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.
Ready to take the next step with Estelle J Kelsey Foundation?
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
No grants recorded for .
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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Love Foundation for American Music
INCLINE VILLAGE, NV
Assets
$1K
Grants
4
Total Given
$125K
Haupt S Fbo Charities Tuw
LAS VEGAS, NV
Assets
—
Grants
4
Total Given
$73K
Hall Mildred C Tuw
LAS VEGAS, NV
Assets
$184K
Grants
2
Total Given
$239K
M D Close Foundation
LAS VEGAS, NV
Assets
$330K
Grants
11
Total Given
$338K
Friends of Sutro Tunnel Charity
CARSON CITY, NV
Assets
$856K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Amk Foundation
HENDERSON, NV
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$7.9M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Estelle J Kelsey Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities