AzBusiness Angels Fall 2018

FALL 2018

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

ALICE COOPER Rock legend proves headbangers have big hearts

IMPROVING OUR COMMUNITY

together

Arizona is our home as much as it is yours, and we want to see it grow and thrive just as you do. Nonprofit organizations are a significant part of our state’s community, and National Bank of Arizona® is committed to your goals and success within them. Let us help you reach your financial goals so that your nonprofit can reach its dreams.

As we celebrate 15 years as Arizona’s No. 1 bank, we are dedicated to serving the financial needs of nonprofit organizations so that you can focus on your mission.

CONTACT Susan or Pamela in Nonprofit Banking at

602.212.5634

NBAZ.COM | A division of ZB, N.A. Member FDIC

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© iStockphoto

© Justin Bailie/The Nature Conservancy

© iStockphoto

© iStockphoto

YO U R

M THER

CALLED

She Wants You To Get Outside And Play Visit one of our preserves and hike, bird or just relax.

Afterall, Mother (Nature) knows best.

Visit Nature.org/Arizona Like us at facebook.com/arizona nature conservancy Tweet us at @nature_arizona Instagram us at @nature_arizona

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

THE IMPACT OF NONPROFITS

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e have all felt the impact of nonprofits in our lives. For some of us, it’s on a daily basis.

For me personally, my family has been enriched by nonprofits. I am one of those rare individuals who has two siblings who were Wish Kids, which is one of the reasons I tear up at the mere mention of Make-A-Wish and the amazing experiences they create. One of the last times I got to see my oldest sister smile was when the Buffalo Bills walked into our living room in Corning, N.Y., and sat down on the couch next to her. Keep in mind, this was when the Bills were good, so it was quite the thrill. My youngest sister used her wish to go to Disneyland and she has lived to see many more adventures thanks to the motivation she received from that magical wish.

I’m sure we all have stories about how nonprofits impacted us.

Food when the cupboards were bare. A scholarship so we could make a better life for ourself. A warm feeling in our hearts when we handed water to the homeless on a hot day.

When was the last time you made an impact like nonprofits do on a daily basis? I mean, REALLY made a difference.

This year, I want to challenge myself to make an impact, to make a difference.

That’s what Az Business Angels is all about: challenging business leaders and companies to match their skill sets and desire to give back to the community with nonprofits that desperately need the help. Az Business Angels hopes to give new hope to nonprofits and inspire businesses to make a difference and to make it their unconditional mission to connect, volunteer and give back to the communities they serve.

More than 20 years later, my eyes still swell when the Buffalo Bills take the field. They made a difference in my sister’s life.

What are you going to do to make a difference today? Enjoy this issue of Az Business Angels. We hope it will help you answer that question.

President and CEO: Michael Atkinson Publisher: Cheryl Green Vice president of operations: Audrey Webb EDITORIAL Editor in chief: Michael Gossie Associate editor: Steve Burks Intern: Noelle Schon Contributing writers: Zac Dunn | Sage Schneider | Bo Tefu ART Art director: Mike Mertes Design Director: Bruce Andersen MARKETING/EVENTS Marketing & events manager: Cristal Rodriguez Marketing designer: Justie Lim Marketing specialist: Gloria Del Grosso OFFICE Special projects manager: Sara Fregapane Executive assistant: Mayra Rivera Database solutions manager: Amanda Bruno AZ BUSINESS ANGELS AZ BUSINESS MAGAZINE Senior account manager: David Harken Account managers: Tom Patterson | April Rice AZ BUSINESS LEADERS Director of sales: Sheri Brown AZ HOME & DESIGN Director of sales: Kim Bailey AZRE | ARIZONA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Director of sales: Ann McSherry EXPERIENCE ARIZONA | PLAY BALL Director of sales: Donna Roberts RANKING ARIZONA Director of sales: Sheri King

Michael Gossie Editor in chief michael.gossie@azbigmedia.com LIVES IMPACTED: Az Business Angels Editor in Chief Michael Gossie and his sister, Kristina Gossie, who was granted a wish from Make-A-Wish.

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Az Business Angels magazine is published by AZ BIG Media, 3101 N. Central Ave. Suite 1070, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, (602) 277-6045. The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a SASE. Single copy price $4.95. Bulk rates available. Copyright 2018 by AZ BIG Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from AZ BIG Media.

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CONTENTS 8

Connecting Industr y with Nonprof its

Corporate Stewardship

22 The Business of Nonprofits 28 Social Responsibility 32 Faces of Giving: Alice Cooper 36 Faces of Giving: Circle K 38 Faces of Giving: Investing

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32 AZ BUSINESS ANGELES ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

DEBORAH BATEMAN

Vice chairman of the board of directors

TYLER BUTLER

Founder and principal

National Bank of Arizona 6 | AzBusiness Angels

11Eleven Consulting

DERRICK HALL

KRISTEN MERRIFIELD

ALFREDO J.

President and CEO Chairman and CEO Alliance of Arizona CEO

President and CEO

Arizona Diamondbacks

Nonprofits

Office managing partner

Molina Fine Jewelers

Quarles & Brady

Valley of the Sun United Way

MOLINA

NICOLE STANTON

MERL WASCHLER

CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

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By MICHAEL GOSSIE

N

onprofits are big business.

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.

The following pages 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.

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CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

Scottsdale-based Plexus helps feed America

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ith a sold out crowd of more than 11,000 Ambassadors (independent sales representatives) in attendance, Scottsdale-based Plexus Worldwide surprised Ambassadors at its 2018 Legacy Convention by presenting a $100,000 donation to Feeding America, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to fighting domestic hunger through a network of food banks. The company then announced its new Nourish One Initiative, which will provide one meal for a child or family in need for every serving sold of the new Plexus Lean.

“As a company we believe in helping our Ambassadors and employees build a legacy not only for families, but for their communities,” said Alec Clark, president and founder of Plexus. “Hunger and food insecurity is a real concern for thousands of families. We’re confident this $100,000 donation to Feeding America, combined with our commitment to donate an additional meal for each Plexus Lean shake

sold, will have a real impact within this often-unnoticed community need.”

“We want to create a company that our Ambassadors can look back on 10, 15, 20 years from now and feel proud of who we are and who we continue to build ourselves to be,” said Tarl Robinson, CEO and founder of Plexus. “Based on the response the company received from Convention attendees, Plexus is definitely on its way to become the legacy company it plans to be.”

PROVIDED PHOTO

GIVING BACK: “As a company we

believe in helping our Ambassadors and employees build a legacy not only for families, but for their communities,” said Alec Clark, president and founder of Plexus.

COMPANIES THAT GIVE Arizona Diamondbacks and Shamrock Farms: The

Diamondbacks, in partnership with Shamrock Farms, held their annual “Grand Slam Give Back” milking contest at Chase Field, fulfilling a season-long promise to donate up to 96,000 servings of fresh milk to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.

