Robert Z Hawkins Foundation
The Robert Z Hawkins Foundation is a private foundation established in 1980 and based in Reno, Nevada. The foundation manages approximately $15.8 million in assets and distributes grants to nonprofit organizations, with a primary focus on northern Nevada communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.0M
+0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-5.5% YoY
Grant Count
50
+16.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$26K
-18.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert Z Hawkins Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a published mission statement. However, its funding interests span a diverse range of areas including:
- Social services
- Health
- Education
- Arts and culture
- Children and youth
- Civic and community affairs
- Environment
- Historic preservation
- Hunger
- Public broadcasting
- Animal welfare
Grantmaking
No specific application procedures or deadlines are documented in available sources.
Grant Range
$1,500 to $206,000
Review Cycle
are documented in available sources.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations located in northern Nevada, with emphasis on Reno. Funding also extends to communities including Sparks, Carson City, and select areas in California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $15,977,330
- Total revenues: $1,793,246
- Total expenses: $1,665,857
- Investment income and dividends: $732,574
- Number of employees: 1
EIN: 88-0162645
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,977,330 | $15,849,941 | $15,723,496 |
| Revenue | $1,793,246 | $1,758,065 | $731,587 |
| Expenses | $1,665,857 | $1,731,620 | $1,799,136 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,585,255 | $1,659,879 | $1,745,929 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,742,644 | $1,708,656 | $683,968 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,726,219 | $1,671,690 | $1,682,633 |
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
243 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Food Bank of Northern Nevada ($200,000), 43 Nevada High School Scholarships ($136,000), Renown Health Foundation ($102,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 43 NEVADA HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS RENO, NV | HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS | $136,000 |
| AVA BALLET THEATRE RENO, NV | RENTAL FEES | $12,000 |
| ADOPT A VET DENTAL PROGRAM RENO, NV | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $20,000 |
| AMPLIFY LIFE RENO, NV | SKILLS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS | $15,000 |
| ARTOWN RENO, NV | MONDAY NIGHT MUSICAL SERIES | $35,000 |
| ARTS FOR ALL NEVADA RENO, NV | ART SUPPLIES | $9,000 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE RENO-SPARKS RENO, NV | PROGRAM SUPPORT - OPERTAION SCHOOL BELL, SENIOR FOOD PANTRY, AND STUDENTS IN TRANSITION | $30,000 |
| BEES4VETS SPARKS, NV | BEEKEEPING COURSE | $5,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHERN NEVADA RENO, NV | BUILDING BIG FUTURES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $25,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MASON VALLEY YERINGTON, NV | PROGRAM EXPENSES | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Carolyn K. Bernard – Chairman (6 hours/week, $60,000 compensation)
- Bill A. Ligon Jr. – Trustee (2 hours/week, $45,000 compensation)
- C. David Russell – Trustee (2 hours/week, $45,000 compensation)
- Michael Reed – Trustee (2 hours/week, $45,000 compensation)
- Michael Wallace – Trustee (2 hours/week, $45,000 compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROLYN K BERNARD | CHAIRMAN | 6 | $60,000 |
| BILL A LIGON JR | TRUSTEE | 2 | $45,000 |
| C DAVID RUSSELL | TRUSTEE | 2 | $45,000 |
| MICHAEL REED | TRUSTEE | 2 | $45,000 |
| MICHAEL WALLACE | TRUSTEE | 2 | $45,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported STEM education initiatives, including the opening of the Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation STEM Co-Lab in northern Nevada and ongoing support for STEM education programs through the Desert Research Institute.
New Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation STEM Co-Lab Opens in Northern Nevada - DRIThe foundation has also provided grants to cultural organizations, including the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City, and community service organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of Mason Valley for kitchen facility projects.
Hawkins Foundation gives big to Dayton kitchen projectFrequently Asked Questions
What does Robert Z Hawkins Foundation fund?
The foundation does not maintain a published mission statement. However, its funding interests span a diverse range of areas including: • Social services • Health • Education • Arts and culture • Children and youth • Civic and community affairs • Environment • Historic preservation • Hunger • Public broadcasting • Animal welfare
How do I apply for a grant from Robert Z Hawkins Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 59 grants in 2024 • Grant range: $1,500 to $206,000 • Median grant amount: $20,000 • Annual giving rate: approximately 10.5% of assets **Types of Support:** • General support • Program support • Operational expenses • Capital campaigns • Building/equipment support • Computers/software **Recent Grants (2024):** • Food Bank of Northern Nevada: $200,000 • Renown Health Foundation: $102,000 • Note-Able Music Therapy Services: $45,000 **Application Process:** No specific a…
Where does Robert Z Hawkins Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations located in northern Nevada, with emphasis on Reno. Funding also extends to communities including Sparks, Carson City, and select areas in California.
What size grants does Robert Z Hawkins Foundation award?
In 2024, Robert Z Hawkins Foundation awarded 50 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $26K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert Z Hawkins Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert Z Hawkins Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert Z Hawkins Foundation's EIN?
Robert Z Hawkins Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-0162645. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert Z Hawkins 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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