Make-A-Wish® Arizona Wish Ball raises more than $765,000 to help fund 100+ future wishes.

PHOENIX (April 16, 2015) — Make-A-Wish^® Arizona raised more than $765,000 during the 2015 Make-A-Wish Arizona Studio 540 Wish Ball presented by GoDaddy. Proceeds from the event, held on Saturday, April 11, will help grant 102 Arizona wishes.

The Wish Ball, which celebrates the mission of Make-A-Wish Arizona by raising funds to grant the wishes of Arizona children with life-threatening medical conditions, has long been a significant event for the chapter. This year, the 1970s disco themed evening was attended by more than 550 people who, including City of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, dressed in colorful patterns and styles from the era to show their support.

In addition to being a fundraiser for future Arizona wishes, the event honored current Make-A-Wish Arizona Board Chairman Derrick Hall, president and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks, with the Tom and Madena Stewart Lifetime Compassion Award. The award recognizes outstanding community members who have brought honor to themselves, Make-A-Wish Arizona, and the communities where they work and live.

The evening also featured a special national award presentation by David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish^® America. Bob and Renee Parsons were recognized as Philanthropists of the Year by Williams for their significant commitment to Make-A-Wish over the past six years. Through The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, the couple have gifted more than $6.3 million to the Arizona chapter, including a recent gift of almost $3 million to support the purchase of the chapter’s new home, The Parsons Wish House.

“We are all put on this earth to help each other,” said Make-A-Wish Arizona Board Member Renee Parsons. “Sometimes the smallest gestures of kindness, the granting of a seemingly simple wish, can make the biggest difference. Being part of that difference for Arizona Wish Kids and their families is one of our greatest joys.”

Renee Parsons, who served as co-chair of the 2013 and 2014 Wish Balls, again partnered with Jennifer Moser, of Rose+Moser+Allyn Public & Online Relations, to co-chair the ball. This year’s fun Studio 540 theme had special meaning to the co-chairs and organization as more than 540 children in Arizona are diagnosed annually with life-threatening medical conditions that would make them eligible for a wish.

Beyond the awards and silent auction, event highlights included a heartfelt video tribute and an energetic live auction, made more exciting by Bob Parsons who created a bidding frenzy over a 2015 Dyna Low Rider donated by Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale. Parsons offered to match the total bid with a cash donation and get a tattoo with the winner.

“Bob and Renee and Derrick have truly embraced our chapter, dedicating not only their dollars, but also their time and talents, toward our vision of granting the wish of every eligible child in Arizona,” said Elizabeth Reich, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Arizona. “With the money raised during our event, we can grant an additional 102 wishes in the coming year, providing hope, strength and joy to more wish kids and their families than ever before.”

About Make-A-Wish^® Arizona
Make-A-Wish^® Arizona is the founding chapter of Make-A-Wish^®, the world’s largest wish granting organization which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. With the help of generous donors, Make-A-Wish Arizona grants more than 300 wishes annually. For more information, visit www.arizona.wish.org to discover how you can share the power of a wish^®.

Bob Parsons Encourages Haitian Students to #BelieveInThemselves.

During a recent trip to Les Cayes, Haiti, a student asked Bob Parsons about the biggest challenges he has faced in his life and the lessons he has learned.

#BelieveInYourself #DayAtATime

$800K Grant Supports Educare Arizona’s Mission to Prepare At-Risk Youth for Kindergarten & Beyond.

Bob Parsons Partners with Educare Arizona to Prepare At-Risk Youth for Kindergarten

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Helps Fill a Void in State Funding for Early Childhood Education in the Balsz School District

PHOENIX, AZ (Dec. 4, 2014) – To help transform the lives of impoverished children through education, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has awarded Educare Arizona an $800,000 grant. The grant will support Educare Arizona’s capacity-building and strategic growth strategies. This will enable the agency to sustain its operations and programs that serve some of the state’s poorest children.

“Every child deserves a top notch education,” said businessman and philanthropist Bob Parsons. “Unfortunately, many of the most vulnerable children in our community are likely to fail before they even get started. The resources just aren’t there.”

Arizona eliminated funding for early childhood education in 2010. The cut significantly affected disadvantaged families who don’t have the resources to invest in early childhood programs.

