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Community Foundation of Elko County

Your gift to the Community Foundation of Elko County Endowed Fund is a lasting way to support the region you love.

Community Foundation of Elko County Builder's Club

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Kurt and Katie Neddenriep

Kevin and Ann Marie Melcher

News: 2022 Grantees

Organization NameProject Name Grant Award
Communities in Schools of Nevada

Tele-Health Counseling and Integrated Student Support 

CIS of Nevada partners with the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) to provide mental health tele-counseling, one-on-one and small group support, basic need services, and social-emotional learning in the schools we serve throughout Elko County. This program fills a gap in mental health services available to students in our rural affiliate. Through a case management process, CIS of Nevada identifies students needing mental health services and refers them to the program. The program offers free counseling for students delivered during the school day to eliminate cost and transportation barriers for students aged 12 and up.

 $5,000
Communities in Schools of Nevada

Level Up 4 Health 

This is a community initiative highlighting the importance of health and wellness in children and teens through increased access to care and increased health and wellness self-management through community-based events to spotlight the links between learning and wellness.

 $2,500
Wells Family Resource Center

Elko County Regional NV Pyramid Model Program 

The Nevada Pyramid Model Program is a statewide initiative designed to create a sustainable system that promotes young children's social and emotional development.
The Pyramid Model promotes evidence-based practices that support positive social and emotional skills for young children, such as recognizing emotions in self and others, learning rules and expectations, self-regulation, and positive social interactions with peers.

 $1,700
Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program, Inc.

No Senior Left Behind

RSVP assists seniors and adults with disabilities maintain their independence and avoid costly long-term institutional care by connecting critical services and volunteers with seniors who need extra support to stay healthy and safe in their homes.

 $10,800
Northeastern Nevada SAFE

Northeastern Nevada SAFE Project

Special Advocates for the Elderly works to reduce the substantial and overwhelming amount of elder abuse that occurs within guardianship cases. This abuse is not only limited to financial fraud and exploitation but also physical and emotional abuse. The SAFE program helps to ensure that each elderly person in their guardianship proceeding has a qualified advocate who understands their specific needs regarding their welfare and estate.

 $5,000
 Total: $25,000

 

News – Community Foundation of Elko County Grant Awards Total Nearly $60,000 for 2021

The Community Foundation of Elko County has announced its 2021 grant awards. This year’s funding priorities placed special emphasis on organizations working to promote behavioral and mental health resiliency. Special consideration was given to organizations that have implemented evidence-based programming. 

A total of $58,898 was granted to seven different organizations and is designated as follows: 

$2,000 to Communities in Schools of Northeastern Nevada for Northeast Nevada Tele-Counseling Program to provide mental health support through tele-counseling, one-on-one and small group support, basic need services, and social-emotional learning in the schools served throughout Elko County. “The program allows students access to mental health services that would otherwise be unavailable to them,” Laura Meyer, Senior Director of Grants, Programs and Equity said. “By using a secure Zoom platform, this program is offered during the school day, so students do not need transportation to or from their appointments.”

$6,000 to Nevada Health Centers for the Elko County Mental and Behavioral Health Resource Guide to develop a comprehensive Mental and Behavioral Health resource guide to strengthen the connection between Elko County residents and knowledge of available supportive services. Nevada Health Centers will deploy a broadband effort, bringing behavioral health stakeholders together to contribute to a community wide resource guide, complete with both print and digital access options to increase accessibility “The goal of this project is to bring community awareness and collective action to Elko County concerning mental and behavioral health needs,” Vice President and Executive Director Whittley Walker said. “The project will strengthen local and professional networks to support those struggling with mental health and suicidality.” 

$6,168 to Northeast Nevada SAFE for Communication Technology, such as iPads for direct communication for the elderly with family, friends, advocates, guardians, and attorneys. With the pandemic limiting in-person visits, the technology will allow visits to happen as often as necessary to aid in the mental well-being of the elderly, help with identifying abuse, addressing loneliness and isolation, and assessing overall health and happiness. According to Executive Director Jalaine Stanton, “SAFE is requesting funding for communication technology to aid in the isolation and mental health crisis that our elders are still facing due to the pandemic. Our elders are suffering immensely from loneliness, heartache, abuse, and exploitation.”