Bar-S: Thanks to a

generous donation by Bar-S, No Kid Hungry is able to provide one million more meals to hungry children. This donation

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provided meals to children nationwide during the self-excluded gaming jackpots. “Gila River summer – often the hungriest time of the year Hotels & Casinos is proud to be a longstanding for many children. philanthropic partner with the state of Arizona,” said Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Hotels & Casinos.

District Medical Group: The “Medical Champions” program was created

by District Medical Group using its electronic State Farm: Local Initiatives Support medical records (EMR) system to better Corporation (LISC) Phoenix received $400,000 identify and track children with critical from State Farm, which will be used to expand illnesses who would qualify for a Make-Aits network of Financial Opportunity Centers Wish experience. DMG has referred more than (FOC) in Phoenix, responding to the Phoenix22 wish kids since June 2017.

Metro area’s need for an integrated services delivery platform that helps neighborhoods and Gila River Hotels & Casinos: struggling families stabilize their finances and Gila River Hotels & Casinos lets Arizona nonprofit connect to living wage jobs. organizations receive a year’s worth of forfeited

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CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP PROVIDED PHOTO

HEALTHY PHILANTHROPY: Since 2011,

UnitedHealthcare invested more than $350 million to help finance and build 54 affordable-housing communities in Arizona and 13 other states, creating more than 2,700 new homes for individuals and families.

COMPANIES THAT GIVE Abrazo Community Health Network: Abrazo Community Health

Network earned top company fundraiser accolades for the 25th annual Phoenix Heart Walk, raising $81,596 in donations and pledges for the fight against heart disease and stroke. Abrazo had 516 participants.

UnitedHealthcare awards $2 million to nonprofits

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nitedHealthcare has awarded $2 million in grants to local organizations that are expanding social services to address some of Arizona’s key social determinants of health, like food security.

Grant recipients include: • A ssociation of Arizona Food Banks to increase access to fresh produce at local food banks statewide.

• Brighter Way Institute and VisionQuest 20/20 to work with school districts to offer dental screenings, dental-restorative procedures and vision screenings onsite or through new mobile clinics.

• The Arizona Partnership for Immunization to offer community-based immunization clinics.

UnitedHealthcare has long been a proponent of addressing barriers that prevent individuals and families from focusing on their health and wellness. Issues such as food insecurity, a lack of access to basic preventive health screenings, social isolation, financial instability and homelessness all play a role in health and wellness.

“For many people, it’s not just genetic code that plays a role in their health status; it’s a full range of social factors,” said Joseph Gaudio, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona. “It’s difficult for people to improve their health, build primary-care relationships and address preventive health care needs if they can’t feed their families or don’t have stable housing. We understand the vital need for communities to address the social determinants of health that affect people’s health and quality of life.”

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Amazon: More than 40 students from

Gila Crossing Community School participated in Camp Amazon, a free robotics and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) immersion experience. “Amazon wants to get children excited about STEM and encourage them to build, imagine and innovate,” said Matthew High, general manager of Amazon Fulfillment.

Four Peaks Brewing Co.: Four

Peaks’ “Four Peaks 4 Teachers” classroom supply fundraiser provides school supplies to thousands of Arizona teachers in partnership with Treasures 4 Teachers. Four Peaks will purchase enough items to fill 4,500 supply kits.

Raytheon: Disabled veterans in Arizona were invited to participate in the 2018 No Barriers Warriors Grand Canyon Veteran Wilderness Expedition funded by Raytheon.

No Barriers will lead a team of 14 disabled veterans on a nine-day journey of discoveries and challenges in the Grand Canyon.

TruWest Credit Union: TruWest asked its staff and the public to donate cases of water at any of its area branch locations as part of its annual water drive. The result: Nearly 20,000 bottles were collected over the course of 31 days.

CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

COMPANIES THAT GIVE

Chase: More than 1,000 Chase employees

fanned out to the East and West Valley to help revitalize two schools with projects such as landscaping, field maintenance and touchup painting to help beautify the campuses.

Volunteers contributed more than $60,000 in labor. Chase also donated $30,000 in supplies and the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation contributed $10,000 in supplies plus one game ticket to each volunteer.

FirstBank: FirstBank, the premier sponsor of Arizona Gives Day, pumped $3,000 worth of free gas to unexpected Phoenix drivers, while encouraging lucky recipients to “Give it Forward” to a charity of their choice on Arizona Gives Day. FirstBank hoped this act of kindness inspired individuals to give back to causes in their communities on Arizona Gives Day.

R&R Partners: R&R Partners, an

international marketing and advertising agency, hosted children ages 10 to 16 from the Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona program to experience painting in a virtual atmosphere at their office in the Phoenix Warehouse District. Free Arts is the only nonprofit organization in Arizona delivering creative and therapeutic art programs, at no cost, to children ages 3 to 21 who have faced abuse, neglect and homelessness.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Sunny Plumber: Crews from The

Sunny Plumber donated and installed water systems at the Arizona Animal Welfare League’s Phoenix campus. The systems, donated by Van Marcke Trade Supply, were installed by crews from The Sunny Plumber at no cost to the AAWL, one of Arizona’s largest pet shelters that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes dogs, cats, puppies and kittens throughout the state.

Valley Hyundai dealerships:

Hyundai Hope On Wheels® celebrated its 20th year in the fight funding pediatric cancer research by presenting Dr. Cynthia Wetmore of Phoenix Children’s Hospital with a $100,000 Hyundai Impact Award. This institution is one of 21 recipients of this year’s award, which is given to pediatric oncology departments at select children’s hospitals nationwide.

WALK IN THE PARK: Employees from OH Partners,

one of the fastest-growing full-service advertising agencies in the Southwest, volunteer at the TigerMountain Foundation garden.

OH Partners volunteers at the TigerMountain Foundation garden

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ocal advertising agency OH Partners took a jump start in celebrating Cesar Chavez Day by volunteering at the TigerMountain Foundation garden. More than 50 employees from OH Partners dedicated their Friday morning by helping to restore a vacant lot and converting it into a beautiful community garden in South Phoenix.

OH Partners is passionate about Cesar Chavez Day thanks to Bill Owens, the founder of Owens & Associates, now known as OH Partners. Owens worked alongside Cesar Chavez and Cesar Chavez Day has become a yearly tradition to dedicate the day to volunteering in late March.

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CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

JABURG WILK BUILDS BIKES FOR

PROVIDED PHOTO

GIVING PHILANTHROPY A SPIN: Teams

Boys Hope Girls Hope

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eams from the Phoenix law firm of Jaburg Wilk built bikes for Boys Hope Girls Hope of Metro Phoenix. The diverse teams competed with one another to answer questions about community involvement to acquire the tools needed to assemble the bikes. Then, the bikes were awarded to Boys Hope Girls Hope scholars that had a GPA over 3.54

and were lucky enough to have their name drawn as a winner.

BHGH helps academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential through community based and residential programs. They provide support from 6th grade through college for 90 Arizona scholars.

