By Erica Shipione
Sparked by a group of friends with a big idea, local philanthropic group The Giving Group AZ has taken strength in numbers to make a larger impact.
The Giving Group AZ was founded in 2017 by Brian Yampolsky, owner of Orion Mortgage Corporation in Phoenix, who was first introduced to the concept of “amplified giving” from friends in Seattle.
“One of the coolest parts of The Giving Group AZ is that as individuals, we only spend $100, but as a group we get the feeling of what it’s like to make a $10,000 difference,” says Yampolsky.
Four times a year, The Giving Group AZ donates to a different local charity. Each member of the group donates $100 quarterly, which is combined to reach a goal of $10,000. Every 90 days, members of the group nominate their favorite nonprofits for consideration and from there, four are drawn and the group votes for the final decision.
Most recently, The Giving Group AZ’s third-quarter recipient of the $10,000 donation was Families Giving Hope, whose mission is to assist cancer patients and their families with the financial burden that cancer treatments pose so they can focus on their health, healing, and recovery.
“This is a tremendous impact to our organization,” says Families Raising Hope Co-Founder Brian Kovalesky. “The generosity of every single member in The Giving Group AZ is nothing short of amazing. It is truly the gold standard that the power of many can change the world. Thank you to all the members for your support, we look forward to sharing the impact you’ve made to Arizona families.”
With a current total of 140 members, The Giving Group AZ was able to donate an additional $4,000 this past quarter among Almost There Rescue, Future for Kids, and Desert Stages Theatre.
The next meeting is Thurs., Nov. 17 at the Desert Stages Theatre located at 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 0586, Scottsdale. For more information on The Giving Group AZ, visit tggaz.org.
