Philanthropy News, June 16

Caesars Foundation reports $500,000 in giving this year

Caesars Foundation approved 17 grants totaling more than $500,000 for the second quarter of 2014.

Additionally, Caesars Foundation approved a $150,000 grant to AARP Foundation for work dedicated to increasing awareness and support for ending senior hunger.

The funds will be utilized by creating a tablet-based Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment project in collaboration with the Meals On Wheels Association of America.

AARP facilitates SNAP enrollment in 15 states, and through those projects assisted more than 20,200 older adults with SNAP applications in 2013.

Lev Restaurant Group supports Grant a Gift Autism Foundation

Lev Restaurant Group will help raise funds for Grant a Gift Autism Foundation as the company’s restaurant brands, The Coffee Bean &Tea Leaf, Jamba Juice, i❤burgers, Daily Kitchen &Wellness Bar and Lobster ME, will donate a percentage from the sale of specific menu items to the foundation through June 30.

The Grant a Gift Foundation was founded in 2009 out of the struggle encountered by a young mother whose son was diagnosed with autism.

The charity helps those up to 18 years of age on the autism spectrum and their families by addressing gaps in services. It offers diagnostic, treatment and support services, as well as quality-of-life programs that help to prepare those on the spectrum to live as independent adults and have a functioning role in our communities.

Colliers International — Las Vegas raises more than $70,000

Colliers International — Las Vegas raised more than $70,000 for various children’s charities in Southern Nevada at the 20th annual Links for Life Charity Golf Tournament.

The company singlehandedly donated $25,000 to support Links for Life’s charitable efforts in Las Vegas.

The Links for Life Foundation is corporately sponsored by Colliers International. Since its inception in 1995, Links for Life has contributed more than $2.2 million to local children’s charities including Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Three Square Food Bank and Create a Change Now.

McDonald’s raises more than $41,113 during Green for Grads

McDonald’s raised $41,113 during its fourth annual Green for Grads scholarship fundraising event. During the one-day scholarship fundraising event, 110 participating Southern Nevada restaurants pledged to donate $1 from every Extra Value Meal bought locally. Funds raised through Green for Grads benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas scholarship program.

“Each year, the McDonald’s team looks forward to working with our customers to make a difference during the Green for Grads event,” said James Vance, president of the Greater Las Vegas Operator Association. “The support we receive from our neighbors, local politicians and partners will give dedicated Southern Nevada students the opportunity to pursue the education of their dreams.”

Henderson Chamber raises funds for American Cancer Society

The Henderson Chamber of Commerce raised $7,300 as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Challenge benefiting American Cancer Society research, free patient and caregiver services, education and advocacy programs.

Each season during Suits And Sneakers Awareness weekend, basketball coaches trade their dress shoes for sneakers on the sidelines to bring awareness to the fight against cancer.

As part of their Community Day initiative, Henderson Chamber of Commerce members joined the coaches’ effort by lacing up sneakers for a workplace challenge, the day of the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.

Matt Smith Physical Therapy

supports Three Square Food Bank

Matt Smith Physical Therapy collected 2,371 pounds of food in its third annual food drive benefiting Three Square Food Bank. The donated food will help create 2,276 meals that will be given to Three Square’s program partners who feed more than 100,000 men, women and children each month.

Matt Smith Physical Therapy’s commitment and support of Three Square Food Bank has steadily increased over the years, as the company’s food drive in 2012 yielded 657 pounds of food and 1,263 pounds of food in 2013.

Their annual food drive is one of the many charitable endeavors the physical therapy clinic participates in, as a part of its on-going “Changing Lives” community campaign.