For more than 30 years, the Junior League of Las Vegas has funded education grants benefitting students in classrooms throughout the Las Vegas valley.

During the 2023-2024 academic year, JLLV awarded $49,573 to 47 teachers who applied in grades K-5 and 6-12. The money allocated supports school teachers across Clark County who have created innovative curriculums designed to enhance student learning. There were a total of 181 grant applications received.

“The Junior League of Las Vegas is proud to support our local teachers through grant funding that helps to bring innovation into classrooms,” said Amy Kihnke, Vice President of Community. “We are honored to help teachers across Southern Nevada bring to life next-level learning, one idea at a time.”

Roughly 7,700 students will be impacted by these grants; approximately 1,000 of the students impacted attend Title I schools. This year, project topics include social and emotional learning, science, technology, engineering, art, math, English and more.

The teachers received grant money at a reception hosted by JLLV on Tuesday, November 8, at a reception held at Gateway Classic Cars of Las Vegas.

The Education Grants program is one of the JLLV’s longest-running programs and has been in existence for more than 30 years. Since its inception, JLLV has awarded more than $850,000 in education grants.

Questions? Email edgrants@jllv.org

Thank you to our 2022-2023 Communications Council for preparing this year’s Annual Report.

Donating to JLLV Endowment Fund is an easy, convenient and affordable way to support the women building better communities and the JLLV programming by making an ongoing, monthly contribution to the JLLV Endowment. Spreading a gift over the year is easier on your budget and gives us the security of steady, reliable contributed dollars to support the the Southern Nevada community with programs upon which we all depend.

Click here to make a donation.

Over 75 years, Junior League of Las Vegas has contributed over 1.1 million hours of community service and raised more $1.5 million dollars for the community through service projects and monetary support. Junior League of Las Vegas has also awarded more than $750,000 in educational grants to teachers in Southern Nevada in support of innovative classroom curriculum to enhance student learning.

Junior League is one of the oldest and largest women’s volunteer organizations in the world, with roots dating back to 1901. The Las Vegas chapter was established on February 26, 1946 with 24 women and has grown substantially to include over 500 active and sustaining members. Junior League of Las Vegas has played a founding role in numerous non-profit organizations including HELP of Southern Nevada, Shannon West Youth Homeless Center, The Shade Tree of Las Vegas, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas, Discovery Children’s Museum, and Super Summer Theatre.

“For seven and a half decades, our organization has worked to make an impact for women and children, in the areas of education and overall health and wellness within our community,” said Phoebe Cooper, President of Junior League of Las Vegas. “The tireless work of our members and generous support of our donors and partners have made a tremendous impact in how we’ve been able to show up and give back to the Las Vegas community. As we’ve seen during Covid, the need for support services has never been greater and the Junior League of Las Vegas remains committed to answering the call.”

As one of Southern Nevada’s longest running nonprofits, Junior League of Las Vegas invites the community to celebrate the anniversary milestone in 2021 with events throughout the year, which include:

● Junior League of Las Vegas Day – Starting at 12:00 p.m. on February 25, the lights on the world-famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign will go red to recognize the tremendous impact that Junior League of Las Vegas has on the community. Commissioner Richard “Tuck” Segerblom will issue a proclamation declaring Friday, February 26 as Junior League of Las Vegas Day.

On Friday, February 26 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. the High Roller and the Eiffel Tower will turn their lights red for Junior League of Las Vegas. Other community partners will display messages of support on their marquees, including Paris Hotel and Casino, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, The Palazzo, Treasure Island, the Sahara, Thomas & Mack Center and Springs Preserve.

● Little Black Dress Initiative – March 8 through March 12, the Little Black Dress Initiative will be coming to Las Vegas for the first time ever. This week-long awareness and fundraising campaign will bring awareness to the challenges that poverty places on children and teens. Participants will wear the same black dress (or outfit) for 5 consecutive days, with the goal of raising a total of $7,500 to celebrate Junior League of Las Vegas’ 75 years. To donate, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/krH/

● Paint the Town Red Gala – Junior League of Las Vegas will hold this signature fundraiser virtually on April 10, 2021, with honorees Sally Rycroft as the recipient of the Lifetime Community Achievement Award, and Pat Mulroy as the recipient of the Florence Lee Jones Humanitarian Award. The event will be streamed at 7:00 p.m. and will feature a silent auction and
entertainment. For tickets, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/jdk/

See additional press at:
KTNV
VegasPublicity.com

On February 26, 2021, we celebrated our 75th Anniversary at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.

