Sen. Kelly tours Rialto, highlights aid program

2021 Giving Guide

Putting an end-of-the-year spotlight on local nonprofi ts

Help If You Can

Jim Nintzel

Inside Tucson Business

The pandemic has been especially hard on our local nonprofi ts: At the same time that demand spiked for many of their services, they lost many of their traditional fundraising opportunities, such as luncheons, house parties and other gatherings.

As 2021 draws to a close, Tucson Local Media has assembled this special focus on local nonprofi ts. Managing editor Jeff Gardner looks at Lead Guitar, an organization that helps with guitar instruction in schools. While the nonprofi t launched in Tucson, it has now spread out across the country. Staff reporter Alexandra Pere shares details about how Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse is changing up their shelter model and how you can help, while Community Foundation of Southern Arizona President and CEO Jenny Flynn explains how your gi to local nonprofi ts can help you out at tax time. We also have a list of local nonprofi ts you might consider supporting at the end of the year. If you’re in a position to help out, please consider aiding one of these organizations or another that is close to your heart. ITB

Local Nonprofi ts

Jeff Gardner

Inside Tucson Business

Community Food Bank of Southern

Arizona. Part food bank, part community developers, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona works to eliminate hunger, as well as its underlying causes, because they understand food “is just the beginning” of a healthy community. In addition to providing food, they also bring nutrition to the community with gardening workshops, education to low-income schools, and even culinary training. Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona works with a network of volunteers and partnerships throughout Tucson, and was selected as Feeding America’s 2018 Food Bank of the Year. communityfoodbank.org

Primavera Foundation.

The Primavera Foundation’s mission is to help homeless and under-employed Southern Arizonans break ee of the cycle of poverty. Their work involves aff ordable housing drives, as well as courses on fi nancial

See Nonprofi t Listings, P13

Jenny Flynn

Inside Tucson Business

This holiday season, the need for services provided by area non-profi ts is as great as it’s ever been. As they tirelessly work to provide critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic, our local nonprofi ts need our support to continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable members of our community.

The cumulative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt in every corner of our community throughout 2021. Recognizing that our nonprofi t sector faces a long and diffi cult rebuilding process, I would like to thank all those donors that have stepped up during this challenging time and encourage all of you to support your favorite nonprofi t this holiday season. As you plan your year-end giving, keep in mind these tax provisions.

Extended + Expanded

CARES Act Provisions

Recognizing the vital role that nonprofi t organizations continue to play in every community, several of the charitable giving provisions established through the CARES Act in 2020 were extended or expanded in 2021.

• A $300 deduction for those who claim the

standard deduction. Individuals who plan to take the standard deduction for their 2021 tax returns may claim an above-the-line deduction of up to $300 for cash donations to qualifying public charities.

• A $600 deduction for married couples who claim the standard deduction.

For 2021, this above-theline deduction has increased to $600 for cash donations for married couples fi ling jointly who do not itemize tax deductions.

• Charitable giving deduction limit increased to 100% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on cash donations for those who

itemize. Donors may continue to receive a federal income tax deduction for charitable contributions of up to 100% of their AGI for certain cash donations made during the calendar year 2021.

• AGI limit for cash contributions increased to 25% of taxable income

for corporations. The AGI limit for cash contributions also remains increased for corporate donors. Corporations can deduct up to 25% of taxable income. It is important to note that the suspension of the Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) om most retirement plans has not been extended into 2021. Although IRA Distributions cannot be contributed to a donor advised fund or a supporting organization, they off er an opportunity to reduce your taxable income while supporting a scholarship, area of interest, or specifi c nonprofi t, including the initiatives and funds at CFSA, such as our CORE Grants Program, Center for Healthy Nonprofi ts, or Field of Interest Impact Fund.

To make a Qualifi ed Charitable Distribution om your IRA to a nonprofi t, I recommend starting the process as soon as possible to ensure that your gi is received on or before December 31, 2021.

Please discuss these items with your tax and/or fi nancial advisor, as requirements and exceptions may apply.

