12/9/2020
Supporting the Arts
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, includes several provisions that may impact your charitable giving this year. Beginning in 2020, individuals can deduct $300 in charitable contributions from their gross income even if they do not itemize their deductions. Although the permissible amount is modest, it is a new benefit available to donors with more restricted budgets.
11/14/2020
Supporting the Arts
As the holiday season ramps up and charitable giving increases, it’s important to know that helping The Smith Center can also have a practical side.
According to Emma Durant, Smith Center director of philanthropy, making year-end charitable contributions to a nonprofit like The Smith Center can offer significant benefits for personal income tax planning.
10/30/2020
Supporting the Arts /
Discovering The Smith Center
The holiday season is here, and many are in search of special gift ideas.
Whether you’re hoping to surprise friends and family, or even planning presents for colleagues, a gift card for The Smith Center provides the gift of a future memorable evening out to a live performance of music, theater or dance while also providing vital support during the center’s extended closure.
10/12/2020
Supporting the Arts
Growing up in Southern Nevada, Cliff Findlay — now Findlay Automotive Group president — had a vision for what Las Vegas could become. This included a thriving city with successful businesses, top schools and robust arts and culture.
Now this vision continues, with the Toyota Dealers Association sponsoring The Smith Center’s Broadway Las Vegas Series.
10/8/2020
Supporting the Arts
“I just love it there,” says Jerry Carney, a Smith Center staff member who recently created a Facebook fundraiser to help raise money for The Smith Center during its extended closure. Carney is one of several friends of The Smith Center who have successfully leveraged their Facebook networks to support The Smith Center’s mission.
8/10/2020
Supporting the Arts /
Community Impact
The Smith Center’s stages may be dark, but that hasn’t stopped several of the center’s veteran volunteers lending a listening ear. “With The Smith Center experiencing such a financial setback, our need to raise money is critical,” says Director of Annual Fund Carol Hollatz. “That’s why we enlisted some of our most dedicated volunteers."
6/30/2020
Supporting the Arts
Ever since Jillian Stewart sparked an interest in theater at age 12, the Vegas resident idolized Broadway and television star Sutton Foster. “I looked up to Sutton Foster, not only for her talent but most importantly for her character,” says Stewart, a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas whose family supports The Smith Center as donors.
6/19/2020
Supporting the Arts
“Downtown Las Vegas has numerous top-tier chefs offering diverse culinary experiences, so it is great to see people again enjoying all that downtown’s restaurants have to offer,” says Ryan Rowland, Director of Food & Beverage for the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
6/10/2020
Supporting the Arts
Lynne Lerner takes great pride in being involved with The Smith Center from its beginning. “The opening night is still my favorite event there,” says Lynne, whose contributions with her husband Mark helped support the opening of The Smith Center, a nonprofit organization.
6/5/2020
Supporting the Arts
When the pandemic halted normal business operations earlier this year, The Smith Center’s development team feared the nonprofit might lose some of its grant support from corporations, a vital source of revenue. That’s exactly when Ameriprise Financial decided to throw a lifeline to its nonprofit partners, including The Smith Center.