Community Involvement
Arizona’s G&T Cooperatives’ Donation Guidelines
Every year Arizona’s G&T Cooperatives provide financial support to numerous groups and organizations, civic clubs and charities, and in addition many cooperative employees participate directly to help these organizations.
In the fall of 2009 we did a comprehensive survey to find out what our employees and residents of the communities we serve thought our priorities should be. The guidelines here are the result of that survey.
If you would like us to consider your event or organization, please review these guidelines and then follow the directions on how to apply for a donation or other support.
There is also a downloadable .pdf copy of the guidelines you can print for your use.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Purpose
Arizona’s G&T Cooperatives are committed to improving the lives of those who live in the service areas of our member cooperatives.
To that end, Arizona’s G&T Cooperatives on an annual basis donate to many deserving causes, groups, organizations, events and individuals.
This commitment is in keeping with the seven Cooperative Principles, one of which, “Concern For Community,” states: “While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities.”
It is our intent that these guidelines help us in that mission.
The Cooperative Focus Areas were developed with direct input from Cooperative employees through a comprehensive survey and reflect their values and priorities and those of the communities they live in:
Donation Focus Areas
- Education
- Health/Wellness
- Youth Sports/Activities
- Community Events
Criteria/Eligibility for Donations
- Requests must fall into one of the four Cooperative Focus areas listed above.
- Donations must benefit a group, organization, event or people within the geographic boundaries of our member cooperatives (see map).
The Cooperatives will generally not use funds budgeted for charitable donations to support the following: political organizations, parties, and candidates; religious organizations; or general operating, tax or payroll expenses.
How to Submit a Donation Request
IMPORTANT – IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A DONATION FROM US PRIOR TO THIS YOU MUST PROVIDE US WITH A COMPLETED W-9 FORM , A DOWNLOADABLE COPY OF WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON THIS PAGE. THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND INCLUDED WITH YOUR REQUEST.
- A donation request must be submitted on identifying letterhead with all available contact information and the name of a contact person; if e-mailed, the e-mail should include letterhead if possible, but if not, the e-mail must include a brief description of the group/organization/event/persons for which the donation is being requested and all available contact information and the name of a contact person.
- Requests must be brief and specific on what the donation request is for, include a clear description of the program and the benefits the program has for the community.
- All requests must submit a W-9 form from the requesting entity.
- Donation requests must be submitted four weeks in advance of when the funds are needed. Requests made with shorter deadlines will be considered but may not be granted even if the subject of the request meets the criteria.
Other Considerations
All donations made will be posted on the websites of the Arizona’s G&T Cooperatives including but not limited to: the amount of the donation, the name of the beneficiary or beneficiaries, what the donation is intended to support and how it will be used.
Based on employee comments in the survey, local groups, organizations, events or persons will be given preference over national organizations or events; however, in cases where employees are actively involved in an event for a national organization (an example would be employees walking to raise pledges for the American Cancer Society) the request will be treated as if it were for local benefit.
All other requests for donations to national organizations and events will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Submit Requests To:
Heather Floyd
Cooperative Communications/Marketing Administrator
PO Box 2165
Benson, AZ 85602
(520) 586-5431
hfloyd@ssw.coop
Geoff Oldfather
Communications and Public Relations Manager
PO Box 2165
Benson, AZ 85602
(520) 586-5465
goldfather@ssw.coop
