In the ever-evolving landscape of civic participation, voter engagement stands as a cornerstone of thriving communities. At the forefront of this movement in Arizona is AZ Impact for Good, a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to transforming communities through education, advocacy, and innovation. In partnership with Nonprofit VOTE, AZ Impact for Good amplifies its mission by promoting voter engagement across the state. Laurie Liles, the Chief Public Policy Officer, shares insights into this impactful collaboration and its significance in empowering communities through active participation in the electoral process. Nonprofit VOTE interviewed Laurie Liles, and here is what she shared about the organization’s efforts and experiences.
The AZ Impact for Good team during their Day of Advocacy (Photo by Michael Morefield)
Can you provide an overview of your organization and its mission?
AZ Impact for Good is the statewide nonprofit membership organization, resource, and nonpartisan advocate for Arizona’s nonprofit and philanthropic communities. We serve approximately 1,000 member organizations across the state. Our mission is to unite nonprofits and philanthropy to transform Arizona through education, advocacy, and innovation. We envision a vibrant Arizona where all people and living things thrive. The Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits + Arizona Grantmakers Forum merged in August 2022 and became AZ Impact for Good to enable more impactful collaborations among philanthropic and nonprofit leaders, position the nonprofit sector as a key partner with governments and the business community, drive economic growth, and build an equitable Arizona.
How did your partnership with Nonprofit VOTE begin?
Prior to the merger, the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits promoted Nonprofit VOTE’s voter engagement resources and tools on its website but lacked the capacity to enter into a formal partnership. As AZ Impact for Good, we focus resources on public policy and advocacy, including educating and supporting our members’ civic and voter engagement activities. We piloted a partnership with NpV in 2023, providing limited support to four nonprofit sites. This year we made it official, entering into a formal agreement with NpV that enabled us to expand to five partner sites, embracing what’s possible when nonprofits talk to people about voting.
What specific support or resources have you received from Nonprofit VOTE?
From practical tips and tools for nonpartisan voter engagement to convenings for anchor organizations to network and share what works and what doesn’t, Nonprofit VOTE provides exactly what we need when we need it to be successful. Thanks to this support, our partner sites are busy planning how to incorporate voter engagement into their existing programs. For example, our partner New Pathways for Youth will host two voter engagement sessions for their community at their upcoming Power Up session on September 7 and September 21. They expect about 100 youth and mentors to attend the event, where NPFY staff will share information on how to register to vote, what issues are on the ballot, and why it is important to make your voice heard in the election.
Can you share an impactful story from your partnership?
Last fall, I visited one of our Nonprofit VOTE partner sites–the downtown Phoenix Human Services Campus, now Keys to Change–to learn more about the services they provide to people experiencing homelessness and how staff are engaging voters in a challenging environment. People who come to Keys to Change have lost everything: their homes, families and friends, their dignity. There, they find hope and–through direct engagement with staff who talk to them about their right to vote–they’re empowered to use their voices and take back some measure of control over their destinies. Walking across the Keys to Change campus that day, I was profoundly inspired to keep supporting our partners who are making a difference, one voter at a time.
Why is voter engagement a priority for your organization?
We say it all the time: your vote is your voice. With so many challenges facing not just our member nonprofits but also the people and causes they serve, this has never been more true. Voter engagement is not just our priority; it’s our passion.
How has Nonprofit VOTE helped your organization integrate voter engagement into your programming?
We’re thrilled with the quantity–and the quality–of the voter engagement educational offerings Nonprofit VOTE is producing this year. We’ve been able to promote national voter engagement webinars and are working with Nonprofit VOTE staff on an Arizona-specific session as part of the launch of our Arizona Nonprofit Voter Engagement Guide produced in partnership with Nonprofit VOTE and the National Council of Nonprofits.
Do you have anything else you would like to share about yourself or your organization?
Nonprofit VOTE has been a force multiplier for AZ Impact for Good when it comes to voter engagement. Our partnership enables us to work smarter, not harder, as we support our members registering and engaging voters on the frontlines. On a personal note, I believe empowering our members to do this work is the most important contribution I can make to the mission of AZ Impact for Good and Arizona’s future. And that feels good.
AZ Impact for Good’s partnership with Nonprofit VOTE exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving social change and empowering communities. By integrating voter engagement into their programs, they ensure that voices across Arizona are heard, fostering a more inclusive and participatory democracy. This inspiring journey serves as a reminder of the vital role nonprofits play in shaping the future through active civic participation.
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