Arizona Gives Day returns with special COVID-19 relief fund
Apr 6, 2020, 3:15 PM | Updated: 6:06 pm

(Pexels photo)
(Pexels photo)
PHOENIX — An annual 24-hour event to raise money for Arizona nonprofits that will happen Tuesday has an extra option this year because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Those wanting to donate as part of Arizona Gives Day can choose to give to the nonprofit emergency relief fund in addition to the general fund.
Donations from the emergency fund will go toward Arizona nonprofits that have had to cancel critical fundraising events and revenue-generating programming because of COVID-19 health concerns.
“We’ve never gone into Arizona Gives Day in such an uncertain environment, making this year’s event even more critical for nonprofit organizations of every size in every community that are facing severe financial challenges in their ability to provide services and resources to their communities,” Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits CEO Kristen Merrifield said in a press release.
“Our local nonprofit community is already reporting significant losses, decreases in staff and volunteer capacity and will likely see an increase in demand for services.”
About 1,000 nonprofits across the state registered for the event, which raised $3.6 million in 2019.
The event, in its eighth year, has raised about $17 million in total.
Early giving has already begun and totaled nearly a combined $1 million dollars for nonprofits in Arizona.