REPORT to the COMMUNITY
impact | collaboration | INSPIRAtion | LEGACY | CELEBRATION
What a year it has been! On behalf of our founders, George and Dolores Eccles, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside incredible individuals who are dedicated to helping all Utahns thrive. This year has been especially meaningful as I celebrated my 90th birthday, a milestone that has given me a chance to reflect on many cherished memories and experiences. Uncle George was a brilliant entrepreneur and civic leader, and Aunt Lolie -- as we affectionately call her -- was as visionary as she was generous. Their spirit of community, collaboration, partnership, and service is what inspires me as I work hand-in-hand with my fellow board members -- Bob Graham, my trusted friend and colleague for over 40 years, and my daughter Lisa, whose leadership of the Foundation fills me with tremendous pride. Together, we strive to carry forward the Eccles family legacy, working to strengthen the bonds that unite our community for good. Within these pages, you will read stories about some of the nearly 400 remarkable nonprofit organizations we have had the honor to work with this year. Some of these organizations have been our partners for decades and others have brought forward new ways to improve lives. New or established, their dedication is an inspiration to us all, and we are honored to help elevate their efforts. You’ll read of their IMPACT, how they INSPIRE, and how COLLABORATION is essential to our collective success. You’ll also get a sense of the LEGACY that makes our communities so special, as well as a few reasons we’ve had to CELEBRATE in 2024.
Looking ahead, I am filled with optimism. Utah’s future is bright with the promise of what we can achieve together. We will continue to build on the foundation laid by Uncle George and Aunt Lolie, and remain committed to creating a legacy of hope, opportunity and success for all Utahns. As I always like to say, “the best is yet to come!”
After serving kids in Tooele County for more than 20 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake --
Tooele campus finally has a place that hundreds of kids can call their own thanks to a $300,000 grant from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation. Ensuring youth have access to the services critically needed in the region, the new clubhouse has become a beacon of opportunity and connection. Youth ages 5-18 have access to STEM and computer labs, a full kitchen, games room, gym, dance room, and dedicated teen center.
Over its 35-year history, the Adopta- Native-Elder Navajo Rug Show has helped more than 180 Navajo Elders sell over 5,000 woven rugs, jewelry and native crafts. From its humble beginnings, the program has grown into the world’s largest not-for-profit Indigenous art show with 100% of the proceeds providing much-needed income to help elders survive the harsh winters on the reservation. The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation has been a proud supporter, contributing almost $600,000 since 1997 to help preserve this important cultural art form.
Our founders knew that the success of our state begins with a collaborative community and vibrant economy. The Salt Lake Chamber’s Utah Rising statewide initiative doubles down on that premise. With public-private partnerships, including a $250,000 grant from our Foundation and many others, Utah Rising is bringing the business community together to create an economic vision of success and sustainable growth over the next 10 years. This bold and exciting vision addresses critical issues with innovative, long-term solutions for all who call Utah home.
