Feedback: November 2023

Q: What policies or programs does your company have in place to support your employees’ interests in community philanthropy? 

Todd Gillenwater

Chief Executive Officer
Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
Sector: Real Estate 

We are a 76-year-old Arizona business that has always believed in giving back; it is in our DNA. The Russ Lyon Foundation is our nonprofit entity that provides structure and opportunity to our 1,000 agents and employees to participate in service work and charitable investment events across Arizona. We have service work groups called V-Corps teams in every office that identify and execute local support initiatives most relevant to the area. We make a real impact in our communities. And, we have an absolute blast doing it!

For instance, this past fall, we partnered with Arizona Helping Hands to provide essential back-to-school supplies. The foundation’s volunteers contributed their time and effort to pack backpacks for children in tribal nations and assembling birthday bags for the youngest members of the foster community. In the spirit of friendly competition, Russ Lyon Foundation offices came together to collect backpacks and monetary donations, initially setting a goal of 1,000 backpacks. With the overwhelming response from the offices, this goal was easily surpassed with 3,200 backpacks collected.

Since 1947, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty has gathered realty craftsmen dedicated to the ideals of integrity and professionalism. For over 70 years, its agents and employees have been involved in community service work and charitable organizations throughout Arizona. In 2014, armed with research on the impact of what had, historically, been individual pursuits, RLSIR leadership brought them together in the RL Foundation, a united entity with company support to enhance and improve these efforts. 

RJ Muller 

Director of Public Affairs
Cox
Sector: Communication

Charitable donations from individuals nationwide dropped by 10.5% last year and Cox is proud of the 3,100 employees at Cox Arizona who, through Cox Charities, have increased their donations to Arizona nonprofits by 10% over last year’s giving. 

Through personal giving and employee-driven fundraisers, Cox employees raised $637,810.00 this year, which has provided grants to 130 Arizona nonprofits. This marks the 27th year that Cox employees have raised funds to help the communities in which they live and work. Since this program’s inception in 1996, Cox Arizona employees have raised nearly $10.5 million and awarded grants to 1,851 Arizona nonprofits.

Explains Laura Bode, with grantee A New Leaf, “With Cox Charities’ support, vulnerable children get individualized case management and have a safe place to receive homework help, engage in STEM activities and develop social emotional wellness.”

Cox Charities grants help Arizona nonprofits aligning with the company’s focus areas — education, diversity, environment and sustainability. Additionally, Cox employees contribute hands-on volunteer time through our Cox Volunteers program, giving more than 51,000 hours to local Arizona nonprofits.   

RJ Muller is director of public affairs for Cox. He oversees Cox’s philanthropic efforts, which include Cox Charities, Cox volunteers and Cox’s Digital Equity programs in the Valley. He received the Governor’s Award from the Rocky Mountain SW Chapter of the National Association of Television Arts and has been recognized as a 40 under 40 and Generation Next for Technology winner. 

Dr. Laura Nelson 

Vice President/Sustainability and External Affairs
Southwest Gas
Sector: Utilities

Southwest Gas’s commitment to our community extends far beyond the safe, sustainable and reliable delivery of natural gas. Our employees embrace a culture of giving, and we actively promote employee engagement, giving and service to people and planet through our suite of community programs, including our Foundation, employee giving program (FUEL for LIFE), and our employee volunteer program BLUE (Building Lives Up Everywhere).

Through FUEL for LIFE, our employee participation level sets us apart. In 2022, 89% of our Central Arizona employees participated in the campaign, contributing approximately $2.2 million. This unique program allows employees to contribute 100% of their donation to the nonprofit organizations of their choice. Since launching 11 years ago, employees have supported almost 200 nonprofits in the Valley and more than 2,000 across our tristate service territory. 

Additionally, our BLUE team volunteers hundreds of hours for initiatives such as tree planting, food packing and care packages for communities facing economic challenges. Through their active and generous engagement in our philanthropic programs, our employees proudly create a sustainable future for everyone.   

Laura Nelson, Ph.D., is vice president/sustainability and external affairs for Southwest Gas. She is responsible for leading the company’s sustainable business practices, customer growth and public policy initiatives while supporting the company’s commitment to exceeding customers’ expectations; maintaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace; and fueling communities’ environmental and social sustainability through the company’s philanthropic and volunteer initiatives.