Palm Springs philanthropist Jay Allen wanted to celebrate his 65th birthday by raising $65K for nonprofit organizations including the LGBTQ Center of the Desert. He opened the Jay Allen 65th Birthday Fund with IECF, and you’re invited to the party on November 14th! Click here to join the fun!
Jay Allen retired from Charles Schwab in 2015 and moved to the desert in 2017. He says he fell in love with the desert because he feels retired, but the city never makes him feel old. Having fun with friends and family is important to him, but for his 65th birthday having a big party wasn’t enough. He knew that he wanted to do something that would bring people together to have fun and would also have a positive impact.
Allen’s birthday wish is to raise $65,000 to give to charity.
“Rather than being depressed about turning 65, I wanted to do something fun and useful,” Allen said. “When my family gets together for reunions, we play family games. So, I thought, we’ll just have a team competition.”
On November 14th at the Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel, Allen will be hosting a party and team competition to support charities that are meaningful to him. For a donation of $1,500, teams of 5 to 8 people can compete in various humorous competitions such as a water balloon toss and a dress-up relay. There will be 10 games with two heats and the winners will get to pick which of Allen’s chosen charities receive their winnings. There are also opportunities to donate and participate as a referee or score keeper. The event will be open to the public.
“Getting people together creates community and leverages your contributions so you can have a greater impact,” Allen said. “By doing it this way, I hope to get people to contribute who might not otherwise.”
Allen’s Birthday celebration will support four nonprofit organizations. The first is the LGBT Center of the Desert which Allen chose because of the work they do to support the LGBT community in the Coachella Valley. This includes its community food bank and low-cost behavioral health clinic. The organization logs over 65,000 visits annually and serves people of all ages connecting them to resources, helping to end isolation and enriching the individual and community experience.
Allen’s celebration also supports Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps LGBTQI+ people who face persecution in their country based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. The organization has helped over 1,600 individuals with emergency relocation and other forms of assistance.
KIND (Kids In Need of Defense) was chosen to be a beneficiary for its work to address the needs of unaccompanied migrant children. The organization offers legal services and social services, while working with policymakers to advocate for the needs of these children.
The fourth organization is Creativity Explored, a San Francisco studio-based collective that works with developmentally disabled artists. The organization works with over 130 artists providing opportunities to share, sell and exhibit their art.
“All four organizations are really spending a lot of their time helping people at the margins of society,” Allen said. “These four charities are making a difference in people’s lives who have no one else to turn to.”
Working with the Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF), Allen created a fund for the event and seeded it with an initial gift. Individuals wishing to support the event can make a tax-deductible donation to the Jay Allen 65th Birthday Fund through IECF’s website. The Foundation will distribute the funds to the charities of choice. Those who cannot attend are also welcome to donate, but Allen hopes the community will celebrate his day with him.
“This is going to be lots of fun, enjoyable, and a way to meet new people while making a difference.” Allen said. “Make new friends, spend time with old ones and come join us.”
For more information on how you can start your giving with IECF, contact Joe Staley, Charitable Giving Officer (Coachella Valley) at jstaley@iegives.org.