Care. Connect. Engage.

Three simple words, three profound actions. These actions define what the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada does—and how we do it. From creating custom charitable giving solutions to bringing people together to solve vexing community challenges, we connect people who care with causes that matter to enhance the lives of all us.

Manage Your Charitable Giving

Every day, we work closely with individuals and their trusted financial advisors to create custom giving solutions based on their values. For more than 20 years, we’ve helped Northern Nevadans give in meaningful, impactful, confidential ways. From donor-advised funds with the flexibility to redirect giving to designated funds that support a singular cause to endowments that live forever, the Community Foundation is Northern Nevada’s most trusted charitable giving resource.

Start here

Meggin McIntosh chose a Community Foundation donor advised fund for her giving. Read Meggin's Story

Meggin McIntosh chose a Community Foundation donor advised fund for her giving. Read Meggin's Story

Supporting the promise of education

Community Foundation scholarships are as varied as our recipients with donors creating funds to meet their personal objectives. 2021 scholarship applications opened on January 1, 2021.

Find a scholarship

Grants supporting nonprofits

Here you will find open requests for grant proposals. Our grants represent the generosity of visionary donors and the causes that they value. Many of our community’s nonprofits exist and thrive with the support of these grants.

Find a grant

Funding a better tomorrow

We administer a variety of fund types to meet the goals and needs of our community givers. When you give, we enhance the impact of your gift by combing it with others in the community.

Explore our Funds

Success stories

Donor Advised Fund

Village on Sage Street Reaches 100% Occupancy

Thanks to fundholders and donors the Village on Sage Street is home this winter to 216 people, many who were homeless or on the verge of homelessness. A stable and secure home is life changing. Even better, the Village on Sage Street is a warm and welcoming community.

Donor Advised Fund

Community Foundation Grants to Food Bank up 300%

Community Foundation fundholders recognize the problem of food uncertainty, rising hunger, and poor nutrition in our neighborhoods and have stepped up.

Recipient of distance learning home computers

Legacy Fund

Grants help Buy Home Computers for Students For Distance Learning

Through grants from two donor advised funds, and a $12,500 grant from the COVID-19 Relief Fund, The Community Foundation fundholders supported the laptop drive and . . .

$145M

million in grants given

247

active funds

$140M

million in charitable assets

We believe working together will build a better community.

Building housing people can afford, initiatives on caregiving and preventing scams, and offering education about philanthropy are ways the Community Foundation works with residents to build long-term caring solutions. When we pitch in and share responsibility for our community’s well-being, we can increase the quality of life for generations of Nevadans. That is what sets the Community Foundation apart from commercial gift funds. Our mission is not growth, it is service. Our measurement is not assets, it is impact. Our interest is in the community’s interest.

Community Engagement

Latest Blogs

National Standards: The Bedrock of an Exceptional Community Foundation

July 30, 2021

Today’s community foundations are similar in many ways, and it is no accident. Thanks to a national effort by the Council on Foundations two decades ago, the level of services, and operating structure, of community foundations across the country was greatly improved. The adoption of national standards by most foundations was the change that made this happen. The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada transcends national standards in our services, systems, and operations.

Community Foundation of Northern Nevada: At Every Step, Protecting Your Confidentiality

July 23, 2021

The Community Foundation has many advantages when it comes to charitable gift planning. Privacy is especially noteworthy. We meticulously take steps at every stage to ensure the complete privacy and absolute confidentiality in our relationships with donors and fundholders. Total privacy is a key reason we have become so trusted for more than two decades, not only by the people who give to and through the Foundation, but with their professional advisors as well.

Questions and Considerations to Achieve Thoughtful and Informed Charitable Giving

July 17, 2021

Each of us is unique in how we approach charitable giving. Informed, thoughtful consideration can help you have a much more meaningful experience from charitable giving. Here are some questions and considerations to help bring about a great deal of satisfaction and positive feelings associated with giving.

“I was born to a loving family who gave me a safe and beautiful home, sent me to good schools, provided me with many wonderful travel experiences, and gave me every opportunity to be successful. All I want is to help others realize their dreams, reach their potential, and have a chance for success like I had”