Tucson nonprofits to pay attention to | News

Tucson has long been a city that takes care of its own. From feeding families to preserving historic stages, the nonprofits that call this community home are doing work that matters — and they need your support to keep doing it. As the year winds down and giving season approaches, here are 16 local organizations making a difference in Southern Arizona.

The West

5615 E. River Road, Tucson

thewestinc.com

The West is a volunteer-run gift and needlework shop that returns all proceeds to Tucson nonprofits through a competitive grant process. Since 1981, the organization has distributed more than $2.6 million to local charities serving women, children and adults with disabilities. The store carries gifts, toys, cards and needlework supplies and is open Monday through Saturday.

Gap Ministries

2025 W. Highway Drive, Tucson

gapmin.com

Gap Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit that has worked to break cycles of poverty in Southern Arizona since 1999. The organization provides food assistance, housing support, foster care programs and workforce training to individuals and families in need on Tucson’s west side. Gap Ministries welcomes volunteers and community partners to help carry out its mission of restoring hope and building self-sufficiency.

Tucson Girls Chorus

4020 E. River Road, Tucson

tucsongirlschorus.org

Founded in 1985, the Tucson Girls Chorus provides music education and choral performance opportunities for girls ages 6 to 18 across six main ensembles and satellite programs in low-income communities. The nonprofit’s mission is to prepare a diverse group of young women to become confident leaders through music, performance, leadership training and community service. The chorus draws participants from throughout the Tucson region.

COPE Community Services

1477 W. Commerce Court, Tucson

copecommunityservices.org

COPE Community Services is a private nonprofit healthcare organization offering behavioral and physical healthcare, wellness and recovery services to individuals and families across Southern Arizona. The organization operates multiple clinic locations throughout the Tucson and Green Valley areas, providing mental health treatment, substance use services and integrated primary care. COPE’s mission is to create accessible pathways to better health through innovative, community-centered solutions.

Children’s Museum Tucson

200 S. Sixth Avenue, Tucson

childrensmuseumtucson.org

Children’s Museum Tucson offers hands-on, interactive exhibits designed to inspire curiosity and a love of learning in children of all ages. Located in the heart of downtown, the nonprofit serves Tucson families with educational programming and exhibits that support early childhood development. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and offers memberships, school field trips and special events throughout the year.

Community Foundation for Southern Arizona

5049 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson

cfsaz.org

The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona has worked to strengthen the region since 1980 by connecting donors with causes that matter most to them and distributing grants to local nonprofits. The organization manages charitable funds on behalf of individuals, families and businesses, serving as a central hub for philanthropic giving across Southern Arizona. CFSA helps donors of all means maximize the long-term impact of their generosity.

Fox Tucson Theatre

17 W. Congress Street, Tucson

foxtucson.com

The Fox Tucson Theatre is a restored 1930 Art Deco landmark in downtown Tucson, operated by the nonprofit Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation. The historic venue hosts a diverse lineup of concerts, comedy, dance, film and cultural events throughout the year, serving as a cornerstone of Tucson’s arts community. The foundation is committed to preserving the theatre as a vibrant public space accessible to all.

HOPE Inc.

877 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson

hopearizona.org

HOPE Inc. is a Tucson-based nonprofit founded in 1992 that empowers individuals living with mental illness to lead fulfilling, self-directed lives. The organization offers peer support services, life skills training, individual and group counseling, employment services and community outreach to help clients build stability and independence. HOPE serves as a trusted resource for those navigating recovery and reintegration in the Tucson community.

Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter

5278 E. 21st Street, Tucson

hermitagecatshelter.org

The Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter and Sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes cats while maintaining a strict no-kill policy for all animals in its care. The organization provides a safe, permanent sanctuary for cats that may otherwise face euthanasia, relying on volunteers and community donations to fund daily operations. The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday for adoptions and welcomes ongoing support from cat lovers across the region.

Primavera Foundation

151 W. 40th Street, Tucson

primavera.org

The Primavera Foundation has created pathways out of poverty for Tucson residents since 1983 through affordable housing, workforce development and neighborhood revitalization. The organization operates a resource center, transitional housing programs and employment training to serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness and economic hardship. Primavera also provides homeownership education and financial literacy programs to help clients build lasting stability.

Rialto Theatre

318 E. Congress Street, Tucson

rialtotheatre.com

The Rialto Theatre Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving and operating the historic Rialto Theatre in downtown Tucson. The venue hosts a diverse lineup of live music, cultural events and community gatherings year-round, anchoring the city’s Congress Street arts corridor. The foundation works to ensure the Rialto remains a vital and accessible space for Tucson audiences of all backgrounds.

Southern Arizona Senior Pride

1632 N. Country Club Road, Tucson

soazseniorpride.org

Southern Arizona Senior Pride is a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating, supporting and uniting LGBTQ+ older adults in the Tucson community. The organization offers social programming, resources and peer connection for LGBTQ+ seniors who may otherwise face isolation, with the belief that pride is ageless. Southern Arizona Senior Pride works to ensure every older member of the LGBTQ+ community feels seen, valued and supported.

Youth on Their Own

2525 N. Country Club Road, Tucson

yoto.org

Youth on Their Own (YOTO) has supported the high school graduation and long-term success of young people experiencing homelessness in Pima County since 1986. The organization provides basic needs assistance, case management, mentorship and housing support to help homeless youth stay enrolled in school and build stable futures. YOTO serves hundreds of students annually across Tucson-area high schools.

CACTUS (Companion Animal Care Team & Urban Sanctuary)

8540 E. Woodland Road, Tucson

cactustucson.org

CACTUS — Companion Animal Care Team & Urban Sanctuary — provides veterinary care, sanctuary services and educational programming to support animal welfare and responsible pet ownership throughout Southern Arizona. The organization works to improve the lives of companion animals and the people who care for them through accessible services and community outreach. CACTUS operates on Tucson’s east side and welcomes volunteers and donors to help advance its mission.

Arizona Diaper Bank

1050 S. Plumer Avenue, Tucson

diaperbank.org

The Arizona Diaper Bank promotes dignity by making diapers, period products and incontinence supplies accessible to families and individuals in need. One of the nation’s first diaper bank organizations, it distributes essential hygiene products through partnerships with more than 50 community agencies across central and southern Arizona. The bank serves families with young children, menstruating individuals and older adults who cannot otherwise afford these basic necessities.

SAAF (Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation)

375 S. Euclid Avenue, Tucson

saaf.org

The Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation has served Tucson’s HIV-affected community since 1987, offering HIV testing, treatment navigation, prevention education and wraparound support services to those living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS. The organization operates multiple locations across the region and works to reduce stigma while improving health outcomes for those most impacted by the epidemic. SAAF’s Thornhill Lopez Center on Fourth Avenue also serves as a health and wellness hub for Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community.