Skip to content
Harold Matzner
  • Home
  • Film Festival
  • Palm Springs
  • Press

coachella valley

PS Museum Gala Raises $1 Million

February 14, 2018 by Harold Matzner

The Palm Springs Art Museum’s “Not Your Typical Gala” was a mix of classic artwork, acrobats, and the eccentric stylings of Andy Warhol’s Americana and …

Read more

Categories Press Tags andy warhol, coachella valley, Donna MacMillan, harold matzner, palm springs, Palm Springs Art Museum

Desert Arc recognizes community leaders for their support

February 6, 2018 by Harold Matzner

Desert Arc, a nonprofit grouped aimed at creating opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities, acknowledged the leaders and businesses which have championed their cause. Among …

Read more

Categories Press Tags coachella valley, Desert Arc, harold matzner, jfk memorial hospital, palm springs, philanthropist, philanthropy

8th Annual Men Of The Desert Fashion Show & Charity Luncheon

February 5, 2018 by Harold Matzner

The 8th Annual Men of the Desert Fashion Show and Charity Luncheon raised $135,000 via silent auctions for the Animal Samaritans Rescue Program. The luncheon …

Read more

Categories Press Tags animal samaritans, coachella valley, harold matzner, Men of the Desert Fashion Show and Charity Luncheon, palm springs

Coachella Valley Symphony ‘Christmas in Vienna’

January 9, 2018December 30, 2017 by Harold Matzner

Brought back and revamped, the Christmas dinner and symphony concert “Christmas in Vienna” was a sold out experience.  Celebrating their 25th anniversary and providing a …

Read more

Categories Press Tags buddy rogers youth orchestra, coachella valley, Coachella Valley Symphony, harold matzner, Jeannette Banoczi

McCallum Theatre’s Big Night Honors Chairman Matzner & Breaks Fundraising Record

December 12, 2017 by Harold Matzner

The McCallum Theatre broke its own fundraising record by raising $1,725,000 at the 30th Anniversary Gala honoring Chairman Harold Matzner. Matzner, one of the Valley’s …

Read more

Categories Press Tags coachella valley, harold matzner, McCallum Theater

Harold Matzner: The Brilliant Enigma

December 5, 2017 by Harold Matzner

In this follow-up to a November article discussing the influential philanthropist of many hats, a few Coachella Valley’s more influential residents discuss their relationships with …

Read more

Categories Press Tags coachella valley, harold matzner, palm springs international film fest

Patton Museum Receives 4 Tanks and 2 New Buildings

November 29, 2017November 19, 2017 by Harold Matzner

The General Patton Memorial Museum honored Harold Matzner with the “Founder’s Award” for funding the Matzner Tank Pavilion building and donating enough to bring three …

Read more

Categories Press Tags camp young, coachella valley, harold matzner, matzner, matzner tank pavilion, patton museum, veterans day

The Valley’s Top Philanthropist Gets Honored At McCallum Theatre’s 30th Anniversary

October 25, 2017 by Harold Matzner

The Ten Tenors, some of the most popular performers in McCallum Theatre’s history, will perform at its 30th Anniversary fundraising Gala on November 30th. Coachella …

Read more

Categories Press Tags coachella valley, harold matzner, mccallum theatre, philanthropist, The Ten Tenors

National Philanthropy Day Luncheon Celebrates Biggest Givers

October 17, 2017October 14, 2017 by Harold Matzner

Coachella Valley philanthropist and owner of Spencer’s Restaurant, Harold Matzner, will serve as Presenting Sponsor and Honorary Chair at the 11th Annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon …

Read more

Categories Press Tags Agua Caliente Resort, coachella valley, harold matzner, national philanthropist day

‘Rhapsody and Blues’ Earns Thunderous Applause at Coachella Valley Symphony’s Year-End Gala

May 26, 2017May 20, 2017 by Harold Matzner

Two-time Grammy winner and jazz musician Diane Schuu joined piano prodigy Paul Cracchiolo to bring the house down and earn rousing applause for their amazing performances. Harold Matzner …

Read more

Categories Press Tags coachella valley, Coachella Valley Symphony, harold matzner, palm springs, philanthropist, Rhapsody and Blues, scholarships

24th Annual Evening Under the Stars A Festive Success

May 19, 2017May 13, 2017 by Harold Matzner

One of Palm Spring’s most festive events, the 24th Annual Evening Under the Stars, featured a delicious dinner catered by Savoury’s, a performance from Martha …

Read more

Categories Press Tags coachella valley, Evening Under the Stars, Food Samaritans, harold matzner, palm springs, philanthropists, sponsors

The Steinway Society of Riverside County Touches the Lives of 30,000 Coachella Valley Students

March 23, 2017February 25, 2017 by Harold Matzner

The Steinway Society celebrated its annual “doctors” fundraiser and its 15th anniversary, with support from sponsors like Jordan Varela, Donna MacMillan, Harold Matzner, and more… To …

Read more

Categories Press Tags coachella valley, harold matzner, palm springs, Steinway Society of Riverside County

2016 Citizens of Distinction Recognition Luncheon Recognizes Significant Contributors

January 24, 2017January 7, 2017 by Harold Matzner

Harold Matzner joined fellow presenters in honoring those who have contributed greatly to the success of the College of the Desert (COD) and to the …

Read more

Categories Press Tags 2016 Citizens of Distinction Recognition luncheon, citizens of distinction, coachella valley, college of desert, harold matzner

Harold Matzner Says Farewell to Coachella Valley Icon Mel Haber

November 8, 2016October 28, 2016 by Harold Matzner

Coachella Valley icon Mel Haber passed away recently, but he left behind good memories and a lasting image. Restaurateur and philanthropist Harold Matzner called Haber …

Read more

Categories Press Tags coachella valley, harold matzner, matzner, mel haber, philanthropist

Harold Matzner, Chairman of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, talks about ShortFest, which begins tonight (June 21) and runs through Monday (June 27).