$15,000 to RSVP for the Seniors Helping Seniors Program to help continue the lifesaving independent living programs to assist seniors and vulnerable persons including the homebound and frail elderly, veterans, caregivers, and adults with disabilities. The programs help increase access to health care and other essential services, goods, and resources that help meet basic needs and improve quality of life. “Many RSVP clients and care recipients have no family supports and lack the funds to pay for private care services,” Chief Executive Officer Molly Walt explained. “Our no-cost volunteer delivered services give additional help and resources to help them maintain their independence with dignity.”

$20,000 to Jackpot Helping Hands for the Suicide Prevention Action Plan to fund a facilitator and materials to provide a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention, as Jackpot’s demographics show a statistical high risk. The program includes risk identification and mitigation, and community education engagement using an approach described by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. “Building community support is vital to a successful suicide prevention strategy,” Director Theresa Dimmitt said. “Our primary gauge of successfully engaging the community will be participation in our community classes and meet-ups. Shifting public opinion regarding mental illness is an important objective for this program.”

$3,500 to Boys and Girls Club Elko County for the Smart Moves Program to help promote healthy mental and behavioral health among the youth within the community. With the rise in suicide in today’s youth, the Smart Moves program helps to teach youth how to properly manager healthy decision-making attitudes and skills. “This does not only benefit the community but also the people that live in our community,” Business Manager Nicole Jackon said. “Happy, healthy, and productive children will make our community a better place for families to live and grow.”

$6,230 to PACE for Mental Health First Aid Trainings and Awareness to build mental health literacy and awareness, and help the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness. PACE will use evidence-based trainings and partner with current providers to build awareness and reduce stigma associated with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. “Funding has been diverted from these types of activities and trainings and there is a great need for them currently,” Executive Director Laura Oslund said. “PACE will use evidence-based trainings and partner with current providers to build awareness and reduce stigma associated with mental health issues and suicidal ideation.”


The Community Foundation of Elko County is an endowed affiliate fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada and a permanent charitable resource for Elko County communities. Gifts of any size are combined and invested to generate income that will benefit the community annually. For more information on the CFEC activities and Builders' Club, visit: nevadafund.org/elko-county.

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News

Community Foundation of Elko County Grant Awards Totaled $24,000 in 2020

September 9, 2020 – The Community Foundation of Elko County (CFEC) distributed $24,000 in August. The 2020 grant cycle emphasized Coronavirus (COVID-19) relief and recovery efforts to support nonprofits that serve the most vulnerable in Elko County. Though the CFEC will not hold its annual public grant ceremony, the Board is no less proud and excited to be aiding such worthy nonprofits in our area.

Annual grants by the Community Foundation of Elko County have significantly increased from the first grants four years ago, which totaled $1,000. “The growing annual grants are made possible by generous contributors to the CFEC, in particular, an anonymous donor and the CFEC Builders’ Club, a group of businesses and families who have contributed to the endowment fund,” said Teri Gage, Chair of the CFEC Advisory Committee.

See Grants

The Camp Lamoille Recovery Fund supports rebuilding the historic Elko Lions Club Camp Lamoille following September 30, 2018, Range 2 Fire in Lamoille Canyon.

A gift to the Community Foundation of Elko County General Fund helps the CFEC do business and grow.

CFEC is a charitable endowment built by local residents who love and care about Elko County. Gifts of any size are combined and invested to generate income that will be used to benefit the community annually. Because it is an affiliate fund at the Community Foundation of Western Nevada, a 501c3 nonprofit, gifts made to CFEC are tax-deductible, just as they would be to any other nonprofit.

Community Foundation of Elko County
Advisory Committee

Kerry Aguirre, Chair
Katie Neddenriep, Vice Chair
Terri Clark
Teri Gage
AJ Hull

September 2, 2019 – Community Foundation of Elko County Awarded Community Fund Grants to Four Nonprofits at County Fair.

