Alleys, parking lots and the Phoenix City Council chambers are just three of many places clowns have been sighted downtown. But those jumping out at their victims aren’t just clowning around.

Sources say the clowns are actually raising money as part of a charity fundraiser called C.I.R.C.U.S., which stands for Clowns’ Instant and Remarkable Classic Upbeat Spirits.

C.I.R.C.U.S. spokesperson Alfie Terzen said the charity aims to give clowns self-confidence.

“A lot of people kind of look down on [clowns] for being childlike. We really just wanted to raise awareness for that and for lack of self-confidence in general,” Terzen said. “We felt like the time around Halloween would be a great time to start. Apparently not everyone agrees with that.”

Terzen said the charity is in tents.

“No, really. It is,” Terzen said. The C.I.R.C.U.S. team meets every Tuesday in the Arizona Center to raise money in a makeshift circus tent. Downtown residents are able to donate $10 or more to have a clown scare someone of their choice or someone at random.

“That money either goes to our workshops to boost self-confidence or to other organizations that help build confidence in clowns in any way, shape or form,” Terzen said.

One of those organizations is downtown Phoenix’s own Tightrope, which helps clowns balance things in their lives to give them self confidence.

Terzen said so far C.I.R.C.U.S. raised “a heck of a lot of money, like … $50,000 or maybe $1,000 … probably more like $1,000.”

Tightrope is run by Manager Engel Ovhell, who said the charity is thankful for everything C.I.R.C.U.S. does for them.

“We just think it’s great that other charities are out there to help us boost self-confidence in clowns,” Ovhell said.

Ovhell said Tightrope uses the money donated from C.I.R.C.U.S. to help expand their programs, which continue to grow.

“Last year we had about five programs, which included classes on teamwork and time management. This year we are planning to open three more,” Ovhell said.

Frequent donor to C.I.R.C.U.S. Anna Therwun said she enjoys donating to the charity because she thinks it’s a good cause.

“The clowns really mean no harm. They actually mean a lot of good,” Liwia said.

Along with Therwun, other people frequently donate to C.I.R.C.U.S. on a weekly basis as well.

“We’re really proud of the turnout,” said Alfie, who wasn’t sure on the amount of people that turned up. “50 … or 10. Yeah, it’s probably … you know what, it actually might be 15.”