The Arizona Trucking Association Foundation (ATAF) was founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit to operate exclusively for charitable, educational, research, environmental and/or scientific purposes. ATAF is a subsidiary of the Arizona Trucking Association.

The 501(c)(3) designation refers to a section of the Internal Revenue Code governing charitable, educational and other such tax-exempt foundations. While it operates as a subsidiary of Arizona Trucking Association, ATAF is a viable and independent entity. It has a separate set of bylaws, an independent Board of Directors and separate and distinct financial accounting system, as required by law.

There are distinct tax benefits to a 501(c)(3). In addition to being exempt from income tax on activities related to its exempt purposes, a 501(c)(3):

• Is eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.
• Is more likely to be eligible for grants from private foundations, corporations, and federal, state and local governments.
• May qualify for nonprofit postal permits
• May qualify for various state tax exemptions such as sales and use, personal property and real property taxes.
• Is allowed to issue tax-exempt bonds.