The Public Education Foundation (The Foundation) is proud to have reimagined our Education Hero Award Gala to a virtual format that attracted more than 5,500 viewers on Vegas PBS/Channel 10.
“We were proud to rethink, reimagine and redesign our gala so we could honor other organizations and businesses who made a positive impact on our community during this crisis,” said Judi Steele, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Foundation. “This event reinforced throughout the community that pulling together matters.”
Typically, the gala hosts about 450 community members, so broadcasting the gala on Vegas PBS/Channel 10 meant participation was 12 times larger than usual.
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered fundraising efforts for all nonprofits throughout the nation. For many, an in-person gala is the largest fundraising event of the year. The Foundation was the first nonprofit in Southern Nevada to adapt a major fundraising gala from an in-person dinner to a virtual and television experience.
Vegas PBS obtained the first FCC waiver granted in the nation to allow an on-air fundraiser for this event, said Tom Axtell, general manager of Vegas PBS.
“The Public Education Foundation Heroes Gala honored wonderful people and organizations who help children succeed in school,” said Axtell. “Vegas PBS was pleased to provide this organization a trailblazing and successful alternative that allowed them to raise funds during the pandemic. The inspiring stories highlighted by PEF certainly brightened the spirits of all who viewed the gala.”
Proceeds from the event support The Foundation as we develop programs and initiatives that impact educators and students throughout Nevada.