In the Balsz School District, 92 percent of students come from families living below the poverty level. Unassisted, approximately 75 percent of these children will enter kindergarten without mastering English. By fifth grade these students will be nearly three grade levels behind their peers in literacy.

To bridge the educational divide, Educare Arizona provides full-day, full-year preschool for nearly 200 children in the Balsz School District. The program helps ensure the school readiness of children at greatest risk for academic failure. By offering high quality early learning, family support, and health care, the agency enables disadvantaged children to enter kindergarten with the same skills as their more affluent peers.

“Bob and I believe that early childhood education is a necessary investment for the future of our community,” said Renee Parsons. “If given the chance to develop a love of learning, many of these children will have the ammunition they need to successfully graduate from high school and move on to an even brighter future as an adult.”

“Educare Arizona provides a solid educational foundation for low-income children,” said Educare Arizona CEO John Scola. “We are so grateful to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for its investment in Educare Arizona’s long-term sustainability. With the Foundation’s support we look forward to continuing our mission to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.”

Bob Parsons added, “Programs like Educare go a long way to change the future for kids. Educare Arizona gives children and their families hope – and hope is what The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is all about.”

To learn more, please visit www.educarearizona.org.

Million Dollar Matching Campaign Supports Teach For America’s High Stakes Work in Arizona.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Pledges 2:1 Matching Dollars to Help Raise Funds to Address Educational Inequity

PHOENIX, AZ (November 4, 2014) – Teach For America–Phoenix today announced a matching challenge, with the potential to raise $1.5 million, in an effort to recruit and prepare up to 100 new teachers in the metro Phoenix area within the next year. The challenge, issued by The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, will help raise critical funds to support the continuation of vital educator development programs that impact high-risk, underserved schools.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will match all donations, two-to-one, up to a million dollars between now and November 30, 2014. The matching challenge will ensure that Teach For America–Phoenix is able to continue to serve district and charter schools across the state as an additional source of talented and diverse educators for high-need, low-income classrooms. This service is particularly critical given recent reports of teacher shortages across the state that disproportionately impact students in under-resourced communities.

“Bob and I believe that Teach for America’s programs are producing highly motivated teachers who have the capacity to change the future for thousands of underserved children in our community,” said Renee Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “These teachers become role models for students who rely heavily on educators for stability, structure, a sense of self-worth and the opportunity to excel.”

More than 700 Teach For America alumni live and work in Arizona, and nearly 70 percent remain in education as teachers, instructional specialists, and school leaders and founders. Virtually all program graduates become lifelong advocates for education and many continue mission-aligned work including policy, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership following their participation.

“We’re thrilled to receive support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation,” said Lindsay DeFrancisco, executive director of Teach For America–Phoenix. “By working arm-in-arm with veteran educators, students, families, and community leaders, like Bob and Renee Parsons, to develop teachers who foster truly exceptional classrooms we know we can be an important part of local efforts to transform education for Arizona’s lowest income communities.”

“The future of our state hinges on the success of our teachers and the kids they serve,” said businessman and philanthropist Bob Parsons. “It is our hope that the two-to-one matching challenge will inspire people to get involved and give what they can. Together we can make a lasting difference.”

For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

A Stepping Stone’s Literacy Program Earns the Support of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

Valley’s Most Vulnerable Parents Commit to Bettering Themselves For The Sake Of Their Children

PHOENIX, AZ (June 26, 2014) – More than 42 million Americans can’t read. In an effort to combat multi-generational illiteracy in the greater Phoenix area The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation today announced a $360,000 grant to A Stepping Stone Foundation. The grant will enable the organization to expand its tuition free whole-family literacy and early childhood education programs to help transform more lives through education.

Funding from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will specifically help A Stepping Stone deliver quality preschool and adult education, as well as parenting classes, to underserved families in the Phoenix community. The grant will also enable the organization to conduct in-home visits to assess and support the needs of families with young children.

“The significance of this program in the lives and futures of these families is huge,” said Bob Parsons. “By electing to participate, parents are removing barriers to success – bringing stories to life for their children and opening doors for themselves.”

Early childhood programs are the most effective way to ensure healthy development of children who live in poverty and offer the greatest returns to society. Focused on families with the utmost need, A Stepping Stone’s model hinges on making parents a partner in their children’s education by holding them accountable for improving their own.

