What A QCO Really Is and Why It Matters For Families Facing Pediatric Cancer

This Tax Credit Helps Families Breathe Again

If you have ever stared at Arizona’s tax credit options like they are written in ancient Greek, you are not alone. Every year people ask us what a QCO is, how it works, and if Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation qualifies. So let’s break this down in the simplest, most human way possible.

A QCO is a Qualifying Charitable Organization. That title sounds fancy, but here is what it really means. It is the state’s way of saying, “Hey, this nonprofit is doing meaningful work right here in Arizona and we want to make it easier for you to support them.”

And yes, Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation is a QCO.

What does that mean for you? It means you can give to a foundation that pours real hope into the hardest days of a family’s cancer journey and then you can get that same amount back on your Arizona state taxes. It is not a deduction. It is a credit. A dollar for dollar credit. You give. You get it back. It really is that simple.

Here is the heart of it. When a child is fighting cancer, the whole family goes into survival mode. Joy becomes something you have to search for. Normal routines crumble. Parents are exhausted, siblings feel unseen, and the world gets really heavy really fast. Our programs exist to give these families a break from all of that. A moment to breathe. A chance to feel joy again. A reminder that they are still a family outside of cancer.

Because SWKCF is a QCO, your support does more than cover a need. It literally puts hope back into the hands of families who feel like theirs has slipped away.

Here is how it works in plain words.

You donate to SWKCF any time before April 15.
You can give up to $495 as an individual or $987 as a couple filing jointly.
You keep your receipt.
When you file your Arizona taxes, you enter the amount you gave.
Arizona gives that exact amount back to you as a credit.

You are not losing anything. You are choosing where your tax dollars go. Instead of going to the general pool, they go to kids who deserve joy, connection, and a sense of childhood even in the middle of cancer.

That is the beauty of a QCO. It lets generosity feel easy. It lets your kindness become part of a child’s story. It lets you help build hope for families who are doing everything they can to keep going.

And if you have been around SWKCF for even five minutes, you know that every dollar stays right here in Arizona and goes directly into moments that matter. Moments where kids laugh again. Moments where parents breathe again. Moments where siblings feel seen again. Moments where life feels lighter, even if only for a minute.

So if you have been thinking about giving but felt unsure, this is your sign. A QCO is simple. Your impact is huge. And together we can build more moments of hope for the families who need it most.

If you have questions, we are here. If you want to give, thank you. And if you cannot give right now, please share this with someone who can.

Hope grows when our community understands how powerful this really is.