The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada Gains $270,000 Support from Las Vegas Sands

Friday, June 28, 2024

Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) has donated $270,000 to The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) through Sands Cares.This contribution will support The Center’s ongoing physical expansion and empower its work in the Sands Cares Accelerator, a three-year program designed to enhance nonprofit organizations’ community impact.

Part of the donation will fund office space as The Center expands the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center. Additionally, the donation will help The Center build its marketing capabilities, with funding allocated to enhance visibility through media and communications efforts.

The Center has been a vital part of Las Vegas for 30 years, providing a safe, inclusive environment for life-enriching programs, services, events, education, and support for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. 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

Since 2021, Sands has supported the expansion of the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center as it works towards becoming a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The 2024 Sands Cares funding is facilitating The Center’s administrative relocation to provide necessary space for the health center’s operations until the new facility at 921 S. Las Vegas Blvd is fully operational. The new facility had a soft opening in June 2024, treating over 100 patients in the first two weeks, with plans for a grand opening later in 2024. Additionally, the funding 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 focused 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.

Inspired by the entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit of Sands’ founder Sheldon G. Adelson, the Sands Cares Accelerator continues his legacy of supporting nonprofit organizations and addressing community needs. Members receive funding, strategic guidance, and mentorship 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 nurture in the program,” said Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs. “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.