Philanthropy Catalyst Newsletter | May 2016
Welcome from CEO and Principal Julie Murray
Moonridge Group is honored to be involved with several projects that help create strong and healthy communities, locally and globally. Our work to help funders achieve a maximum ROI on their charitable investments is a role we take seriously, and we strive to deliver with excellence.
I hope you enjoy the following update that provides a snapshot of our work. As always, please let us know if there are issues important to you where we can provide support. We remain committed to provide the highest level of professionalism to philanthropists to bring their charitable dreams to life…and to do so strategically. We are excited for what is to come in 2016, and we invite you to help us create a more vibrant and connected community.
Moonridge Group Open House & Ribbon Cutting
Last fall, Moonridge Group moved into its new and permanent home in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. To celebrate, we hosted an open house on February 29th with a live Mariachi band from Monaco Middle School, the Mounted Police Unit and many community partners and friends. Mayor Goodman participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially welcome Moonridge Group to its new home.
Earlier this year, Marthe Winner joined the team as the Director of Strategy and Special Projects, and we are thrilled to have her on board. Marthe came from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, where she served as the Director of Marketing leading a team of event, marketing, market research, and creative professionals. Prior to her 16 years at the Review-Journal, Marthe was the Director of Market Research for Thomas Puckett Advertising and Marketing manager for AT&T Wireless.
2016 Philanthropy Leaders Summit Las Vegas
Moonridge Group hosted its fifth annual Philanthropy Leadership Summit on February 5th, 2016 in the City of Las Vegas City Council Chambers. Mayor Carolyn Goodman shared opening remarks to over 200 funders who gathered to learn about best practices and trends in giving. The summit, with Punam Mathur serving as the Master of Ceremonies, continues to draw in more and more leaders each year and fosters the expansion of our philanthropic community. This event would not be possible without the help from our generous sponsors including Barrick Gold, Bennett Family Foundation, NV Energy, and more.
Michael Brown, Barrick Gold; Shelly Gitomer, MGM Resorts; and Tony Sanchez, NV Energy gave an overview of the mission and vision of Nevada Corporate Giving Council and introduced Jeremy Aguero, Applied Analysis, who spoke in depth about the annual Nevada Corporate Giving Report. The 2015 report affirms that Nevada giving is growing, and this shows through our Youth Philanthropy Leaders Allyson Alhstrom, Thread for Teens; Constandina Ciulla, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; and Riley Haase, ONE DROP™. The youth of Nevada have been inspired to give back either through personal experiences or through family. Jan Jones Blackhurst, Ceasars, and Annemarie Jones, philanthropist; and Betsy Fulmer and Alexis Fulmer, National Charity Legaue, spoke about how creating a culture of volunteerism and contribution is important throughout the generations during the Next Generation Panel. Lindy Schumacher, Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas, presented the Eric Hilton Philanthropy Award to Chuck Mathewson – Congratulations Chuck! The summit concluded with the keynote speaker, Dan Pallotta, best known for his book, Uncharitable - How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential, and his iconic TED Talk, “Too many nonprofits are rewarded for how little they spend, not for what they get done.” After the summit, guests were invited to attend a luncheon to further discuss the successes and challenges of nonprofits.
If you would like to join this event next year, please visit our website for more information and to see highlights from this year’s event.
The popularity of the summit led to requests from philanthropists in Northern Nevada to replicate the event in Reno and Moonridge Group is excited to announce that it is expanding the Philanthropy Leaders Summit to Northern Nevada in the Fall.
Save the Date! September 9, 2016 at Nevada Museum of Art - Nightingale Sky Room in Reno
For more information, please contact Melody Zita at melody@moonridgegroup.com or 702.570.7693.
One Night for ONE DROP
One Night for ONE DROP™, a one-night-only Cirque du Soleil show in support of ONE DROP™ was once again a tremendous success thanks to the support from many extraordinary leaders! Now in its 4th year, the event was held at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts after being on the Las Vegas Strip the first three years. Moonridge Group has enjoyed providing strategic guidance for One Drop since its inaugural event in 2013, and has managed all aspects of stakeholder and donor relations.
One Drop has shared that Moonridge Group’s extensive knowledge of the Las Vegas landscape has helped make One Night for One Drop into the event it is today. Guests were immersed into the Alice in One Drop Land through this astonishing show featuring Leona Lewis and Miles Brown, which raised an amazing $6.5 million! With the funds raised, One Drop not only is able to provide water in developing countries but is also able to continue its work locally donating more than $1.25 million to the Las Vegas Springs Preserve.
To find out more about ONE DROP, visit: www.onedrop.org
Newsworthy
In collaboration with Moonridge Group and Applied Analysis, the Nevada Corporate Giving Council officially released the 2015 Nevada Corporate Philanthropy Report in April. The report summarizes the results of our annual survey conducted among Nevada corporations and representing all major industries in the state. The report provides an in-depth analysis of corporate giving in Nevada, i.e. where, how and why they give. For a copy of the report, please click here or email bri@moonridgegroup.com.
Nevada Business Magazine 2016 Family Owned Business Award
Moonridge Group is honored to be named one of the Nevada Business 2016 Family Owned Business recipients. For more information click here.
Moonridge Foundation Philanthropy Awards
The Moonridge Foundation Philanthropy Award program was established in 2015 to recognize philanthropists in Nevada and highlight the impact giving has on our community. There are many heroes doing inspirational philanthropy, be it donating time, funds and/or in-kind services. By bringing awareness to their work, it can inspire others to give and get engaged in whatever way they can.
Congratulations to our recent winners:
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Irwin Molasky
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Emily Jillette
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Staci Columbo-Alonso
We feel lucky to see such extraordinary philanthropic leadership in our work at Moonridge Group, and plan to highlight one extraordinary funder each quarter.
Luxury Las Vegas Magazine
We are proud to have our CEO and Founder, Julie Murray, featured on April’s cover of Luxury LV Magazine, The Influencer Issue. She was joined by other extraordinary leaders including Nancy Houssels, Don Snyder, Larry Ruvo, Frank Schreck and Kevin Orrock.
Calendar of Events
Nevada Corporate Giving Council
What: A council of executives in philanthropy designed for networking and sharing best practices in corporate giving. Contact Bri Lawrence for more information and meeting details.
Quarterly Meetings: June 10th, September 22nd, Q4 TBD
Contact: bri@moonridgegroup.com
Website: www.moonridgegroup.com
Greater Good Council
What: An intimate gathering of individual funders and family foundations. Contact Melody Zita for more information and meeting details.
Quarterly Meetings: June 15th, September 21st, Q4 TBD
Contact: melody@moonridgegroup.com
Website: www.moonridgegroup.com
Downtown Cares
What: 5 years ago, El Cortez and Moonridge Group formed “Downtown Cares”, a day of giving back though volunteerism in the Downtown area. We are excited to announce the 6th Downtown Cares at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada!
Date: Saturday, June 4, 2016
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: 1501 Las Vegas Blvd North Las Vegas, NV 89101
Contact: tiffany@moonridgegroup.com
Inaugral Philanthropy Leaders Summit in Reno
What: The Philanthropy Leaders Summit is expanding to Reno to continue the connection of philanthropic leaders across the state.
Date: September 9, 2016
Time: 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Location: Nevada Museum of Art - 1st Floor Theatre
Contact: melody@moonridgegroup.com
Website: www.moonridgegroup.com
Walk for Water
What: Walk for Water pays tribute to the millions of women and children who spend hours a day collecting water. Take a 2.7-mile walk in their shoes from The Smith Center to the Springs Preserve.
Date: October 15, 2016
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Springs Preserve