WHO ARE WE

Thank you for visiting our Indiegogo fund-raising page. Rio Rico is an unincorporated area of 18,962 residents (2010 census) located approximately seven miles north of the U.S. border with Mexico at Nogales in Southeastern Arizona. Email us at info@rioricoalliance.com with any questions.

The Rio Rico Community Alliance ( www.rioricoalliance.com ) was formed as a volunteer organization by five local residents who represent construction, retail, consulting and charitable organizations. The Alliance is an Arizona nonprofit corporation formed as a community service organization, with the final goal of creating and supporting a Multipurpose Center for the community. As a new corporation, we have not yet applied for a 501c(3) status. Once funding is available and the Alliance is able to move forward, an IRS Form 1023 application will be submitted. The approval process can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months.  

OUR GOAL

A FUNDED ALLIANCE GOING FORWARD

We have chosen to use Indiegogo’s “flexible” plan. This provides a dual purpose in raising funds. Should the Alliance not meet this current goal and is unable to lease the Center, all monies received will remain in a local fund to be administered by the Alliance Board for distribution to local social projects. All monies will be used to benefit the community, either indirectly through a permanent location or directly by disbursements to local charities and social projects. Going forward the Alliance will continue as a community support organization and continue with its fund raising efforts.

Once established, funds to support the Alliance will be generated from membership dues, donations and fundraisers. Alliance member organizations would provide a percentage of their income from fundraisers and dues to offset operating costs.

This location would immediately be able to provide:

• Meeting location for the formation of the Rio Rico Historical Society

• Social Center for our Community Seniors

• Free music practice studio for local student musicians (we have the instruments/electronics etc.)

• Thrift store/food bank and donation center

• Gift shop. Featuring local crafters and artisans

• Rio Rico Chamber of Commerce

• Multipurpose room for events, meetings, classes, student dances, movie night and fundraisers.

Recreational opportunities for school-age residents are virtually non-existent except for school programs. This building will provide us with a venue to provide recreational activities to these kids.

The focal point of the Multipurpose Center is the large “multipurpose room.” This rental property is 3,800 sq. ft. with a large area to use as a multipurpose room. This room will provide a low-cost venue to local organizations and individuals to hold small to medium-sized meetings and events. The Alliance would also have space to hold fundraisers, host speakers, offer classes by local instructors and much more.

Santa Cruz County has an average unemployment rate of approximately 17% compared to the national average of 5.9% and the State of Arizona average of 7.8%. With such a high unemployment rate it is necessary for the community to have a central location for community resources and services.

Having a low-cost donation-sponsored thrift shop in our community would be of great value to the community. Currently, residents have to travel out of the area to enjoy low-cost shopping. Additionally, the generosity of our residents will remain in the community rather than being donated to resale and thrift stores outside of the Rio Rico community. This location has the space to receive and store large items as well as general donations.

Access to local food banks is limited. The closest food bank is seven miles away in Nogales. A local retail store, Rio Rico Produce Depot, is an agent of Borderlands Food Bank (www.borderlands.com). The Depot provides a redistribution point for produce “rescued” from local produce shippers by Borderlands. This distribution point would be moved to the Multipurpose Center, providing a larger area for expansion to include a non-perishable food bank. The Depot would be combined with the thrift store. This move and thrift shop sales would provide additional income to the Alliance in support of the Center.

While researching a book about the history of the Rio Rico (originally “Calabasas”) area, a local amateur historian has made Rio Rico aware of its colorful and important history. At present, Rio Rico does not have a historical society to preserve this history.  A permanent location in a Multipurpose Center would house a museum and archive dedicated to preserving history of the Rio Rico area.

Many Rio Rico residents supplement their income by producing beautiful crafts, home-baked goods and art pieces. Many currently sell these items at local flea markets. The Multipurpose Center gift shop would provide a permanent outlet featuring these items for sale.

The Rio Rico Chamber of Commerce office would be invited to relocate into the Center. This would also provide an income stream to the Alliance from a monthly rental. This location would provide better access to commercial and tourism information regarding the Rio Rico area and Santa Cruz County.

We realize this is a huge undertaking. Starting an organization like this is impossible without proper funding. With your support and that of our community, the final goal is attainable. These funds will allow us to grow and become an established asset in our community in our first year. We thank you for your consideration and support in making our Alliance and Multipurpose Center a reality.

As a new organization, our rewards are limited. However, any reward could not express our appreciation.  We offer them as a token of our gratitude for your support.