Help Arizona Derby Dames Overcome Financial Challenges

The Arizona Derby Dames Association greatly needs your help.

Who are we: We are the only banked track roller derby league in the state of Arizona. Built and operated by the skaters and volunteers, we have been established since 2006 and have grown our league to exponential heights over the years. We have both youth and adult programs that teach how the game of banked track roller derby is played as well as what it means to be a team player and be a valuable part of a community that supports itself. We also are the hosts of the world's first annual modern-day banked track roller derby all-gender tournament. We have many skaters, volunteers, and entire families that have been around for 10+ years helping keep these programs alive and growing.

In 2022, our warehouse building was sold and our rent increased 32% from what we were originally paying. After the very hard financial hit our association took during COVID, we have been working to regrow our league numbers as well as our fan base, but this has been a hard road. In early 2024, the league was able to get their 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit status approved, and we have been working hard to get educated in all things nonprofit, but it takes a lot of time and work.

With our warehouse not being climate controlled, we are at the mercy of the Arizona sun through the months of June, July, and August and cannot hold events to help us bring in revenue for our overhead costs. Our current monthly amount for rent alone is $10,799.76. That will increase as of Oct 2024 by $670 a month. We have about another $1,000 in utilities and insurance per month.

We need help paying our bills while we get our grant and donor department underway so we can pay our bills as well as build up our programs to better service our youth and adult skaters and our surrounding communities. We are currently down rent for the month of Sept.

The Arizona Derby Dames is filled with over 100 skaters and volunteers that dump their heart and soul into keeping this league alive and thriving. It has been a safe space of strength for so many over the years, and we strive to keep that going and to build a better world for the overall roller derby community.

Any help is much appreciated.