Parents who participate sign a contract pledging to complete pre-determined educational requirements through the A Stepping Stone, such as working toward their GED or ESL certificate. In return, their preschool age children receive a well-rounded education which follow-up studies inform us prepares them to be more successful than their peers.

“Sometimes to help a child you have to help their parents too, which is exactly the model A Stepping Stone has created,” said Renee Parsons. “By addressing the literacy needs of families with limited opportunities, Bob and I believe the organization is helping break the cycle of poverty in our community.”

“The grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is a game changer,” said A Stepping Stone Foundation Executive Director Cynthia Gattorna. “The grant not only provides a sound backbone for the continuation of our program, but it also gives us the breathing room we needed to expand our program outside of the Phoenix area.”

Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson’s Grand Re-Opening Party Raises More Than $110K for Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi.

Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson, in Partnership with The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, Makes It Clear that Community Comes First

Southaven, MS (June 20, 2014) – In spite of the rain, thousands of riders rallied at Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson Saturday, June 7, for a good cause and a great time. The event, which featured top musical talent including rock legends Molly Hatchet and Black Oak Arkansas, helped raise $110,790 for Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi (BGCNMS).

It’s been less than a year since he bought Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson, but new owner Bob Parsons wanted customers to know just how much he appreciates the riding community and how committed the dealership is to supporting the local area.

“The Grand Re-opening Party at Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson was far more than a daylong celebration of motorcycling – it was about being a good community partner,” said Parsons. “We’re not here to simply sell motorcycles, we are here to help make this community a better place for everyone. By supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi I believe we are doing just that.”

A motorcycle endorsement was good for free concert admission for riders and one passenger. For all others there was a $20 requested donation. One-hundred percent of ticket and event tee-shirt sales and 20 percent of all vendor proceeds were designated to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi.

Since 1996, BGCNMS has empowered young people to reach their full potential as caring, productive, responsible citizens. Nearly 2,000 children and teens count on five clubhouses after school and during the summer for safety, hot meals, positive friends and countless opportunities to be great.

The largest donation of the evening, $100,000, was presented to BGCNMS by none-other than Bob Parsons himself. In addition to the outright donation, Parsons also announced that The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will provide funds to remodel three clubhouses that are in dire need of repair.

“By addressing the shortcomings of the clubhouses we are helping to create a safe and happy place for the children who need it most,” Parsons added.

Parsons and his wife Renee have long supported the work of Boys & Girls Clubs in their home state of Arizona, awarding more than $6 million to the organization.

“The announcement Saturday evening exceeded our greatest expectations,” said BGCNMS Chief People Officer Zell Long. “The $110,790 donation and commitment to upgrade three of our facilities will have a tremendous impact on the lives of our Club members, board, staff and community stakeholders. As good stewards of the funds and commitment, the good people at Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson and Mr. Bob Parsons can be assured that all will be targeted toward the highest and best uses for the organization. We are humbled and so pleased to be the recipient of such generosity.”

To learn more about Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson visit, www.SouthernThunderHD.com.

THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $5.25MM GIFT TO BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO PHOENIX.

Grant to help fund new Clubhouse in impoverished Phoenix neighborhood

Phoenix, AZ (April 29, 2014) – The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation donated a record-breaking $5.25 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix in a surprise announcement on Tuesday, April 22, 2014. It is the single largest gift made by the Foundation to date and the single largest gift received by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix (BGCMP) in its 67 year history. The transformational grant will enable the Clubs to continue their mission to better serve the needs of at-risk Valley children.

Bob Parsons, founder and executive chairman of Scottsdale-based GoDaddy, and his wife, Renee, made the announcement during the grand opening celebration for the new Bob & Renee Parsons Teen Center at the Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix. The new Parsons Teen Center will not only provide teens in the Maryvale area with safety, meals and positive mentorship, it will also offer a range of programs including homework help, leadership development, community service, computer programming classes, guitar lessons and sports leagues.

During the celebration, Bob and Renee shared their inspiration for giving back to their community through the Boys & Girls Clubs.

“I struggled a lot as a kid; I didn’t do well in school and, as a teenager, I couldn’t quite figure out who I was, let alone who I was going to be,” said Bob Parsons during his speech. “It was in the Marine Corps that I learned the things that would make all the difference in my life. But I am certain, if I had access to the mentors, resources and safe haven that The Boys & Girls Clubs offer, my turn-around would have come much sooner.”

