities, employees and the planet. In 2018, Isagenix gave $7.2 million in product and monetary donations to nonprofit organizations that align with the company’s vision to better the world. The company also has a goal to convert all packaging components to be made with recyclable, reusable, compostable, or recycled materials by 2028.

Jaburg Wilk

The law firm of Jaburg Wilk was once again a sponsor of Child Crisis Arizona’s 2019 Lunch for Love. More than 40 years ago, Child Crisis Arizona created their emergency children’s shelter for children up to age 10. Since then they have provided emergency shelter, foster and adoption programs, Early Head Start programs, education for families, home visitation and counseling. They have continued to expand their services. Their vision is safe kids and strong families. Larry Wilk, shareholder at Jaburg Wilk and CCA board vice chair, said “Child Crisis Arizona has such a positive impact in our community. Not only providing emergency shelter but also helping children and families through their early education services. I am proud to continue supporting them.”

Lyft

Lyft, whose mission is to improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation, announced the expansion of its Wheels for All Grants program to support the important work of Valley nonprofit organizations focused on building connected, stronger, more equitable communities. Since September, Lyft in Phoenix has awarded ride grants to nonprofits on a quarterly basis to help bridge transportation gaps for individuals and families. Phoenix has been a part of the Wheels for All Grants program since 2018 and has awarded grants to organizations like the International Rescue Committee, one•n•ten and The MORE Foundation to help ease transportation barriers.

National Bank of Arizona

NB|AZ has become an innovator in the local nonprofit space with the Charity “Charmed Giving” Program. The NB|AZ nonprofit group recognizes Feeding Matters and Ballet Arizona by donating charms for their relentless effort to improve our community through art and science. The Charity “Charmed Giving” Program is a Charity Charms awareness initiative. Companies can choose a charity and donate funds for the custom charm program that aligns with the cause they support. The selected nonprofits receive customized charms as a form of recognition. “This program is simple but yet so impactful for our nonprofit clients. NB|AZ is honored to collaborate with Charity Charms to help raise awareness for so many worthy causes in our community,” said Pamela Keefe, vice president and nonprofit relationship manager, who has helped countless nonprofit organizations reach their unique financial goals.

PetSmart

One-in-four seniors live alone, often with a pet as their only source of comfort. With nearly 7 million seniors living at or below the poverty line, many are finding it increasingly difficult to support themselves – let alone a pet. Meals on Wheels America, the leading organization dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger, says thousands of their pet-owning clients will forgo their own resources to ensure their pets are fed before even taking a bite of a delivered meal themselves. To help address these issues, PetSmart Charities, the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, has committed $3 million to Meals on Wheels America to fund a three-year partnership that will support a national pet food pantry and veterinary care program to provide home-delivered meals and veterinary care to pets of home-bound seniors.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have been one of the Valley’s most involved donors for youth, and today, they have given Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix a big assist. The NBA team has committed $1 million to the Clubs to support their plans for expansion into school-based sites in districts in need, starting with Phoenix’s Cartwright District.  Since 1993, the Suns have invested dollars, given volunteer time and made capital improvements in BGCMP’s 16 Valley Clubs. “We’ve been long-time supporters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix because the organization has impacted our city’s youth in such a meaningful way,” said Phoenix Suns President and CEO Jason Rowley.  “Today’s investment will bring the Club opportunities to serve thousands more youth throughout the Valley and helps parents ensure their kids have quality after school programs in a place they know and trust.”

Salt River Project

SRP chose three Valley nonprofit organizations – A New Leaf: La Mesita Family Homeless Shelter & Donation Center, Arizona Humane Society and Arizona Agriculture and Equine Center – to receive solar systems that will generate green, emission-free energy provided by the SRP Solar for Nonprofits program. Since 2007, the program has completed 49 solar system installations that have collectively helped nonprofits save more than $600,000 while providing green, emission-free energy for their buildings. “This is a great partnership with our customers who contribute to the program, and an impactful way to invest in green energy while helping nonprofit agencies direct more funds to the communities they serve,” said Dan Dreiling, SRP director of Customer Programs. “The program supports our commitment to investing in Arizona-produced, solar energy projects that also benefit the nonprofit arena.”

