Gillian Ragan Foundation to Host First Community Fundraiser at Pinnacle Brewing Company
The Gillian Ragan Foundation, supporting families who lost a child, will hold its inaugural fundraiser on May 17, 2026, featuring a hybrid silent auction to fund mental health therapy and grief counseling.
The Gillian Ragan Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families after the loss of a child, will host its first Community Fundraiser on Saturday, May 17, 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 directly fund mental health therapy, grief counseling, and emotional healing resources for families navigating the loss of a child. The foundation was established by Jenifer Mattioli in memory of her daughter, Gillian Grace Ragan, who passed away at age 14. “When you lose a child, your whole world changes in an instant,” Mattioli 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.”
In a first for the foundation, the silent auction will operate as a hybrid system. Bidding opens online prior to the event and remains live throughout the afternoon at Pinnacle Brewing Company. Guests at the venue 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.
Featured auction items include original artwork, sports memorabilia, dining experiences, wellness packages, gift baskets, Diamondbacks Advantage baseball tickets, and jewelry. The open-house format allows guests to come and go throughout the afternoon.
Pinnacle Brewing Company, the venue, is an award-winning, family-owned craft brewery in North Scottsdale 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 brewery's taproom and dog-friendly biergarten patio will host the community gathering.
The Gillian Ragan Foundation focuses on removing financial barriers to grief support through its Healing Assistance Program, which provides funding for individual and family therapy, grief counseling, trauma-informed care, EMDR, psychiatry, and support groups. The foundation was founded by Jenifer Mattioli and co-founded by Triston Ragan, Gillian's brother, and is governed by a board of directors committed to carrying forward Gillian's legacy of kindness and compassion.
The fundraiser underscores the critical need for accessible mental health resources for bereaved families, a need that often goes unmet due to cost. By combining an in-person community event with an online auction, the foundation aims to maximize reach and donations. Those unable to attend can still bid online or make direct donations through the foundation's website.