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Valley of the Sun United Way envisions a community where every child, family, and individual is healthy, has a safe place to live, and has every opportunity to succeed in school, in life, and in work. As we work with our community, corporate and nonprofit partners to implement MC2026, our five-year plan for Mighty Change, we will put all of our efforts toward reaching bold goals for Maricopa County in Health, Housing and Homelessness, Education and Workforce Development.
We have redeployed our energies and realigned our resources and partners to drive Mighty Change in our community. Together, we tackle the systemic, interrelated issues that are holding us back to create more opportunity and access throughout the Valley. Progress is tracked and reported annually, and we change courses as needed to stay focused on the right programs and solutions to reach our goals. Every dollar you donate stays in Maricopa County, invested into creating Mighty Change.
United Way belongs to our community, and our number one focus is to nimbly and effectively respond to, and develop solutions for, our Valley’s most pressing needs. Working with our community, corporate and nonprofit partners to achieve the goals of our five-year plan, MC2026, we are working to remove barriers to ensure everyone in our community is healthy, with a focus on access to food and healthcare. We are closing opportunity gaps to ensure children read at grade level by 3rd grade and youth are prepared for educational success and employment. We ensure all can have a safe home to call their own and we will open pathways to better paying jobs.
We’ll continue to address the immediate needs of families and individuals, focusing on hunger, housing and homelessness, financial stability, education and out-of-school time, and the ongoing/emerging needs of our neighbors.
To do this, we’ll collaborate with and support our current nonprofit and school partners, as well as fill other gaps laid bare by the pandemic. We’ll keep vital nonprofits and schools whole so they can continue providing uninterrupted services to meet the growing demands for:
We’re addressing the social, economic, educational and racial inequities that have become so clear and have increased with the pandemic. For example, we’ll work with partners to address the digital divide, so every student in the Valley has equal access to a quality education, whether that’s at home or in a physical classroom. We’re exploring how United Way might support equal access to quality health care, job training, addressing systemic racism and other community needs as they emerge.
We’re re-engaging our community-centered planning process to develop long-term solutions to the issues our community tells us are most vital. To do this, we’ve:
In collaboration with our nonprofit partners, Board of Directors and donors, United Way created the United for the Valley COVID-19 Response Fund to support Maricopa County’s health and human service, education nonprofits and school partners’ growing list of critical needs. We launched the fund in March 2020 in collaboration with the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) and its statewide fund, to ensure effective and efficient fundraising and grant distribution in Maricopa County.
Thanks to the generosity of so many in the community:
Learn more and view more details from our comprehensive COVID-19 response report here: www.vsuw.org/covidreport
Valley of the Sun United Way stands in solidarity with community members and other organizations calling for systemic change. When we launched our 2020 priorities in January, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion were included in our plans. We've started this important work by looking inward first, and have developed a committee of staff and board members led by Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick and Ruben Alvarez to help assess and direct our work. That committee, with input from our community, will develop a plan for the most effective role Valley of the Sun United can play in building racial, economic, educational and social equity in our community.
Our Mighty Education Goals:
Our strategies to achieve these goals:
Our Mighty Health Goals:
Our strategies to achieve these goals:
Our Mighty Housing & Homelessness Goals:
Our strategies to achieve these goals:
Our Mighty Workforce Development Goals:
Our strategies to achieve these goals:
In response to COVID-19, United Way ramped up its Gifts-In-Kind program in 2020 to connect goods and services from our corporate partners to organizations with urgent needs. There have been numerous donations of products including food, water, PPE/face masks, disinfectants and personal hygiene items totaling more than $740,000 cash value. These materials have been collected and distributed across our network of nonprofit partners, schools and organizations who continue to have growing and urgent needs since March 2020.
United Way offers various virtual and at-home volunteer opportunities to meet the unique interests and passions of all volunteers. If you’re interested in giving back to your community in a safe and effective way, visit www.vsuw.org/volunteer to explore the latest opportunities.
You and your family can help the community from the comfort of your home. Unique and fun at-home volunteer activities are listed here: www.vsuw.org/athome
To advocate means to champion a cause. We invite you to become an advocate in our community. At United Way, we advocate for:
You can speak out to improve our community, share information about social issues with friends or family, or wear our LIVE UNITED or VIVE UNIDO shirt to show your support for United Way. Your voice helps us to address poverty in Maricopa County. Stay current with the latest issues we care about at vsuw.org/advocate.
United Way does what no one single organization can do alone – guide local community members to achieve their potential through education and become self-sufficient by earning a stable income. Plus, with the simplicity of payroll deduction, you can help support neighbors by investing in solutions.
When you choose to donate directly to Valley of the Sun United Way, you join us in collectively supporting Maricopa County children, families and neighborhoods.
