This year’s Shop It Forward program at Scottsdale Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, is winding down, and soon the winners of the annual community giving program will be announced.

The program, which historically concludes with the holiday shopping season, was extended by six weeks this year so shoppers could make their Valentine’s Day gifting even more meaningful. The cutoff for Shop It Forward is Thursday, Feb. 15.

Since mid-October, shoppers have been able to nominate deserving local nonprofit organizations by “voting” with their receipts from the shopping center. Through Shop It Forward, nonprofits earn points from shoppers’ qualified purchases based on their final point ranking among other participating nonprofits. Ultimately, Scottsdale Fashion Square will award a combined $25,000 to five participating organizations.

Customers can shop, dine and enjoy entertainment at Scottsdale Fashion Square, then submit their receipts to earn points toward donations ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 (retailers will also vote on a $1,000 bonus for one of the five participants). Every purchase made at Scottsdale Fashion Square during the program will receive five points per $1 spent. Bonus points (10 points per $1) are available for restaurant purchases now through the end of the program Feb. 15.

Shoppers can find a complete list of retailers, log receipts and selecting nonprofits at fashionsquare.com/shopitforward.

Beneficiaries of the 2023-24 Shop It Forward program, who will be honored during a celebration and check presentation at Scottsdale Fashion Square in March, include:

• Arizona Theatre Company, a nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of every Arizonan through the power of theatre. Their mission is to create world-class theatre about what it means to be alive today–inspiring curiosity and creativity, sparking empathy and joy– bringing all Arizonans together.
• The Board of Visitors Care Card, which serves the community independently to raise and grant funds to deserving nonprofit agencies that mirror the mission of The Board of Visitors: to serve the healthcare needs of women, children and the elderly. This year's recipient of Care Card is the Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center - The Big Pink Bus.
• Arizona Humane Society, which aims to save the most vulnerable animals and enrich the lives of pets and people. In carrying out this mission, they return to their core values of innovation, compassion and excellence and strive for excellence because pets and the community deserve the best.
• Homeward Bound AZ, which serves the unique needs of families facing or experiencing homelessness with prevention, shelter and after-care programs. Their Homelessness Prevention program is offered to the greater community and aims to keep families on the brink of homelessness together in their own homes by providing rent assistance, financial support and resource navigation.
• Trees Matter, a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) environmental education nonprofit, whose mission is to inspire and promote an increased tree canopy in the Valley. Their newest program, Trees for Schools, aims to get more tree infrastructure into schools alongside teaching staff and students on the importance of trees and long-term tree care.

“Shop It Forward is a special giving tradition at Scottsdale Fashion Square,” said Melanie Sutton, senior marketing manager of the shopping center. “The program allows shoppers to make a positive impact on the community while making purchases for special occasions, including Valentine’s Day.”