In 1946, Mesdames John F. Cahlan, Richard Donnelly, William Moore, James H. Down, Jr., V. Gray Gubler, R. Julian Moore, Jr. and Bert Purdy met on February 26 to consider the needs of the rapidly growing postwar Las Vegas community. These seven founders invited seventeen young women to join them in establishing the Service League of Las Vegas, an organization that would respond to community needs and cooperate with existing social service agencies. After initiating and implementing a community service project, the ultimate goal of the Service League was to turn this project over to the community.

On September 22, 1971, in recognition of the capabilities and accomplishments of the Service League, the Association of Junior Leagues named our local group the 219th affiliated member of AJL, now known as AJLI. As our first president, Florence Lee Jones Cahlan, stated in the president’s report, March 1947: “Our policy has been, investigate; then act.” During the past 71 years, the Junior League of Las Vegas has given more than a million dollars back into our community and at least as many hours of service. Las Vegas has benefited not only from the projects and advocacy of Junior League of Las Vegas, but also from our members who are knowledgeable and trained volunteers.

Thank you to our 19-20 Communications Council for preparing this year’s Annual Report.

Centennial Education Grant recipients for the 2019-20 school year

For more than 30 years, the Junior League of Las Vegas has funded education grants benefiting students in classrooms throughout the Las Vegas valley. During the 2019-2020 academic year, 56 new teachers were selected to receive $68,469.76 in grant funding for their exciting classroom projects or initiatives. Over the years, our Education Grants committee has granted more than $700,000 and enhanced the classroom experience for thousands of Las Vegas students.

2019-2020 EDUCATION GRANTS
Teachers received either the JLLV Education Grant or the Centennial Education Grant. The money allocated for both grants supports school teachers across Clark County who have created innovative curriculums designed to enhance student learning. Roughly 8,500 students will be impacted by these grants. Nearly 40 of the educators receiving grants teach at Title I schools

Our JLLV Education Grant recipients for the 2019-20 school year

Junior League of Las Vegas Education Grant

There were 86 applications submitted for the JLLV Education Grant, but only 24 K-12 teachers throughout Southern Nevada received funds totaling $27,291.63. We are honored to help teachers bring to life creative, innovative and essential projects that support classroom curriculum.

Centennial Education Grant

Through funds provided by The Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial, JLLV awarded grants to K-12 teachers in support of projects focused on the history of the City of Las Vegas. JLLV awarded 32 teachers the Centennial Education Grant for a total of $41,178.13.

This program has been financed in whole or in part with funding from Las Vegas Centennial specialty license plates and made available by the City of Las Vegas Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial. The Commission’s mission is to preserve and celebrate the history of the city and its people.

See our Education Grants Press Release for more information on each of the projects receiving a grant.

Questions? Email edgrants@jllv.org

With the ongoing concerns about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it affects the Southern Nevada community, Junior League of Las Vegas wants you to know that we value the safety and well-being of our members and the community above all else.

The Junior League of Las Vegas will continue to provide services for our community partners and members during this time to the extent we are able to keep members safe. Our community impact programs continue to serve a valuable purpose in Southern Nevada and those in our focus area may need us more than ever in the coming weeks.

We are continuing to evaluate the postponement or cancellation of any current volunteer shifts, fundraising events, training opportunities, and membership meetings on an ongoing basis. We are striving to continue certain programming through remote methods, so we can serve our members and community when they need us the most.

We remain dedicated to developing the potential of our members and serving the community with the help of trained volunteers like you. Thank you for your patience and diligence during this unprecedented time, and thank you for your continued support of the Junior League of Las Vegas.

Be well.

Erica Chee
2019-2020 President

Join us Virtually as we host our 18th annual fundraising gala on Saturday, April 10, 2021. This year, we will honor Sally Rycroft as the recipient of the Lifetime Community Achievement Award and Patricia Mulroy as the recipient of the Florence Lee Jones Humanitarian Award. We are thrilled to recognize the immeasurable contributions each honoree has made to our community.

7:00 PM – Join us virtually for the festivities