Valley of the Sun United Way is a local, autonomous non-profit organization. Like the 1,800 United Ways across the country, we are governed by a local volunteer Board of Directors. Valley of the Sun United Way pays nominal dues to United Way Worldwide in exchange for important cost-saving services such as staff training, community research information, campaign materials, national marketing partnerships and ongoing consultation.
Since its inception, United Way has mobilized the caring power of individuals and organizations to improve lives across the United States. Valley of the Sun United Way has served the needs of individuals and families in Maricopa County since 1925 and is the largest non-profit investor of health and human service programs in Maricopa County. We bring partners together from every sector – public, private, non-profit – to do what no single organization can do alone: create solutions that transform individual lives and drive systemic change that impacts entire communities.
Maricopa County does, in fact, have two United Ways, each with distinct roles, serving the human care needs of local residents. Mesa United Way raises money and helps provide assistance only within the City of Mesa. Valley of the Sun United Way raises money throughout Maricopa County, except for the City of Mesa, and provides services county-wide. Valley of the Sun United Way offers donors a variety of giving options to accommodate individual giving preferences, and honors designations to Mesa United Way, any other United Way or qualified health and human service non-profit organization.
Valley of the Sun United Way incurs costs for fundraising, marketing and common business operations such as accounting, human resources and overall organizational management. As careful stewards of our donors’ contributions, Valley of the Sun United Way operates with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness. Less than 10 percent is spent on administrative costs, and approximately 90 cents of every dollar goes back into the community to improve lives throughout the Valley.
Local human care programs that receive United Way funding go through rigorous review and evaluation by Valley of the Sun United Way. This is a competitive process, and programs are selected based on their performance against specific measures that demonstrate impact for individuals and families experiencing poverty. Our Community Impact Committee reviews funding across all of United Way’s strategies to ensure funding aligns with our organizational goals. All funding recommendations are presented to, and approved by, our Board of Directors. This extensive process ensures donors’ dollars are invested in human care programs that are proven to obtain results and transform lives.
Valley of the Sun United Way prides itself on being a trustworthy and accountable organization. A volunteer committee of financial experts meets year-round to monitor the organization’s financial position. Collectively, we maintain high standards of operation and are reviewed each year by an independent auditor, who verifies that our financial statements are sound. In addition to posting our Form 990 on our website for public review, we are an active member of the Better Business Bureau and a past recipient of its Ethics Award, which recognizes businesses for maintaining high ethical standards and accountability in their business practices.
To encourage collective impact, Valley of the Sun United Way brings together partners from every sector – public, business, non-profit, and faith-based organizations – to get things done. Together, we will remove barriers to ensure everyone in our community is healthy, with a focus on access to food and healthcare. We will close opportunity gaps to ensure children read at grade level by 3rd grade and youth are prepared for educational success and employment. We will ensure all can have a safe home to call their own and we will open pathways to better paying jobs.
As with all donations, United Way honors a donor’s choice to designate to any 501(c)(3) organization.
For the last several years Valley of the Sun United Way has talked about partnerships differently. We partner with hundreds of businesses, organizations and individuals to create Mighty Change in Maricopa County. Some partners receive funding, while others do not. These partners bring the expertise, resources and commitment needed to drive change for every child, individual and family in our community.
As a result of the ongoing evolution of our work, Valley of the Sun United Way is focused on doing much more than funding the efforts of other agencies and organizations. We help support families, kids, and neighborhoods. We do this by continuing to fund partners through an investment process and aligning funding to our goals. Additionally, we will also be working with partners (traditional and new) in different ways - as grant partners, on pilot projects, on collaborative partnerships, etc.
Nonprofits are subject to a certification process and must meet the following minimum standards:
Agencies are responsible for adhering to a number of compliance criteria to receive United Way program grant funding, including:
Local human care programs that receive United Way funding go through a rigorous review and evaluation by Valley of the Sun United Way staff. This is a competitive process, and programs are selected based on their performance against specific measures that demonstrate impact for individuals and families experiencing poverty. This helps ensure donors’ dollars are invested in human care programs that are proven to obtain results and improve lives.
Donors are given options for investing in our community. These choices include donating directly to Valley of the Sun United Way, the most proactive way to create Mighty Change. Donors may also choose to invest in one or more of our focus areas to achieve that goal - Health and Food Access, Housing and Homelessness, Education, and Workforce Development. United Way also honors a donor’s choice to designate to a specific non-profit agency as long as it meets the required criteria.
We encourage a contribution to Valley of the Sun United Way because it is the best way to support a diverse range of human care programs to serve our community’s most pressing needs. United Way develops and invests in best practices to maximize every dollar. To verify if an agency meets United Way’s criteria, please call the agency certification line at 602.631.4813. All calls will be returned within 48 hours.
