Last month, the Moonridge Group Hosted its 12th annual Philanthropy Leaders’ Summit statewide in Nevada. The event featured speakers from a host of respected organizations. Punam Mathur with the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation and Staci Alonso of Noah’s Animal House served as Mistresses of Ceremony for the events in Las Vegas and Reno, respectively.
For the first time this year, Nevada Business Magazine partnered with the Moonridge Group to present awards to trailblazing philanthropists. The following honorees were recognized at the event in September.
Trailblazing Philanthropy Award Honorees
NORTHERN NEVADA
Corporation – The Abbi Agency
Co-founded in 2008 by Abbi and Ty Whitaker, The Abbi Agency has grown exponentially and now serves clients nationwide. In 2017, the agency started the “Do Good Sh*t” committee as a way to support nonprofits. The committee allows agency employees to work together and give back to the community in which they live and work. In addition, in 2022 The Abbi Agency earned a B Corp Certification which is given to organizations who meet verified performance, accountability and transparency benchmarks on factors such as employee benefits and charitable giving, among others.
Individual Philanthropist – Kristen Avansino
Having served as president of the Wiegand Foundation, an organization that provides grants to strengthen programs that impact science, business, fine arts, law and medicine, Kristen Avansino was committed to philanthropy in Nevada. Prior to her passing last year, Avansino made a significant impact on the northern Nevada community, and beyond. She was responsible for sustaining a multitude of programs including early learning centers, new gymnasiums, rehabilitation centers and lifestyle centers. Avansino’s life work influenced countless individuals and her belief that learning and development went beyond the classroom helped transform wellness.
SOUTHERN NEVADA
Corporation – MGM Resorts International
A global entertainment company with hotels, casinos, meeting and conference spaces as well as retail and restaurant spaces, MGM Resorts International is a household name, especially in Las Vegas. The company takes philanthropy very seriously and, as of this award, employees have donated over 1 million hours in their communities. Last year, employees volunteered nearly 72,000 hours. In addition, the MGM Resorts Foundation, the organization’s charitable arm which is almost entirely funded by employees, has distributed over $108 million into the community through grants and nonprofits. In 2022, MGM distributed $400,000 across 20 grants for hunger relief and over $2.8 million across 46 grants for workforce development and education.
Family Foundation – Olympia Companies Charitable Foundation
A nonprofit established by Garry Goett and Guy Inzalaco of the Olympia Companies, the Olympia Companies Charitable Foundation (OCCF) has donated over $27 million over the past 23 years. According to company CEO, Goett, “Successful companies have a responsibility to give back and support the community.” To that end, the mission of OCCF is to improve the quality of life for families in southern Nevada. It does so by donating to local charities and organization which address personal, financial and educational enrichment and assistance programs for the intellectually disabled, critically ill women or children, veterans and their families.
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