Bright, bold, and electric, the Las Vegas Strip is more than a spectacle. The four-mile stretch is also a symbol of vision and possibility—proof that bold ideas and the right support can turn a plot of desert into one of the most recognizable skylines in the world. Jenna Morton is one such entrepreneur who’s done just that.
Jenna, along with her husband Michael, co-founded The Morton Group, an innovative restaurant development company that’s brought some of the Strip’s most beloved eateries to the masses, including La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway, Crush, One Steakhouse and Nudo Italiano.
But beyond her incredible business savvy, Jenna’s been lighting up Las Vegas in more ways than one. For over a decade, she’s partnered with Nevada Community Foundation (NCF) to turn her passion for philanthropy into impactful change. Through her family’s PAX Foundation and the international PAX Peace by Peace Fund, Jenna has been able to invest in the causes she cares about most, all while relying on NCF’s expertise to guide, manage, and amplify her giving.
Jenna’s story is one of family, heritage, and the belief that when philanthropy is done thoughtfully, it can transform neighborhoods, connect cultures, and leave a lasting mark for generations to come.
Lifelong Passion for Helping Those in Need
Jenna’s dedication to philanthropy isn’t a recent development; it’s been a direct aftereffect of her extraordinary upbringing. As a child, she tagged along with her family to the Jordanian desert, where they lived among refugee camps. Her father, Dr. Bert de Vries, was an archeologist who, in 1971, began exploring the ruins of an ancient city in the area, near the Syrian border. Together with his wife, Sally, they launched a non-governmental organization (NGO) to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees crossing international borders. For young Jenna, that meant spending her days exploring archeological sites and learning the local culture firsthand. Growing up in that environment gave her a unique perspective, one that would later become the foundation of her philanthropic work.
“I realized at a pretty young age that I had seen things my friends back home hadn’t,” she recalls. “I knew different ways of living, different ways of connecting, and I carried that with me.”
Those experiences also nurtured what she calls a “third culture” identity—part American, part Jordanian, and part something else entirely: a blend of perspectives that comes from living between worlds. That lens shaped her belief that culture, education, and community are powerful tools to bring people together.
Beginning the Philanthropic Journey with NCF
In 2011, Jenna and her family decided to channel their charitable efforts into a more formalized process, leaning on the guidance and expertise of a non-profit organization to handle the heavy administrative lifting, thereby allowing them to remain intentional with their philanthropy. That’s when they turned to NCF for the assist.
With the help of NCF, the Morton family established the PAX Foundation, a donor-advised fund to support various charitable causes throughout Southern Nevada and beyond. Unlike launching a private foundation, which would require significant managerial resources, working with NCF gave Jenna’s family peace of mind knowing their team could recommend grants, direct their giving, and provide expert support to handle administration and compliance.
“We weren’t interested in having our family name on a fund,” Jenna explains. “It wasn’t about recognition. It was about creating a vehicle for giving that was practical, thoughtful, and impactful. NCF made that possible.”
Local Impact, Lasting Change Through the PAX Foundation
From its start, the PAX Foundation has allowed Jenna and her family to support a wide range of organizations in Nevada, two of which hold a special place in her heart: After-School All Stars and the Las Vegas Springs Preserve.
After-School All Stars provides free, high-impact after-school programming in Clark County schools. Once the end-of-day bell rings, students stay on campus and transition into a wide range of activities, including sports, dance, cooking, technology, and more. They get the fun and enrichment they crave, paired with the academic support to help them succeed.
In fact, studies show that every dollar invested in After-School All Stars creates a nine-dollar return over the life of a child. That means increased graduation rates, decreased risky behaviors, and greater opportunities later in life. For Jenna, that kind of measurable impact makes the PAX Foundation’s support all the more meaningful.
The PAX Foundation also supports the Las Vegas Springs Preserve, a 180-acre cultural and educational institution focused on sustainability and water conservation. With over 250,000 visitors annually, the Preserve educates families on the importance of protecting natural resources in a city where every drop of water counts.
“Places like the Springs Preserve show that learning doesn’t have to feel like school,” Jenna says. “It’s hands-on, immersive, and inspiring, and it makes a difference in how people think about sustainability.”
PAX Peace by Peace: Building Bridges Across Borders
While the PAX Foundation focuses locally, the PAX Peace by Peace Fund reflects Jenna’s deep personal connection to Jordan and her desire to promote goodwill through shared heritage.
Launched in 2013, PAX Peace by Peace supports the Umm Al-Jimāl Archaeological Project in northern Jordan, a community where both Syrian refugees and Jordanian residents live side by side. While the project focuses on the preservation of the ancient archeological site, it also helps drive new economic opportunities for the local community. Over the years, the fund has been able to achieve the following:
- Establish an interpretive center and walking trails to bring Umm Al-Jimāl’s 2,000-year-old history to life.
- Create children’s programs, books, and curriculum to teach local students about cultural heritage.
- Launch joint education programs for Jordanian and Syrian children to foster connection and reduce conflict.
- Develop expertise and jobs for local residents in tourism, site management, and cultural preservation.
Incredibly, the site received a UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2024, a milestone Jenna calls the biggest achievement of her life. Not only does this recognition honor the site’s global importance; it also ensures long-term opportunities for the people surrounding it.
Impact of Nevada Community Foundation
Managing two funds with vastly different scopes—one local, one international—is quite the endeavor, and it can be an overwhelming experience without the right partner. That’s why Jenna and her family value the work of NCF so much.
She describes NCF as her “team behind the scenes,” handling the administrative and financial management that frees her to focus on her vision and drive results.
“Instead of starting a new non-profit, we can accomplish a lot more because NCF provides the infrastructure,” she explains. “They make it easy for my family to give locally and raise funds internationally. They even connect me with other donors who care about the same organizations I do.”
That credibility matters. Whether it’s managing donations, distributing grants, or connecting like-minded philanthropists, NCF plays a central role in helping Jenna turn her ideas into action.
Seeing What’s Possible
Through her two foundations, Jenna has helped shape communities in her own backyard, as well as those halfway across the world.
Locally, she’s invested in programs that support children, education, and sustainability. Internationally, she has helped preserve a cultural treasure, educate a generation of young people, and create opportunities in a region deeply affected by conflict. And none of it would have been possible without the partnership of NCF.
Her story shows what’s possible when determination meets expertise, when donors bring their vision, and when NCF provides the tools, trust, and guidance to make it happen. As Jenna continues to grow her philanthropy, she offers a powerful example to other donors in Southern Nevada: that with NCF, generosity doesn’t just go further. It lasts longer.
Join the NCF community
Your generosity can help create impact that bridges cultures and strengthens communities, both locally and globally. To explore how you can establish your own fund or contribute to initiatives like the PAX Foundation, Reach out to NCF to get started.
