12th Annual Grant a Gift Gala Raises Two Million Plus Surprise One Million Dollar Pledge from MGM Resorts International

Esteemed local nonprofit Grant a Gift Autism Foundation – Ackerman Center hosted its 12th annual Grant A Gift Gala underneath the sparkling lights on the Allegiant Stadium field on Thursday (10/20) evening.

Irish Doodle Puppy, auctioned for $10,000 at Grant a Gift Gala (Photo credit: ALTF Photography)

The charity’s biggest fundraising event of the year was a huge success, with over 845 attending supporters who raised an astounding 2 million in donations through ticket sales and auction items.

The crowd erupted in applause when MGM Resorts International’s CEO and President, Bill Hornbuckle, surprised the organization and guests with a commitment of a generous additional one million dollars of support over the next five years.

Grant a Gift President, Brian Hager with the Findlay Family, of Findlay Automotive Group (Photo credit: ALTF Photography)

All of the funds raised will go directly to helping Grant a Gift provide family-centered necessary services to Southern Nevada children, youth, and their families navigating the autism spectrum, as well as expanding their reach into the lives of the more than 5,000 local youth currently on their waiting list.

The dynamic event honored local philanthropists Ivan Sher, luxury real estate agent, and the prominent Findlay Family, of Findlay Automotive Group, for their continued dedicated and generous support of the nonprofit’s mission.

The nonprofit’s prestigious Community Ambassador award was given to popular bakery, Sugar & Spice.

Guests were welcomed to participate in the event’s exciting live auction, bidding on luxurious items, including a cockapoo puppy which raised $30,000, a Louis Vuitton Experience package which raised $160,000, a 2022 electric Ford Lightning Lariat, which raised $140,000, and 45 suits from STICHED at $2,500 a piece, just to name a few.

The eventful evening ended with a dynamic performance by the electric violin quartet Femmes of Rock starring Bella Electric Strings. The gala was Grant a Gift Autism Foundation – Ackerman Center’s biggest fundraising effort to date, allowing the organization to make great strides in its mission to provide comprehensive clinical services, resources, education, research, and advocacy for individuals, families, and our community living with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities conditions.