LRGB was voted Most Philanthropic Company from 2017 to 2026 in AZ Foothill Magazine’s independent readers’ polls. Additionally, Kevin Rowe, LRGB was Voted 2023 and 2024 Most Influential in Valley Nonprofit by the magazine’s readers.
Kevin Rowe was selected as the Philanthropic Business Leader of the Year in Az Business publication's 2023 Champions of Change Awards. Lerner & Rowe Gives Back was named a 2025 nonprofit organization of the year finalist.
Recognized as 2022 Philanthropic Company of the Year by the Phoenix Business Journal.
Voted Nonprofit of the Year 2018 in AZ Foothill Magazine's independent readers' poll.
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
Even steady rain couldn’t stop the Portage, Indiana, community from coming together. The event transitioned to a drive-thru-style giveaway, allowing families to receive backpacks and school supplies while local police officers, firefighters, volunteers, and the Lerner & Rowe team continued supporting the community despite the weather.
The Portage Police Department and Fire Department were among those who helped make the event a success. One special four-legged helper also made an appearance: Tilly, the police department’s therapy dog, brought some extra cheer to a wet but memorable day.
The community’s support also began before the giveaway. On Friday, approximately 70 volunteers from community partners, Chamber members, and the Valparaiso High School football team gathered for a community packing day. Working together, the volunteers packed all 1,000 backpacks in less than an hour, demonstrating the incredible spirit of teamwork and generosity that helped make the giveaway possible.
Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys and Lerner & Rowe Gives Back are grateful to everyone who helped make the final stop on our 2026 Backpack Giveaway Tour a success, from the volunteers who packed backpacks to the first responders, community partners, and families who participated. Together, the community helped local students start the school year prepared and ready to learn, proving that even a rainy day couldn’t dampen the spirit of giving.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s Portage Backpack Giveaway:
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Lerner and Rowe Gives Back is incredibly excited to announce and celebrate the awarding of $500,000 in program grants to our 2026 Grant Recipients!
Giving back to our communities is at the heart of everything we do. This year, we are honored to support a diverse and deeply impactful group of organizations that are working tirelessly to uplift, protect, and empower those in need. From providing essential shelter and healthcare services to fostering youth development and supporting our veterans, these amazing nonprofits are making a tangible impact every day.
“Every year, I am amazed by the dedication and resilience of our local nonprofits, and this year’s grant recipients are no exception,” shared Kevin Rowe, founder of Lerner and Rowe Gives Back. “We are thrilled to award $500,000 to help these phenomenal organizations continue their life-changing work, and we can’t wait to see the lasting difference they will make in the year ahead.”
Please join us in celebrating our 2026 Grant Recipients
American Red Cross – $15,000
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF) – $10,000
Banner Health Foundation – $25,000
Ben’s Bells – $14,530
Boulder Crest Foundation – $5,000
Cancer Support Community Arizona – $10,000
Catholic Charities Community Services, Inc. – $10,000
Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) – $25,000
Child Crisis Arizona – $20,000
Childhelp, Inc. – $10,000
City Hope – $10,000
Control Alt Delete LLC – $10,000
Fighter Country Foundation – $10,000
Homeless Engagement & Lift Partnership Inc. – $5,000
Hunkapi Programs Inc – $22,900
Jenerosity Foundation – $5,000
Lighthouse For Hope, Inc. – $10,000
Miracle League of Arizona – $15,000
Mitchell Swaback Charities, Inc. DBA Harvest Compassion Center – $12,500
Neighborhood Ministries – $10,000
NEXGEN Sports Officials Gives Back – $5,000
Phoenix Rescue Mission – $20,000
Ryan House – $30,000
Save the Family Foundation of Arizona – $25,000
Sleep In Heavenly Peace Arizona – $10,000
Sojourner Center – $10,000
Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center – $10,000
Teen Lifeline – $5,000
The Be Kind People Project – $10,000
The Joy Bus – $10,000
Translational Genomics Research Institute Foundation – $25,000
Trevor’s Vision Inc. – $10,000
Valiant College Preparatory People Who Care – $25,000
Valley of the Sun YMCA – $5,000
West Valley Health Equity, DBA Rooted in Grace Foundation (WVHE/RIG) – $15,000
Youth for Troops – $10,000
Youth On Their Own – $10,000
Yuma Community Food Bank – $10,000
Congratulations to all of our 2026 grant recipients! Thank you for your steadfast commitment to helping others; we are truly honored to support your efforts and look forward to watching your programs flourish over the coming year.
To learn more about our contributions to local communities throughout Arizona, explore lernerandrowegivesback.org.
