Giving back has become part of the Rizk Ventures DNA. As an organization, we firmly believe that good business requires good corporate social responsibility. That is why we proudly support organizations that dedicate themselves to that same mission.

This past 12 months our team has had the privilege of giving back to a few incredible organizations that we feel reflect the values and ethics we as an organization and family abide by.

As September 11th is now recognized as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, it seemed fitting for the Rizk Ventures team to commemorate the day by participating in the annual CITRS (Character Integrity Trust Relationships Success) event. The focus on this organization is character development in youth to encourage success “ethically, socially, and academically.”

September 11th reminds us of the great sacrifices the men and women that serve and protect our country continue to make every day. That’s why Rizk Ventures always proudly supports Operation Game On (OGO) in their passionate mission to assist returning combat wounded men and women with a very special golf program aimed at mental and physical rehabilitation.

Sgt. 1st Class Ethan Carpenter, a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment died as a result of injuries from an airborne training accident in Arizona earlier this year, a somber reminder that “freedom in not free.” Carpenter was one in a long list of Rangers that have paid the ultimate price for freedom. That is why Rizk Ventures supported the Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund, an organization that provides financial assistance to the families of the elite Special Operations 75th Ranger Regiment.

Combine the ideals of CITRS with a handful of core Army values – loyalty, duty, respect, selflessness service, honor, integrity, and personal courage – and you understand why the Rizk Ventures team chooses to support the Marine Core Law Enforcement Foundation (MC-LEF). This impressive foundation has awarded over $76 million in education scholarships and our humanitarian assistance since it’s inception in 1995. Recently, Rizk Ventures had the honor of hosting Col Barney Barnum, Ret. USMC and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient at the annual MCLEF gala held at Cipriani in New York City. 

The take away from all the amazing organizations we support? The core values of these philanthropic organizations translate into the same core values that make a successful business organization.

Rizk Ventures was honored and proud to sponsor Operation Game On’s (OGO) 10th Annual Golf Classic, a charity event that took place on August 14th, 2017 at the Morgan Run Club & Resort in Rancho Sante Fe. The Golf Classic is OGO’s premiere annual event held to raise money to rehabilitate returning combat-injured troops suffering from physical disabilities and PTSD.

OGO founder, Tony Perez, has spent the last decade working directly with the PGA and TaylorMade to provide combat-injured troops with a unique introductory golf program that helps to rehabilitate them both physically and emotionally. This year’s event began with the traditional presentation of colors by the Color Guard from the USS Carl Vinson, “Taps” played by Greg Kaput, and a powerful performance by PGA golf instructor Chris Lesson of the national anthem.

Tony Perez was delighted that the ABC 10 News team was on the course covering the event and bringing attention to this impactful program. You can imagine Tony’s surprise when he realized the ABC team was actually there to present Tony with the 10 News Leadership Award. ABC presents this award to a person who “provides leadership by making San Diego a better place to live standing up for those who need help, has initiated or created solutions for other, is a role model and fulfills a local need—thereby improving the quality of life for all San Diegans.” Well, there is no doubt about the impact Tony Perez has had on the military community of San Diego or the solution he has created for our returning combat wounded men and women.

The program’s success was once again palpable on the course. Twenty troops played in this year’s event alongside friends and sponsors. I had the privilege of playing with two of Operation Game On’s members; Retired US Marine Corp Col Jim “Red Dog” Collins and Retired US Marine Corp Col Doug Cullins, along with Rizk Ventures’ own retired Marine Corp LtCol James Wiley. Col Cullins lost his leg due to an injury while serving in the Vietnam War and attributes his successful return to the sport to OGO. Col Cullins, who has been fighting through PTSD, attributes part of his recovery to his success as a member of OGO. Cullins, who recently entered his second year at University of San Diego School of Law, says that Tony was instrumental in helping him transition from the Marines to law school.

This year, Rizk Ventures Co-Founder, Thomas Rizk, had the opportunity to play in the outing and witness first-hand the impact that OGO’s program has on our combat wounded. Tom had the pleasure of playing with OGO members Veteran Sergeant First Class Jake Keeslar, a 20-year Army veteran and OGO founding member who continued to serve on active duty after being severely injured and losing both his legs while serving in Iraq, and new OGO member, Retired US Army Corporal Jake Williams. Keeslar and Williams raised the bar pretty high. Keeslar was driving over 300 yards consistently and Perez was “throwing darts to the pin,” said Tom – or leave it as Rizk (not sure), “It’s a good thing we were all on the same team.”

Recently, OGO established a number of partnerships with local golf courses to provide more golf opportunities to the combat wounded troops. With over 400 wounded troops passing through OGO’s program and inspired to play golf, this new Freedom Golf Network will provide them the affordable golf opportunities allowing them to continue their physical and emotional rehabilitation.

