feeney/winthrop Benefit Concert continues to support St. Joseph the Worker
Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
On Saturday, March 16, a sold-out crowd gathered at the Tempe Center for the Arts for the 16th Annual feeney/winthrop Benefit Concert for local nonprofit St. Joseph the Worker.
The event, featuring a donation-based entry, raised over $51,000 to aid SJW’s mission of assisting unhoused, low-income and disadvantaged individuals in securing sustainable employment opportunities, according to a press release.
Matt Feeney, member of feeney/winthrop, partner at Snell & Wilmer and SJW founding member, hosted the evening. Event sponsors included APS, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Snell & Wilmer, The Goddard Family Foundation and Don and Ginger Brandt, the release states.
“For the past 16 years, we have held this free concert to provide a fun outlet for members of our community to enjoy themselves and support a great cause,” Mr. Feeney said in a prepared statement. “Every dollar raised for SJW will act as a hand up for someone here in the Valley, helping them on their journey towards self-sufficiency through quality employment.”
In fiscal year 2022-23, SJW marked a significant milestone by extending its services to over 10,000 individuals, which officials there tell the Digital Free Press is a 37% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, 6,213 individuals successfully secured full-time employment, with an average hourly wage of $18 and an impressive 81% receiving associated benefits.
Since its inception in 1988, SJW’s impact has transcended boundaries, reaching over 35,000 individuals across more than 50 ZIP codes in the Valley.
Driven by its unwavering dedication to eliminating employment barriers, SJW continues to provide critical resources and guidance, empowering clients on their journey toward financial independence and enabling them to break free from reliance on government assistance.
“For the past 16 years, the feeney/winthrop Benefit Concert has been instrumental in raising almost $660,000 to further our commitment to uplifting individuals trying to better themselves through long-term, quality employment,” said CEO Carrie Masters. “Your donation is more than a contribution. It is a catalyst for empowerment, guiding individuals toward meaningful employment and paving their paths to success.”