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Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys wrapped up its Arizona backpack giveaway tour with a memorable afternoon at Desert Diamond Arena, where Phoenix West Valley families gathered to celebrate the upcoming school year. The event distributed 1,000 local students FREE backpacks filled with essential school supplies to help local students head back to the classroom prepared.
The indoor celebration was packed with family-friendly fun from start to finish. Children enjoyed face painting, balloon art, and complimentary treats while exploring the venue and taking home plenty of Lerner and Rowe swag, including hats, T-shirts, and drawstring bags. Phoenix Raceway added to the excitement by bringing its show car for families to explore, while Phoenix Rescue Mission helped support attendees by distributing food boxes to those in need.
The atmosphere throughout the afternoon was filled with smiles, laughter, and anticipation for the new school year.
Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and partnered with us to make the Glendale Backpack Giveaway an incredible success. Together, we helped make the start of the school year a little brighter for hundreds of local families.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s Glendale Backpack Giveaway:
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Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys brought back-to-school excitement to North Las Vegas with another successful 2026 FREE Backpack Giveaway Tour, welcoming local students and families for an afternoon filled with community, fun, and preparation for the year ahead. Held at Mojave High School, the event provided 750 students with FREE backpacks filled with essential school supplies to help them start the new school year ready to learn.
The event was about much more than backpacks. Families were treated to a fun-filled afternoon featuring complimentary ice cream, balloon art, and plenty of Lerner and Rowe swag.
Thank you to all the families, volunteers, and community members who helped make the Las Vegas Backpack Giveaway a success. Lerner and Rowe is proud to continue supporting students and families across the communities it serves.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s Las Vegas Backpack Giveaway:
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We are over halfway through our 2026 FREE Backpack Giveaway Tour. Our Tucson back-to-school event brought hundreds of families together for an afternoon of fun and celebration.
Hosted at the Tucson Convention Center, the event distributed backpacks filled with school supplies to 750 local students, helping them prepare for the new school year.
Kids also enjoyed face painting, colorful balloon art, and a tasty snack.
Attendees also took home plenty of Lerner and Rowe swag, making the day even more memorable.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Tucson and helped make this year’s backpack giveaway another incredible success.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s Tucson Backpack Giveaway:
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Yuma families came together for another unforgettable back-to-school event, helping local students get ready for a successful new school year. This was the third stop of our 2026 FREE Backpack Giveaway Tour and was filled with excitement as our team prepared to distribute 1,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies.
The celebration offered much more than school supplies. Kids enjoyed colorful face painting, creative balloon art, and tasty treats. Families also took home plenty of Lerner and Rowe swag and drawstring bags.
From the first backpack handed out to the final family leaving the event, the atmosphere was filled with smiles, laughter, and excitement. We loved seeing kids showing off their new backpacks and excitedly talking about the upcoming school year.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Yuma and helped make this year’s backpack giveaway another incredible success. We look forward to continuing this tradition of giving back and helping local students start the school year with the tools, confidence, and encouragement they need to succeed.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s Yuma Backpack Giveaway:
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Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys continues its 2026 FREE Backpack Giveaway Tour with a successful stop in Mesa, Arizona, welcoming hundreds of families to AZ Athletic Grounds for an afternoon dedicated to helping students prepare for the upcoming school year.
The excitement started early as families lined up for the chance to receive one of 750 backpacks filled with essential school supplies. New for 2026, the first 550 K–12 students in line also received a FREE pair of brand-name shoes—including Nike, Converse, and Vans—helping even more children head back to the classroom feeling confident and prepared.
The giveaway quickly turned into a celebration of community. Kids cooled off with delicious ice cream and shaved ice, while colorful balloon art and face painting brought smiles to their faces. Families also took home plenty of Lerner and Rowe swag, including Frisbees, hats, sunglasses, water bottles, T-shirts, activity books, and drawstring bags, making the day even more memorable.
The Mesa backpack giveaway marks the second stop on Lerner and Rowe’s 7-city backpack giveaway tour, which will distribute 6,250 backpacks to students across four states during the 2026 back-to-school season. More than just providing school supplies, the annual initiative continues to bring communities together, helping local students begin the new school year with the tools, confidence, and encouragement they need to succeed.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s Mesa Backpack Giveaway:
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Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys kicked off its 2026 FREE Backpack Giveaway Tour in Albuquerque, providing 1,000 local students with backpacks filled with school supplies to help them prepare for the new school year.
The indoor community event was filled with excitement, featuring face painting, balloon art, ice cream from The Brain Freezer, and plenty of Lerner and Rowe swag, including water bottles, activity books, t-shirts, and drawstring bags.
Families enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon while receiving essential school supplies and celebrating the start of a new school year together.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s 2026 Albuquerque Backpack Giveaway:
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
Lerner & Rowe celebrates the 2026 – 2027 school year by giving away 6,250 backpacks stuffed with school supplies in seven cities across the United States: Albuquerque, Phoenix, Yuma, Tucson, Las Vegas, and Northwest Indiana.