Mervyn Braude, Jaburg Wilk

from the Phoenix law firm of Jaburg Wilk built bikes for Boys Hope Girls Hope of Metro Phoenix.

Community Committee member, said, “This was such a fun team-building activity that celebrated our community efforts. The scholars of BGHG are a great investment and we were very happy to provide them with new bikes.”

As one of the scholars enthusiastically said: “Those are some nice bikes.”

COMPANIES THAT GIVE Fingerpaint: Fingerpaint launched Operation

Lunch Lady in partnership with The Pack Shack as a creative way to raise awareness and funds using the beloved unsung hero, the lunch lady.

This year, the program provided more than 65,000 meals to hungry kids.

Movement Mortgage: Movement

Mortgage collected more than 1 million bottles of water for the homeless since its annual water drive began in 2014. Movement Mortgage’s nonprofit Movement

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Foundation matched the employee donations with a $150,000 grant to support the Phoenix Rescue Mission’s operations.

Riot Hospitality Group: The local

restaurant group donated $20,000 to Folds of Honor. This is the second year the local company partnered with the national nonprofit to raise money for educational scholarships to families of military men and women who have fallen or been disabled while on active duty in the United States armed forces.

SRP: Salt River Project installed new

inverters and updated equipment for rooftop photovoltaic systems donated to 15 Valley schools through the SRP Solar for Schools program. The systems have saved the schools more than $230,000 since 2009.

Tuft & Needle: Regardless of an individual’s living situation, we all need a good night’s sleep. Thanks to a donation from Arizona-based Tuft & Needle to Circle The City, a multitude of Arizona’s homeless will have mattresses to help them get muchneeded rest for recovery and respite.

CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

Washington Federal helps students with financial literacy

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ore than 307 students at Metro Tech High School in Phoenix earned their Certification in Financial Literacy diplomas through the Washington Federal Financial Scholars Program in May. The program, which launched at Metro Tech High School in 2013 and provides schools with interactive,

PROVIDED PHOTO

BUILDING A FUTURE: “We’ve been so impressed with some of these students

that we’ve not only offered them jobs, but are willing to hold them the jobs until they graduate so they can focus on their studies first,” says Mike Brown, Arizona regional president of Washington Federal.

web-based financial management education tools at no cost to either the school itself or taxpayers, has now grown to six total schools in Arizona and graduated 1,740 since its inception.

“More than 70 percent of Americans are uncomfortable talking about money.

And while studies suggest that millennials may be better at discussing dollars than their predecessors, our nation’s teenagers still lag behind most developed countries when it comes to their knowledge about

money matters,” says Mike Brown, Arizona regional president of Washington Federal and sponsor of the program. “In fact, only one in five teenagers in the United States have basic-level skills about the principles of saving money.”

To help fight this financial illiteracy epidemic, according to Brown, Washington Federal partners with leading education technology company EVERFI, to provide local high schools with this cutting-edge Washington Federal Financial Scholars Program.

COMPANIES THAT GIVE APS: The APS Foundation gave a $1 million grant to the Arizona Science Center’s Rural Communities Expansion Project to sustain the professional development of K-8 teachers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects for the next five years and will allow the program to expand into Cochise and Yuma counties.

Desert Financial: This year, 10 high school seniors were presented with scholarships from Desert Financial for their stellar academic achievement and commitment to community service totaling $37,500.

because Event Space: For years, Kathy Sweet envisioned a family business that would bring the community together while giving back. because opened its 15,000 square-foot event space in April 2016. Since then, the space has raised more than $25,000 for local charities and hosted more than 400

Flower Child, the healthy fast-casual concept by Fox Restaurant Concepts, partnered with Phoenix-based startup, Pal, to become more inclusive for the one-in-six children in the U.S. with developmental disabilities. Flower

events, from weddings to film screenings to corporate events.

Fox Restaurant Concepts:

Child is the first restaurant to become a “Pal Place”, offering families a video tour before they visit and a sensory scale to help plan ahead.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria: Grimaldi’s

Pizzeria was named the 2018 Silver Halo Award winner in the Small Business Category for its work on Dine Out: Grimaldi’s and Share our Strength. Grimaldi’s raised $115,000 that will allow No Kid Hungry to provide 1,150,000 additional nutritious meals for kids in need.

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CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

COMPANIES THAT GIVE

Delta Dental of Arizona invests in outreach program

Chas Roberts: After another

T

production at its new Avondale, facility earlier this year, donated beds to outfit two local fire stations and provide a comfortable space at the fire station so firefighters could get a good night’s rest.

hanks to a $25,000 grant from Delta Dental of Arizona, Native Health’s Oral Health Outreach Program will combat the cavity epidemic by going out into the community and providing free pediatric oral care to infants and young adults in Maricopa County off-site.

“This generous grant from Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation has really opened doors we didn’t know possible when it comes to serving our community,” says Walter Murillo, CEO of Native Health.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide crucial oral care services like dental screenings and fluoride treatments to thousands of children in this county, and we hope to continue this program for years to come.”

Funded by Delta Dental’s grant, the program visits underserved children out in Maricopa County and performs free professional pediatric dental screenings and fluoride varnish treatments. In addition to that, Native Health also provides primary medical, dental, behavioral health, WIC and wellness services to underserved individuals in Maricopa County from their two dental clinics throughout the Valley.

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successful “Original Taste” event held in Scottsdale in April, Chas Roberts A/C & Plumbing presented a $5,000 check directly from the proceeds to Phoenix Children’s Hospital as part of its ongoing campaign to benefit the youth medical facility.

King Koil: King Koil, which started

ONECare: ONECare by Care1st Health Plan Arizona, a WellCare Health Plans company, partnered with the Diana Gregory Outreach Service Foundation to host a “Veggies for Vets” event to hand out 500 bags of fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost to promote healthy eating amongst veterans.

Rio Salado: The Rio Salado Dental

Clinic hosted a free clinic for children and teens ages 17 and younger. Rio Salado students, instructors and dental community members volunteered their time and expertise to provide comprehensive dental hygiene care at the clinic. Services included exams, X-rays, cleaning, fluoride varnish and fun educational tips on staying healthy.

PROVIDED PHOTO

BUILDING A FUTURE: “Statistics show that tooth

decay in children and adolescents is twice as high for underserved families, so intervening as Native Health does, and helping this population implement good oral health habits at an early age is key,” says Allan Allford, chief executive officer at Delta Dental of Arizona.

Vitalyst: The Vitalyst Health Foundation partnered with the Arizona Community Foundation, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and The NARBHA Institute to award Innovation Grants totaling $500,000 to four Arizona nonprofits. These grants will fund projects that have a direct impact on building healthy communities around the state.

HOME HEALTH EQUIPMENT FOR THOSE IN NEED

We are growing to better serve our community!

