April 7, 2015 marked a milestone for Arizona. The third annual Arizona Gives Day raised $2,054,417 for 537 nonprofits in just 24 short hours.

It was the first year of an exclusive media partnership with NBC affiliates in Phoenix and Tucson. It was also the first year that SLHI provided extensive marketing and communications technical assistance to a small group of nonprofits in order to help them be more successful in raising funds. Catch a glimpse of those nonprofits in action through this brief video.

Hosted by the Arizona Alliance of Nonprofits and the Arizona Grantmakers Forum, this year’s Gives Day broke new records. The average amount raised per nonprofit shot up by 158 percent, and total donations increased by 43 percent. 17,260 donors – practically a sellout for U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix – made an average gift of $86.

What’s next? A webinar on May 28 will give a more detailed recap on this year’s campaign, with a webinar training on June 2 on donor stewardship. Nonprofits can visit the Arizona Alliance of Nonprofits’ newsletter and website for official information about participating in 2016.

Arizona Gives Day is an important opportunity for both donors and fundraisers to connect. Nonprofits are investing more fully in making the most of the day. When Gives Day 2016 rolls around next April, we urge you to invest more fully too by making a donation.