Doing Good for Others Saves You Money

PHOENIX (October 8, 2019) – It is well documented that doing good for others is doing good for yourself. When you help others in need by volunteering your time or through financial support, you are receiving benefits as well.

The act of altruism has been shown to lower blood pressure, make one happier, be less lonely, and in some cases, live longer! The act of giving to others through community non-profit organizations makes a tremendous difference to the lives they in turn help. 

Many community-based non-profit organizations feed the hungry, provide job skill training, offer shelter, and some offer healthcare services. While others, like the Civitan Foundation, provide services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Most community based non-profit organizations need support to maintain or grow services that benefit the community they serve. This is where the Arizona Tax Credit becomes a valuable tool for funding, as well as a benefit to you, the taxpayer. Doing good for others is a win for everyone!

“The donations we receive make an incredible difference for our organization to benefit our members,” said Civitan Foundation CEO Dawn Trapp. “Funds help us purchase supplies, expand programs and services, and help us create new opportunities to benefit the community we serve. It’s hard to do what we do without community support.” 

The Arizona Tax Credit provides a dollar-for-dollar individual income tax credit for contributions to Qualifying Charitable Organizations (QCO) that provide “immediate basic needs to residents of Arizona who receive temporary assistance, are low-income residents of Arizona, or are children who have a chronic illness or physical disability.” The maximum tax credit allowed is $800 for married couples filing jointly and $400 for single, heads of household and filing separately. 

You don’t need to make a one-time donation at the end of the year to benefit from the AZ Tax Credit, either. Ongoing monthly donations are also accepted. This makes receiving your tax credit at the end of the year easy and your donation is doing good in our community.

Civitan Foundation uses financial donations to support its mission of “delivering superior life experiences to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with developmental disabilities.” 

Founded in 1968, Camp Civitan, a 15-acre wheelchair accessible facility in Williams, Arizona was built by dedicated volunteers and parents with the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the unique joy of summer camp – regardless of ability level. Today, the Foundation serves more than 1,400 families throughout the state. 

In addition to Camp Civitan, which offers 10-weeklong summer camps and 12-weekend camps for the rest of the year. Other programs and services provided include Adult Life Learning (DTA) programs in Phoenix, Maricopa, and Williams. Civitan also provides respite care through the Respite Ranch, a one of a kind services offering members a ‘home away from home’ experience for a night, a weekend, or longer in a supervised, safe, and comfortable environment. Flerish Design and Resale store provide job skill training and employment opportunities in a retail setting. Civitan on 66 is a boutique store of unique items in Williams which benefits the organization. 

Civitan also provides Home and Community-Based Services, offering families that need or desire more individualized respite, habilitation, and attendant care services to our members living at home.

There are many more services provided by Civitan Foundation which offer employment training, employment and recreational opportunities for the I/DD community. To learn more about Civitan Foundation and all the services provided, go to www.CivitanFoundationAZ.org.

Thanks to our community’s generosity and support, the Civitan Foundation continues to grow to meet the needs of children and adults with I/DD. Please look at the good we do, then consider the good you will do with a donation today.

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