Friday, June 28, 2024
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Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) has donated $270,000 to the LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) through Sands Cares. The contribution will support the center’s ongoing physical expansion and strengthen its work in the Sands Cares Accelerator, a three-year program. Designed to enhance the community impact of nonprofit organizations.
A portion of the donation will fund office space as the center expands the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center. In addition, the donation will help the Center build its marketing capabilities with funds allocated to increase visibility through media and communications efforts.
The Center has been a vital part of Las Vegas for over 30 years, providing a safe, inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies to offer life-enriching programs, services, events, education and support. It serves as a hub for essential resources, including food and meal delivery, health care services, and community advocacy.
“Our partnership with Sands has enabled us to advance our strategic vision and expand our services to the LGBTQ+ and Southern Nevada community,” said John Waldron, CEO of the Center. “We appreciate Sands’ commitment to our long-term strategy for greater community service and impact.”
Physical infrastructure expansion
Beginning in 2021, Sands has supported the expansion of Arlene Cooper Community Health Center as it works toward becoming a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The 2024 Sands Cares funding facilitates the administrative relocation of the center to provide the necessary space for the health center’s operations until the new facility is fully operational at 921 S. Las Vegas Blvd. The new facility had a soft opening in June 2024, treating more than 100 patients in the first two weeks, with a grand opening planned for later in 2024. In addition, the funds will upgrade the center’s main lobby to create a welcoming environment for community patrons.
Marketing Capacity Building
Now in its second year of the three-year Sands Cares Accelerator Program, the center is focusing on expanding its marketing capabilities. The 2024 funding will support strategic communications, media production and storytelling to increase visibility and build a strong foundation for the organization’s future.
Sands founder Sheldon G. Inspired by Adelson’s entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit, the Sands Cares Accelerator continues his legacy of supporting nonprofit organizations and addressing community needs. Members receive funding, strategic guidance and mentoring from Sands staff to support their strategic goals.
“We invited the center to join the Sands Cares Accelerator because it exemplifies the strategic vision and dedication we aim to foster in the program,” said Ron Rees, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs. “The Center has a solid roadmap for health center expansion, leveraging its revenue model to sustain programming and increasing visibility to ensure these services are accepted. Our support is carefully planned to help the Center achieve its long-term vision.”
Sands’ support for the center is aligned with its priorities on nonprofit capacity building and diverse community upliftment under the Global Sands Cares Community Engagement Program.