Every year, organizations host a variety of Northern Nevada events, including fundraisers, festivals, galas, performances, and more, to give back to community causes. Unfortunately, many of these Northern Nevada events are canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19. But, you can still support them and the work they do! Check out this list of some of the region’s major events and organizations to see how you can get involved and support the causes that matter most to you.
Northern Nevada Events and Organizations that need your help
Animal Ark
- What they support: Animal Ark supports animals that need a safe haven due to injury, abandonment, or are otherwise non-releasable.
- Events you would’ve attended: Wolf Howl Night, All American Cheetah Dash, Predators and Pinatas
- Where to donate/support: animalark.org/memberships/donate
Arts for All Nevada
- What they support: Arts for All Nevada offers children and adults to experience visual and performing arts firsthand.
- Events you would’ve attended: Poetry Workshop, Paint and Sip, Paint Your Pet
- Where to donate/support: artsforallnevada.org
Artown
- What they support: Artown seeks to highlight local artists and performers in a growing cultural identity culminating in their yearly summer Artown Festival, a series of performances, art shows, installations, and much more.
- Events you would’ve attended: Artown Festival, Fall and Spring Performances
- Where to donate/support: artown.org
A.V.A. Ballet Theater
- What they support: Northern Nevada’s premiere ballet company educates and inspires audiences with local, regional, and national performers.
- Events you would’ve attended: Nutcracker, Vortex and other live dance performances
- Where to donate/support: avaballet.com
Big Brothers Big Sisters
- What they support: Big Brothers Big Sisters is a mentoring program between adults and children to build positive, lasting relationships that impact kids in a big way.
- Events you would’ve attended: Big Chefs Big Gala, Big Heart Big Impact Pledge Breakfast
- Where to donate/support: bbbsnn.org/donate/
Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows
- What they support: The Boys and Girls Club offers before and after school programs and support for children age 6-18, including nutritious meals at select sites, as well as full-day programs during WCSD breaks to support children emotionally and physically.
- Events you would’ve attended: Annual Jack T. Reviglio Cioppino Feed, Barrels & Bites
- Where to donate/support: bgctm.org/ways-to-give/
Brüka Theater
- What they support: Brüka Theater has been entertaining Reno since 1992 with their award-winning performances and their acclaimed Theater for Children series. Their award-winning Artistic Collective also supports the reinvestigation of classic works and the development of new plays.
- Events you would’ve attended: Regular theatrical performances, including the annual Buttcracker
- Where to donate/support: bruka.org
Burning Man
- What they support: Burning Man isn’t just a festival – it’s a culture reflecting 10 principles of art, inclusion, community, and self-expression, hoping to create a better world for all.
- Event you would’ve attended: Annual Burning Man Festival in the Black Rock Desert
- Where to donate/support: burningman.org/
Good Luck Macbeth
- What they support: Inspired by the two phrases you never say in theater, Good Luck Macbeth was created during the recession to give artists and performers a chance to shine.
- Events you would’ve attended: Live theatrical performances
- Where to donate/support: goodluckmacbeth.org
The Great Reno Balloon Race
- What they support: The Great Reno Balloon Race is the world’s largest free hot-air balloon event and features nearly 100 balloons for more than 120,000 people in attendance.
- Event you would’ve attended: Great Reno Balloon Race 2020
- Where to donate/support: renoballoon.com
Hot August Nights
- What they support: Created to support Reno’s tourism industry during a traditionally dry time of year, this car show and concert series is now one of the biggest Northern Nevada events.
- Event you would’ve attended: The Annual Hot August Nights Rally, Classics And Cocktails
- Where to donate/support: hotaugustnights.net/foundation/
National Championship Air Races
- What they support: This racing and air show event attracts over a million spectators and brings in $600 million to the region’s economy.
- Event you would’ve attended: 2020 STIHL National Championship Air Races
- Where to donate/support: reno-air-racing-association-inc.networkforgood.com
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Nevada Chapter
- What they support: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Nevada Chapter raises funds for Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy
- Event you would’ve attended: JDRF Northern Nevada 2020 Vision Gala
- Where to donate/support: jdrf.org/fundraising/
Moms on the Run
- What they support: This yearly race has more than 5,000 participants and brings in $500,000 each year to support women fighting breast cancer and their families.