Southwest Lending Closet lends durable medical equipment free of charge to anyone in need. We have served the Arizona community for over 18 years, in 80 cities and towns across Arizona.

If you would like to donate, volunteer, or receive additional information, please visit

southwestlendingcloset.org or email swlc@southwestlendingcloset.org or call 623.932.1016 218 North Central Avenue Avondale, AZ 85323

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CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

Amazon makes big impact on UMOM New Day Centers A

mazon delivered a special surprise to UMOM New Day Centers in Phoenix – $10,000 plus more than 1,000 pairs of new shoes and socks for residents. The donation was sourced by local Amazon associates and will help support UMOM in their mission to end homelessness in the Phoenix community.

“Amazon is proud to give back to the communities where our employees live and work, and we’re honored to be able to support UMOM’s mission to end homelessness in our community,” said Paul Bania, general manager of Amazon Fulfillment. “We hope our donation goes a long way in helping current and future UMOM families get back on their feet.”

After the donation, Amazon hosted dozens of families living in UMOM’s emergency shelter for a “Twilight Movie Night” screening of the Amazon Original Kids Series “Lost In Oz” – a multi-Emmy Award-winning series that follows the magical adventures of Dorothy and Toto as they get lost in an unknown world.

“Amazon is an incredible supporter of UMOM,” said Melissa Steimer, Chief Development Officer. “Their generous gift of $10,000 will make an impact in providing a safe place for families to sleep tonight. They understand the needs of families experiencing homelessness and want to make a difference in their lives. They have made tonight special for so many families with a movie and snacks. Amazon is a community friend and partner in helping to prevent and end homelessness.”

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CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

COMPANIES THAT GIVE Canyon Building & Design: The company led a state-wide campaign to aid local schools in equipping students and educators with adequate supplies for the upcoming school year. This follows Canyon’s previous community-oriented campaign in which Canyon helped deliver holiday gifts to children in foster care.

David Weekley Homes:

David Weekley Homes, the nation’s largest privately-held builder, hosted its fourth annual, companywide CA+RE School Supplies Drive. In Phoenix, school supplies were collected for Arizonans for Children Inc., which provides solutions to alleviate hardships and improve the lives of the abused, abandoned and neglected children in foster care.

Pine Canyon: The private, master-

planned golf course and residential community in Flagstaff hosted a benefit concert that raised nearly $4,000 for a local animal welfare organization. The event marks the third consecutive year that Pine Canyon has offered a philanthropic opportunity at the community’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

Risas Dental and Braces: For

the seventh year in a row, doctors and staff from Risas Dental and Braces donated their time at the annual Labor of Love event. The Phoenix-based company treated more than 1,000 patients across its 13 participating locations, blanketing the areas from Glendale to North Phoenix and Chandler to Mesa.

WellCare Health Plans:

PROVIDED PHOTO

DELIVERING AN IMPACT: The Valley-

based Amazon Fulfillment Center donated $10,000 and 1,000 pairs of shoes and socks to make a difference at UMOM New Day Centers in Phoenix.

WellCare donated $230,000 to support a new Bayless Integrated Healthcare clinic located in the Avondale Elementary School District. The multi-specialty clinic will provide integrated healthcare services including family medicine, behavioral health and life skill services to students and families who reside in Maricopa County’s Southwest Valley – an area in great need of care and resources.

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THE BUSINESS OF NONPROFITS

TOTAL TRANSPARENCY Phoenix charities rank 12th in the nation, but first when it comes to accountability

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By SAGE SCHNEIDER

I

n the latest Charity Navigator review of 30 major metropolitan areas, Phoenix charities tied with Milwaukee charities for 12th place overall. This was much better than their 2013 ranking, which was 23rd out of 30, but not as impressive as their 2016 ranking, when they rose to 8th place.

The 2017 Metro Market study analyzes the area’s largest charities via their tax returns and websites, combining this information into a score for accountability and transparency and a score for financial performance. There are other aspects the charities are scored on, but those two determine the final ranking.

Phoenix excelled in accountability and transparency — it ranked 1st alongside Houston, San Diego, Portland, Kansas City, and Tampa/St. Petersburg. Out of all 30 areas studied, Phoenix had the highest percentage of charities with written donor privacy policies. These explicitly state that charities won’t sell, trade, or share donors’ information, or send any mailings on behalf of other organizations.

This increased emphasis on privacy is especially important considering the majority of Arizona’s charities are health-focused.

“When you look at sectors in Arizona and the different types of causes they’re serving, health and human services are definitely the largest category,” says Kristen Merrifield, CEO of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits.

“And human services encompasses everything from poverty to homelessness to behavioral services.”

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THE BUSINESS OF NONPROFITS

“Do your research. Sites like Guidestar and Charity Navigator are now giving a full picture of charities. Not only financial, but programs and testimonials and board members. Check to see if they’re registered with the IRS or filing 990s.”

Kristen Merrifield

FINANCIAL FOOTING In contrast, when looking at financial performance Phoenix fell to 22nd place.

Though Phoenix charities generated an average of $4.8 million in revenue — surpassing the national average of $3.7 million — it also beat the national average in terms of expenses. Phoenix charities had $4.7 million in average annual expenses in 2017, in contrast to the national average of $3.4 million.

However, Merrifield points out that people shouldn’t necessarily judge a charity by its spending.

“With charities, higher revenue often means higher costs. If we get more revenue because more people bought tickets for an event, then we have to spend more on food and beverages. If we get more grant money, then we’re going to serve more people and end up with higher expenses.”

In general, more spending may mean more programs, but it’s difficult to tell with something like Charity Navigator because of the breadth of nonprofits they’re comparing.

“They’re comparing everything from a backpack school drive to a hospital, so higher revenue could indicate more activity, or it could just be salaries.”

WAGING A BATTLE Salaries represent another misconception in the nonprofit sector.

“We have different expectations for a for-profit company that’s the same size and complexity as a nonprofit,” Merrifield says. “If we can’t hire and retain the best, how can we solve issues like poverty and homelessness and domestic abuse and child welfare? We need talented people and we need to attract and retain them with salary and benefits and work culture.

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payroll taxes and sales tax because not all charities qualify for exemptions.”

And the impact is both direct and indirect. “Because I pay my employees, they go out into the community and buy things,” Merrifield says. “I pay vendors and then they hire people and go out and buy things.”

Nonprofits are even on the same level as other market sectors in Arizona.

“Nonprofits are on par in some categories with retail and wholesale trade and construction,” Merrifield says. “Think about all the activity and conversation and the impact of those—nonprofits are right up there. Nonprofits are a driver of the economy and a partner along with government and for-profit companies.”

Perhaps one reason people don’t think of charities as economic drivers is the perception that nonprofits rely on donations. However, in Arizona more than 72 percent of nonprofit revenue comes from earned revenue, service fees, and government contracts—not philanthropy.

