Post by Okwes on Mar 27, 2007 15:14:31 GMT -5
Arizona tribes dole out millions in charitable contributions
The Arizona Republic
PHOENIX - American Indian tribes in Arizona whose fortunes have been raised by their casinos dole out millions of dollars each year in charitable contributions.
Like the Arizona tribes, gaming tribes across the United States once mired in poverty say that as their casino fortunes rise, so does their charitable giving, above and beyond the revenue sharing that many government compacts require.
Arizona's 15 gaming tribes earned $1.8 billion in gross gaming revenue and were required to hand over $91.7 million to cities, counties and state agencies in the past fiscal year.
Voter-approved state compacts require that they share 1 to 8 percent of their net winnings, based on how profitable their casinos are. Most of the funds are then divvied up to organizations throughout the state.
The tribes say they dole out millions more each year in hopes of giving back what they once received, though they wouldn't disclose specifically how much.
"We've struggled over the years. Native Americans have always struggled," said Ramon Martinez, spokesman for Casino Arizona on the Salt River Reservation, east of Scottsdale. "It was a great opportunity for us when we were allowed to have gambling. It's just our way of giving back."
Most Indian communities said that giving is woven into the fabric of their culture. Unlike most corporations, tribes are reluctant to draw attention to their community involvement and publicize their giving.
Members of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, pooled funds for the Red Cross and victims of Hurricane Katrina. Tribal officers matched the funds.
Statistically speaking, Fort McDowell is Arizona's greatest tribal success story.
In the decade between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, the reservation's median household income nearly tripled, to $50,313 from $18,182. That made them the top earners of any Arizona reservation.
While the community still struggles with poverty, the rate declined from 28 percent of the community to 17 percent. Maricopa County's poverty rate is about 12 percent, according to U.S. census data.
Oftentimes, tribes will aid organizations that help reservation residents.
While the public may not hear about tribes' charitable giving, non-profits know and make many requests. That means the tribes must target their donations.
Gila River Casinos, run by the Gila River Indian Community on its reservation south of Phoenix, employs a public relations manager who works with charities. Jayme Majzel helps choose causes that are worthy of the tribe's attention.
Health is a big priority. Gila River's three casinos are digging into their pockets for the American Diabetes Association, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and St. Mary's Food Bank.
Majzel said that instead of handing over cash, the casinos like to partner with non-profits in their fundraising efforts. That way, Gila River tribal members become more involved, and more aware.
"We actually partner with nonprofit organizations so it's not just a donation, not just writing a check to them," she said. "Since the casino opened, we've had a nonprofit focus. It's increased more since we have more people and resources."
Eighty-seven percent of the tribe's members will be diagnosed with diabetes by the time they are 55 years old. With that staggering statistic in mind, the casino enterprise hosted a diabetes walk last year. It helped the association raise $300,000.
It holds a celebrity poker tournament for muscular dystrophy and contributes $25,000 a year to that cause.
The Arizona Republic
PHOENIX - American Indian tribes in Arizona whose fortunes have been raised by their casinos dole out millions of dollars each year in charitable contributions.
Like the Arizona tribes, gaming tribes across the United States once mired in poverty say that as their casino fortunes rise, so does their charitable giving, above and beyond the revenue sharing that many government compacts require.
Arizona's 15 gaming tribes earned $1.8 billion in gross gaming revenue and were required to hand over $91.7 million to cities, counties and state agencies in the past fiscal year.
Voter-approved state compacts require that they share 1 to 8 percent of their net winnings, based on how profitable their casinos are. Most of the funds are then divvied up to organizations throughout the state.
The tribes say they dole out millions more each year in hopes of giving back what they once received, though they wouldn't disclose specifically how much.
"We've struggled over the years. Native Americans have always struggled," said Ramon Martinez, spokesman for Casino Arizona on the Salt River Reservation, east of Scottsdale. "It was a great opportunity for us when we were allowed to have gambling. It's just our way of giving back."
Most Indian communities said that giving is woven into the fabric of their culture. Unlike most corporations, tribes are reluctant to draw attention to their community involvement and publicize their giving.
Members of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, pooled funds for the Red Cross and victims of Hurricane Katrina. Tribal officers matched the funds.
Statistically speaking, Fort McDowell is Arizona's greatest tribal success story.
In the decade between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, the reservation's median household income nearly tripled, to $50,313 from $18,182. That made them the top earners of any Arizona reservation.
While the community still struggles with poverty, the rate declined from 28 percent of the community to 17 percent. Maricopa County's poverty rate is about 12 percent, according to U.S. census data.
Oftentimes, tribes will aid organizations that help reservation residents.
While the public may not hear about tribes' charitable giving, non-profits know and make many requests. That means the tribes must target their donations.
Gila River Casinos, run by the Gila River Indian Community on its reservation south of Phoenix, employs a public relations manager who works with charities. Jayme Majzel helps choose causes that are worthy of the tribe's attention.
Health is a big priority. Gila River's three casinos are digging into their pockets for the American Diabetes Association, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and St. Mary's Food Bank.
Majzel said that instead of handing over cash, the casinos like to partner with non-profits in their fundraising efforts. That way, Gila River tribal members become more involved, and more aware.
"We actually partner with nonprofit organizations so it's not just a donation, not just writing a check to them," she said. "Since the casino opened, we've had a nonprofit focus. It's increased more since we have more people and resources."
Eighty-seven percent of the tribe's members will be diagnosed with diabetes by the time they are 55 years old. With that staggering statistic in mind, the casino enterprise hosted a diabetes walk last year. It helped the association raise $300,000.
It holds a celebrity poker tournament for muscular dystrophy and contributes $25,000 a year to that cause.