The Gillian Ragan Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit 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 open-house event is free, family-friendly, and open to all ages, featuring a silent auction, music bingo, raffles, craft beer, and food.
All proceeds will directly fund mental health therapy, grief counseling, and emotional healing resources for families navigating child loss. “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 passed away 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 features items donated by local businesses and supporters, including original artwork, sports memorabilia, dining experiences, wellness packages, and Diamondbacks Advantage baseball tickets. For the first time, the auction operates as a hybrid system: bidding opens online before the event and remains live throughout the afternoon at Pinnacle Brewing. Guests at the venue can scan QR codes placed alongside each item 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.
The venue, Pinnacle Brewing Company, is an award-winning, family-owned craft brewery led by brewmaster Wyatt Wilson. 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. The spacious taproom and dog-friendly biergarten patio will host the community gathering.
Gillian Grace Ragan, known as “Gigi,” was born on December 19, 2008, in Scottsdale. Despite congenital orthopedic challenges that required surgeries and therapies, she radiated joy and compassion. Gigi passed away at age 14, but her legacy continues through the foundation. The Gillian Ragan Foundation, established by Jenifer Mattioli and co-founded by Triston Ragan, provides financial assistance for therapy, grief counseling, trauma-informed care, EMDR, psychiatry, and support groups through its Healing Assistance Program.
The community is invited to attend the event in person, bid in the silent auction online, make a direct donation via the foundation’s website at www.gillianraganfoundation.org, or volunteer. Businesses and individuals interested in donating items or becoming a sponsor are encouraged to contact the foundation directly.
