Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) has made a generous donation of $270,000 to The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) through its philanthropic arm, Sands Cares. This significant contribution will directly support The Center’s ongoing physical expansion and empower its efforts to enhance its impact within the community.
A portion of the donation will be allocated towards funding office space as The Center expands the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center. This expansion aims to provide even greater access to essential healthcare services for the LGBTQ+ community in Southern Nevada.
Furthermore, the donation will play a crucial role in strengthening The Center’s marketing capabilities, enabling it to increase its visibility through targeted media and communication efforts. The Center, a vital institution in Las Vegas for the past 30 years, provides a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. It offers a wide range of life-enriching programs, services, events, education, and support.
The Center serves as a crucial hub for essential resources, including food and meal delivery, healthcare services, and community advocacy. John Waldron, CEO of The Center, expressed gratitude for Sands’ continued support, stating, “Our partnership with Sands has enabled us to advance our strategic vision and expand our services to the LGBTQ+ and Southern Nevada community. We appreciate Sands’ commitment to our long-term strategy for greater community service and impact.”
Since 2021, Sands has actively supported the expansion of the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center as it strives to become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The 2024 Sands Cares funding is facilitating The Center’s administrative relocation, providing essential space for the health center’s operations until the new facility at 921 S. Las Vegas Blvd is fully operational. The new facility, which had a soft opening in June 2024, has already treated over 100 patients in its first two weeks and is scheduled for a grand opening later in the year.
The funding will also be used to upgrade The Center’s main lobby, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for community patrons.
Now in its second year of the three-year Sands Cares Accelerator program, The Center is focused on expanding its marketing capabilities. The 2024 funding will support strategic communications, media production, and storytelling efforts to amplify its reach and build a strong foundation for its future.
The Sands Cares Accelerator, inspired by the entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit of Sands’ founder Sheldon G. Adelson, continues his legacy of supporting nonprofit organizations and addressing community needs. Accelerator members receive funding, strategic guidance, and mentorship from Sands’ staff to support their strategic goals.
Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs at Sands, emphasized the importance of The Center’s participation in the Sands Cares Accelerator, saying, “We invited The Center to join the Sands Cares Accelerator because it exemplifies the strategic vision and dedication we aim to nurture in the program. The Center has a solid roadmap for expanding the health center, leveraging its revenue model to sustain programming, and increasing visibility to ensure these services are embraced. Our support is carefully planned to help The Center achieve its long-term vision.”
Sands’ support for The Center aligns with its priorities on nonprofit capacity building and diverse community advancement under the global Sands Cares community engagement program.