We at Rizk Ventures are always blown away by the bravery and resolve demonstrated by the members and the families of OGO who have made great sacrifices in the name of our country. Now we hope that we have inspired you to do the same.

Rizk Ventures was excited to host a private viewing of Alonzo Adams’One Man Show hosted by our own Geoffrey Rizk on April 9^th, 2017 at the Four Seasons private residences in support of the Mourning Family Foundation.The event helped kick off the nationally acclaimed artist’s 25th Anniversary of his New York exhibit.

The focus of the art and evening as a whole was friendship and community. Many of the paintings were from Adam’s series currently in development called The Code Blue Series. The series addresses concerns about our youth and humanity in general. Two very special paintings, Pieces of a Dream and The Veteran are both centerpieces of the series.

“Everyone at the show was impressed with the venue, the display, and the energy in the space. It felt like it was a livable gallery,” said Adams. “Geoff Rizk added so much positive energy to the evening.”

A large percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the artwork were donated to the Mourning Family Foundation, an amazing nonprofit organization founded by Tracy and Alonzo Mourning that focuses on the development of youth “through advocacy, education and enrichment.” Over the course of the last 20 years, the Mourning Family Foundation has helped raise over $25 million to support youth development programs.

The event was attended by NBA Hall of FamerAlonzo Mourning, EPSN’s Stephen A. Smith, Former NY Giants TE Zeke Mowatt, Dr. Emmet Dennis, as well as a few long-time collectors of Adam’s artwork. Overall the night was an amazing success thanks to Alonzo,Geoff, and all the incredible guests that walked away with a special piece of Alonzo Adams art.

The event was photographed by another very talented Adam’s family member, Kyle Adams of Prestige Photography.

Rizk Ventures was excited to sponsor a table at the Marine Corps – Law Enforcement Foundation’s (MC-LEF) 22nd Annual New York City Gala held at Cipriani Wall Street. As always, it was an incredible honor for our Rizk Ventures team to be able to support MC-LEF, an amazing organization that not only provides educational scholarships to the children of fallen United States Marines and Federal Law Enforcement Officers, but has also expanded its support to include medical equipment and financial aid for catastrophically wounded Marines and mentally or physically disabled children of active duty Marines. Since the founding of MC-LEF in 1995, the organization has awarded over $71 million in scholarships and has supported over 3,900 children. MC-LEF has already awarded over $600,000 to 28 recipients in Q1 of 2017.

The event, attended by Marines in full military dress, as well as military and law enforcement veterans, was also attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph F. Dunford, USMC, 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert B. Neller, Retired USMC Commandants General Jim Conway and General Al Gray, Former New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, 2 Medal of Honor Recipients, and one of the young MC-LEF scholarship recipients.

The 16^th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ret. General Peter Pace, USMC, was awarded the 2017 Commandant’s Leadership Award of the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation for his long-standing service on MC-LEF’s Board of Directors in addition to his exceptional achievements earned in his 40 years of USMC service and as a civilian. General Pace has the distinction of being the first Marine to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008.

Mr. Joseph M. Murphy Chairman of Country Bank accepted the 2017 Semper Fidelis Award for his military service and lifetime support and dedication to MC-LEF and countless other military organizations and committees. Mr. Murphy has been an active Director of MC-LEF since 1997 and has also served in various roles at the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, the Investment Committee of Marine Military Academy, and the Marine Corps University Foundation. Mr. Murphy was appointed by President George H.W. Bush as a Member of the National Board Fund for the Improvement of Post secondary Education. He currently serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Advisory Committee and as Member of the Board and Executive Committee of the Columbia Medical Center Board of Advisors.

Last year’s Semper Fidelis Award recipient, Steven Cohen, was also in attendance with his family. Mr. Cohen continues to demonstrate his commitment to the mental health of U.S. veterans and their families, opening five Cohen Veterans Network clinics since April 2016 offering free healthcare services to U.S. veterans across four states. The Network has plans to open five more clinics across the country before the end of 2017.

In total, 650 guests attended the NYC Gala which raised over $1.2 million for the organization. We at Rizk Ventures continue to applaud the amazing work MC-LEF does to help the families and children of the men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice to serve our country. We also applaud the amazing efforts of the Chairpersons Mr. & Mrs. James and Sue Kallstrom and Mr. & Mrs. Matthew and Jill Zames. A former Assistant Director of the FBI and founding member of MC-LEF, Chairman James Kallstrom helped to shape MC-LEF’s mission and continues to provide counsel on all new initiatives.

Finally, we commend MC-LEF Executive Director, Sue Boulhosa, for her tireless commitment and energy to this organization. Ms. Boulhosa sets the bar in her dedication to MC-LEF and support for the U.S.military men and women.

It was an honor for Rizk Ventures to participate in the MC-LEF Annual NYC Gala again and we look forward to continuing our support.