Ten years ago, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation (tbrpf.org) began its journey to support organizations that are often overlooked or underfunded by mainstream philanthropy, causes and populations that are marginalized, economically disadvantaged and significantly underserved. “We tackle controversial causes, things people don’t necessarily like to talk about during dinner parties,” says co-founder Bob Parsons. “We focus on things like MDMA-assisted therapy to cure PTSD, supporting law enforcement, giving scholarships to inner-city students and dreamers who want to attend college, comforting babies born to opioid-addicted mothers and uplifting LGBTQ organizations.”
Renee Parsons, co-founder of TBRPF and president and executive creative director of PXG Apparel, and Bob Parsons, co-founder of TBRPF and founder of Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG). PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION
Dealing in the areas of military and first responders, health and home, youth and education, and the American dream, the foundation provides transformational gifts to nonprofit organizations that are successfully addressing these issues and can demonstrate and measure the impact of their work. February 2022 marked TBRPF’s 10th anniversary, and since its start, 479 grants have been given to 153 nonprofits making a meaningful difference in their communities both on a local and national level. “Making people feel seen, heard and accepted has been the common, binding thread through all our work,” says co-founder Renee Parsons. “Every person deserves to feel whole, equal and welcome.” Here, we take a look at the foundation’s highlights over the course of 10 years.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION
Hushabye Nursery (hushabyenursery.org) brings hope to substance-exposed babies and their families. Using an innovative approach and a calm, family-inclusive environment, Hushabye Nursery’s compassionate model is proving to be vastly more effective than the standard of care used by hospitals. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is currently matching all donations to Hushabye Nursery, dollar for dollar, up to $1 million, through April 15. Total TBRPF giving: $2.05 million since 2019
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION
Girl Scouts is preparing future leaders and entrepreneurs, all while leveraging the world’s largest bake sale. Named the 2020 Cookie Boss by Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine (girlscoutsaz.org), Renee surprised a local Girl Scout troop by buying out their entire cookie inventory—over 300 boxes! Total TBRPF giving: $10.05 million since 2014
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION
There is a special kind of healing power that surfaces when a Wish Kid’s wish is granted. Having something to look forward to can make the difference between enduring another difficult treatment or giving up. Make-A-Wish Arizona (wish.org/arizona) creates hope, strength and transformation for children facing critical illnesses by granting life-changing wishes. Total TBRPF giving: $12.9 million since 2012
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION
In an honor of a lifetime, Bob, a Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran, was presented the Marine for Life award at the 244th United States Marine Corps Birthday Gala. Held aboard the historic USS Intrepid—now a sea, air and space museum docked on the Hudson River—the Marine Corps (marines.com) birthday celebration and award ceremony benefited veteran-serving nonprofits Team Rubicon and Headstrong Project.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION
Children experiencing the foster care and homelessness systems endure a vast amount of trauma that, if neglected, can lead to significant mental health challenges. Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona (freeartsaz.org) uses the arts to provide hope and a pathway to healing. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has supported Free Arts since 2012 and recently helped them open Parsons Place, a community center for healing, in Phoenix. Total TBRPF giving: $4.7 million since 2012
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION
Bob’s Biker Blast, an epic celebration for bikers, motorcycle enthusiasts and music lovers, got its start in 2013. Hosted annually through 2019 by Parsons-owned Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale and GO AZ Motorcycles, the event was much more than a motorcycle ride, concert or party. It highlighted the outstanding work of Phoenix Children’s Hospital (phoenixchildrens.org). In partnership with The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, Bob’s Biker Blast has raised $3.4 million for PCH and its Crews’n Healthmobile (phoenixchildrens.org/crewsn-healthmobile) program, which brings medical care and mental health services to the Valley’s homeless youth. Total TBRPF giving: $4.4 million since 2013
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION
Tackling homelessness is about more than putting a roof over someone’s head; it’s about addressing the underlying causes and working toward a sustainable solution. In 2016, UMOM (umom.org) celebrated the opening of Parsons Village, an affordable housing complex for low-income families and veterans. Total TBRPF giving: $12.8 million since 2012
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION
Semper Fi & America’s Fund (thefund.org) provides financial assistance and lifetime connection to critically wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and military families from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Every year, Bob has kicked off a Double Down for Veterans campaign in November benefiting Semper Fi & America’s Fund during his Annual Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans Day video. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has matched donations dollar for dollar up to $10 million annually since 2015, matching a total of $89 million since the campaign’s inception in 2012. Total TBRPF giving: $92.8 million since 2012
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION
Since the start of the Foundation, Bob and Renee have been fierce champions of inclusivity. One of their first major donations was helping to launch a health and wellness center specifically meant to address the health needs of those affected by HIV. Since its opening in 2014, The Parsons Center for Health and Wellness (swcenter.org) has become much more than an HIV clinic. It has become a full LGBTQ+ health center and a community hub for many LGBTQ+-serving nonprofits. Total TBRPF giving: $11.5 million since 2012
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION
Bob and Renee first visited Haiti not long after the 2010 earthquake. The people of Haiti captured their hearts and were eager and ready to rebuild. Bob and Renee joined forces with Hope for Haiti (hopeforhaiti.com) to help them do just that. Since then, the Parsons have returned to Haiti twice, in 2013 and again in 2015, to help Hope for Haiti build a community health center, provide mobile health clinics in rural locations, build schools, and support orphaned children and abandoned elders. Total TBRPF giving: $11.6 million since 2012
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