Gillian Ragan Foundation to Host Inaugural Community Fundraiser at Pinnacle Brewing Company

The Gillian Ragan Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting families after the loss of a child, will hold its inaugural Community Fundraiser on Saturday, May 17, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Pinnacle Brewing Company in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event, free and open to the public, will feature a hybrid silent auction, music bingo, raffles, craft beer, and food, with all proceeds funding mental health therapy and grief counseling for bereaved families.

Jenifer Mattioli, founder of the foundation and mother of Gillian Grace Ragan—who passed away at age 14—emphasized the importance of community support. "When you lose a child, your whole world changes in an instant," Mattioli said. "This fundraiser is about bringing our community together to ensure that no family has to face that darkness alone. Every dollar raised will fund therapy and healing resources for families who desperately need support but can't always afford it."

The silent auction will operate as a hybrid system, with bidding opening online prior to the event via the foundation's website at www.gillianraganfoundation.org and continuing live at the venue. Items include original artwork, sports memorabilia, dining experiences, wellness packages, gift baskets, and more. Guests at Pinnacle Brewing can scan QR codes to bid from their phones, while remote supporters can participate online with real-time bidding, outbid notifications, and anti-sniping protection.

Pinnacle Brewing Company, an award-winning family-owned brewery, will host the event. The venue was named 2025 Brewery of the Year at the Arizona Craft Beer Awards, 2025 Best Brewery in the Valley by Phoenix Magazine, and 2025 Best New Brewery by Phoenix New Times. Its spacious taproom and dog-friendly biergarten patio will provide the setting for the community gathering.

The Gillian Ragan Foundation was established by Mattioli and co-founded by Triston Ragan, Gillian's brother, to honor Gigi's legacy of kindness. Through its Healing Assistance Program, the foundation provides financial assistance for individual and family therapy, grief counseling, trauma-informed care, EMDR, psychiatry, and support groups, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent access to compassionate care.

The event is family-friendly and open to all ages, with admission free. Attendees can come and go throughout the afternoon. Businesses and individuals interested in donating items or becoming sponsors can contact the foundation directly. Direct donations are also accepted via the foundation's website.