LAS VEGAS—More than $4.6 million is headed to nonprofit organizations in communities where MGM Resorts employees live and work. The MGM Resorts Foundation has awarded 211 grants, fueled by contributions from employees and guests. Recipients span communities in Nevada, Michigan, Ohio, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts, as well as the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
Employee involvement extends to the Foundation’s Community Grant Councils, where volunteers from across the company review applications and help identify organizations that are creating meaningful impact in their local communities. This year, 87 Council members reviewed hundreds of applications across the country.
“What makes the Foundation special is that our employees are invested in this work in every sense. They contribute their own dollars, understand the needs in their communities and help ensure those dollars reach organizations making a real difference,” said Maria Jose Gatti, Vice President of Philanthropy at MGM Resorts. “It’s a model that puts our employees, and the communities they call home, at the heart of our giving.”
This year’s grant recipients range from local grassroots nonprofits to organizations making an impact across multiple MGM Resorts communities, including:
- Shoes That Fit, which provides new athletic shoes and other essentials to children facing financial hardship, received support in five regions, including Southern Nevada, Southern Mississippi, New Jersey, Westchester & Bronx Counties and Western Massachusetts.
- Gamers Outreach, which provides hospitalized children with therapeutic gaming experiences, received funding in six regions, including Southern Nevada, Southern Mississippi, Michigan, New Jersey, Westchester & Bronx Counties and Western Massachusetts.
For members of the Community Grant Councils, reviewing applications offers a firsthand look at the needs and the impact within their own communities.
Can Get Emotional
“Reviewing applications can be emotional because you see just how many people need support. But it’s also inspiring to learn about the organizations stepping up to meet those needs. I will continue to talk about the work they do long after reading their applications,” says a Corporate Partnerships Manager and member of the Southern Nevada Community Grant Council.
“Reading these applications gave me a deeper appreciation for the organizations quietly doing incredible work every day. It’s rewarding to know our decisions help strengthen the communities we call home,” says a Human Resources Partner and member of the Greater Washington Community Grant Council.
Behind each of the 211 grants is a story of an organization meeting a need, creating opportunity or helping someone move toward a brighter future. A full list of grant recipients can be found here.
