The Estelle J Kelsey Foundation is a private foundation established in Nevada in 2014, based in Reno, Nevada. The foundation was created to honor the philanthropic vision of its founder, Estelle J. Kelsey, who was dedicated to helping those in need, with a particular focus on children. The foundation operates exclusively for educational, religious, and charitable purposes within the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+9.1% YoY
Grant Count
36
+33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$33K
-18.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is organized and operated to make grants primarily to strengthen existing programs and projects in the following areas:
- Educational Programs: Supporting programs for learning and furthering development in education for youth and adults alike
- Civil & Cultural: Project-based funding that integrates arts, culture, and design, and amplifies community identity
- Medicine & Science: Supporting research, technical, medical, and scientific causes
- Religion & Social Services: Grant support for churches and assistance for social services
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s**: Typical awards range from $2,350 to $350,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation makes grants to purposes within the United States of America, with a particular emphasis on serving the needs of Northern Nevada.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2023):
- Total Assets: $16,427,722
- Total Giving: $1,100,000
- Total Revenues: $264,680
- Total Expenses: $1,267,720
- Staff: 1 employee
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
143 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Renown Hospital Foundation ($250,000), Nevada Museum of Art ($170,000), Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARTOWN RENO, NV | ART PROGRAMS | $20,000 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF RENO SPARKS RENO, NV | OPERATION SCHOOL BELL | $20,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF MASON VALLEY YERINGTON, NV | YOUTH NEEDS | $25,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF TRUCKEE MEADOWS RENO, NV | TAKES ONE CAMPAIGN | $10,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF TRUCKEE MEADOWS RENO, NV | HEALTH EDUCATION | $14,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WESTERN NEVADA CARSON CITY, NV | POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT | $20,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WESTERN NEVADA RENO, NV | KITCHEN REPAIR | $150,000 |
| CARE CHEST OF SIERRA NEVADA RENO, NV | MEDICAL RESOURCE PROGRAMS | $20,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF NORTHERN NEVADA RENO, NV | FAMILY PROGRAMS | $25,000 |
| CHILDREN'S CANCER FOUNDATION RENO, NV | CANCER | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Donald A. Bernard Sr. – Founding Chairman and President
- Carolyn K. Bernard – Vice Chairman
- Donald Bernard II – Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DONALD BERNARD SR | TRUSTEE/CHAIRMAN/PRESIDENT | 20 | $65,000 |
| CAROLYN BERNARD | TRUSTEE/SECRETARY/TREASURE | 4 | $40,000 |
| DONALD BERNARD II | TRUSTEE | 1 | $15,000 |
Contact Information
- Address: 5008 Lakeridge Ter E, Reno, NV 89509-5831
- Phone: 775-826-4860
- Website: ejkfoundation.com
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Estelle J Kelsey Foundation fund?
The foundation is organized and operated to make grants primarily to strengthen existing programs and projects in the following areas: • **Educational Programs**: Supporting programs for learning and furthering development in education for youth and adults alike • **Civil & Cultural**: Project-based funding that integrates arts, culture, and design, and amplifies community identity • **Medicine & Science**: Supporting research, technical, medical, and scientific causes • **Religion & Social Ser…
How do I apply for a grant from Estelle J Kelsey Foundation?
**Grant Sizes**: Typical awards range from $2,350 to $350,000. **Recent Activity**: The foundation made 27 grants in 2023, with total giving of $1,100,000. Notable recent grants include: • Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows: $263,000 (for Early Learning Center, food for youth, and health education) • Nevada Museum of Art: $150,000 (for hands-on programs) • Food Bank of Northern Nevada: $20,000 (for food assistance) **Eligibility Requirements**: Organizations applying for grants must hold a …
Where does Estelle J Kelsey Foundation make grants?
The foundation makes grants to purposes within the United States of America, with a particular emphasis on serving the needs of Northern Nevada.
What size grants does Estelle J Kelsey Foundation award?
In 2024, Estelle J Kelsey Foundation awarded 36 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $33K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Estelle J Kelsey Foundation's EIN?
Estelle J Kelsey Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3362061. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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