Charities in Arizona: Organizations Making a Difference

Arizona is home to many outstanding charities that support a wide range of causes, from helping families in need to protecting the environment, improving education, and supporting health initiatives. Whether you’re looking to donate, volunteer, or seek assistance, here’s a list of charities in Arizona that are making a big impact in the community.


1. St. Mary’s Food Bank

St. Mary’s Food Bank is one of the largest food banks in the U.S. and has been providing hunger relief in Arizona for decades. They offer emergency food assistance to individuals and families facing food insecurity.

  • Mission: Alleviating hunger through the gathering and distribution of food to those in need.
  • What they offer: Emergency food boxes, meal programs, and school lunch programs for children.
  • How to help: Donate, volunteer, or host a food drive. Visit the St. Mary’s Food Bank website to get involved.

Example: They distribute millions of pounds of food each year to Arizonans in need and are a lifeline for many low-income families.


2. Arizona Humane Society

The Arizona Humane Society is a leading animal welfare organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and adopts out thousands of animals every year. They are committed to reducing the number of homeless pets and improving animal welfare in the state.

  • Mission: To save the most vulnerable animals and enrich the lives of pets and people.
  • What they offer: Pet adoption, medical care, spay/neuter services, and animal cruelty investigations.
  • How to help: Adopt a pet, donate, or volunteer. Check out the Arizona Humane Society website for more details.

Example: AHS provides extensive medical care to injured animals and has saved countless pets through their adoption programs.


3. UMOM New Day Centers

UMOM New Day Centers is Arizona’s largest shelter for homeless families, providing them with safe, temporary housing and a path toward permanent housing.

  • Mission: To prevent and end homelessness with innovative strategies and services.
  • What they offer: Emergency shelter, affordable housing, workforce development, and educational programs.
  • How to help: Donate, volunteer, or contribute goods. Learn more on the UMOM website.

Example: UMOM helps thousands of individuals and families find stable housing and achieve self-sufficiency every year.


4. The Phoenix Rescue Mission

Phoenix Rescue Mission provides services to help individuals facing homelessness, addiction, and hunger in the greater Phoenix area. They offer rehabilitation, job training, and supportive services to help people regain their independence.

  • Mission: To transform lives through Christ by offering hope, healing, and change to the homeless, addicted, and hurting.
  • What they offer: Food boxes, homeless outreach, addiction recovery programs, and job training.
  • How to help: Volunteer, donate, or contribute to their meal service program. Visit the Phoenix Rescue Mission website to learn more.

Example: The organization helps men, women, and families escape homelessness and addiction, offering them life-changing resources and support.


5. Make-A-Wish Arizona

Make-A-Wish Arizona grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. The Arizona chapter is the founding chapter of Make-A-Wish and has been fulfilling wishes since 1980.

  • Mission: To create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
  • What they offer: Wish experiences for children with severe or life-threatening medical conditions.
  • How to help: Donate, volunteer, or help fundraise. Check out the Make-A-Wish Arizona website for ways to get involved.

Example: They have granted more than 6,000 wishes to children in Arizona, providing hope and joy to children and their families during difficult times.


6. Esperança

Esperança is an Arizona-based non-profit that provides medical aid and health education to underserved communities, both locally and internationally.

  • Mission: To improve health and provide hope for families in the poorest communities of the world through sustainable disease prevention, education, and treatment.
  • What they offer: Medical missions, dental care, and health education programs.
  • How to help: Volunteer or donate to support their local and global health initiatives. Visit Esperança for more information.

Example: Esperança offers critical health services to Arizona’s low-income communities, focusing on dental and preventative healthcare.


7. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona pairs children facing adversity with mentors to help them achieve their full potential through one-on-one mentorship.

  • Mission: To create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
  • What they offer: Mentorship programs for at-risk youth to help with social, emotional, and academic development.
  • How to help: Become a mentor, donate, or volunteer. Visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona to learn more.

Example: Their mentorship programs have helped thousands of Arizona youth improve their academic performance and build self-confidence.


8. Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona builds affordable housing for low-income families and provides them with the opportunity to own their own homes.

  • Mission: To build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
  • What they offer: Affordable home building, home repair programs, and neighborhood revitalization efforts.
  • How to help: Donate, volunteer on a build, or contribute materials. Visit the Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona website to get involved.

Example: Habitat has built hundreds of homes in Arizona, giving families in need a safe and stable place to call home.


9. Crisis Nursery (Now Child Crisis Arizona)

Child Crisis Arizona (formerly Crisis Nursery) provides a safe haven for children in need and supports families to prevent child abuse and neglect.

  • Mission: To provide children and youth in Arizona with a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect, while supporting families in crisis.
  • What they offer: Emergency shelters, foster care, adoption services, and early childhood education.
  • How to help: Donate, volunteer, or become a foster parent. Learn more on the Child Crisis Arizona website.

Example: Child Crisis Arizona provides critical support to vulnerable children and families, offering safety and care to those in the most difficult situations.


10. The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV)

The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence works to prevent and respond to sexual and domestic violence through advocacy, education, and collaboration with local organizations.

  • Mission: To end sexual and domestic violence in Arizona by engaging diverse voices, creating strategic partnerships, and providing advocacy and education.
  • What they offer: Victim services, legal advocacy, and prevention education.
  • How to help: Volunteer, donate, or get involved in advocacy efforts. Visit the ACESDV website for more information.

Example: ACESDV provides crucial support and legal assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence while working to prevent future abuse.


Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking for a cause to support, need help, or want to get involved in volunteering, these charities in Arizona offer a wide range of services and opportunities to make a difference. From supporting homeless families to granting wishes for children with critical illnesses, these organizations are committed to improving the lives of Arizonans across the state.

Take the next step by visiting their websites to learn how you can help or benefit from their services.

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