This may be the month highlighted by a day of giving thanks. But for those served by thousands of local nonprofit organizations, being grateful is a sentiment felt year-round.
Countless Arizonans are able to experience life with dignity, comfort, safety, optimism, and so much more thanks to the Valley’s nearly 18,000 nonprofits, according to Cause IQ, a resource of web-based tools for nonprofits and companies serving nonprofit clients. It is because of these organizations that many underserved and often forgotten populations and individuals are able to not only survive but also truly live a life with a quality that they may not have the opportunity to otherwise.
And by the nature of their nonprofit status, these organizations heavily rely on the kindness, generosity, and time of others to ensure their mission is carried out and assistance reaches the communities they aim to serve.
If you’re looking to support a cause, here are a few noteworthy organizations that would be very grateful.
The Joy Bus Diner
Every cent generated from this nonprofit restaurant supports The Joy Bus, which delivers chef-inspired meals and caring conversations to cancer patients across the Valley. Founder/chef Jennifer Caraway created the organization in honor of her friend Joy, who had battled and ultimately succumbed to ovarian cancer. Caraway realized the healing power of healthy hand-delivered meals, a friendly face, a sympathetic ear, and a bit of cheer. A team of respected local chefs also contribute their talents to the cause.
Loving Library
Founded by 11-year-old Paradise Valley resident Anaik Sachdev, Loving Library raises funds to provide people in need with books, journals, and other tools to improve their mental health and well-being. Launched during the height of the pandemic, the nonprofit has helped to deliver more than 12,000 books to underserved communities like pediatric hospital patients, abuse victims, NICU families, refugee families, and more. Today, it has grown to include chapters throughout Arizona, California, Texas, and the United Kingdom.
KidsTae
Founded by BASIS Scottsdale high school senior Punarvash Mitta, KidsTae utilizes the virtues and principles Mitta picked up through a lifetime of martial arts participation to assist youths in need. Mitta’s nonprofit helps provide virtual and in-person classes that focus on fun martial arts activities while integrating stretching, meditation, and mental relief to help kids and teens de-stress. Over the past year, KidsTae has raised roughly $2,000 for underprivileged martial artists in less developed countries, providing shoes, mats, and other materials.
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Virtuous Software
Operating on a truly pay-it-forward model, Virtuous Software’s goal is to help other nonprofits reach their goals. This nonprofit creates customer relationship management (CRM), as well as fundraising, volunteer, and marketing tools that help organizations improve their connection with donors, spark growth, and therefore, better help the communities they aim to serve. An integrated, cloud-based solution for small to large organizations, Virtuous Software’s suite of responsive platforms is designed to assist clients by eliminating many office tasks so teams can focus on other duties.
Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona
Through programs, mentorships, and other empowerment tools, Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona transforms children’s trauma to resilience through the arts. Adult volunteer mentors, teaching artists, and staff are trained to connect with children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and/or homelessness and introduce them to the healing, empowering, and freeing power that the arts can provide. This is done through camps, professional artists series, partnerships with local arts and cultural organizations, and family programming.
TigerMountain Foundation
This co-op garden organization harnesses the power of community gardens and other agri-landscaping initiatives in its twofold mission. Through the building of flourishing gardens, the foundation operates in at-risk areas and teaches practical life skills to youth, adults, and seniors, keeping them out of jail. In addition to empowering economically disadvantaged participants with job skills, these gardens also address the nutrition scarcity in food deserts around the Valley while enhancing neighborhood revitalization and beautification.
UMOM New Day Centers
For nearly 60 years, this organization has been an innovative provider of shelter, housing, and services for people experiencing homelessness. Every night, UMOM provides safe shelter and supportive resources for nearly 700 individuals, composed of families and single women, at its East Phoenix campus, plus hundreds of affordable housing units across the Valley. Its Homegrown Training program and Helpings Cafe onsite restaurant and catering provide barista and culinary training to UMOM residents, giving them practical skill sets to help them gain employment.