June 22, 2016June 21, 2016 by Harold Matzner

by BRUCE FESSIER The nation’s biggest little film festival kicks off Tuesday with organizers wondering how it got so big. The 22nd annual Palm Springs …

Read more

Categories Press Tags coachella valley, harold matzner, palm springs, palm springs film fest, shortfest
Older posts
Newer posts
← Previous Page1 Page2 Page3 Page4 Next →
Load More
Harold Matzner
Entrepreneur, humanitarian, and philanthropist, Harold Matzner, has made his home in the desert for more than 30 years. The owner of Palm Spring’s popular Spencer’s Restaurant and CEO of a NY/NJ based branding, advertising and marketing company, Harold is credited with revitalizing the Palm Springs International Film Festival and founding the successful business concept of targeted “shared mail”.
In 2017, the year of his 80th birthday, Harold was one of the eleven men and women selected nationally by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans as a member and inducted by Judge Clarence Thomas in the courtroom of the United States Supreme Court. Harold was also honored with a special 24-standard page birthday section in the The Desert Sun and a two-part front page story in Palm Springs Life in the November and December editions. He was honored in November 2017 by the General Patton Memorial Museum with the dedication of the Matzner Tank Pavilion and three World War II operating tanks, and in the same month was honored by the McCallum Theatre for 10 years of service as Chairman and for being the first person to give the Theatre $5 million or more.
He also rescued and revived the world famous Palm Springs Tennis Club and turned its lunchroom into Spencer’s, one of the City’s hottest see-and-be-seen restaurants. Spencer’s is named after his beloved 110-pound Siberian husky. Mr. Matzner is in his 11th year as the Chairman of the Board of the McCallum Theatre, his 14th year as Chairman of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and is the long-time Executive Vice Chairman of the Palm Springs Art Museum. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Eisenhower Medical Center and Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center. He also chairs several charity fundraising events each year.
He has received many awards from the charities that he supports. He has been honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals as the “Philanthropist of the Year”, and for the past six years he has served as Honorary Chair of the local National Philanthropy Day event. He has also been recognized by Gilda’s Club as the “Man of the Year”, by the McCallum Muses as “Man of the Year”, the City of Palm Springs with the “Richard M. Milanovich Community Service Award”, as “Angel of the Year” by Angel View Children’s Foundation, as “Businessperson of the Year” by the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Waring “Lifetime Achievement Award”, “Richard M. Milanovich Humanitarian Award” by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and by Desert Samaritan’s as “Samaritan of the Year”, and will be honored in May by the Coachella Valley Symphony, to name a few. Mr. Matzner has been a benefactor to many other non-profits, both here and on the East coast.
Mr. Matzner is one of the Palm Springs valley’s largest donors to philanthropy and has contributed more than $70 million to area non-profits since 2000. Among the many local charities benefiting from his philanthropic efforts are the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, AIDS Assistance Program, Desert Symphony, American Cancer Society, The Living Desert, Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, Coachella Valley Symphony, General Patton Memorial Museum, ACT for MS, College of the Desert, Eisenhower Medical Center, Desert AIDS Project, Desert Cancer Foundation, Palm Springs Animal Shelter, Jewish Family Services of the Desert, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), StandWithUs, Neuro Vitality Center, Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre, Temple Isaiah, Bighorn BAM (Behind a Miracle), Tools for Tomorrow, Palm Springs Air Museum, Mizell Senior Center, Well in the Desert, FIND Food Bank, Pegasus Riding Academy, LGBTQ The Center, Equality California, and the Human Rights Campaign.
He is credited with the key leadership role in creating Palm Springs’ Measure J (a 1% sales tax increase that has helped to fund a $200 million downtown revitalization program, while providing an additional surplus of $12 million per year to rebuild the city’s infrastructure). He is a community activist. He earns no money from any of his activities in Palm Springs, including his restaurant, Spencer’s.
Mr. Matzner’s star is located at the foot of his friend Sonny Bono’s statue in the heart of Palm Springs.

Categories

  • Film Festival
  • Press
  • Palm Springs
  • Spencer’s
  • McCallum

Archived Posts

Harold Matzner

In 2017, the year of his 80th birthday, Harold was one of the eleven men and women selected nationally by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans as a member and inducted by Judge Clarence Thomas.

Follow Us:

Categories

  • Film Festival
  • Press
  • McCallum
  • Palm Springs
  • Spencer’s

Recent Posts

  • A statement from the family of Harold Matzner September 10, 2025
  • Harold Matzner, Legendary Desert Philanthropist and Business Visionary, Dies at 88 in Palm Springs September 5, 2025
  • Spencer’s Restaurant Honored in Palm Springs Life’s Best of the Best Competition For The Third Year In A Row August 8, 2025
© 2025 Harold Matzner All rights reserved.
Next Page »