United Fund of Globe-Miami thanks partners Miami Genesis, Vida e Caffé, Vitalyst Foundation, and Alliance of Arizona NonProfits for Monday’s successful 2019 Kick Off Event. Gathering nearly three dozen local 501(c)3 charities at the Bullion Plaza Gym for a festive autumn luncheon, guests enjoyed a healthy and hearty buffet of Vida e Caffé’s delicious sandwiches, wraps, salads, and a chocolate chip festooned dessert.

Keynote speaker Jon Ford — Vitalyst Foundation Director of Strategic Initiatives — spoke to more than two dozen local 501(c)3 charities about the importance of Social Determinants of Health.

Ford praised the Globe-Miami community for its energy and momentum in non-profit charitable endeavors citing recent years’ increases in giving from both individuals and businesses.

Concluding the talk, Ford challenged the agencies to a $1 million fundraising goal. His three instructions to all at the event: get excited, keep going, and do not squander what you’ve got — momentum or money.

The Alliance of Arizona NonProfits representative Robin Hanson is program manager of AmeriCorps VISTA.

Our community has been well-served by VISTA volunteers. Hanson dispelled some misconceptions about the AmeriCorps VISTA program assuring the gathered non-profits that our community can have multiple VISTA Volunteers simultaneously.

Other programs including the National Citizens Conservation Corps are available for summer projects. High School Seniors are encouraged to contact Hanson about upcoming summer projects: robinh@arizonanonprofits.org

Fundraising goal

The 2019 Fundraising Goal for the United Fund Campaign is $1 million. The million-dollar goal is a combination of individual gifts, corporate match donations, and payroll deduction giving from local employees. At the Kick Off event, each of the 2019 501(c)3s received its canvassing list to complete by Dec. 15, 2018. Agencies who weren’t at the meeting will receive theirs via USPS snail mail starting tomorrow.

Fair Share Program

For 54 years, United Fund’s success has been attributable to the Fair Share approach to charitable giving. We are fortunate to have local employers offer Payroll Deduct and the Fair Share Program for ongoing support. Employees at APS, Capstone, City of Globe, CVRMC, Freeport and GUSD have the option to designate a “Fair Share” (1 hour’s pay per month) donation or more to United Fund.

If you’re a local employer and would like to implement the Fair Share program, reach out to UnitedFund@cableone.net and United Fund will work with you to set it up.

Submitted by Maryn Belling