“Fees from service are surprising for people. They go, ‘Why is a nonprofit charging for services?’ But that includes tuition, entrance fees for a museum or play, or membership fees for organizations like ours,” Merrifield says. “Some groups have catering arms like St. Mary’s, while others have thrift stores. Those service fees diversify their revenue so they’re not so reliant on grants and individuals.”

IMPACT OF NONPROFITS Merrifield says her organization is For instance, nonprofits in Arizona are the trying to fix this mistaken assumption. fifth-largest nongovernment employer and “Foundation giving, corporate giving, generate more than eight percent — $22.4 bequests, individual giving — that’s all billion — of the state’s Gross State Product. very small, but we spend a lot of time In addition, “They contribute through talking about those types of revenue.”

We have to get away from the idea that ‘nonprofits should earn less’ when we’re still competing for employees with the forprofit sector.”

Another problem is that sites like Charity Navigator and Guidestar often propagate an idea known as the “overhead myth.” This compares the percentage of overhead to the money spent on programs to judge a nonprofit, but this number isn’t always relevant.

“Take the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, for example,” Merrifield says.

“We’re a 501c3 but we’re not providing a direct service to the community. We are our services, so our overhead is totally different from a group giving food or things to the community.”

Even if someone wanted to focus on overhead, Phoenix did very well on that area, ranking 1st in administrative expenses, which includes how much a charity spends on not only overhead, but staff and meetings as well. On average, Phoenix charities spent only 8.2 percent of their total revenue on administration.

Furthermore, though nonprofits don’t often point it out, Arizona charities are a large driver of the state economy.

“Nonprofits weren’t talking about that side of their contribution,” Merrifield says. “They were talking about their good work and the outcomes of social returns, but they weren’t talking about economic impact, which is actually pretty huge.”

The ASU Foundation in Tempe is another example of a highly efficient charity. Offering scholarship and financial support, this charity received an overall score of 98, spending 86 percent of its expenses on programs, and only 6.5 percent on administration and 7.2 percent on fundraising.

DRIVING REVENUE In fact, the source of revenue often differs by the type of nonprofit.

“Human services has a higher concentration of government funding because they get contracts to provide services to the community,” Merrifield says.

“When you look at the arts, they’re earning a lot more of their income because they’re charging entrance fees. They don’t get a lot of government contracts — instead, they receive a lot of donations. Meanwhile, health earns money through copays and government funding, but doesn’t get very many donations.”

In general, however, Merrifield says nonprofits are skilled at managing their funds.

“Nonprofits are talented at keeping costs as low as they can because they have to raise money. They can’t sell widgets or carwashes, so they get innovative with fees for service and things to make up for it.”

Furthermore, nonprofits can improve efficiency the same way for-profit companies do.

“People at nonprofits should consider multiple proposals on any service, and look at the relationship on a consistent basis.

Evaluate your vendor partners and get new proposals. It’s just basic business.”

However, not all charities are created equal. In addition to the national comparison of metro areas, Charity Navigator also offers in-depth statistics on individual nonprofits. This information is important for people to know before donating to a cause.

One example is the Phoenix Symphony, which received an overall score of 71. To break that down, the Phoenix Symphony

received an 85 on accountability and transparency, but only scored a 62 on financial performance. While 70 percent of its expenses are dedicated to programs, 22 percent is spent on administrative needs, as well as six percent on fundraising.

The Camp Soaring Eagle Foundation in Scottsdale, serving children and family members with chronic or life threatening illnesses, is another example of a low-scoring charity. This group spent only 58 percent of its expenses on programs, allocating eight percent for administration and 33 percent for fundraising events.

Merrifield agrees there are bad apples out there, and that’s why donors should be smart about giving.

“We encourage people to treat donations like any other expenditure,” Merrifield says. “Do your research. Sites like Guidestar and Charity Navigator are now giving a full picture of charities. Not only financial, but programs and testimonials and board members. Check to see if they’re registered with the IRS or filing 990s.”

Another option is to reach out to the charity. “Consider having a conversation with the nonprofit,” says Merrifield, asking them about their programs and their work in the community.

PILLARS But, Merrifield asks that donors don’t However, there are programs in Phoenix judge charities too harshly. She points out doing amazingly efficient work as well. that people often spend money on other One such case is the Forever Young things with much less worry, but place too Foundation in Mesa, which helps children much pressure on nonprofits to conform to with physical, emotional, and financial donor’s wishes. challenges. It received a score of 100 “Say you’re buying a new iPhone. You overall, including financial performance don’t go to Apple and say, ‘How much do and accountability and transparency. In you spend on overhead? I only want this terms of cost, it spent 94.6 percent of its dollar to go toward the glass. I don’t want to expenses on its programs, with only 3.6 cover your lights or your engineers.’ But we percent on administration and 1.7 percent go to nonprofits for a donation of $20 and on fundraising. say, ‘Well, where is this money going?’”

The ASU Foundation in Tempe is These differing expectations can create another example of a highly efficient problems for charities, especially when it charity. Offering scholarship and financial makes people reluctant to give. “Once bad support, this charity received an overall apples are in the media, that’s all we know. score of 98, spending 86 percent of its When we’re inside the sector, we can see expenses on programs, and only 6.5 percent deeper, but most people rely on what their on administration and 7.2 percent on friends tell them or the media.” fundraising.

Above all, Merrifield recommends using Of course, it’s important to note these common sense when finding a charity. ratings are only a piece of the picture. If Follow your passion, and then do your people want to check out a charity for homework. Try to conduct an insightful, themselves before donating, there are other holistic evaluation, not a snap judgment factors to consider. based on a few misunderstood numbers. n AzBusiness Angels | 25

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C O R P O R AT E PA R T N E R S ACSS

Freeport McMoRan, Inc.

ADM Group

Fry’s Food Stores

Albertson’s/Safeway Foundation

Gilbert Unified School District

Amazon Smile American Airlines American Express Charitable Fund American Textile Recycling Services

Arizona Dept. of Veterans’ Services

Lou Malnati’s

Banner Health BHHS Legacy Foundation

Boeing Corp.

Bug and Weed Mart Catholic Community Foundation

Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Maricopa County Combined Charitable Campaign Maricopa IDA Microchip Technologies Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation Phoenix IDA Republic Bank of Arizona Rio Salado Community College Salt River Project

Catholic Legal Immigration Network

Snell & Wilmer, LLP

Charitable Auto Resources

Southwest Gas Corp.— Fuel For Life Campaign

Chasse Building Team City of Chandler City of Phoenix City of Scottsdale

State Employees Charitable Campaign The Arizona Cardinals Charities

City of Tempe

The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation

Combined Federal Employee Charitable Campaign

The Benevity Impact Fund

Community Foundation of Arizona

The Home Depot Foundation The Phoenix Mercury

Copper Point Mutual Insurance Company

The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Foundation

Crafco, Inc.

Thunderbird Charities

Del E. Webb Foundation

Town of Gilbert

Dignity Health

TSYS Acquiring Solutions

Diocese of Phoenix

United Health Group

Enterprise Holdings

United Way of Northern Arizona

Estrella Mountain Community College

CatholicCharitiesAZ.org/85years

Intel Corp.

