Las Vegas Sands has shown its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community in Southern Nevada with a generous donation of $270,000 to The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) through Sands Cares. This contribution signifies a significant step towards empowering The Center’s ongoing expansion efforts and strengthens its involvement in the Sands Cares Accelerator, a three-year program dedicated to enhancing the impact of non-profit organizations.
A portion of this substantial donation will be allocated towards securing office space, facilitating the expansion of the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center. This dedicated space will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the center and its ability to provide vital services to the community. Furthermore, The Center will benefit from the Sands Cares Accelerator’s support, enabling it to enhance its marketing capabilities. This includes strategic communication initiatives, media production, and other avenues to amplify its visibility and reach, ensuring a sustainable impact on the community. The remaining funds will be strategically deployed to support media and communications initiatives, ultimately increasing the Center’s visibility and raising awareness of its crucial role in serving the LGBTQ+ community.
For three decades, The Center has been a beacon of hope and support for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in Las Vegas, providing a welcoming environment and a wide range of programs, services, events, education, and support groups. It serves as a vital hub, offering essential resources such as food delivery, healthcare services, mental health support, and community advocacy. This donation from Las Vegas Sands stands as a testament to the company’s belief in The Center’s mission and its dedication to the well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in Southern Nevada.
“Our partnership with Sands has enabled us to execute on key strategies for advancing our strategic vision to build our organization’s future and increasing our services to the LGBTQ+ and Southern Nevada community,” said John Waldron, CEO of The Center. “We appreciate that Sands understands the value of what we’re trying to accomplish with a demonstrated commitment to our long-term strategy for greater community service and impact.”
Since 2021, Sands has been a steadfast supporter of The Center’s expansion efforts at the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center, a project aimed at achieving Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) status. Sands Cares funding played a pivotal role in 2024 by facilitating the relocation of administrative functions to a nearby building. This strategic move ensures adequate space for the center’s operations until the new facility at 921 S. Las Vegas Blvd is fully operational.
The Center marked the beginning of June 2024 with a soft opening of its new facility, signifying a significant milestone in its expansion journey. Over 100 patients have already benefited from the services offered in the initial two weeks of operation. The Center is actively working on further development plans, with a grand opening of the facility’s first phase scheduled later this year. This expansion promises to bring even greater access to healthcare services for the LGBTQ+ community in Southern Nevada.
Sands Cares funding for physical infrastructure is also transforming The Center’s main building lobby, creating a revitalized space that welcomes community patrons and hosts events. This refreshed environment serves as a welcoming hub for the community, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity.
The Center’s participation in the Sands Cares Accelerator program is playing a crucial role in enhancing its marketing capabilities. In its second year of participation, the Center is leveraging the program’s resources to amplify its reach and visibility. The 2024 funding has empowered the Center to implement strategic communications initiatives, produce high-quality media content, and explore other avenues to ensure a sustainable community impact.
Inspired by Sheldon G. Adelson’s entrepreneurial spirit, the Sands Cares Accelerator program continues to empower non-profit organizations to thrive. Members of the program receive valuable funding, strategic guidance, and mentorship from Sands’ staff, enhancing their ability to effectively address community needs.
“We invited The Center to join the Sands Cares Accelerator because it demonstrated the very essence of what we look to nurture in the program: a strategic vision that needs resources, dedicated time and focused development to materialize,” said Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, who spearheads corporate responsibility initiatives. “The Center has a solid roadmap for expanding the health center to fill voids in medical care delivery for the LGBTQ+ community, leveraging its revenue model to sustain overall programming and increasing its visibility to ensure these offerings are embraced. While our contributions span different areas, our support has been carefully planned to help The Center realize its long-term vision.”
