Effective July 1, 2026, CARES utility donation will increase to a $2 dollar minimum
Help Your Neighbors in Need – Two Dollars at a Time
Scottsdale Cares is the City of Scottsdale’s voluntary utility bill donation program, supporting essential human service programs for residents facing challenges. Launched in May 1995, the program has raised over $5 million from generous Scottsdale residents, with contributions as small as $2 at a time.
By adding just $2 to your monthly utility bill, you directly help local nonprofit agencies provide critical services. These include:
- Promoting positive development for youth, adults, and seniors
- Strengthening families and supporting self-sufficiency for adults
- Assisting residents of all ages with crisis needs
Examples of supported services include flexible financial assistance for housing stability, legal advocacy for low-income residents, support for families experiencing homelessness, emergency shelter and crisis aid, services for severely disabled adults, suicide prevention hotlines, home-delivered meals for seniors, and programs for autistic individuals and at-risk youth.
100% of every donation goes directly to these nonprofit partners, no funds are used for program administration. All contributions are tax-deductible, and donors receive a year-end summary on their January utility bill for tax records.
A dedicated Human Services Commission reviews grant applications from eligible nonprofits (those serving Scottsdale residents) and forwards recommendations to the City Council for final approval. Individuals cannot apply directly for assistance—funding supports nonprofit organizations that deliver services to thousands of Scottsdale residents each year.
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Participation & Make a Donation
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps provide emergency support, housing stability, legal aid, youth programs, senior services, and more to those who need it most in our community.
It’s easy to join thousands of your neighbors in making a difference:
Automatic Monthly Donation ($2)
Participation options are setup in your Utility Account AutoPay options.
- Pay the “Utility Amount Due Plus Scottsdale Cares” amount. This automatically adds a $2 donation to Scottsdale Cares.
- Add an additional donation by updating the "Additional Scottsdale Cares" amount option.
- If you prefer not to participate, pay only the “Utility Amount Due”. This excludes the $2 donation.
- If you are on SurePay (city managed automatic payment), call Remittance Processing at 480-312-7400 to update or enroll.
Optional Donation Methods
You have flexible options to donate to the Scottsdale Cares Agencies
- Donate via check — Make it payable to “City of Scottsdale” and mail to:
Housing and Community Assistance
6535 E. Osborn Road, Bldg. #8
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Attention: Grants Accountant - Donate via ActiveNet — Use the online donation portal (ActiveNet). Note: ActiveNet charges approximately 4.25% per transaction fee.
Scottsdale Cares Donations At Work
Fiscal Year 2026/27 Awards by Agency
Best Buddies International, Inc.
Best Buddies Friendship Project
$8,000
Provides social and recreational activities that allow youth and adults with IDD - including but not limited to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and Fragile X syndrome - to benefit from meaningful interactions with typical peers and practice critical social and communication skills that aid their future independence.
Community Legal Services, Inc.
Legal Advocacy and Education for Low Income Scottsdale Residents
$18,500
Provide lawyers at no cost to resolve critical civil legal problems for low-income individuals. Services help individuals/families facing loss of their basic needs and results are unduplicated, measurable and evidenced-based.
Duet: Partners In Health & Aging
Vital Services to Prevent Senior Homelessness
$20,000
The program is designed to improve the health, wellbeing, safety, social interactions, and quality of life of older Scottsdale adults, and to ensure they never experience homelessness by providing risk assessment, financial emergency rent/utility assistance and compassionate coaching in money management and tenant rights and responsibilities.
Encircle Families
Mentoring and Support Program for Scottsdale Families
$8,500
The program helps families with children who have disabilities or special healthcare needs by connecting them to resources and services. The program strengthens families’ understanding of their child’s diagnosis, enhances parenting skills, and empowers parents and caregivers to advocate effectively for referrals in medical and educational environments.
Family Promise Greater Phoenix
Step-Up Housing
$20,000
The Step-Up Housing Program in Scottsdale, a re-branding of the Bridges Program, provides families who have completed our Emergency Shelter Program with up to three months of affordable apartment-style housing, serving as a bridge to permanent housing.
Homeless Youth Connection
Empowering Youth for the Future
$15,000
The program is a comprehensive social services program that engages youth experiencing homelessness in trauma-informed, client-led, strengths-based interventions.
Phoenix Rescue Mission - Street Outreach
Homeless Navigation & Diversion Tool Kit
$10,000
The program connects people experiencing homelessness with critical services and resources, offering basic needs, case management, and referrals to housing, recovery programs, and more. Toolkits help people obtain IDs, birth certificates, social security cards, and other vital personal documents.
Scottsdale Community Partners
Emergency Mortgage and Rent Assistance
$20,000
Funding will supply financial assistance for housing stabilization to those at risk of eviction or foreclosure due to financial crisis.
Scottsdale Recovery Continued Incorporated
Housing Program
$20,000
The program will provide a continuum of care for adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including detox, residential, outpatient, and SDoH services. Funding will fill gaps by providing Employment Readiness Kits (items needed to secure employment), Welcome Home Kits (items needed to remain housed), and flexible financial assistance.
Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services
Day Training for Adults (DTA)
$20,000
The program provides adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to build confidence, independence, and community connection through creative, recreational, and life-skills activities. Participants engage in cooking, arts, music, fitness, theatre, and weekly community outings that strengthen social, communication, and daily living skills.
Valley of the Sun YMCA - Employee U
Scottsdale Teen Workforce Readiness Program
$20,000
The program is an established 8-week workforce readiness program for teens ages 14–18, successfully operated at the Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA in Phoenix since 2011. The funding will help expand the program to our Scottsdale and Desert Foothills branches, serving 40 youth each summer.