History

In 1971 seven national health agencies formed a federation. The goal was to develop a program that effectively established workplace giving through payroll deduction. The seven charter members sought to create a federation that placed the agencies needs first, one in which the formula for distribution was clearly and fairly stated, i.e., donor designated only.

Background

That original group is today Community Health Charities of Arizona. It is a coalition of national voluntary health agencies that has grown into the largest health federation in the state. The primary mission of these premier member health agencies is providing nationally coordinated life-saving medical research; direct patient services such as specialized summer camps, and clinics, screenings, support groups, therapy and equipment loans; and educational efforts for the general public as well as the professional health care community.

Purpose

The purpose of Community Health Charities of Arizona is to raise funds on behalf of its member health agencies through workplace payroll deduction campaigns - the most efficient and effective way of raising funds for charitable organizations. The affiliated health agencies of Community Health Charities of Arizona are not United Way partner agencies, which generally funds human and social service organizations, compared to our member health agencies that are dedicated to finding a cause and cure for a specific illness, disability or disease.

Programs and Services

Community Health Charities of Arizona provides employers with several programs and services designed specifically for workplace campaigns:

• The Community Health Charities of Arizona Campaign . Community Health Charities of Arizona works with public and private employers to conduct a payroll deduction campaign that gives individual employees an opportunity to choose which Community Health Charities of Arizona member health organization(s) receive their donations.

• Inclusion of Community Health Charities of Arizona in an Existing Campaign . You may already conduct a campaign. Including Community Health Charities of Arizona in the campaign affords your employees greater choice and most frequently increases the overall success of the campaign.

• Employer Sponsored Gifts . As an employer, you may wish to demonstrate an additional commitment by matching your employees’ gifts or by making a separate corporate contribution to Community Health Charities of Arizona.

• Your Own Campaign . You may want to run your own, non-affiliated payroll deduction campaign with a list of qualified charitable organizations that you choose. Community Health Charities of Arizona can plan and implement a non-affiliated campaign for you.

• Agency Fairs . When you choose to do a Community Health Charities of Arizona campaign or include Community Health Charities of Arizona in an existing campaign, at your request, Community Health Charities of Arizona will conduct an agency fair to bring information about the services and programs of Community Health Charities of Arizona member health organizations to your worksite.

Distribution of Donations

Community Health Charities of Arizona encourages employees to tell us which member health organization(s) should receive their donation. Designating to their preferred organization(s) allows them to have a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of their loved ones, families, friends, and community. Designated donations to a specific health agency are always honored by Community Health Charities of Arizona. We serve as fiduciary directing designated donor dollars to the named health agency.

Organizational Structure

Community Health Charities of Arizona is a federation of 27 health related Arizona non-profit organizations. Funds raised by Community Health Charities of Arizona enable us to:

• Review, evaluate and monitor member health charities, ensuring high standards of service and quality.
• Provide technical assistance to member health agencies.
• Raise and distribute funds to our 27 local member agencies in addition to 40 other non- profits following donor directed designations
• Coordinate community tours, educational programs, speaking engagements and information and referral for our member agencies.

Tax Exempt Organization

As a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization, Community Health Charities of Arizona is administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. Community Health Charities of Arizona is registered as a charity with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office and is in compliance with all federal and State of Arizona laws. We are also listed with the Better Business Bureau and Guidestar.