Arizona Tax Credit Information:

Donors in Arizona are eligible to receive a dollar for dollar tax credit up to $612 for individuals and $1234 for those filing jointly when they donate to Phonetic Spit!

Financial Incentives: The Difference Between a Tax Credit and a Tax Deduction

• There is a distinct financial advantage to donating to 501(c)3 non profits like Phonetic Spit for donors who itemize their tax returns because every dollar donated is tax deductible within the limits of current federal and Arizona state law. Generally 60% of every dollar donated can be deducted from each individuals adjusted gross income.

• Tax Credits vs. Deductions: Tax credits directly reduce the amount of tax you owe, dollar for dollar, while deductions reduce your taxable income. In essence, credits provide a more direct and valuable tax benefit.

• Standard Deduction & Credits: Unlike itemized deductions, which are impacted by the standard deduction, Arizona's charitable tax credits can be claimed independently, regardless of whether you itemize or take the standard deduction on your federal return.

Pertinent Tax Information:

Phonetic Spit EIN#: 81-4285307 (Tax deduction for all Donors)

Phonetic Spit QFCO Code: 11089 (for Arizona Residents)

The Work

Teens face a number of nuanced challenges that make them far more at risk of experiencing substance abuse, depression, suicide, homicide, and accidental death than older demographics. This is why our organization is dedicated to creating opportunities for young people to find, discover, and develop their authentic voices, generate a greater sense of self-awareness, and improve their abilities to write, speak, think, and thrive in the world. 

Phonetic Spit's teaching artists work within schools, group homes, detention centers, and shelters. They employ arts education and literacy programs centered around the written and spoken word that empower and transform the lives of young people.  Our approach is to offer young people tools and experiences that enhance their social, emotional, cultural, and academic literacy.  The vast majority of the young people we serve hail from working-class backgrounds, many of whom are raised in homes where English is not the primary language and identify with one or more marginalized community demographic indicators. 

Support Youth Voice. Support Phonetic Spit.

Young people today are searching for connection, purpose, and a safe place to express who they are. Phonetic Spit provides that space.

Your donation helps us create brave spaces where youth find, develop, and publicly present their voices through spoken word poetry, hip hop, and the literary arts. Whether in schools, group homes, shelters, or detention centers, your gift fuels the transformative power of arts and education.

Why Give to Phonetic Spit?

• We reach 7,000+ youth across Arizona every year

• We serve primarily underserved and marginalized communities

• Our programs build confidence, resilience, and high-functioning literacy

• We partner with over 25 schools and community organizations

• We’ve grown our organization by 85% since 2021 — and we’re just getting started

Testimonial

“Senior year of high school I was introduced to Phonetic Spit and it changed everything for me. Going into senior year I was lost, I had no community, and couldn't find one. Coming from the foster care system and an abusive household, I had been taught I'd never amount to anything. Once I met the teaching artists from Phonetic Spit, that thought process changed. For the first time in my life, I had a chance to be something — because Phonetic Spit taught me I always have been something, been someone.”

— Sam Brown, Student Participant

Key Programs

Mic Check - is the only consistent youth poetry open mic in the state of Arizona. It supports the voices of hundreds of youth (the majority of whom reside in foster care or group homes).

Liberated Lyrics - serves young people spending time in the Juvenile Detention system and serves hundreds of young people each year. 

Poetic Profiles - works specifically with 11th-grade students to explore and develop their abilities as writers, speakers, and thinkers by profiling subjects of their choosing (i.e.  Kurt Cobain, Albert Einstein, Maya Angelou etc). Students present their capstones at The Phoenix Art Museum each year.