SMGHA and Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas awards over a $1 million in grants
$5,000 Welcome Bonus
Revealed in a combination of in-person surprises and personal outreach, representatives of SMGHA and Palms Casino Resort’s new Palms Cares community outreach program delighted several organizations including Opportunity Village, Culinary Training Academy, Green Our Planet, Noah’s Animal House Foundation, and education non-profit CORE with a prize-patrol-style visit presenting grants ranging from $5,000-$250,000.
With an ongoing mission and commitment to providing a “hand up” to underserved populations in the communities that they serve, grants were awarded to nonprofits that reflect and serve several of the pillars that are most meaningful to the SMGHA including education, empowering lives, reinforcing healthy and resilient communities, and preserving cultural traditions.
“We are committed to fulfilling our legacy while aspiring to be a community leader for positive social change,” said Latisha Casas, Chairperson of the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority. “We refer to it as The Spirit of Yawa’ – to act on one’s beliefs. That’s what inspires us to contribute to the Las Vegas community and the organizations here working to create a better tomorrow.
The Culinary Academy Las Vegas received the largest grant at $250,000 for kitchen equipment and upgrades at the country’s leading nonprofit hospitality training institute.
"We are so appreciative of the generous support from the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority and Palms Casino Resort," said Edmund Wong, Chief Executive Officer of the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas. "This grant will enable us to upgrade our classroom kitchen equipment to provide the best, most industry-relevant training experience and better prepare our students for successful careers in hospitality."
In addition, funded programs include The Cleveland Clinic Foundation for patient and caregiver services, Alliance For A Just Society for its Tribal Minds Governance Project, Project 150 for scholarships and food distribution, Unshakeable for its Empower to Employ program, and many more.
“All of us at Opportunity Village are thankful to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the Palms family of employees for their substantial financial support for Opportunity Village’s workforce development programs, and for their strong advocacy for all people with disabilities in our community. It is because of the generosity of the San Manuel Tribe that OV will be able to support the employment goals of more people, helping them receive the necessary training and assistance to achieve meaningful jobs that provide greater independence and pride,” said Chuck Neuwohner, Opportunity Village, Chief Programs Officer. “OV is proud of the accomplishments of the people we serve, and the San Manuel partnership that helps us fulfill our mission. Thank you!”
The inaugural grants extend the philanthropic values of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI), which began in Las Vegas prior to the purchase of Palms. Since January 2020, the Tribe has awarded $10.3 million to educational institutions and charities in Las Vegas, including $9 million to UNLV for the Boyd School of Law and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality to fund education programs in Tribal law and Tribal gaming operations.
“There are so many worthy organizations doing amazing and impactful philanthropic work throughout the Las Vegas Valley,” said Palms General Manager Cynthia Kiser Murphey. “We are thrilled to be able to support their ongoing efforts. Even better, this is just the beginning.”
Complete list of Inaugural 2022 Grant Recipients
Anti-Defamation League
Be A Shero Foundation
Bright Star Foundation
Edward Kline Memorial Homeless Veterans Fund, Inc.
Foster Kinship
Goodie Two Shoes Foundation
Nevada Housing Coalition
Nevada Legal Services
Noah's Animal House Foundation
Olive Crest Nevada
Raise The Future
Unshakeable
Workforce Connections
Communities In Schools of Nevada
CORE Powered by The Rogers Foundation
Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada
Green Our Planet
Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada
Nevada Ballet Theatre
Project 150
Alliance For A Just Society
Candlelighters For Childhood Cancer of Southern Nevada, Inc.
Gay And Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, Inc
Baller Dream Foundation
Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada
Nevada Grant Lab
Hope Means Nevada
Opportunity Village Foundation
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
The Defensive Line
Southern Nevada Joint Management Culinary (Culinary Academy)