We Are Here to Support You

If you need help determining how to best support local eff orts to create a vibrant and equitable community for all Southern Arizonans, please don’t hesitate to call or email our team. You can reach us at 520-770-0800 or by email at philanthropy@cfsaz.org.

This holiday season, give the gi of generosity. Contact your favorite nonprofi t and ask how you can help. Together, we can continue to support the vital nonprofi t organizations in our community that support those in need, as well as enrich our lives and make Tucson a special place to live. ITB

To learn more about CFSA’s services and impact, please visit www. cfsaz.org.

Jenny Flynn is president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.

Tucson nonprofi t Lead Guitar teaches students in harmony

Jeff Gardner

Inside Tucson Business

One musician’s eff orts to support a group of students is now a nationwide nonprofi t that teaches guitar at underserved schools coast to coast. The Tucson-based nonprofi t Lead Guitar fosters discipline and a love of art through guitar ensemble classes, partnering with dozens of schools in six states.

Lead Guitar was founded in 2007, but the story begins in 1999 when executive director Brad Richter worked as a touring musician. In his work, Richter would occasionally visit local schools on tour to play a concert or host a workshop. During one trip, he visited Page High School in northern Arizona and met with fi ve Navajo students who played guitar. Their music impressed Richter, but he saw how their cra could improve with more support and resources.

“They didn’t know how to read music and their technique wasn’t very good, but they were fabulous players and their instincts were fantastic,” Richter said.

The foundation of Lead Guitar began when Richter started writing a music curriculum to teach those students and guide the teacher. In the 20 years since, Lead Guitar has become affi liated with the University of Arizona and has worked with an estimated 35,000 students in more than 80 schools.

The nonprofi t’s teaching artists, o en professional musicians, work with school teachers to develop guitar ensemble classes. The students learn how to read music, proper guitar technique, and a variety of acoustic songs.

In particular, Lead Guitar works with underprivileged students. Richter says they look to help schools where more than 80% of students are eligible for ee and reduced lunch, and are lacking in other arts resources.

“It’s a very high poverty standard, but it’s shocking just how many schools in Arizona qualify,” Richter said. “We’re simultaneously teaching the teacher while teaching the class, with the idea that a er two or three years, the teacher can take over.”

Richter has seen fi rsthand how the “social and emotional learning” of music training can change a discouraged or troubled student’s demeanor for the better. O en, their diffi culties stem om living in impoverished areas with a lack of resources. He says 81% of students Lead Guitar works with qualify for ee and reduced lunch, and 87% are students of color.

“The way the lack of resources in schools is tied to poverty, and the way poverty is tied to race, is very upsetting,” Richter said. “In a way, this is something we bump up against, because we work with schools that have a disproportionate number of traumatized kids. We might get some adults that say we shouldn’t push the kids too much or let them do what they want in guitar class, but our point of view is that they’re craving structure and advice and input. If we can instill discipline and focus, and do it with love and patience, there’s a lot of value in that.”

One of Richter’s favorite stories om Lead Guitar is that of middle schooler Christian Gomez om Colorado. Gomez had multiple behavioral issues, and struggled in English and Spanish. He also had diffi culty hearing and required hearing aids. When Lead Guitar began working with the school, Gomez showed rapid growth.

See Lead Guitar, P12

Casas Adobes Congregational Church

An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UCC No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here! Join Us for Worship Services and Helping Others

www.caucc.org/work-with-us

520.297.1181 | info@caucc.org | 6801 N. Oracle Road

WE ARE NON-PROFIT ZUZI! Dance is a 501 (c)(3), a non-profit arts service organization committed to catalyzing personal expression and healing for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. Through movementbased art forms and somatic practices, ZUZI! Dance provides opportunities and resources for individuals to discover and confidently navigate their creative paths. We offer classes, workshops, and performances for our community to fully experience live art.

Continued from P11

“He just took off and became one of our most exceptional players. He could do anything on the guitar and people gathered around him at the school. He was the star of every concert we had,” Richter said. “And now he’s a professional musician performing gigs as a singer and guitarist.”