Yes, donations to Valley of the Sun United Way’s Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, qualify for the Arizona state tax “Credit for Contributions to Qualifying Charitable Organizations”. Valley of the Sun United Way is an umbrella organization for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit. Gifts made to the “Arizona Charitable Tax Credit” can qualify for the credit and can be reported using code 20726.
Your contribution to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit is leveraged to address the multiple causes of poverty in the Valley. By donating a portion of your United Way contribution to the charitable tax credit, you help people increase their self-sufficiency and you could receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit this tax year. Donate up to $400* for individuals and up to $800* for those filing jointly. You don’t have to itemize deductions to claim a credit for contributions to a Qualifying Charitable Organization.
* Valley of the Sun United Way is not a tax advisor. As with any financial recommendation, contact a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific tax situation.
It means that taxpayers can still make a tax-deductible donation for Arizona taxes even if they don't itemize and choose to take the standard deduction. The Charitable Tax Deduction will allow the amount equal to 25% of the total amount of a taxpayer's charitable deductions to be added to the standard deduction beginning for taxable years from and after December 31, 2018.
Valley of the Sun United Way takes opportunities to recognize loyal donors through our Loyal Contributors Program. This program identifies, thanks and communicates with long-time donors who have positively impacted the lives of so many people through their support. If you’ve been giving for five years or more, we want to recognize your commitment. Please visit www.vsuw.org/loyal to receive loyal contributor communications from Valley of the Sun United Way. If you do not wish to be contacted, please let us know and we will remove you from the contact list of loyal donors.
The need is enormous and every contribution helps. Even a modest contribution per pay period or monthly online donation helps improve the lives of the countless children, families and individuals throughout the Valley who need our support. By investing in our community through payroll deduction or monthly online donations, you can spread your contribution over the coming year—making it more manageable than a one-time contribution.
You may also choose to get involved by volunteering or advocating with United Way. As a volunteer and advocate, you can lend your time, muscle and voice to help champion a cause. You can volunteer for United Way’s School Readiness Kit assembly, or deliver Pantry Packs to local schools. As an advocate, you can share important information about key social issues with others. To learn more about volunteering with United Way, please call 602-631-4800 or visit www.vsuw.org/volunteer.
Just like our generous donors and hardworking volunteers, businesses have partnered with Valley of the Sun United Way to create Mighty Change in the areas of Health, Housing and Homelessness, Education and Workforce Development. By shopping with these businesses, you’re taking small but mighty steps to create change. These businesses are dedicating a portion of their proceeds to United Way. It’s an easy and fun way to give back and benefit your community. Watch our video about these partnerships: https://youtu.be/6OyT_BxWJ_4
Learn more: www.vsuw.org/causemenu
Women United is made up of like-minded individuals that come together to attend leadership sessions, connect socially and professionally, volunteer, and create change in our community. Women United hosts the annual We Are United event as well as a Community Leadership Breakfast. Women United members make an annual gift of $1,000 to the work of Valley of the Sun United Way to create Mighty Change in Maricopa County.
Learn more: www.vsuw.org/womenunited
Generation United is a community of emerging leaders who look to advance the mission of Valley of the Sun United Way through volunteering, giving and networking. Our group is led by a steering committee representing corporate and community partners of Valley of the Sun United Way. We like to have fun while making a measurable impact in our community with educational opportunities, professional development and networking events.
Learn more: www.vsuw.org/genu
Planned Giving, also referred to as Legacy Society, allows donors to include Valley of the Sun United Way in their estate plan. It’s a memorable and unique arrangement that allows the donor to create a legacy that will benefit individuals and families. An endowment at United Way assures a long-term vision for Maricopa County.
The Legacy Society furthers United Way’s mission by encouraging estate gifts that provide perpetual support of health and human services. The Legacy Society is for those who have made arrangements for a bequest or planned gift to Valley of the Sun United Way. While the annual United Way campaign significantly impacts immediate needs, estate gifts can provide continuous support and flexibility to meet the emerging needs of our community well into the future. To learn more about Planned Giving and including Valley of the Sun United Way in your estate plan, please contact Lisa Groves at 602-631-4806 or via email at lgroves@vsuw.org.
First, on behalf of Valley of the Sun United Way, we apologize for the fact that you did not receive the attention you needed. Since Valley of the Sun United Way does not provide direct services, sometimes we are unable to address their specific situation for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the service they are seeking is not provided in our community, or they don’t meet the eligibility requirements of the agency providing the program, or, they are requesting assistance outside of the scope of services we are connected to.
If you or someone you know is in need of help, you will find the most complete and up-to-date information with 2-1-1 Arizona, a program of the Crisis Response Network that links individuals to vital community services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We encourage you, if you are able, to use their website 211arizona.org to find more about resources that may be available to you. You may also call them by dialing 2-1-1 from a phone number with an Arizona area code, or 1-877-211-8661 from anywhere.