Laboratory Sciences of Arizona

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Inc.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

IBM Employee Service Center

Arizona Community Foundation

Bank of America

But, we couldn’t do it without our corporate partners.

Honeywell Hometown Solutions

Keysight Technologies

Arizona State University

Over the last 85 years, Catholic Charities has been helping our community’s most vulnerable in central and northern Arizona.

Health Choice Integrated Care

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

Arizona Public Service

YEAR OF SERVICE

Globe Corp.

United Way of Yavapai County

Even Stevens

USAA

Executive Council Charities

Valley of the Sun United Way

Fiesta Bowl Charities

Weight Watchers of Arizona

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

Wells Fargo Community Support AzBusiness Angels | 27

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The laws of GIVING Arizona attorneys make it a practice to help nonprofits

By NOELLE SCHON

he desire to help others burns bright at the heart of every nonprofit.

Whether it’s finding affordable housing for those in need or equipping children with lessons for them to excel in life, nonprofits work tirelessly to make underprivileged Arizonans’ lives better and brighter. But when the nonprofit needs legal help, who looks out for them? Arizona attorneys who work pro bono.

Like any other organization, nonprofits will encounter situations where they need to seek legal counsel; but unlike for-profit organizations, many nonprofits do not have the funds to do so, and any dollar expended to resolve the issue or acquire legal counsel is a dollar less to pursue the mission.

Tight budgets often land nonprofits in a tough situation where the organization has to weigh the needs of the organization with the needs of the mission. That is where pro bono attorneys come in and tackle the nonprofits’ legal issues for free.

David Engelman, a co-founder of Engelman Berger, has done pro bono work for the entirety of his 43 years in law. It’s all about helping those who are in need, he said.

There has always been a dire need for pro bono work for nonprofits and individuals, according to Engelman. But then the recession hit, money grew tight, and the need became greater. In recent years, more law firms are creating pro bono policies, and the State Bar of Arizona outlines a desire for each attorney and firm to pursue pro bono work in its Code of Conduct.

“I think for the projects where we provide legal services,” said Steven Berger, a co-founder of Engelman Berger, “we certainly fill a gap for persons or nonprofits who wouldn’t really be able to afford the kind of service we provide normally. They can use that money for more important things, like putting food on the table or

T

28 | AzBusiness Angels

their core mission.”

Often, nonprofits seek attorneys to rewrite bylaw or revise policy. Other times, attorneys may evaluate land or other items left to the nonprofit from a will.

But the relationship between a nonprofit and an attorney can run so much deeper. Some attorneys sit on the board of directors of the nonprofit, while others may have longtime clients that are a part of the organization.

A CHAIN OF POSITIVITY Pro bono work plays a vital role for a nonprofit. Like any organization, it may run into legal roadblocks. Other times, having an attorney on hand offers peace of mind that the nonprofit is well covered if it has questions or needs.

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona consults with attorneys to help the organization run smoother, and the attorneys also act as consistent team players for the nonprofit.

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona is an organization that connects the folks in need in the Phoenix area with affordable housing through building or renovating homes. Eligible applicants with Habitat will put a minimum of a couple hundred hours of “sweat-equity” into building their houses and pay an affordable, non-profit loan.

The organization consults Scott Klundt, a lawyer with Quarles & Brady and the firm’s Phoenix office pro bono coordinator. Klundt, named one of the top 50 pro bono attorneys in Arizona by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and

Education in 2017, has worked with the nonprofit for years.

Habitat Central Arizona uses Klundt to review its loan documents each year, said Maribel Saucedo, the director of family services at Habitat Central Arizona. The market often changes, and Habitat wants to make sure its documents are current and compliant with the law, which is what Klundt helps out with, Saucedo added.

Klundt said, “We as attorneys are so blessed to be able to do what we do and get paid well for it, frankly. It’s a chance for

us to give back.”

And give back he did: In 2017, Habitat for Humanity Central Phoenix saved over $100,000 by consulting Klundt and his pro bono team at Quarles & Brady, according to Saucedo.

Klundt said it’s rewarding to be able to use his talents, knowledge and expertise to help nonprofits navigate the legal issues they face.

When nonprofits save money that would have otherwise been spent on legal fees, resources are freed to enable nonprofits to focus on the people they are serving. Without pro bono aide, nonprofits would face even more challenges.

“The fact that they really take the time to understand Habitat, and they helpfully connect the dots for us –I think that has more value than the money that we’re saving,” Saucedo said.

Nonprofits work to give a voice to the voiceless, and that even includes animals.

Anthony Merrill of Snell and Wilmer worked with the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros (IPSMB) since 2004, particularly in its quest to preserve and save the wild horses and burros in Arizona after the RodeoChediski Fire in 2002 when the United States Forest Service wanted to round-up and remove horses it deemed “trespass animals” from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

AzBusiness Angels | 29

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY “We stopped the roundup and got an order in place requiring the forest service to take various actions to protect the herd and to introduce a territory management plan,” said Merrill, who was listed in the Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys in Arizona in 2006. “They’re still working on the perimeters on that, but the horses are still there wild and running free as the historic symbols of the American West.”

He worked as the lead counsel and handled the litigation and the case’s final settlement, and he also communicates with the forest services as needed.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE “Pro bono attorneys are worth their weight in gold,” said Karen Sussman, the president of ISPMB. “What Mr. Merrill does is what every good American should do. We should be helping each other.”

The average hourly fee an attorney in Central Arizona charges is roughly $438, according to the 2015-2016 United States Consumer Law Attorney Fee Survey.

Considering that federal cases are often long, drawn out processes, the amount of money that her organization would have had to pay would have been hefty.

But Merrill never asked for a dime, and the money that would have been spent in court was spent on protecting the animals.

“If you have to go to court and you’re in federal court, you’re looking at a lot of money expended,” Sussman said. “Having a firm and having an attorney willing to do this is what all Americans should be doing for each other. We couldn’t really do what we are doing without our help from our pro bono attorneys.”

Pro bono work also helps nonprofits operate internally.

Some nonprofits receive training from lawyers to ensure the workplace environment for employees is a safe, healthy community. Jay Zweig of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner trains nonprofits’ employees and leaders in sexual harassment prevention.

The training aims to explain the law and help the nonprofit align its culture with the law, while ensuring the employees are empowered.

Zweig works with nonprofit employees to speak up and address situations that make them uncomfortable, even if it doesn’t directly involve the employee.

Nonprofit employees are especially vulnerable to sexual harassment, Zweig said. This type of training helps nonprofits avoid lawsuits.

30 | AzBusiness Angels

Steven Berger

Shannon Clark

David Engelman

Scott Klundt

Anthony Merrill

Maribel Saucedo

Karen Sussman

Jay Zweig

A GREATER CALLING But what drives an attorney to offer legal services for free? For some, it is their norm.

