Tucson Festival of Books

Support The Festival

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 2024 and 2025, the maximum limits are $105,000 and $108,000, 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.

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.

Cash and credit

Checks or credit cards payable to the Tucson Festival of Books are generally deductible up to 60% of an individual’s adjusted gross income.

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!
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.
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.