Teri Gage, Chair, and Kerry Aguirre, Vice-Chair, of Community Foundation of Elko County will present the 2019 annual Community Grants at the Elko County Fair on Monday, September 2.   An anonymous donor contributed $10,000 to bring the 2019 Community Grants total to $12,000. Four nonprofits serving Elko County receiving the grants are; The Wells Family Resource Center Building Blocks for Literacy Program, Communities in Schools of Nevada Academy Classes at Elko and Spring Creek High School, Northeastern Nevada Special Advocates for the Elderly, and to Nevada Legal Services designated for the Elko Legal Services Resource Help Desk.  In 2017 and 2018 the Community Foundation of Elko County endowment fund generated and awarded $3,500 in annual grants to local organizations.
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L.to R.: Teri Gage, Kerry Aguirre, Jalaine Stanton, Sarah Goicoechea, Amanda Kerr, Katie Neddenriep
L.to R.: Teri Gage, Kerry Aguirre, Jalaine Stanton, Sarah Goicoechea, Amanda Kerr, Katie Neddenriep

October 4, 2018 – Kinross Bald Mountain Mine Invests in Community Foundation of  Elko County

Kinross Bald Mountain Mine announced that it has committed $30,000 to benefit Elko County residents through the Community Foundation of Elko County (CFEC). The $30,000 gift will be paid out in $10,000 increments over the next three years, starting in 2018.

“Kinross Bald Mountain is excited to be able to support this valuable organization though a multi-year commitment. We truly believe in supporting our community’s long-term sustainability and see this investment as an ideal opportunity to do just that,” said Alissa Wood, Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist.

The Community Foundation of Elko County is an endowment fund making annual grants to local nonprofits from the fund’s investment returns. Kinross Bald Mountain’s gift to the fund will generate earnings that increase the amount available for annual grants. Elko residents were asked to nominate nonprofit organizations to receive the fund’s 2018 grants. As a result, two $1,000 grants were awarded. The recipients of the 2018 grants are Communities in Schools of Nevada’s Spring Creek High School Peer Mentoring Program and the Committee Against Domestic Violence to provide meals for women and children at the Harbor House shelter.

As the Community Foundation of Elko County endowment grows, the annual grants to benefit Elko County will increase correspondingly. The Kinross Bald Mountain Mine gift will generate income to allow more grants to be awarded now and in the future.
Visit nevadafund.org/causes/community-foundation-of-elko-county-/ for more information.

September 6, 2018- Community Foundation of Elko County Awarded Annual Grants at Elko County Fair

Community Foundation of Elko County (CFEC) Fund Advisory Committee Member Teri Gage, Communities in Schools of Northeastern Nevada Executive Director Sarah Goicoechea, Committee Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Marianne McKown and CFEC Fund Advisory Committee Member Kerry Aguirre

Community Foundation of Elko County (CFEC) Fund Advisory Committee Member Teri Gage, Communities in Schools of Northeastern Nevada Executive Director Sarah Goicoechea, Committee Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Marianne McKown, and CFEC Fund Advisory Committee Member Kerry Aguirre

The Community Foundation of Elko County, established in 2015, has a clear mission: to connect people who care with causes that matter. The Community Foundation of Elko County is a permanent endowment, continually growing through present-day and planned gifts so that Elko County has an ongoing source of funding to address the County’s unknown and unmet needs both now and in the distant future.

The Community Foundation of Elko County, Fund Advisory Committee, is pleased to award these funds to programs that will help meet the needs in our Elko County communities, both now and in the future. In our second year of funding, the Community Foundation of Elko County endowment has generated $2,000 which is now awarded to Communities in Schools of Nevada for the Spring Creek High School Peer Mentoring Program and to the Committee Against Domestic Violence to provide meals for women and children under protection at the Harbor House shelter.

Community Foundation of Elko County (CFEC) Fund Advisory Committee Member Teri Gage, Communities in Schools of Northeastern Nevada Executive Director Sarah Goicoechea, Committee Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Marianne McKown, and CFEC Fund Advisory Committee Member Kerry Aguirre

July 2, 2018 – The Community Foundation of Elko County (CFEC) is pleased to offer its 2nd Annual Grant Opportunity!

