When nonprofits thrive, communities flourish. But behind every mission-driven organization lies a complex web of operations—and payroll is often one of the most overlooked yet critical pieces. Enter Giving Payroll, a company built not just to process paychecks, but to protect missions. We sat down with David Strickland, Co-Owner and Director of Nonprofit Services of Giving Payroll, to learn how this new AZ Impact for Good Business Member is redefining payroll for nonprofits and the businesses that support them.

Understanding the Nonprofit Reality

Giving Payroll was created with a singular focus: nonprofits and the businesses that support them. “We understand the realities of nonprofit operations—complex fund tracking, grant restrictions, limited administrative bandwidth, and staff who each wear five different hats,” Strickland explains. “Our job is to make payroll effortless so nonprofit teams can stay focused on the communities they serve.”

This philosophy sets Giving Payroll apart from traditional providers. While many claim to “work with nonprofits,” few truly grasp the compliance requirements, funding structures, and the high stakes of payroll errors. “We believed nonprofits deserved more than a vendor and a login screen,” Strickland says. “They deserved a partner who understands the ins and outs of their world.”

The Origin Story

Before Giving Payroll existed, Strickland and their team were already working with nonprofits and saw the same challenge repeatedly: payroll services that didn’t understand nonprofit compliance. That gap inspired a new approach—transparent, fair fixed pricing and only the services organizations actually need. “Giving Payroll was built to deliver specialized support without unnecessary upsells or barriers,” Strickland emphasizes.

5Connecting Past and Present with AZ Impact for Good

The connection to Arizona’s nonprofit environment runs deep. Before co-founding Giving Payroll, Strickland spent nearly a decade as Operations Manager for a nonprofit training organization. “It was during that time that I first became involved with AZ Impact for Good and experienced firsthand the value they bring to Arizona nonprofits,” he shared. Joining as a business member now feels like coming full circle. “AZ Impact for Good represents the kind of collaborative, mission-driven ecosystem we want to uplift. Supporting your work is a direct investment in the nonprofits we care about.”

A Mission Beyond Payroll

Nonprofits aren’t just clients—they’re the heart of Giving Payroll’s business model. Their needs shaped everything from pricing to support systems, and even inspired the Pay Nonprofits™ program. Through this initiative, business clients direct five dollars from every payroll to the nonprofit of their choice—even if that nonprofit isn’t a Giving Payroll client. “This model started thanks to a nonprofit who referred many of their supporting businesses to us,” Strickland explains. “We wanted those referrals to come full circle and continue supporting their mission.”

Years later, those donations help cover that nonprofit’s payroll service costs while also providing a consistent monthly contribution. “Not every organization has business partners like that, but when they do, we are proud to help strengthen those community relationships.”

Dreams for Arizona’s Nonprofit Sector

When asked about their biggest dreams for contributing to Arizona’s nonprofit sector, Strickland doesn’t hesitate: “My dream is for nonprofits in Arizona to feel like they have a partner who actually understands what they deal with day to day. I want organizations here to worry less about back-office stress and feel fully supported behind the scenes, so they can stay focused on the good they are doing.”

If they could change one thing to strengthen nonprofits in the state? Funding. “While payroll isn’t directly tied to fundraising, I have spent enough time in nonprofit operations to know the constant pressure it brings. Imagine if more organizations could focus on their work instead of chasing resources to keep the lights on.”

Collaboration for the Future

Partnerships between nonprofits and businesses, Strickland believes, are key to a thriving future. “Businesses gain a deeper understanding of the good being done in their communities, and nonprofits gain access to knowledge, tools, and advocates that help them operate sustainably. My hope is that more businesses shift away from rigid industry-standard pricing and instead consider value-based support that honors the critical missions nonprofits serve.”

Moments That Matter

One story stands out as a defining moment for Giving Payroll. During COVID, tax agencies across the country shut down, halting notices. When offices reopened, everything hit at once. “Payroll providers everywhere were flooded,” Strickland recalls. For most for-profits, late responses meant annoying letters and reversible fines. For nonprofits, it was a different story—some were suddenly at risk of losing their nonprofit status or grants that kept their doors open. “Missions were on the line. I knew we couldn’t let that happen.”

What began as a few escalations turned into a full-time effort. “Every day, I was calling tax offices and payroll teams, pushing relentlessly until each issue was resolved. Some cases took nearly a year, but in the end, not one organization lost funding or status.” That experience cemented Giving Payroll’s purpose: to protect missions, not just process payroll.

Inspired by Service

Nonprofits attract a certain kind of person—someone who wakes up thinking about others before themselves. “I’ve watched people push through limited resources, long hours, and unimaginable challenges just to make sure someone else gets a meal, a safe place to sleep, an education, a second chance,” Strickland says. “Supporting those kinds of people has inspired me every single day for almost two decades and keeps me motivated to show up and give my best.”

Final Thoughts

In a world where every dollar and every hour counts, Giving Payroll proves that operational support can be mission-driven too. By understanding the unique challenges nonprofits face, they’re not just processing payroll—they’re safeguarding the lifeblood of organizations that make Arizona stronger. And that’s a mission worth investing in.

Learn more about Giving Payroll today!