August marks our 3rd Anniversary as a 501c3 charity. Now when you’ve done your taxes you may have noticed that you are restricted on which charities you can claim a tax credit on for donations towards your Arizona taxes (Federal has no restrictions as long as it is a 501c3).
There are 4 qualifications for a charity to be eligible for this:
1. Be a 501c3 nonprofit (Check)
2. Must spend over 50% of budget providing services to qualifying populations ( people receiving TANF benefits, low-income residents, people with chronic illness or disability. (Not yet but possible in the future)
3. Provide a statement that we plan to continue spending at least 50% of the budget on those people. (not yet but possible)
4. “The organization provides a statement indicating it does not offer, pay for or provide coverage for abortions, and does not financially support any other entity that provides, pays for or provides coverage of abortions.” THIS is where we have a big freaking problem.
In the before times pre-COVID, one of our most fun fundraisers was our Comedy Night benefitting the Abortion Fund of AZ. We were proud of every dollar we helped raise for them ($1,057!). And I can’t wait to be able to do another event for them. I also can’t wait until we are a big enough organization that we can help our members directly, including providing funds to them for whatever their needs, including abortions. Because Body autonomy is DAMN important to us. If that means we will never be eligible for the AZ Charitable Tax Credit, so be it.
So today I am asking you to help us grow, help us get to where we can have a physical space, and offer programs to help our members. We took a hit last year because of Lockdown but we survived and we want to continue growing. We can only do this with you. Any amount is greatly welcomed, from $5 to $1000, we need your help to grow to be the preeminent Atheist organization in Southern Arizona that can help our members as well if not better than any religious organization helps their followers.
Please donate today!
