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…

Robert Z Hawkins Foundation

RENO, NV EIN: 88-0162645

Assess fit for your org

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.

Assess fit for your org

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

+16.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$26K

-18.8% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

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

Nevada $6.0M (99%)

California $55K (1%)

States

California Nevada

Cities

Adaptive Mountain BikiCarson CityChicoDaytonElkoFallonGardnervilleHawthorneIncline VillageKings BeachMindenPlacervilleRenoSparksStatelineTruckeeVerdiVirginia CityWashoe ValleyYerington

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

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

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

No grants recorded for .

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 - DRI

The 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 project