Writer Shannon Severson // Photography Courtesy of the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation

On Monday, April 29, former Arizona Cardinal and philanthropist Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. will host the 14th annual Fitz’s Supper Club fundraiser, in partnership with Dominick’s Steakhouse at Scottsdale Quarter. The event, the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation’s biggest of the year, raised $1 million for youth education and breast cancer awareness in 2023.

Fitzgerald is not only considered one of the best wide receivers in history but also highly esteemed for his continued community involvement. His eponymous foundation is known for bringing crucial resources directly to underrepresented communities, both nationally and internationally. Fitzgerald regards the opportunity to help and partner with others as a blessing.

“It’s really humbling,” Fitzgerald says. “I sometimes pinch myself and think, ‘Why me? Why do people do this for a cause that I champion?’ I just say it’s God. He’s blessed me with an unbelievable network of friends and associates — people who really care. I think that, more than anything, is the most important aspect.”

Fitz’s Supper Club sells out each year, attracting more than 250 business and community leaders, including CEOs, athletes, celebrities, media figures and lead ambassadors of other charitable organizations.

“I call it community success,” Fitzgerald adds. “Success, to me, is when our fellow man or woman realizes that we have issues and we just address them. We see a problem and we don’t ask permission to fix it; we just do it. Everybody is participating in our community and the well-being of our community. It just makes it all worthwhile.”

A Meal and Memories
While this elegant evening follows a typical course of events — a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, and a dinner of Fitzgerald-approved steak and seafood favorites prepared by Dominick’s Executive Chef Marc Lupino — there are always surprises in store for attendees. Entertainment, sponsors, VIP attendees, auction items, and the emcee are revealed as part of the fun.

In addition to sharing a meal with one of the NFL’s football greats, the auction items can also be quite memorable. Fitzgerald recalls a specific donation by Michael Bidwill, the principal owner of the Arizona Cardinals, who donated four seats to the 2022 Super Bowl.

“The [pairs of tickets] went for $50,000 each, so it was unbelievable [for him] to donate,” he recalls. “That was really cool. I will say that was definitely one of the highlights; it was unexpected. He didn’t tell me he was doing it; he just did it out of the kindness of his heart [as a] surprise.”

The evening’s program includes a review and update of the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation’s accomplishments and updates from beneficiaries, truly bringing to life the reason for the event.

The organization’s founding was inspired by the philanthropic nature of Fitzgerald’s late mother, Carol, and her battle with breast cancer. It endeavors “to provide educational resources for students and support for those impacted by breast cancer.” The foundation provides donations of time, money, and resources by supporting multiple organizations across the country and has operated successfully for nearly 20 years.

Some of the most prominent efforts involve mobile mammography — diagnostic teams that bring equipment and medical expertise directly to underserved neighborhoods in Arizona and Fitzgerald’s home state of Minnesota. He’s purposeful about making sure organizations that receive funds are fully vetted in person and that resources are being used wisely.

“We always do quarterly impact reports,” he explains. “We just drop in unannounced a lot of the time just to see if what we’re doing is really being utilized and beneficial to organizations. It really involves talking to the kids and women [about their experiences]. I don’t want anything to be wasted. Not a dollar.”

Fitzgerald takes his foundation and the fundraiser seriously but says he tries not to focus on hitting any specific fundraising amount at this event each year.

“That gives me too much anxiety,” he reveals. “I just want to focus on what I can control — ensuring that everybody there is having a great experience and we’re meeting expectations. If people are having a great time and they’re enjoying themselves, they’ll be more likely to be generous. I want to make the evening a great time. It’s just about being positive. I make sure I see every single person who attends, either during the cocktail party, before, or at dinner.”

The Dominick’s Experience
The ownership and brand team at Dominick’s Steakhouse couldn’t be more thrilled to have their restaurant as the setting for the elegant evening. Co-owner Jeff Mastro and Chief Brand Officer Oliver Badgio marvel at how Fitzgerald takes the time to meet each guest and has an uncanny knack for recalling everyone’s names.

“It’s a real privilege to have the opportunity to help give back in such a meaningful way,” Badgio says. “Larry does so much, and to be even a small part of that is really a privilege; it’s special.”

Badgio says the event started as a celebrity waiter event and has grown to fit Fitzgerald’s personality. He also has a special memory from years past.

“One year, Larry had selected Starkey Hearing Foundation, which was fitting and delivering hearing aids to children,” he recalls. “It was such a heartwarming story; what a life-changing experience.

“The [Fitz’s Supper Club] evening is such an amazing experience, and I think what contributes to that experience is everyone knowing that there are going to be so many ‘wow’ experiences coming from all the funds raised that night for the next year.”

Mastro says he wasn’t surprised that Fitzgerald was so nice because of his excellent reputation.

“We heard he was a great guy,” Mastro recalls. “What was surprising — that was a little inaccurate because he’s even better than his [good reputation]. Everything he does on the field and off the field… it’s just amazing what a good person he is. Really, anytime you hear a great story about Larry, I can promise you it’s an understatement.”

What Money Can’t Buy
Fitzgerald serves as a community role model for fellow players and former players who want to make a difference, as well as for the youth who look up to him. It’s one of the reasons he focuses on educational opportunities and getting technology into schools that need it.

Reflecting on his upbringing, he says his favorite subject was history, particularly the history of Egypt and the U.S. Civil War era. He emphasizes the importance of great teachers.

“The reason kids love subjects, I think, has more to do with the quality of the teacher than the subject itself,” he says. “When you have a teacher who is really engaging with you, you want to be more engaged in the subject as well.”

If there’s one intangible that Fitzgerald would like to give young people, he says it’s ambition.

“If a kid really has ambition, they can overcome so many obstacles,” Fitzgerald explains. “You’re going to deal with a lot of setbacks; you’re going to fall down and skin your knees. You’re going to have people tell you that your idea is stupid. Who would buy somebody’s books out of his mom’s garage? That was Jeff Bezos. It’s people like that who continue to inspire. Just because you told me no doesn’t mean it’s a firm no. People asked me, ‘Do you think you could actually run a foundation at the level it needs to be?’ Absolutely yes. Because I’m committed to the cause and I’m willing to put in the work. It’s an ambition to help.”

thelarryfitzgeraldfoundation.org

Fitz’s Supper Club
Monday, April 29 // 5:30 p.m. // Dominick’s Steakhouse // 5169 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale // See website for price // thelarryfitzgeraldfoundation.org