Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the Spotlight Awards & Auction? 

PBS Reno's annual gala and community awards show “spotlights” individuals and community groups making a positive impact in our region. As the station's largest fundraiser of the year, PBS Reno will also have an auction featuring enticing and exciting packages that support PBS Reno’s mission to Entertain Your Curiosity.

PBS Reno is thrilled to share that this year our Extraordinary Philanthropists are Jill & Par Tolles. Par’s recent recognition at the Association of Fundraising Professionals Cornerstone Awards for his efforts to end homelessness through projects like the Village on Sage Street, HOPES, and the CARES Campus, along with Jill’s inspiring leadership at the Guinn Center and her legislative contributions in education and health as an Assemblywoman, highlight their inspiring impact on the community.

When and where are the Spotlight Awards & Auction?

Friday, September 12th, 2025 at the Grand Sierra Resort Grand Ballroom.

When does it start? 

Doors open at 5:00pm. 

What does this event support? 

Support for this event helps PBS Reno continue providing the educational and enriching programming you love. We provide PBS national programming and award-earning, locally-produced content, with many local segments posted weekly to PBS Reno’s YouTube Channel. PBS Reno serves students, teachers, parents and caregivers through immersive educational services including Curiosity Classroom Workshops that bring classroom lessons to life with standards-based lessons and activities. Through the support of local corporations and foundations, as well as thousands of individual members, we have been delivering public television and educational services to the communities we serve.

What are the Spotlight Awards? 

We will present awards in five different categories: Extraordinary Student, Educator, Business, Community Group, and Individual. Nominations are open to the community in March. Finalists are chosen from those nominations before voting opens to the public on July 1st. Winners are announced in-person on September 12th. 

What is the dress code? 

Semi-formal attire. 

How can I support this event? 

There are many ways to support PBS Reno with this event! The Spotlight Awards and Auction is a great way to connect with our community, be it announcements promoting your business, sponsoring an award category, or through our online auction. PBS Reno will be promoting sponsors heavily on-air, online, and on our social media platforms throughout the buildup to the gala.

Sponsorship Opportunities are available HERE or by contacting Sam Eigenman at seigenman@pbsreno.org. 

Auction Donation information is available HERE. 

What will we be eating? 

We are working on curating our menu for the evening. We will have vegetarian meal options available upon advanced request. All meals are made gluten free for ease. If you have any unique dietary restrictions, please contact Holly Hutchinson at 775.600.0548 or hhutchinson@pbsreno.org.

Where can I park? 

The event will be held in the Grand Ballroom on the eastern side of the GSR by the Bowling Center. Free self-parking is available throughout the property. Valet is available from the main entrances as well. 

Are children allowed at the event? 

Children 12 and up are welcome.