The Community Foundation of Elko County (CFEC) is asking residents and organizations for their suggestions on how to help Elko County. CFEC launched its 2nd annual grant process on July 1 and is seeking proposals for where a contribution can benefit Elko County and demonstrate the impact CFEC will have in the area for years to come.

The CFEC Fund Advisory Committee (FAC) knows residents of Elko County are creative, innovative thinkers and problem solvers. Thus, the committee seeks residents’ input on how best to use the 2017 income from the endowment to benefit Elko County and its residents. Examples of projects to submit for possible funding: clean up parks, take care of animals, address the needs of veterans. By working together with community members, we believe we can achieve great success and address great needs. Solutions to community challenges are developed through public participation; we invite any and all residents to submit their ideas.

Ideas must be submitted online at https://fs21.formsite.com/CFWN/Elko/form_login.html

The CFEC advisory committee will consider all ideas submitted and determine how best to benefit the community with the amount of funding available. Please note: Eligible grantees must be a federally registered 501(c)3 organization or an educational, governmental or religious entity. Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2018.

Download and share RFP Flyer.

January 4, 2018 – Elko Daily Free Press
Barrick Gold Corp. Announced Commitment to Donate $100,000 to Community Foundation of Elko County

We’re proud to be the initial corporate sponsor,” said Rebecca Darling, Barrick director of corporate responsibility. “We would challenge — in a friendly, loving way — for other businesses to join us.

September 7, 2017 – Elko Daily Free Press

Community Foundation of Elko County Awards Inaugural Grants

After just one year the endowment fund generated $1,000 in available grant monies. In this inaugural year of funding, the Community Foundation of Elko County awarded $500 to North East Nevada NAMI, the local affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness; and $500 to LASSO, the Local Animal Shelter Support Organization, to help both organizations meet needs in the community.

North East Nevada NAMI funds will be used to train volunteers to lead a free six-session education program in Elko County developed specifically for a parent and other caregivers of children and adolescents who have either been diagnosed with a serious mental illness or are experiencing symptoms.

Mental illness hits one in five Americans at one time in their life. We are grateful for the CFEC grant and thank you so much. – Flora Boyer, NAMI representitive

LASSO will apply its grant funds to their spay/neuter program for all animals adopted from the Elko Animal Shelter.

This grant will be matched dollar-for-dollare by the City of Elko.- Elko Animal Shelter Manager Karen Walther

Ways to Give

Talk with your Financial Advisor: Financial Advisors in Elko County who have worked closely with the Community Foundation are included in the Professional Advisor Council. Your advisor is welcome to call The Community Foundation of Western Nevada 775-333-5499, with questions about charitable gift planning options that will benefit your specific situation.

Workplace Giving: Give a small amount to the permanently endowed Community Foundation of Elko County with each paycheck. Regular contributions add up, and will become part of the grant distributions from the fund. Call Katie Neddenriep at 775-340-4654 for more information.

Bequests: Consider your community as one of your heirs. Leave a bequest to the Community Foundation of Elko County and give back to the hometown that has been so good to you.  Talk with your Attorney about writing in a gift for a percentage of your estate.
Bob and Kerry Aguirre encourage bequest gifts to Community Foundation of Elko County

Bob and Kerry Aguirre
“We want to support the community that has supported us and set an example for our children and their children by investing in their future.”

We recommend the following language:
I hereby give, devise and bequeath ____ percent (___%) of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to the Community Foundation of Elko County an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation Northern Nevada, a nonprofit organization located at 50 Washington St., Suite 300, Reno, NV, 89503, Federal Tax ID #88-0370179 for Community Foundation of Elko County’s charitable purposes.

More Bequest language can be found here.

Gifts of real estate and real property, life insurance policies, retirement income distributions, appreciated stocks, and of course, cash are welcomed. Call Katie Neddenriep, 775-340-4654
*Photo of Ruby Mountains and Elko sky by Lyndsey Crossley

We want to support the community that has supported us and set an example for our children and their children by investing in their future.”

- Bob and Kerry Aguirre, Legacy Society Members