“For me, it was part of my growing up,” Berger said. “As a kid, I was always involved in various youth groups doing everything from the Jerry Lewis Telethon to collecting for various charities or doing a carwash to raise money for something.”

For others, watching the nonprofits pursue their mission and help others succeed is all the payment they want.

“It’s really rewarding to see people empowered to take control of their lives again,” said Shannon Clark, a shareholder with Gallagher & Kennedy who is a Fund Development Committee Member for ICAN’s Positive Programs for Youth.

But a common sentiment shared among these lawyers is the idea that with the degree comes the responsibility. As Clark puts it, it is a lawyer’s way of “paying the social rent.”

“In my view, lawyers have a responsibility to give back to the community, and people do it in different ways,” Zweig said. “One of the things that has always been important to me is giving people access to our justice system, whether or not they can afford an attorney.”

As a few pointed out, that responsibility

lies on the shoulders of everyone fortunate enough to have an education, but the way lawyers give back to the community in this sense is unique, given their unique practice.

“You know as lawyers, we have a skill and an understanding that other people might not have, so it’s good to give that back, especially when access to the justice system may be cost-prohibited,” Merrill said.

And while their services may be free, pro bono attorneys reap rewards that go beyond the touch and feel of money.

“I can’t imagine my life without the community service work I do,” Berger said.

“I get a lot of fulfillment from it, I meet wonderful people, I have been educated on what people in the trenches do on the front lines to fight poverty, to fight disease, to help people.”

Though the need for pro bono work is greater than before, the “want to do” pro bono work continues to grow and beats in the heart of the law community.

“A lot of lawyers are sharing with me how enriching their pro bono experiences are, and how fulfilling they find it and how satisfying they find it,” Engelman said. “I think that’s catching on in our community, and that’s a very positive thing.” n

AzBusiness Angels | 31

FACES OF GIVING

The godfather of soul

Alice Cooper shows compassion for kids through his creation of the Solid Rock Foundation Teen Center

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

When you think about Slash from Gun ’N’ Roses, Ace Frehley from KISS, Joe Perry from Aerosmith and Johnny Depp getting together for a night out with Alice Cooper, you think more about headbanging that heartstrings.

But every holiday season, Valley resident Cooper brings together rock ’n’ roll royalty for Alice Cooper’s Annual Christmas Pudding, which has become one of Phoenix’s signature holiday events. The Christmas Pudding directly benefits Solid Rock Foundation and The Rock Teen Center and has attracted performers including Sammy Hagar, KORN, Gin Blossoms, Edgar Winter, Rob Halford, Glen Campbell and Filter.

Cooper, who turned 70 this year, still tours and is considered by many to be “The Godfather of Shock Rock.” He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his pioneering take on theatrical rock ‘n’ roll inspired many of today’s biggest rock gods, including Rob Zombie, who claims his first “metal moment” was seeing Alice Cooper perform.

But Cooper has a soft side, too. He formed the Solid Rock Foundation in 1999 with his friend, Chuck Savale. Cooper acts as president of the nonprofit organization, which strives to help troubled teens and children in the Phoenix area.

Az Business Angels sat down with Cooper, who attended Cortez High School in Phoenix, where his yearbook ambition was to be “a million record seller,” to talk about his softer side.

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Az Business Angels: How did you come up with the concept of Alice Cooper’s Rock Teen Center?

Alice Cooper: My wife and I and our dear friend, Chuck Savale, came up with it together. I wanted to create a place where teens could express themselves in a healthy, safe environment. Teens today have way too much time on their hands and if they aren’t playing sports, they end up doing drugs or joining gangs. The Rock Teen Center is a place where they can learn music, dance, art, video and audio recording and more, or just hang out with their friends, and it’s all free for teens 12 to 20 years old.

ABA: Why was starting this nonprofit so important to you?

AC: Teens are the reason I am successful.

When I first started out, they bought my albums and tickets to my concerts. I decided it’s time for rock and roll to give back. I know what’s it’s like — I was a teen once, too, and had similar experiences. I would have loved to have had a Rock Teen Center when I was growing up.

ABA: What is your favorite story to tell related to the Alice Cooper’s The Rock Teen Center?

AC: There are so many success stories that have come out of The Rock Teen Center. Life-changing stories. We have had kids who were on drugs, from broken families, cutting themselves, contemplating suicide; and after coming to our Teen Center, they found hope. They discovered the arts and even a hidden talent or passion they never knew they had. We hear all the time how if it weren’t for The Rock Teen Center, they would’ve chosen the wrong path, or made the wrong decision.

ABA: What impact do you hope the Alice Cooper’s The Rock Teen Center has on the community it serves?

AC: People like to use the term “atrisk youth.” We want the community to realize every youth is at risk. Whether you come from the east side or the west side. No matter the circumstances, it’s a tough time to be a teen. By helping them cultivate a passion for the arts, we are able to make an everlasting difference in their lives so they, in turn, can contribute to their community. Our vision is to open more teen centers across the Valley and, ultimately, the country. n

TWO SIDES: Valley resident Alice Cooper is credited

with helping to shape the sound and look of heavy metal and has been described as the artist who “first introduced horror imagery to rock ’n’ roll, and whose stagecraft and showmanship permanently transformed the genre.” He is also the founder of The Solid Rock Foundation, a Christian goodwill nonprofit organization dedicated to helping troubled teenagers and children.

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FACES OF GIVING

By ZAC DUNN

C

ircle K’s presence as a well-known and respected brand in the convenience market industry began in Arizona in 1957, when it was unique to the Southwest. Circle K pioneered the 24-hour accessibility model in the Valley, becoming synonymous with the corner market for consumers in need of a loaf of bread or gallon of milk on their way home, later becoming the first Arizona convenience market to offer a fill-up at the gas pump. Circle K recognized a need in its community and filled it by offering services that made life better.

36 36 || AzBusiness AzBusiness Angels Angels

Over 65 years ago, a few Arizona families created one of the oldest nonprofits in the Valley: United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona. On a mission to provide services to children with Cerebral Palsy, these families were looking for a cooperative, centralized and accessible way to provide specialized services in a more focused environment. United Cerebral Palsy has been the leader in providing specialty services to families through ongoing discoveries in medical care and advancements in therapeutic services.

Now UCP is its commonly used name, due to the large number of clients that do not have cerebral palsy but live with a different disability. UCP recognized a need in its community and stepped up to meet it. UCP makes lives better every day.

These two entities, different as they may seem, share a unique commonality and friendship. Each provides a service that grew from a need in their community. They have become friends who believe in the mission and purpose of UCP, but also understand it takes tremendous financial support to ensure every client gets the best opportunity possible to live their life to the fullest.

