The shoppers have spoken and this year’s Shop It Forward honorees have been chosen. Shop It Forward, an annual community giving initiative that allows Scottsdale Fashion Square shoppers to convert their retail and restaurant purchases into dollars for their favorite charities, culminated with an event recognizing the winners of this year’s program. Five Valley nonprofit organizations received a combined $25,000 in awards.

Running from mid-October through mid-February, the Shop it Forward program allowed area nonprofits to earn points from qualified purchases based on their final points ranking among other participating nonprofits. The final awards ranged from $1,000 to $10,000. Throughout this voting period, customers shopped, dined and enjoyed entertainment at Scottsdale Fashion Square, then submitted their receipts to earn points for the nonprofit of their choice.

“Each year, we receive wonderful feedback from our shoppers who appreciate the opportunity to make an impact with their purchases at Scottsdale Fashion Square,” said Melanie Sutton, senior marketing manager of the shopping center. “Because Shop It Forward spans multiple holidays and giving occasions, shoppers have the dual benefit of finding the perfect gifts for loved ones while giving back in a meaningful way to some of their favorite local causes.”

This year, a new element of the Shop It Forward program gave retailers a chance to join shoppers by directly participating in selecting nonprofit beneficiaries. A bonus award in the amount of $1,000 was presented to one participating nonprofit based on a vote among the shopping center’s retailers.

Beneficiaries of the 2023-2024 Shop It Forward program, including their award amounts, include:

The Board of Visitors Care Card ($10,000) serves the community independently to raise and grant funds to deserving nonprofit agencies that serve the healthcare needs of women, children and the elderly. This year's recipient of Care Card is the Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center - The Big Pink Bus.

Arizona Theatre Company ($5,000) is a nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of every Arizonan through the power of theatre. Their mission is to create world-class theatre about what it means to be alive today – inspiring curiosity and creativity, sparking empathy and joy – bringing all Arizonans together.

Arizona Humane Society ($4,000 plus $1,000 bonus) aims to save the most vulnerable animals and enrich the lives of pets and people. In carrying out this mission, they return to their core values of innovation, compassion and excellence and strive for excellence because pets and the community deserve the best.

Trees Matter ($3,000) inspires and promotes an increased tree canopy in the Valley. Their newest program, Trees for Schools, aims to get more tree infrastructure into schools alongside teaching staff and students on the importance of trees and long-term tree care.

Homeward Bound AZ ($2,000) serves the unique needs of families facing or experiencing homelessness with prevention, shelter and after-care programs. Their Homelessness Prevention program aims to keep families together in their own homes by providing rent assistance, financial support and resource navigation.

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