The John C Kish Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2004 by John C. Kish, former owner of the Skyline Casino in Henderson, Nevada. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic giving across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$32.6M
-2.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.9M
+30.0% YoY
Grant Count
68
-13.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$57K
+51.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation dedicates its grantmaking to organizations in the areas of:
- Health
- Education
- Performing Arts
- Animal Welfare
- LGBTQ community services and recreation
The foundation demonstrates a particular commitment to supporting LGBTQ organizations across the United States. Past grantees in this space include the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, the Palm Springs Gay Softball League, and Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Services.
Grantmaking
The foundation awards grants strictly for general operating support.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While the foundation has supported organizations in a variety of U.S. cities, its grantmaking tends to center around:
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Park City, Utah
- California
The foundation maintains a particularly strong commitment to Southern Nevada organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Assets: $32,642,146
- Total Revenues: $1,732,096
- Total Expenses: $4,270,484
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Number of Employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $32,642,146 | $33,479,499 | $33,333,893 |
| Revenue | $1,732,096 | $1,112,303 | $1,866,660 |
| Expenses | $4,270,484 | $3,383,927 | $3,374,783 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,900,000 | $3,000,000 | $3,000,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,732,096 | $1,112,303 | $1,866,660 |
| 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
250 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
H. Matthew Frazier — Trustee (Compensation: $50,000 as of June 2024)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARK BLOUIN | Principal | 2 | $50,000 |
| H MATTHEW FRAZIER | Principal | 2 | $50,000 |
| MELINA NICOLATUS | Principal | 2 | $50,000 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program with significant support for educational institutions. At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), the Kish Foundation has demonstrated sustained commitment over more than two decades, funding:
Kishwaukee College Foundation Grants Nearly $100K for 2024\u201325Scholarships
Campus life initiatives
Rebel Athletics
An endowed hospitality scholarship (established 2010)
A medical school scholarship (established 2015)
Major contributions to the UNLV Rebel Football Building fund
The UNLV Athletics Director Initiative
The foundation also established the John C. Kish Unit of the Boys and Girls Club in Southern Nevada.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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