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. Scholarship applications for year ahead will open on Jan. 15, 2022.

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

Educating the Community: Estate Planning Series Going Strong in its 12th Year

December 03, 2021

The Fall 2021 edition of the Family Estate Planning Series just wrapped up, and surveys continue to reflect the power and popularity of the program as we prepare for the next round in the spring. It is co-presented by the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada and PBS Reno, with the invaluable support of more than a dozen nonprofit sponsors.

8 Ways to Reflect Thankfulness Throughout this Holiday Season

November 23, 2021

Thanksgiving is the traditional start of the holiday season. Here are a few ideas to help extend that grateful spirit throughout the holidays by "giving back," which is what philanthropy is all about.

Year-End Tax Planning

November 19, 2021

Just days away now, December is a great time to think about charitable needs and to make charitable gifts that provide financial benefits back to the donor. The Community Foundation partners with hundreds of families in incorporating these strategies and has the resources and structure to help families with tax-wise gifts of any size or type.

“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”