It began with the UCP donation canisters. Located on Circle K counters, customers can drop in their spare change while taking advantage of Circle K’s convenient location. This simple source of revenue has become one of the greatest single line items in the private donor category. In fiscal year 2017, the Circle K customers donated enough spare change for a total contribution of $3,677,375. The canisters’ prominent placement is a part of the success, but as Francis Lapointe, vice president of operations of the Circle K

COMMUNITY IMPACT: United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona serves people with cerebral palsy, but it also has experts who have experience helping children and adults with a wide array of disabilities including autism, sensory processing disorder, genetic disorders, orthopedic disabilities, birth defects, effects of inutero drug or alcohol exposure, traumatic brain injuries and other diagnoses that affect the ability to live life without limitations.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Arizona Division is quick to point out, “It is our customers that make the donation, our stores are simply the dropping off point”.

In addition, every year Circle K hosts the Desert Klassic Golf Tournament, benefitting UCP of Central Arizona. The 2018 event hosted 300 participants at the Wigwam Country Club in Litchfield Park and raised a whopping $880,000 from a single day golf tournament.

Not all support is in the form of direct monetary contributions. The Circle K on the southeast corner of Roosevelt and 7th St. was a planned new location when the existing store, across the street on the northeast corner, became too small for the expanding needs of the market.

After the move, Circle K maintained the lease of the previous building for one year and assisted with the renovation that

converted the store into the downtown UCP therapy location, offering services to an underserved community. The Circle K gift of the one-year lease payment was a benefit of more the $100,000 a year.

This relationship brings so much value to so many people. From corporate contributions and golf tournament sponsorships that expand accessibility, to the simple act of offering Circle K customers a chance to make a canister donation, these donations provide vital therapies that increase the quality of life for UCP clients and their families.

The partnership between Circle K’s 24-hour accessibility and UCP’s provision of centralized services for families with unique needs works together to provide Arizona families so much more than meets the eye; this is anything but a friendship of convenience. n AzBusiness Angels | 37

FACES OF GIVING

INVESTING IN Valley companies are funding philanthropic efforts in STEM education to elevate our workforce.

By BO TEFU

C

ompanies are funding philanthropic efforts in science, technology, engineering and math initiatives to boost K-12 education in Arizona and ensure an able workforce.

By 2021, Arizona is projected to have a 21 percent increase in STEM jobs, according to a report by Education Commission of the States.

“The type of jobs available for Arizonans in the future will involve problem solving, critical thinking and the ability to collaborate and communicate with each other,” said Linda Coyle, director of STEM Education for Science Foundation Arizona.

Arizona businesses are focused on STEM education to equip incoming employees with specialized skills to meet industry needs. STEM network organization Science Foundation Arizona has implemented large-scale initiatives with multiple companies to provide K-12 schools with curricula, resources and professional development training programs for teachers and students.

MAJOR SUPPORTERS Tech giant Intel and electric utility company Arizona Public Service are among the 42 advocates in the network.

“Our primary goal is to give local children confidence in STEM,” said Intel engineer Anna Prakash. “Students come from diverse backgrounds and deserve equal opportunity to connect with technology.”

Both companies have grant programs that funded robotics clubs, STEM literacy for students and high-skilled training programs for educators. One Intel 38 | AzBusiness Angels

employee started a nonprofit with her teenage daughter to empower students through games based on STEM concepts.

Intel had more than 140,000 volunteer hours devoted to STEM last year in Arizona and spent over $1 million in grants to different organizations. The company awards bi-annual seed grants, worth $5,000 each, in which STEM organizations submit proposals for seed funding, an Intel Foundation report stated.

APS has had a mini-grant program for more than a decade to promote STEM initiatives that provide grants of up to $2,500 for teachers to do innovative hands-on projects in their classrooms.

Mallory Lebovitz, APS charity director, said funding STEM education is a great way for a company to invest in its own future.

“We see what the need is now, but also in the future and what is happening in the classroom and how we can make those needs more strategically aligned,” she said.

APS invested $1.4 million into STEM initiatives because Arizona consistently ranks among the fastest-growing states

in STEM jobs for manufacturing, energy, cyber security and bioscience, Lebovitz said.

“It’s critically important for our state to stay competitive and continue to nurture the path to meet that demand,” she said.

FILLING THE GAPS APS is involved with programs that focus on workforce development to reach high school students and integrate skillsbased training and concepts, Lebovitz said.

APS also partners with Northern Arizona University. In the program, both teachers and the school leadership build their capacity to design and implement STEM education.

Education consultant Coyle said STEM education teaches students to apply key concepts to real world problems.

“It’s taking those things you learn in STEM and you learn how to apply them out in the community to solve problems,” she said.

Theresa Niemeyer, Intel community engagement manager, said Intel volunteers participate in STEM programs by building

THE FUTURE

personal relationships with students through hands-on interactive lessons.

“We are enhancing the training in the programs so students can work in the tech industry,” Niemeyer said.

Intel’s Prakash received a $5,000 grant for a robotics club. She also co-founded Education Empowers, Inc. with her daughter Elaina Ashton, a high school student in Chandler with a passion for STEM. Funds from the grant were used to develop curriculum and STEM-inspired games. In each game students were expected to build, design and program robots in 45 minutes. The nonprofit, which aims to close the opportunity gap between privileged and underprivileged students, worked with over 1,000 students in Arizona last year.

Education Empowers, Inc. started numerous after-school robotics clubs in the Valley during its partnerships with the Boy and Girls Club, YMCA and Girl Scouts.

“We use robotics as a main tool for learning because it has components in each part of STEM,” Prakash said.

ENGAGING STUDENTS Intel also worked with the Chandler Unified School District on Project Lead the Way, a hands-on engineering initiative that encouraged students to participate in STEM projects.

“The goal is to excite kids about the idea of STEM,” Lebovitz said. “What is possible, what are the achievements that they could have, if they decided to go into that career path, and break down the stigma that STEM concepts are difficult.”

Many of APS’ STEM programs focus on innovating K-12 education and teacher development, Lebovitz said.

“What we’ve seen in terms of some innovative approaches is that several private and public partnerships are focused on aligning industry needs with field and educational training for students,” charity specialist Lebovitz said.

Research showed that 36 percent of teenage boys are likely to pursue STEM careers, compared to only 11 percent of girls, according to nonprofit, Junior Achievement USA and professional

services firm, Ernst & Young. Statistics also showed that women only make up 29 percent of the engineering and science workforce, according to STEM nonprofit, National Girls Collaborative Project.

“We still need to encourage students to engage in the integration of STEM,” education consultant Coyle said. “The grants and programs that I run are focused on young girls and students from underrepresented communities.”

The Intel Foundation has also invested $1 million in partner coalitions as part of its She Will Connect initiative in 2017. The initiative provided STEM training to empower young girls from disenfranchised communities.

Another APS program is a teacherdevelopment project in partnership with the Arizona Science Center that provides teachers with mentors and peer-learning opportunities that focus on rural teachers.

These professional development programs have been established in Navajo County and Yuma County. n AzBusiness Angels | 39

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