Attitude, growth are factors in state of local philanthropy

Kevin Rademacher

Friday, Oct. 29, 2004 | 11:10 a.m.

In the world of philanthropy, Las Vegas' biggest asset might also be its most significant roadblock.

Maryland-based researcher Richard Harwood gave that assessment to a crowd of local leaders attending the Business Community Investment Council's Philanthropy Summit on Thursday.

Harwood, who is preparing to release a study on the state of the Las Vegas community, said research conducted here in 2003 and 2004 showed that many residents see the city as a place where they can "be what they want to be."

Quotes from residents surveyed, Harwood said, likened Las Vegas to "the chosen land" and a place "where people come to pursue their dreams."

"Seldom have I been to a community where the belief is so strong," Harwood said of a prevailing "can-do spirit."

The problem, however, is that in a community built on individualism, bringing people together to improve local social issues can be challenging.

Another quote the research team heard in public meetings was: "Everything is so out of control. There's no coming together. There's no sense of community."

That quote, Harwood said, could be a symptom of a struggle to keep up with the torrid pace of growth that has become a hallmark of Las Vegas.

"The emphasis on the individual is much more pronounced here," he said. "Amid individual pursuits there are growing common concerns."

He cited the ability Las Vegas has had to rapidly construct new schools as an example given by concerned parents as part of the fallout of that growth and the inability for residents to carve out a place in a larger community.

New schools, Harwood said, mean that students will see frequent movement of teachers, principals and relocated classmates.

"It is becoming harder and harder to be a part of something larger than ourselves," he said.

Other research findings included difficulty among Las Vegas Valley residents in naming trusted political leaders and political leaders' concerns that leadership ranks are too thin.

Still, Harwood emphasized that the positive attitude that has centered around growth could solve the problems if they are focused in the proper directions.

"The challenge is how to foster the conditions that allows people to work together," he said.

Louis Castle, a Las Vegas philanthropist and founder of video game maker Westwood Studios, which is now a division of Electronic Arts, spoke later as a part of a panel discussion.

He agreed that the fast pace of growth has compartmentalized segments of the community, making it more difficult for charitable organizations to break through.

"There are silos in the city, because the city is constantly changing," he said.

That puts additional pressure on nonprofit groups to be well-prepared when they make their pitch for financial support, he said.

"It's important when people come to you that they want to work with you. They want to be your partner," said Carol Towbin, executive vice president of Towbin Automotive Group.

James Rogers, president of Las Vegas-based Sunbelt Communications and noted supporter of higher education, also pressed charitable groups to know the person or group from which they are pursuing donations.

He said his first donation the the University of Arizona's law school, where Rogers graduated, amounted to buying new furniture for the lounge.

"But then I was hooked," Rogers said. He has now given more than $100 million to the school, including a recent pledge for more money to build a new library in a successful effort to lure a professor away from Yale.

The long-standing commitment, he emphasized, is the product of a connection between his strong feelings about education and institutions that have created strong ties to his professional and personal life.

"If things are going to develop, we must develop a new culture," Rogers said. "Merely asking for money is not the answer. We have to bring them into the fold and make them our partner."

With that, he also said that the resources to fund endeavors like higher education are available in Las Vegas, it's just a matter of reaching them.

"This city is awash with money -- corporate money and private money," he said.