Donate

The Tucson Festival of Books is a community-wide celebration of literature. Offered free-of-charge, the festival exists to improve literacy rates among children and adults. Proceeds that remain after festival expenses have been paid are contributed to local literacy programs. We are able to receive your gifts and support in several ways.

Stocks and other securities

Gifts of appreciated securities allow you to make a substantial contribution while receiving valuable income tax advantages. Generally, a donor may deduct the fair market value of the security, up to 30% of their adjusted gross income with a five-year carryover for any excess. There are two benefits to this option: The donor avoids paying capital gains taxes on the appreciation while the donated asset passes tax-free to the Festival.

These types of gifts are processed through the Tucson Festival of Books Fund held at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. Please contact Abra McAndrew at executivedirector@tucsonfestivalofbooks.org or CFSA staff at giving@cfsaz.org or 520-770-0800 to initiate this type of gift.

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

For those older than 70 ½ years, consider using your IRA for charitable giving. For 2025 and 2026, the maximum limits are $108,000 and $111,000, respectively, and enable you to satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD) and avoid taxable income. Further, if you use the standard deduction, using a QCD is a great way to receive a tax benefit. Please contact your IRA custodian for assistance.

Cash and credit

Checks or credit cards payable to the Tucson Festival of Books are tax deductible. Beginning in 2026, the new universal charitable deduction of $1,000 per individual or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly, even if you don't itemize, may make it easier for donors to receive a tax benefit for giving.

With regard to these charitable giving options, please feel free to contact our Board Treasurer, David J. Cohen at dcohen@beachfleischman.com or your personal tax advisor for assistance.

Businesses, organizations and individual annual memberships

We offer donors interested in deeper engagement with the festival several options for visibility and participation in the event:

Sponsor

$3,850 and up

Sponsor Badges

Priority access to parking garage, priority entry badges, Saturday happy hour, all sponsor levels.

Friday Night Event

Prestigious pre-Festival event, limited availability depending on sponsor level.

Festival Guide

Distribution through the Arizona Daily Star.

Exhibitor Booth

10x10 and up, depending on sponsor level.

Great Exposure

Festival website, signage, mentions, social media, mobile apps, and/or print/radio ads depending on sponsor level.

...and more!

Become a Sponsor

Author Patron Society

$1100

Sponsor Badges

Priority access to parking garage, priority entry badges.

Author Venue/Session

Recognition during author panels and on the Festival website.

Good Exposure

Name/logo on sponsor page.

Join the Waitlist

Friend of the Festival

Early Fast Pass Access

Early access to reserve a limited number of fast passes for author sessions, depending on Friend level.

Fall Chapter One Event

Typically held in November or December, see the unveiling of the authors attending the Festival.

Volunteer Sign-up Priority

Typically in mid- to late January, early access to volunteer sign-ups.

Hot Off the Press Invite

Book launch event, private invitation for Friends and Sponsors only, held festival weekend.

Book Discount

Enjoy 10% off general books at the University of Arizona Campus Store when you shop in person and provide your phone number at checkout.

Memorials/Tributes

Optionally make a gift in honor or in memory of a loved one.

Join Friends Now