Holly Madison Will Host 16th Annual Grant a Gift Gala
The Las Vegas event takes place October 22, 2026, to support autism resources in Southern Nevada.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Autism

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Former reality star Holly Madison will serve as the ambassador for the 16th annual Grant a Gift Gala this October 22, 2026. Madison is leveraging her public platform and personal autism diagnosis to highlight the foundation's efforts in local therapy support.
Why it matters
The gala supports the Grant a Gift Autism Foundation, which provides essential therapy and support systems in partnership with the Ackerman Center. Madison hopes her advocacy will help address the social challenges and the specific need for structured support that she has navigated personally.
This marks the 16th annual iteration of the gala for the foundation, which provides ongoing support compared to prior years of programming.
The players
Holly Madison
A former star of The Girls Next Door and author who is serving as the ambassador for this year's gala.
Grant a Gift Autism Foundation
A nonprofit organization providing support and therapies to families in Southern Nevada in partnership with the Ackerman Center.
Ackerman Center
A local center that partners with the Grant a Gift Autism Foundation to provide clinical therapies.
The details
The Grant a Gift Autism Foundation partners with the Ackerman Center to offer families direct access to therapies and specialized care. Madison, who received an autism diagnosis in 2023, has become a vocal advocate for neurodiversity awareness. Attendees at the October event help fund these clinical services across Southern Nevada.
Timeline
The 16th annual Grant a Gift Gala takes place October 22, 2026.
Holly Madison received an autism diagnosis in 2023.
Madison published her memoir, Down the Rabbit Hole, in 2015.
Beyond the Strip
The gala follows a pattern established by the 15 previous Grant a Gift Gala events held in Las Vegas to fund autism services. It extends the foundation's tradition of using local public figures to bolster support for therapy access in Southern Nevada.
Residents interested in supporting the foundation's therapy programs can participate in the gala event on October 22. The funds raised directly contribute to the availability of clinical support services at the Ackerman Center.
The takeaway
The 16th annual Grant a Gift Gala represents a key milestone for the foundation's work with the Ackerman Center. Locals should mark their calendars for October 22, 2026, to engage with the organization's ongoing efforts to increase local therapy access.
Further reading
Learn more about local support services at the Autism page.
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Do you believe celebrity advocacy effectively increases support for local autism services in your community?