“Bob and I believe that every child, regardless of background or situation, is entitled to an education, good nutrition, a stress free happy environment and the hope that they too, will share in the American Dream,” added Renee Parsons. “We wholeheartedly believe that the work that is being done at Boys and Girls Clubs, each and every day, is changing lives.”

Following their moving speech, the Parsons conferred quietly between themselves before stepping forward to announce the record-breaking gift.

Initially, Renee Parsons announced that the Foundation would double its initial gift of $250,000 for the Teen Center, which will enable the branch to further enhance the facility. She also pledged one million dollars to support the operation of the 12 Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix.

Not done yet, Bob Parsons announced a $4 million grant to found The Bob & Renee Parsons Branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix. The previously unnamed branch broke ground last month in the Balsz School District. Like most of the young people BGCMP serve, nearly all of the children in the new Club’s neighborhood live at or below the poverty line and half come from broken homes. Many children in the district are refugees from other countries and nearly 1 in 10 are homeless. The new Parsons Branch will be a sanctuary where children and teens can participate in educational and leadership programs, as well as build healthy relationships with adults and peers.

The new Parsons Branch will also house community meeting spaces and BGCMP’s program support offices. It will be BGCMP’s thirteenth branch.

Following the surprise announcements, many attendees were visibly moved. Amy Gibbons, President and Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix said:

“Bob and Renee Parsons are true heroes for our community’s children. Their generous spirit and compassion will provide safety, smiles and opportunity to thousands of children who need us most. Thanks to The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation, generations of children will have the opportunity to stay safe and healthy, succeed in school, make smart choices and achieve their dreams.”

Since 1946, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix has empowered young people in Phoenix and the West Valley to reach their full potential as caring, productive, responsible citizens. Nearly 23,000 children and teens count on 12 clubhouses after school and during the summer for safety, hot meals, positive friends and countless opportunities to be great.

If you want to help vulnerable children in the Valley reach their full potential, visit www.bgcaz.org.

THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION ELEVATES THE FUTURE FOR ARIZONA’S DREAMers THROUGH LIFT FOR SUCCESS SCHOLARSHIP GRANT.

Elevate Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ (Jan. 27, 2014) – Elevate Phoenix today announced a $58,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The Foundation’s grant will provide privately-funded need-based scholarship opportunities for DREAMers, who do not qualify for public scholarship assistance funds, to pursue a college education through Elevate Phoenix’s LIFT for Success Program.

“How we raise and teach our children will impact our entire community,” said Renee Parsons.

“DREAMers can’t change where they came from or how they got here, but they can certainly change where they are going,” entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons added. “By supporting these children we have the opportunity to give them hope that they too can achieve their American Dream.”

Elevate Phoenix, a unique teacher-mentor program, targets urban youth struggling with poverty, gangs, drugs, violence and dysfunction. By matching students with a dedicated adult role model, who is available to them 24/7, the organization is breaking down barriers and transforming futures. An accredited program, the non-profit provides character, life skills, leadership, and literacy education to 4,500 elementary and high school students in four Phoenix public schools. The program model, founded in 1982 in Denver, Colorado, has served more than 30,000 students and has a 90 percent graduation and 85 percent post-secondary school entry rate, significantly higher than the national average.

Elevate’s Lift for Success college readiness program was established in 2010 to support students’ transition from high school to college. The program, which now has more than 100 participants, exposes Elevate graduates to the rigors of college by placing them in a high-touch college boot-camp program for the summer. In 2013, the collaborative venture with Gateway Community College, supported by Elevate mentors, had a 100 percent retention rate.

“Elevate Phoenix is a program that changes the lives of kids through the love and devotion of adults who care,” said Elevate Board Member and PGA Tour & Champions Tour Professional Tom Lehman. “I have a passion for these kids, and understand what happens not only in their lives but in the lives of their families and their community when real mentoring takes place. If I have heard a student say it once, I’ve heard it 100 times over the last 3 years – that their ‘entire perspective on life has changed because of Elevate Phoenix.’”

To learn more about Elevate Phoenix visit: www.ElevatePhoenix.org.