The Nell J Redfield Foundation
The Nell J Redfield Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Reno, Nevada. Established in 1974 by Nell J. Redfield following her husband LaVere Redfield's death, the foundation has become one of Northern Nevada's most significant philanthropic organizations. The foundation was created to support healthcare, education, medical research, care for needy children and women, and assistance for the homeless. Following Nell's death in 1981, the foundation has continued to award millions of dollars annually to support its mission.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$69.1M
+1.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.5M
+13.0% YoY
Grant Count
91
+3.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$49K
+9.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Nell J Redfield Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is "engaging in a program of charitable giving focused on education, healthcare and helping those most in need."
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Healthcare and medical research
- Care of handicapped children and the aged
- Assistance for those struggling with homelessness, housing insecurity, and poverty
- Religion
- Human services
The foundation emphasizes collaborative approaches and encourages creative partnerships among agencies specializing in education, healthcare, homelessness, housing insecurity, and poverty services.
Grantmaking
The foundation offers Innovation Grants of up to $25,000 for one-year collaborative initiatives addressing education, healthcare, homelessness, housing insecurity, and poverty. Separate Requests for Proposals are available for Education, Healthcare, and Those Most in Need categories.
Grant Range
s & Range:**
Review Cycle
January 15 through June 1
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily focused on Northern Nevada, with particular emphasis on Washoe County and the city of Reno. The foundation does not make grants to individuals.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $69,086,291
- Total Revenue: $6,989,245
- Total Expenses: $5,351,329
- Net Income: $1,637,916
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Giving Rate: 7.0%
Tax Status:
- EIN: 27-1017158
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since March 2010
- Designated as a private grantmaking foundation
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $69,086,291 | $67,984,518 | $69,289,566 |
| Revenue | $6,989,245 | $3,926,206 | $13,877,604 |
| Expenses | $5,351,329 | $4,863,683 | $5,634,862 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,793,318 | $4,229,782 | $4,997,670 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,381,476 | $3,562,130 | $13,044,471 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,150,428 | $3,709,452 | $3,484,715 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Domestic Violence Resource Center (CAAW) ($255,000), First Tee of Northern Nevada ($210,000), PBS Reno (formerly KNPB) ($130,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AVA Ballet Theater Reno, NV | to support classical ballet productions for the 2024 season | $7,500 |
| Amplify Life - Special Recreation Services Reno, NV | to support general operations | $30,000 |
| Arts for All Nevada (formerly VSA) Reno, NV | to support "Open to the Public" art workshops, camps and festivals for 2024 | $15,000 |
| Arts for All Nevada (formerly VSA) Reno, NV | support the painting of Lake Mansion | $15,000 |
| Assistance League Reno, NV | Holiday funding 2024- Operation School Bell and Food Pantry | $30,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters Reno, NV | support mentor program and Building Big Futures program | $25,000 |
| Bishop Manogue Reno, NV | Redfield Scholarship program for 2024/25 school year | $50,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows Reno, NV | Family Plus Counseling program, holiday funding and maintenance of buses | $48,764 |
| Bristlecone Family Resources Reno, NV | to support prgramming and operational expenses for 2024 | $15,000 |
| CARE Chest Reno, NV | Medical Resource programs for 2024 | $80,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Daniel K Walker — President, CFO, & Director (8.3 hours/week, $25,000 compensation)
- Melissa A Fowler — VP, Director, & Secretary (8.3 hours/week, $25,000 compensation)
- Michael Sebree — VP & Director (8.3 hours/week, $25,000 compensation)
- Kenneth M Coll — Executive Director (40 hours/week, $230,000 compensation)
- Debbi D Wesner — Administrative Manager (26 hours/week, $65,000 compensation)
- Kevin Tiber — Director in Waiting (2 hours/week, $5,000 compensation)
- Glenda Hudgens — Director in Waiting (2 hours/week, $5,000 compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel K Walker | President, CFO, & Director | 8.3 | $25,000 |
| Melissa A Fowler | VP, Director, & Secretary | 8.3 | $25,000 |
| Michael Sebree | VP & Director | 8.3 | $25,000 |
| Kevin Tiber | Director in Waiting | 2 | $5,000 |
| Glenda Hudgens | Director in Waiting | 2 | $5,000 |
| Kenneth M Coll | Excecutive Director | 40 | $230,000 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grantees and initiatives include:
Support for the Redfield Community Coordinators Outreach Program in twelve schools through the Washoe County School District ($325,000 in 2024)
Capital campaign support for The First Tee of Northern Nevada ($210,000 in 2024)
Conrad Breast Center and Nursing Scholarship Recruitment Program through Renown Health Foundation ($175,000 in 2024)
Ongoing support for STEP2, a Reno-based nonprofit treatment program for women struggling with substance use disorder
Partnership with Northern Nevada Literacy Council
Support for Nevada Museum of Art
The foundation maintains a "Partner of the Month" feature on its website highlighting supported organizations.
Contact Information
Address: 1755 E. Plumb Ln., Ste. 212, Reno, NV 89502-3691
Phone: (775) 323-1373
Fax: (775) 323-4476
Website: https://www.nelljredfieldfoundation.org
Email: [email protected]
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Nell J Redfield Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is "engaging in a program of charitable giving focused on education, healthcare and helping those most in need." Primary funding areas include: • Education • Healthcare and medical research • Care of handicapped children and the aged • Assistance for those struggling with homelessness, housing insecurity, and poverty • Religion • Human services The foundation emphasizes collaborative approaches and encourages creative partnerships among agencies specializing in educatio…
How do I apply for a grant from The Nell J Redfield Foundation?
**Grant Sizes & Range:** • Typical grant range: $2,500 to $1,000,000 • Median grant amount: $25,000 • Recent grant awards have ranged from $5,000 to $500,000 **Annual Giving:** • 2024 total giving: $4,489,794 to $4,793,318 • 91 to 139 grants awarded in 2024 **Application Process:** • Initial approach by letter (no formal application form required) • One copy of proposal needed • Board meetings held quarterly • Application deadlines: January 15 through June 1 • Decision timeline: Usually within …
Where does The Nell J Redfield Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily focused on Northern Nevada, with particular emphasis on Washoe County and the city of Reno. The foundation does not make grants to individuals.
What size grants does The Nell J Redfield Foundation award?
In 2024, The Nell J Redfield Foundation awarded 91 grants totaling $4.5M — an average of about $49K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Nell J Redfield Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Nell J Redfield Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Nell J Redfield Foundation's EIN?
The Nell J Redfield Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1017158. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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