A Season of Gratitude: Reflecting on the 9th Annual Elevate Phoenix Invitational
Happy end of November, start of the last month of the year to our incredible Elevate Family!
As we step from the close of November into the excitement of December, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for each and every one of you. What an extraordinary season it has been for Elevate Phoenix as we successfully hosted our two most important fundraising events, bringing our community together to invest in the future of our students.
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On Cloud Nine… An Unforgettable Success
The 9th Annual Elevate Phoenix Invitational, themed “On Cloud Nine… The Best Is Yet to Come,” was truly unforgettable. This signature event, comprised of two dynamic days of giving and fellowship, marked a resounding success and is critical to ensuring we can continue our mission of providing long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth. We are still basking in the glow of the incredible achievements secured over these two memorable days.
A Night of Hope and Community on November 23rd
The celebration kicked off on the evening of November 23rd with our highly anticipated Gala. This inspiring night brought together our devoted community of sponsors, staff, alumni, and faithful supporters. It was an evening dedicated to celebrating the transformative power of mentorship and sharing impactful stories of lives forever changed through Elevate Phoenix. Attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from our students and alumni, witnessing firsthand the profound difference their investment makes. The night was a powerful reminder that every single person who invested, through time, talent, resources, and presence, became part of a larger story—a story of hope, access, mentorship, and lives being forever changed.
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Teeing Up for the Future on November 24th
The energy continued the following day, November 24th, with the Invitational Golf Tournament. Philanthropists, celebrities, and golf enthusiasts came together for a day of friendly competition and essential fundraising. Every swing taken and every hole played directly contributed to our ability to provide 24/7/365 mentorship to urban youth throughout the Valley. The camaraderie on the course mirrored the teamwork essential to our mission, making the day not just about golf, but about shared purpose.
Thank You to Our Supporters
Our event would not have succeeded without the generosity of our title sponsors, Ray Barton of Great Clips, Anthony Criscione and Dr. Heather St. Peter & Dr. Bryan Gawley of Gawley Plastic Surgeries and Unicorn Philanthropy. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to ALL of our sponsors, celebrities and everyone who attended the event, the 1500+ who watched us via livestream, donated generously, and volunteered their time. Your support is instrumental in shaping the future of our youth.
The Power of Lived Gratitude and Impact
Because of the unwavering commitment shown by our celebrities, sponsors, donors, staff, alumni, volunteers, and faithful supporters, this entire two-day event was nothing short of phenomenal. Thanks to your extraordinary generosity, we are thrilled to announce that the 9th Annual Elevate Phoenix Invitational helped us raise an incredible $1.4 million! This astounding success is a testament to the community’s belief in our mission. Every single person who invested, through time, talent, resources, and presence, reinforced our commitment to ensuring every student is seen, heard, and loved unconditionally.
Throughout the entire month of November, we intentionally leaned into gratitude through challenges, reflections, and daily reminders. In a world that often moves too fast, how easy it is to overlook the small things. Yet gratitude has the power to shift perspective, change hearts, and reshape our future. What made this season so special is that our students didn’t just hear us talk about gratitude—they saw it lived out through you. Your presence and generosity modeled exactly what we all hope to become: dedicated, giving, and focused on lifting others.
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Looking Toward an Even Stronger New Year
As we now look toward the close of this year, we are filled with anticipation for all that is still to come. Your continued support in December will help set the stage for an even stronger new year of impact, growth, and transformation. We are committed to expanding our reach and deepening the quality of our mentorship programs, driven by the belief that the potential within every student is limitless.
We are truly honored to walk alongside you in this journey called life and purpose. Please know this from the depths of our hearts:
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We cannot do what we do without you.
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Thank you for believing.
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Thank you for investing.
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Thank you for standing with us and with our students.
The best truly IS yet to come.
With gratitude beyond measure,
Your Elevate Phoenix Family
Join Us in Making a Difference
It is not too late to donate and receive a tax credit for your end of year giving. If you are interested in supporting Elevate Phoenix or make a difference in the lives of young people by monthly donor, we encourage you to becoming one of our “Champions of Change” supporters and have access to directly inspiring our kids, donate by clicking the image below.
Together, we can continue to “elevate” lives and create a brighter future for generations to come.
