3 minute read
Charity
Arizona Gives Day 2022 A Success Thanks to Community Generosity
While complete numbers weren’t available as of press time, preliminary estimates indicate that Arizona Gives Day 2022 is on pace for another highly successful 24-hour fundraising campaign. During this year’s 24-hour online fundraiser, which took place April 5-6, 27,741 individuals donated $4.22 million to 955 Arizona nonprofits through the Arizona Gives website (AZGives.org). Also, 868 volunteers pledged 36,269 hours to help their favorite nonprofits impact their communities. It is estimated that, once tallied, the official number will be over $5 million.
“We are constantly overwhelmed by the deep generosity of Arizonans throughout the state in both financial terms and through their selfless willingness to volunteer their time for nonprofit programs, services and outreach,” says Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits CEO Kristen Merrifield. The Alliance manages Arizona Gives Day in collaboration with Arizona Grantmakers Forum. FirstBank, one of the nation’s largest privately held banks with a focus on “banking for good,” is the presenting sponsor. “We are deeply grateful that donors in Arizona recognized the call to action to assist all the very deserving nonprofits in very uncertain times and considering the additional challenges that people face from rising inflation and higher costs for everything. We know our Arizona nonprofits are also experiencing rising costs to provide key services to fellow Arizonans.”
Since the first Arizona Gives Day in 2013, more than $34 million (and counting) has been raised for Arizona nonprofits.
“Each year Arizona Gives Day brings this community together to support hundreds of deserving causes, and once again it delivered,” says Joel Johnson, FirstBank East Valley market president. “All of the nonprofits that received donations will be able to continue their respective missions thanks to everyone that donated. But an organization’s job isn’t done in one day, neither is ours. Let’s continue to bolster local nonprofits, whether that be financially or with time, and we’ll ensure Arizona remains an amazing place to live.”
Seven Costly Mistakes That Can Affect Your Retirement
Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are seven costly mistakes to steer clear of, if possible.
1. No Strategy: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at all. Without a strategy, you have no goals, leaving you no way of knowing how you’ll get there— and if you’ve even arrived. Creating a solid strategy may increase your potential for success, before, during and after retirement. 2. Not Maximizing Tax-Deferred Savings: Workers have tax-advantaged ways to save for retirement. Not participating in your employer’s 401(k) may be a mistake, especially when you’re passing up free money in the form of employer-matching contributions.
3. Prioritizing College Funding over Retirement: Your kids’ college education is important, but you may not want to sacrifice your retirement for it. Remember, you can get loans and grants for college, but you can’t for your retirement. 4. Overlooking Healthcare Costs: Extended care may be an expense that can undermine your financial strategy for retirement…if you don’t prepare for it. 5. Not Adjusting Your Investment Approach Well Before Retirement: The last thing your retirement portfolio can afford is a sharp fall in stock prices and a sustained bear market at the moment you’re ready to stop working. Consider adjusting your asset allocation in advance of tapping into your savings so you’re not selling stocks when prices are depressed. 6. Retiring with Too Much Debt: If too much debt is bad when you’re making money, it can be catastrophic when you’re living in retirement. Consider managing or reducing your debt level before you retire. 7. It’s Not Only About Money: Above all, a rewarding retirement requires good health, so maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stay socially involved, and remain intellectually active. To help prevent making these mistakes, NOW is the time to adjust your budget and re-evaluate your goals to allow for retirement savings, just as you would for a new home or your dream vacation. This might make your retirement look a little different now, but with the right support – and strategies – you’ll be able to live the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. Consider talking with a financial professional from Diamond Retirement Strategies about your goals and most importantly to start the planning process to help ensure you are on the right path to retirement.
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At Diamond Retirement Strategies we help individuals, married couples and families plan for their retirement. Whether you are already retired or are preparing for retirement in the next few years, we can help you through customized strategies to finally reach financial freedom.
