Campaign FAQs

Our mission is to eliminate poverty and advance equitable communities.

TCAA was founded in 1966 and is one of the East Valley’s largest human services agencies in terms of the volume of people served and range of programs offered. Our four areas of impact include Food Security, Housing Stability, Health and Well-Being, and Economic Empowerment. Our capacity to bring about positive change throughout the lifespan impacts over 35,000 children and adults annually. This is roughly equivalent to 1 in 7 Tempe residents.

TCAA customers include adults and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness, older adults seeking help to live independently, and low-income households desiring to improve their resiliency and economic status. TCAA serves households in Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa.

Each program has different eligibility criteria. We strive to be as flexible as possible while prioritizing services to those whose goals align with the intended outcomes of our programs

TCAA currently administers a $5.1M budget for program operations in several small sites, mainly City community centers. TCAA upholds a Platinum rating on Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most recognized nonprofit evaluator

$17M of which 62% has been secured in cash, donations, and pledges. We are proud that this project is a private/public partnership leveraging government investment with private philanthropy to meet community needs

TCAA has a strong history of service to the community and yet the need for our services is greater today than in years past. Our programs are experiencing demand that is beyond our capacity, our facilities are too small to support current needs much less allow for future growth, and the public is increasingly relying on TCAA to address a wider array of social service needs. In response, the Board of Directors embarked on a bold plan to expand our ability to meet these needs.

We conducted a Feasibility Study which looked at the internal readiness as well as external factors (community and philanthropy support, etc.) to determine if the environment and appetite for this project existed. The study was favorable to TCAA embarking on this campaign.

Our campaign will welcome funding from multiple sources including private and public partnerships. We have already secured more than $9M in public support. This will serve as tremendous leverage as we approach others who can invest in this vision within the communities we serve.

Yes, particularly given the continual rise in the number of individuals and families seeking human services help in the communities we serve.

TCAA has embarked on fundraising and revenue-generating activities designed to bring new, untapped sources to the agency even prior to completion of the new facility. This includes positioning the agency for reimbursements through AHCCCS – Arizona’s Medicaid system, as well as launching service enterprise(s) designed to develop job skills in clients while bringing earned income into the agency. We are also cultivating new relationships with previously untapped foundations and corporations not only for this campaign but also for operating support of TCAA programs.

TCAA is in the process of acquiring property at 2425 E. Apache Blvd. The site is situated on the Tempe/Mesa border and is located on the light rail.

The Mayor serves as a campaign advisor and the City Manager serves on the TCAA Board of Directors.

TCAA and City leadership are working closely together to plan and design a site that is responsive to community needs.

Our team meets regularly with City human services program representatives to collaborate in delivery of services and to maximize public and private resources.

TCAA’s mission, clients, and service area include--but are not limited to--the City of Tempe.

TCAA’s new facility will provide space for shared use by community partners that can bring additional resources to TCAA participants. This plan will make it easier for individuals and families visiting our site to access a full range of programs.

We anticipate that construction will begin in late 2024, while the fundraising period will last through 2026

Based on our feasibility study, we are confident we will raise the funds needed for the project. We have secured a low-interest bridge loan to ensure we can adhere to the construction timeline.

We anticipate that the campaign will increase TCAA’s capacity to serve an estimated 40,000 individuals annually, a 14% increase over current service levels. The actual number may be much higher when we consider additional services offered by co-located public/private partners

The campaign will fund new construction of a permanent home for TCAA and enhancements to existing programs at the new site and at the current site at 2146 E. Apache. TCAA has a long-term lease for this site and will operate:
- Neighbors Helping Neighbors, the East Valley Senior Home Sharing Program, and Health Start Program (currently at the Escalante Community Center)
- New Parent & Child Learning Center, classroom, and private lactation room (an enhancement to the Health Start Program)
- Long-term storage for the Food Pantry

In addition, TCAA will continue to provide the congregate lunch meal at participating Tempe and Scottsdale Senior Centers.

• Economic Mobility Programs
• Market-style Food Pantry
• Commercial Kitchen for preparation of congregate, home-delivered, and emergency shelter meals
• Emergency Shelter
• Transitional housing (studio apartments)
• Community Action Program
• Showers and laundry facilities
• Program and administrative offices
• Community meeting spaces
• Workspaces for public/private partners
• Social enterprise space

The I-HELP community-based model will shift to permanent emergency shelter beds along with studio-sized bridge housing units for adults, primarily those who are age 50 years and older. TCAA will involve faith community representatives to provide input on the capital campaign plans and to identify how they would like to continue to support its mission. This change is necessary to sustain permanent emergency shelter services in Tempe given the limited number of faith-based organizations in Tempe that have ample space and the resources to continue to support the traditional I-HELP model.

Since I-HELP was launched in 2006 as the first emergency shelter in Tempe, homelessness has continued to increase in our community. With only 40 beds available at I-HELP, it takes more than one organization to fully address the emergent needs of unsheltered populations.

While the City of Tempe is currently offering emergency shelter beds in local motels related to current surges, their plan is to eventually convert these properties to affordable housing.

Our beds and bridge housing are limited to adults only, primarily older adults. We refer survivors of family violence to shelters that specialize in this area. We are considering if pets can be accommodated within the limited parameters of the site. Currently TCAA partners with Lost Our Home Pet Foundation, which temporarily shelters pets for people in homeless shelters.

Being in one location will allow us even more opportunity to design and maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming center—not only for surrounding neighborhoods, but also for center visitors, volunteers, and employees. Although some services will be available on a 24/7 basis, the site will appropriately limit entry, particularly during evenings and weekends. Through the campaign and beyond, nearby neighborhoods will have a voice and we will listen and work through any concerns that arise.

TCAA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) qualified charitable organization (QCO) code: #20304 and EIN #86-02548. Your donation may also qualify for the Arizona Tax Credit. If you are unfamiliar with the dollar-for-dollar tax credit, please find additional details on our Website or AZ Department of Revenue-Tax-Credits. Please consult with a CPA on allowable tax-deductions.

We can’t thank you enough for your commitment to our mission. For this capital effort, we are asking individuals to consider making an investment by adding an additional pledge, separate from what you currently do. For ideas and options, please contact TCAA for assistance

As part of the Capital Campaign, we are asking friends of TCAA to make personal gifts. Although, we would be grateful to be connected to a possible donor that you may know that could possibly be interested in donating to the campaign. This way we can ensure that we are not duplicating efforts

Sharing our story and connecting us with other individuals and businesses that would be interested in supporting our campaign is a valuable contribution to the campaign! There are a number of ways you can help us meet this ambitious goal! Several examples include hosting a small private group event at your home where we can share the TCAA story and build awareness of this campaign, bringing your friends and family to TCAA’s fundraising events, sharing our social media to your network, and helping us coordinate a presentation to your social group, clubs, schools, and businesses