AZURA INC

Azura, like its organizational forerunner Mesa United Way, believes that poverty is the root cause of almost every social problem in our world and therefore exists to eliminate this blight. The commitment to this mission is evident as Azura continues to look for new and better ways of addressing the root causes of poverty across the state of Arizona. Azura Solutions partners with developing nonprofits to provide a variety of services that help them thrive and are effective in our communities. From coaching to logistical support to accounting to fiscal agency, Azura is proud to be empowering the next generation of nonprofits. Were driven to address the root causes of poverty. We do this with accountability and transparency, with innovative ideas, showing dignity and respect to everyone in our orbit, through collaboration, and with a forceful grit.

Azura VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program supports the organizations mission to alleviate poverty by providing free, high-quality tax preparation services to individuals and families with low to moderate incomes, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and individuals with limited English proficiency. Services are delivered by IRS-certified volunteers and are designed to ensure accurate tax filings and access to all eligible tax credits. To increase accessibility, VITA operates at multiple community sites with extended hours during peak season. This last tax year, the VITA program and its volunteers contributed 9799 hours, serving 5,490 clients, to ensure timely and accurate assistance throughout the filing season, returning more than $6 million in refunds. But VITA isnt simply about tax refunds. Our impact also reached an additional 1669 individuals who are gaining access to vital financial resources and services they might otherwise miss. In collaboration with partners like the YWCA and local financial institutions, our program offers financial empowerment courses that equip clients with foundational knowledge that supports long-term financial well-being. With monthly newsletters, were providing tax updates, financial education, and community resources year-round. Tax season can be stressful, especially for those unfamiliar with the U.S. tax system or facing language, educational, or technological barriers. Our program provides a welcoming, judgment-free environment, personalized assistance from trained volunteers, relief from the anxiety of tax filing, and confidence that tax returns are accurate and filed on timewithout cost. Clients leave not just with filed taxesbut with peace of mind and a renewed sense of financial stability.