The Gillian Ragan Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting families who have suffered 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 is free and open to the public, 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 families navigating the loss of a child.
Jenifer Mattioli, founder of The Gillian Ragan Foundation and mother of Gillian Grace Ragan, who passed away at age 14, emphasized the importance of the event. "When you lose a child, your whole world changes in an instant," she 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 and remaining live throughout the afternoon at the venue. Guests can scan QR codes placed alongside items to bid from their phones, while remote supporters can participate through the foundation's website at www.gillianraganfoundation.org. The auction includes real-time bidding, outbid notifications, proxy bidding, Buy It Now options, and anti-sniping protection. Items include original artwork, sports memorabilia, dining experiences, wellness packages, gift baskets, Diamondbacks Advantage baseball tickets, and jewelry.
Pinnacle Brewing Company, an award-winning family-owned craft brewery, will host the event. 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, the brewery offers a spacious taproom and dog-friendly biergarten patio.
The Gillian Ragan Foundation was established by Jenifer Mattioli and co-founded by Triston Ragan, Gillian's brother. 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. The foundation aims to ensure that every parent, caregiver, and sibling receives compassionate care during their grief journey without financial barriers.
Gillian Grace Ragan, known as "Gigi," was born on December 19, 2008, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Despite congenital orthopedic challenges, she radiated joy and compassion, seeking out lonely children on the playground and filling rooms with laughter. She passed away at age 14, but her legacy of kindness lives on through the foundation.
The community can attend the event in person, bid online, make donations via the foundation's website, or volunteer. Businesses and individuals interested in donating items or becoming sponsors can contact the foundation directly.