Make sure that you arrive on time to pick up your backpack before they are gone. Backpacks will only be provided to school-aged children that attend one of the giveaways in person.
Here’s where to find all the fun in a location near you:
Our team looks forward to sharing these events with our community neighbors!
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August 1, 2026— Portage, Indiana | Portage Police Department (6260 Central Avenue, Portage, IN 46368) | 9:00 a.m. until supplies last
|Parking Tips: Parking is available in the surrounding business plazas and north of the event at Founder’s Square Park.
Join us for a fun-filled outdoor event as we give away 1,000 FREE backpacks filled with school supplies to local students! Families can also enjoy snacks, activities, and other giveaways while supplies last.
Students must be present to receive a backpack. Backpacks and snacks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Anyone interested in learning more about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Portage, Indiana, Backpack Giveaway should contact Arianna Hensley by email at [email protected], or by phone at (708) 222-2222, ext. 6325.
Previous 2026 Backpack Giveaway Stops
July 7, 2026— Albuquerque, NM | EXPO New Mexico (300 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last*
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 1,000 students who attend our indoor Albuquerque giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Albuquerque Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (505) 544-4444.
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July 9, 2026— Phoenix, AZ | AZ Athletic Grounds (6321 S Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212) | 5:00 p.m. until supplies last*
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event begins and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot. Because the event will take place in Fieldhouse C, the best parking options for families are Lots 3 and 4, which offer ample parking and convenient access to the venue.
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 750 students who attend our indoor backpack giveaway in the Phoenix East Valley will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
NEW FOR 2026: We’re giving away FREE tennis shoes to the first 500 kids in line!
Just like the backpacks and other giveaways, shoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. We encourage families to arrive early, as only the first 550 kids in line will receive a free pair.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Phoenix Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (602) 977-1900.
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July 11, 2026— Yuma, AZ | Yuma County Fairgrounds (2520 E 32nd St, Yuma, AZ 85365) | 2:00 p.m. until supplies last*
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 1,000 students who attend our indoor Yuma giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Yuma Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (928) 222-2222.
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July 13, 2026— Tucson, AZ | Tucson Convention Center (260 S Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last*
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot. Complimentary parking will be located in Lot B on the day of the event. Families will enter through the Grand Lobby doors to the Copper Ballroom. There will be visible signs out leading the way.
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 750 students who attend our indoor Tucson giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
NEW FOR 2026: We’re giving away FREE tennis shoes to the first 500 kids in line!
Just like the backpacks and other giveaways, shoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. We encourage families to arrive early, as only the first 550 kids in line will receive a free pair.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Tucson Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (520) 977-1900.
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July 15, 2026— North Las Vegas, NV | Mojave High School (5302 Goldfield St. North Las Vegas 89031) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last*
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
Get ready for back-to-school fun! Students who attend our indoor North Las Vegas giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! 750 backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREELas Vegas Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (702) 877-1500.
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July 17, 2026— Glendale, AZ | Desert Diamond Arena (9400 West Maryland Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85305) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
Get ready to kick off the new school year with Lerner & Rowe at our free, indoor Glendale Back-to-School Giveaway! Hosted at Desert Diamond Arena, this family-friendly event will provide 1,000 free backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies to help local students start the year strong. While you’re there, you can beat the heat with complimentary ice cream, pick up some Lerner & Rowe swag, and enjoy entertainment from face painters and balloon artists. Backpacks are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive one.
NEW FOR 2026: We’re giving away FREE tennis shoes to the first 500 kids in line!
Just like the backpacks and other giveaways, shoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. We encourage families to arrive early, as only the first 550 kids in line will receive a free pair.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Glendale Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette at (602) 977-1900.
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back has supported the annual Summer of a Million Meals campaign for several years, including a $25,000 sponsorship in 2026. Our team was also grateful for the opportunity to volunteer during this year’s telethon and witness the generosity of the Arizona community firsthand.
Hosted by 12News and United Food Bank, the initiative raises critical funds to help families facing food insecurity during the summer months, when many children lose access to dependable school meals. Now in its ninth year, the campaign aims to provide 1 million meals to Arizona families in need.
Throughout the telethon, volunteers, donors, and community organizations came together with one shared goal: ensuring no one has to wonder where their next meal will come from. Seeing so many people rally around this mission was a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community works together to help others.
Summer can place added pressure on families already managing rising grocery costs, childcare expenses, and higher utility bills. Community support makes campaigns like this possible, and every donation helps put meals on the table for Arizona families. To learn more or make a contribution, visit United Food Bank.