Scottsdale Quarter

As a town center and Goodwill Ambassador of the community, Scottsdale Quarter is sparking the spirit of giving in a meaningful way this holiday season. From Friday, November 29 to Friday, December 27, guests are encouraged to Gift Kindness to others for a chance to win a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice. Whether it’s holding the door open, handwriting a note to a loved one or paying off a stranger’s layaway, kindness is the gift to give this holiday season.

SmartPractice

SmartPractice, a healthcare marketing and supplies firm, announced a new $60,000 donation to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope, for the development of a quicker and more accurate way to detect and monitor breast cancer. This new donation contributes to the $235,000 SmartPractice has gifted to TGen since 2015. SmartPractice’s financial support is helping TGen develop a “liquid biopsy,” a simple blood test that could provide early warning of cancer’s progression and continuous, non-invasive disease monitoring during treatment.

Sprouts

The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation announced $3 million in donations to nonprofit organizations that specialize in nutrition education and fresh food access. Funds include Neighborhood Grants that support grassroots children’s nutrition education programs, as well as large, multi-year Impact Grants designed to help partners increase organizational capacity and scale programs. “Each year, our network of nonprofit partners continues to grow and our work in local communities continues to deepen,” said Lyndsey Waugh, executive director of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. “As a result, children and their families have greater exposure to nutrition education and hands-on cooking and gardening programs in their schools and community centers, and urban farms are increasing access to fresh, nutritious produce in food desert communities.”

Sundt

The Sundt Foundation awarded over $95,000 in grants to 26 Phoenix-area nonprofits during its fourth-quarter disbursements. “Being able to donate nearly $100,000 to local charities in the Valley in our last quarter is very rewarding,” said Cathie Gabriel, the Sundt Foundation’s Tempe region board member. “We’re proud to support these organizations and help them achieve their mission.” The Sundt Foundation awards grants each quarter to area charities that support disadvantaged children and families. Nonprofits are selected through an application process and reviewed by a committee of Sundt employee-owners.

UnitedHealthcare

More than 120 UnitedHealth Group employees got together to pack emergency food boxes at St. Mary’s Food Bank. It’s all part of UnitedHealth’s Empowering Health commitment. The company is working to tackle food insecurity in Arizona by donating more than $660,000 in grants to the Food Bank Network in the last two years. The emergency food boxes packed were distributed to families, seniors and the homeless. Additionally, UnitedHealthcare is co-sponsoring the purchase of a St. Mary’s Food Bank mobile food pantry. The trailer will be fully stocked and set up at area churches and nonprofits to provide emergency food to neighborhoods in need,
then moved from location to location as requested.

Walmart and Sam’s Club

Walmart and Sam’s Club, longstanding supporters of Phoenix Children’s Hospital, are the new namesakes of the Walmart and Sam’s Club General Pediatrics Clinic at the Hospital. “Walmart and Sam’s Club’s ongoing support for Phoenix Children’s Hospital is truly astonishing,” said Steve Schnall, senior vice president and chief development officer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Recognizing their efforts by renaming the General Pediatrics Clinic is incredibly well deserved for a company that does so much for our patients and community.” Since 1989, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised nearly $14 million for Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Zovio

Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates (JAG) has received a generous $25,000 grant from education technology services company Zovio, JAG’s newest corporate partner. On November 13, Zovio presented a $25,000 check to JAG, to support their career and college readiness program.  The check presentation was held in conjunction with Zovio’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new corporate headquarters in Chandler, AZ. As part of their new partnership, Zovio also donated more than 8,300 school supplies to JAG’s recent Back to School Donation drive.  These items went directly to local students in need.