Giving back

Arizona schools rely on donors

It helps to strategically plan a donation to your alma mater.

Many universities as well as elementary, middle and high schools recently received the bulk of financial contributions from people who took an opportunity to make sure their charitable efforts got recorded on 2007’s taxes.

Some schools such as the University of Arizona have found success with an organized campaign and utilize a campus call center that contacts alumni and past donors. Mitchell Harris, assistant vice president of annual giving at the UA, says his department is particularly busy this time of year.

“Without a doubt. Part of it is reminding people that December 31 is the deadline if you want to get that tax break for your family,” Harris says.

Harris’ department handles individual repeat gifts that are in denominations, like $100 or $500, that are given every year. Unless designated for a specific program, donations go into an unrestricted pool that is used to address needs that arise unexpectedly, from guest speakers to scholarships.

At Arizona State University, alumni groups such as the Los Diablos Alumni Chapter and the Hispanic Business Alumni Chapter are active in not only getting alumni to donate but also in making sure their money is well spent.

“There are several scholarships that alumni groups have put together. Scholarships are one area that alumni really seem to support from a giving perspective,” says ASU Alumni Association communications director Jeff Holeman. “The level of engagement is increasing.”

Schools that serve students in a younger age group rely on the state’s tax credit law that allows taxpayers to receive a dollar for dollar credit on their tax returns when they make a donation to a school that serves children in grades kindergarten through 12. Donations may be used for extracurricular activities, such as clubs and enrichment or character building programs, or, at private schools, for tuition.

“Tax credits help our schools to do things with students that they normally wouldn’t be able to do,” says Mesa Public Schools community relations director Kathy Bareiss.

In Mesa, tax credits have paid for musical instruments, sound systems, auditorium lighting, sports and trips to participate in academic competitions.

“It’s allowed us to provide an educational experience that is pretty well-rounded,” Bareiss says.

Since her school district created a Web site that allows donors to give online, the majority of donations come in December.

But in school districts that serve students in less economically stable neighborhoods such as the Isaac School District in West Central Phoenix, educators must look to out-of-district donors.

Isaac director of communications Abedón Fimbres said many families are unable to make the donation and wait months for their tax returns. At Isaac, 100 percent of its 8,200 students qualify for the free or reduced lunch program.

“Because so many are living at or below the poverty level, they can’t afford it. That’s the challenge,” Fimbres says.

While administrators from other school districts are busy counting the donations, Fimbres and his colleagues often do not find themselves in that position. However, each year he hopes support will come from generous taxpayers who live beyond his district’s boundaries.

“What a wonderful thing to give to the school district and for the state to give back,” he says.