NV Energy Charitable Foundation
NV Energy Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Reno, Nevada. Established in 1987, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and serves as a corporate foundation dedicated to philanthropic giving across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$29.8M
-10.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.0M
+68.8% YoY
Grant Count
218
+14.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23K
+47.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, NV Energy Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports programs designed to promote:
- Education and youth development
- Arts and multicultural initiatives
- Environmental conservation
- Health and human services
- Public safety
Grantmaking
As of March 2025, the foundation operates an open Letter of Interest (LOI) process. Organizations may submit an LOI during any month, with funding decisions made in July and December. The foundation invites 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Nevada to participate.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding areas include Nevada, California, and Utah, with emphasis on Nevada-based organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (2024):
- Total assets: $29,763,406
- Total giving: $5,025,813
- Total revenues: $845,892
- Total expenses: $5,168,661
Historical Assets (2023):
- Total assets: $33.1M
- Total liabilities: $163,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,763,406 | $33,071,128 | $23,801,575 |
| Revenue | $845,892 | $11,884,858 | $72,404 |
| Expenses | $5,168,661 | $3,211,758 | $2,562,639 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,143,536 | $3,074,288 | $2,891,308 |
| Net Investment Income | $838,875 | $11,878,070 | $213,887 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,500,982 | $1,130,030 | $1,353,544 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from NV Energy Charitable Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Nevada State College Foundation ($250,000), University of Nevada Reno Foundation ($75,000), Three Square ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nevada Reno Foundation Reno, NV | Global Water Center Early Career Women in Science Initiative | $75,000 |
| Air Force Association Nellis AFB, NV | Nellis & Creech Adopt a Family & Nellis AF Wounder Warrior Trails | $15,000 |
| Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada Reno, NV | St. Vincent's Food Pantry | $15,000 |
| Cristo Rey St Viator Las Vegas Work Study Inc North Las Vegas, NV | Corporate Work Study Program | $34,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV | JA Inspiration Center:A Monumental Leap in Preparing At-Risk Youth | $25,000 |
| May Arboretum Society Reno, NV | Wilbur D May Arboretum Pollinator Garden | $15,000 |
| Nevada Women's Fund Reno, NV | Nevada Women's Fund Scholarship & Event Support | $20,000 |
| Northern Nevada HOPES Reno, NV | The Jerry Smith Community Wellness Center | $25,000 |
| Tahoe Rim Trail Association Stateline, NV | Christopher's Loop Improvement Project | $15,000 |
| LGBTQIA Community Center of S Nevada Inc Las Vegas, NV | Youth Programming | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Lisa Harris, Secretary
- Brandon Barkuff, General Counsel
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas A Cannon | Chair | 1 | — |
| Lisa Harris | Secretary | 25 | $20,509 |
| Michael Behrens | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Adrian Cacuci | Assistant Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Brandon Barkuff | General Counsel | 1 | — |
| Tony F Sanchez III | Director | 1 | — |
| Ryan L Bellows | Director | 1 | $1,816 |
| Marie K Steele | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has increased its visibility and activity in recent years:
Announced transition to an open Letter of Interest process beginning March 2025
Awarded $100,000 to Nevada Clean Energy Fund to expand tribal clean energy programs
NV Energy Foundation awards $70,000 grant to Nevada non-profit in supportProvided $50,000 grant to Nevada Outdoor School
NV Energy Foundation awards $70,000 grant to Nevada non-profit in supportAwarded $70,000 to support academic success initiatives
NV Energy Foundation awards $70,000 grant to Nevada non-profit in supportSupported nonprofits statewide in response to COVID-19 impacts
Nonprofits Statewide Announce Support from NV Energy Foundation to Help NevadansThe foundation emphasizes collaboration, volunteer involvement, and community awareness of its philanthropic efforts.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NV Energy Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation supports programs designed to promote: • Education and youth development • Arts and multicultural initiatives • Environmental conservation • Health and human services • Public safety
How do I apply for a grant from NV Energy Charitable Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $150,000–$500,000 • Made 237 grants in the most recent reporting year • Total giving: $5,025,813 (2024) **Recent Grant Examples:** • Nevada State College Foundation: $250,000 (Building A Stronger Workforce in Southern Nevada) • Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada: $250,000 (Legal Aid Center Advocacy & Justice Complex Capital Campaign) • Tahoe Fund: $250,000 (Smartest Forest Fund Partnership) • Nevada Clean Energy Fund: $100,000 (Tribal Clean Ene…
Where does NV Energy Charitable Foundation make grants?
Primary funding areas include Nevada, California, and Utah, with emphasis on Nevada-based organizations.
What size grants does NV Energy Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, NV Energy Charitable Foundation awarded 218 grants totaling $5.0M — an average of about $23K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is NV Energy Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, NV Energy Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is NV Energy Charitable Foundation's EIN?
NV Energy Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-0244735. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in NV Energy Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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