The Gillian Ragan Foundation, a nonprofit supporting families after the loss of a child, will hold its first community fundraiser on Saturday, May 17, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Pinnacle Brewing Company in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event is free, family-friendly, and open to all ages, featuring a silent auction, music bingo, raffles, craft beer, and food. All proceeds will fund mental health therapy, grief counseling, and emotional healing resources for bereaved families.
"When you lose a child, your whole world changes in an instant," said Jenifer Mattioli, founder of The Gillian Ragan Foundation and mother of Gillian Grace Ragan, who died at age 14. "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 includes original artwork, sports memorabilia, dining experiences, wellness packages, gift baskets, Diamondbacks baseball tickets, and jewelry. For the first time, the auction operates as a hybrid system: bidding opens online before the event and continues at the venue. Guests can scan QR codes to bid from their phones, while remote supporters can participate through the foundation's website at www.gillianraganfoundation.org. The platform includes real-time bidding, outbid notifications, proxy bidding, Buy It Now options, and anti-sniping protection.
Pinnacle Brewing Company, the venue, is an award-winning family-owned brewery. It 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. Brewmaster Wyatt Wilson leads the brewery, which offers a spacious taproom and dog-friendly biergarten patio.
The foundation is named after Gillian Grace Ragan, born December 19, 2008, in Scottsdale. She faced congenital orthopedic challenges but was known for her joy, compassion, and ability to make others feel seen. She died at age 14, and her legacy continues through the foundation's Healing Assistance Program, which provides financial aid for therapy, grief counseling, trauma-informed care, EMDR, psychiatry, and support groups. The foundation was established by Mattioli and co-founded by Gillian's brother, Triston Ragan.
The event is a come-and-go open house. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome. The foundation also seeks volunteers and sponsors. Direct donations can be made at www.gillianraganfoundation.org.
