Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
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SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY "Just asking for money doesn't work anymore. It's about measuring impact." —THOM REILLY LEFT: Thom Reilly with fellow philanthropist Prince Charles. BELOW: Reilly helps a mother and her son at the Walter V. Long Elementary School. Spreading the Love AS THE DECISION MAKER BEHIND ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS GRANT-GIVING INSTITUTIONS IN LAS VEGAS, THOM REILLY MAKES TOUGH CALLS EVERY DAY. L ast year, Thom Reilly played a major role in ensuring that Las Vegas's homebound were fed, its children were educated, and its environment was kept a little more pristine. Through his company, The Reilly Group, he oversees the disbursement of charitable funds for the Caesars Foundation. Since its inception in 2002, the philanthropic arm of Caesars Entertainment has given away approximately $65 million. Reilly, 52, a native of Memphis and formerly the CEO of Clark County, is tasked with seeing that the money goes to the right causes. With Wall Street booming and the local economy gaining heat, one of the city's biggest hitters in the world of charity sat down to discuss the ins and outs of giving away millions. 68 This past year, you were in charge of distributing $5 million in charitable funds from the profits of Caesars Entertainment. Here's the question that anybody running a nonprofit would ask: How can a particular charity get some of that money? Everybody needs money. But our largest focus is on older individuals. We also donate to green initiatives, education, and the communities where Caesars properties are located. Whatever the area, though, we want to give in a sustained way. It's not "Give us a call and we'll write you a check." We want to partner with you, join your struggle over the long term, and impact the community. Also, the nonprofit must demonstrate a commitment to diversity and offer an opportu- nity for our employees to get involved. Give me an example of that. We are big supporters of Clean the World. It's an organization that recycles leftover soaps and shampoos and contributes them to homeless shelters and disadvantaged communities. Now all the Caesars hotels participate, competing to see who can donate the most. We're having a contest this year that will end with a couple of the housekeepers going to the Philippines and seeing how the soaps are delivered. Caesars, of course, is a business, and I'm sure the company wants to realize some kind of an upside through its charitable donations. continued on page 70 PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF GALE (SCHOOL); COURTESY OF THOM REILLY (PRINCE CHARLES) BY MICHAEL KAPLAN VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 068-070_V_SP_SofG_Dec13.indd 68 11/19/13 3:41 PM