- Events you would’ve attended: 2020 Moms on the Run Race, Ride for the Tatas
- Where to donate/support: momsontherun.info/get-involved
Nevada Museum of Art
- What they support: The Nevada Museum of Art offers meaningful art and culture experiences that allow for new knowledge in visual arts for all ages
- Events you would’ve attended: Members Previews, First Thursday, Art and Flowers Luncheon
- Where to donate/support: nevadaart.org/give/support/
Nevada Humane Society
- What they support: The only open-admission, no-kill shelter in Nevada, the Nevada Humane Society, promotes animal welfare while providing care for homeless pets in Northern Nevada.
- Event you would’ve attended: Heels and Hounds 2020, Wags and Whiskers
- Where to donate/support: nevadahumanesociety.org
Nevada Women’s Fund
- What they support: Nevada Women’s Fund awards scholarships to Northern Nevada women who could not complete their education due to financial concerns.
- Events you would’ve attended: Women of Achievement, Power of the Purse
- Where to donate/support: nevadawomensfund.org/donate/
Pioneer Center for Performing Arts
- What they support: Pioneer Center for Performing Arts is dedicated to bringing high-quality performing arts to Reno with theater, ballet, orchestra, and more.
- Events you would’ve attended: Live performances including Broadway Comes to Reno, theater, dance, concerts and more
- Where to donate/support: pioneercenter.com
Race 178
- What they support: This running production company is based in Reno, for Reno, and hosts several races throughout the year.
- Events you would’ve attended: 8th Annual Leprechaun Race, 3rd Annual Reno Running Fest, 16th Annual Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay, 8th Annual Capital Odyssey Relay, 6th Annual Comstock Odyssey Relay
- Where to donate/support: race178.com
Reno Chamber Orchestra
- What they support: The Reno Chamber Orchestra’s goal is to inspire and engage the community with intimate chamber performances of classical orchestral music.
- Event you would’ve attended: Nevada Chamber Music Festival
- Where to donate/support: renochamberorchestra.org
Reno Little Theater
- What they support: A staple in Reno since 1935, Reno Little Theater supports local performances to inspire and entertain through artistic engagement
- Event(s) you would’ve attended: Live theatrical performances
- Where to donate/support: renolittletheater.org
Reno Jazz Orchestra
- What they support: This 17-person big band brings jazz appreciation to Reno through ensemble performances and jazz education in schools.
- Events you would’ve attended: Live jazz performances including the Reno Jazz Festival
- Where to donate/support: renojazzorchestra.org
Reno Philharmonic Orchestra
- What they support: The Reno Philharmonic is dedicated to spreading the joy of music with their pops concert series and orchestra performances.
- Events you would’ve attended: Pops On The River, Classix Series, Youth Orchestra Spring Showcase
- Where to donate/support: renophil.com
Reno Rodeo
- What they support: The 10-day rodeo annual rodeo event brings in nearly $42 million in economic impact for hotels, casinos, restaurants, and businesses to the Reno/Sparks area.
- Event you would’ve attended: Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West: Reno Rodeo’s Annual Event
- Where to donate/support: renorodeofoundation.org
Reno/Sparks Rotary Clubs
- What they support: Rotary International is an international service organization whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are eight local clubs in the region.
- Events you would’ve attended: Reno Mardi Gras, Annual Crab Feed and Beach Party
- Where to donate/support: renosparks.org/rotary
Ronald McDonald House
- What they support: Families of children receiving medical care at nearby hospitals by giving them food and a place to stay at little to no cost.
- Events you would’ve attended: RMHC Annual Golf Tournament, Red Shoe Gala, Yelp’s Home Away From Home
- Where to donate/support: rmhc-reno.org/how-you-can-help/
SPCA of Northern Nevada
- What they support: The SPCA works with potential adopters and pets to find the best match based on personality, needs, and lifestyle to ensure a successful, happy relationship between pet owners and pets.
- Event you would’ve attended: Affur to Remember Gala
- Where to donate/support: spcanevada.org/get-involved/
Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum
- What they support: The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum aims to inspire all by being theplace to experience science firsthand with exhibitions, community events, and more.
- Events you would’ve attended: Chemistry of the Cocktail, Social Science Series
- Where to donate/support: nvdm.org/homepage/support/donate-form/
University of Nevada Athletics
- What they support: University of Nevada Athletics is a member of the Mountain West Conference and hosts thirteen collegiate sports for men and women.
- Events you would’ve attended: Bobby Dolan Baseball Dinner, Pup Club Program, Blue Tie Ball
- Where to donate/support: nevadawolfpack.com/sports/give
At Dickson Realty, our team of local experts knows about the best Northern Nevada events, activities, and places to live. To learn more about how to enjoy the Reno/Sparks region, contact one of our Realtors today.
