FirstBank, one of the nation’s largest privately held banks with a focus on “banking for good,” honored more than 720 organizations that participated in this year’s Arizona Gives Day, at a Celebration Party hosted by the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits. The annual giving campaign raised a record amount of $3.6 million for a variety of charitable and community causes. 

Arizona Gives Day, a statewide, 24-hour, online giving campaign is organized by the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers Forum, and occurred on April 2. Since its inception in 2013, Arizona Gives Day has raised more than $17 million for Arizona charities. For the seventh consecutive year FirstBank, with fifteen branches across the Valley, served as the event’s presenting sponsor. 

“It’s amazing to watch this event continue to grow each year, from raising $900,000 in 2013 to $3.6 million in 2019. We are truly humbled by the generosity of Arizonans,” said Bryce Lloyd, Phoenix Market President for FirstBank. “After such a successful Arizona Gives Day, we appreciate the opportunity to celebrate all of the nonprofit prize winners, which represent a wide array of important causes. Arizona continues to support the people and places we call home, and that is what ‘banking for good’ is all about.”

As part of its participation in Arizona Gives Day, FirstBank supports the financial incentives to nonprofits that meet certain milestones in their giving. Prizes were awarded to nonprofits for most dollars raised, most pre-scheduled donations, most dollars raised in a single hour, most unique donations, plus other opportunities. Since 2013, more than $1.2 million has been given away in prize money to participating Arizona Gives Day nonprofits.

Among the leading prize winners in Maricopa County were BASIS Charter Schools ($10,500); CO+HOOTS Foundation ($5,000); Daring Adventures ($5,000); Phoenix Rescue Mission ($5,000); Arizona Animal Welfare League ($2,500); AZK9 Rescue ($2,500); Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary ($2,500); and Furnishing Dignity ($2,500).

“Arizona Gives Day set a fund-raising record by showcasing the power of individuals and our local communities to support the nonprofits that serve them throughout the state,” said Kristen Merrifield, CEO of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits. “We are very grateful for the selfless response to Arizona Gives Day and to the deeply generous support of our sponsors and FirstBank’s leadership.”