Richter has even seen a student go on to play guitar in a touring heavy metal band. However, he can still see the academic infl uence in the student’s playing.

Over the years, Lead Guitar has moved away om the label “classical” guitar, and instead focuses on “guitar ensemble.” They still teach many classical skills, including music reading and ergonomic techniques, but have expanded to include more folk and blues songs.

“We’ve sought out more composers that have refl ected our students and their heritage,” Richter said.

As with many nonprofits, Lead Guitar most needs support for operations. Their donors include the City of Tucson, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, and many individuals.

“We see all these disparities, and it begins with the haves and the have-nots,” Richter said. “One of the things we’re seeing is that the need out there is so great, especially a er the pandemic, and the gap between people in the community has grown. It’s just really helpful to be able to apply those resources to the schools we see that need it most.”

Locally, Lead Guitar works with students in the Tucson Unifi ed School District, Amphitheater Public Schools, Sunnyside Unifi ed School District, as well as private and charter schools. ITB

For more information, visit leadguitar.org

Lead Guitar executive director Brad Richter (farthest right) and Colorado Regional Director Nick Lenio play with

students at the 2015 Aspen showcase concert. Courtesy Photo

Nonprofi t Listings

Continued from P8

and homebuyer education. The foundation, formed in 1983, helps 8,000 people annually in the greater Tucson area, through sheltering, work employment services, veteran support, rental and utility assistance, and neighborhood revitalization. One of our favorite programs is Primavera Works, which allows local residents and businesses to hire workers for a variety of labor, such as landscaping, housekeeping, moving, retail and more. primavera.org.

Make Way for Books.

“A book is a dream you hold in your hands,” author Neil Gaiman once wrote. Make Way for Books supports those dreams by breaking down barriers between children and literacy. Focusing on early childhood education, Make Way for Books impacts the lives of 30,000 kids, families, and educators throughout southern Arizona. Their programs include preschool reading initiatives, a bilingual reading app, book “fi estas,” and placing books in community areas like waiting rooms throughout Tucson. They also provide resources to educators, such as curriculum and literacy guides, as well as books. makewayforbooks.org

Mobile Meals of South-

ern Arizona. For more than 50 years, Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona has been delivering critical meals to our community’s elderly, disabled, and others facing tough medical situations. Their work includes a variety of specialties for those with unique health needs, including allergies, diabetics, vegetarians, diets with low sodium and renal support and more. In a time of isolation, deliveries om their network of more than 200 volunteers can provide more than food, it can provide human connection and support. Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona accepts donations and sponsorships, but can always use additional volunteer drivers to support their cause. Mobilemealssoaz.org

SARSEF. What started as a science fair is now one of the largest Arizona nonprofi ts dedicated to fostering scientifi c passion and education. The Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation engages students in STEM education, leading to confi dence, critical thinking, curiosity and meaningful career paths. The nonprofi t prioritizes creating opportunity in schools in areas of poverty, bringing students to solutions and solutions to students. Their largest annual event, the SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair, draws more than 2,000 student science projects to compete for more than $100,000 in prizes, trips and scholarships. SARSEF.org

Fox Theatre Founda-

tion. The nonprofi t that supports the “crown jewel” of downtown Tucson, the Fox Theatre Foundation, provides much more than entertainment. With a variety of music, movies and community events, the Fox is a major player in downtown’s revitalization. Their support of the local arts embodies their belief that “gathering together in shared experience is an essential function of our interdependence as members of a community.” We all know how 2020 impacted the performing arts and touring world, which means the Fox can certainly use your support, as can many other venues throughout town. foxtucson.com

Jewish Family and Children’s Services of

Southern Arizona. Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern Arizona off ers counseling and community services to people of all faiths and beliefs, and all economic backgrounds, regardless of their ability to pay. Their programs reach across a variety of life events, including counseling for trauma, cancer support, domestic abuse

See Nonprofi t Listings, P16