The Robert Z Hawkins Foundation concentrates its giving in northern Nevada with a strong emphasis on supporting local students and basic needs. Its largest gifts fund high school scholarship programs and major support to regional institutions — notably the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health and the Food Bank of Northern Nevada — indicating a mix of education access and food security priorities. Grants are substantial and targeted rather than widely distributed, and often support direct services and scholarships.
Among the Robert Z Hawkins Foundation’s recent grants, the clearest pattern is repeated, substantial support for Nevada students and the public-health and food-security systems around them. The foundation funded 43 Nevada high school scholarships for $136,000 in 2025, after 44 scholarships received $138,000 in 2024 and $140,000 in 2023, showing a steady scholarship program rather than isolated awards. That same multi-year approach appears in its larger institutional gifts: the University of Nevada Reno School of Public Health received $206,000 in 2023 for technology and scholarship support and another $100,000 in 2025 for the school of public health, while the Food Bank of Northern Nevada received $200,000 in 2025 for core food distribution and a self-initiated end-of-year grant. These grants point to a foundation focused on direct services, education access, and local institutions in northern Nevada. The recent list also includes support for health, housing, arts, and community services, but the recurring scholarship and basic-needs commitments stand out as the organizing pattern in the portfolio.
Education access is a central theme. In 2025, the foundation gave $102,000 to Renown Health Foundation for nurse tuition sponsorship, and it also supported the University of Nevada Reno School of Public Health with $100,000 in 2025 for the school of public health. K-12 and youth enrichment also appear in the portfolio: Sky Tavern Jr Ski Program received $50,000 in 2025 for ski scholarships, and Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows received $40,500 in 2025 for a life and workforce readiness program. Public-health and harm-reduction work is another clear area. Northern Nevada Hopes received $38,000 in 2024 for syringe services and capital equipment, while Community Health Alliance received $75,000 in 2024 for colon health programs and food pantries. Arts support is present too, including $40,000 to Artown for the Monday Night Musical Series and Heartown.
Typical grants are mid-sized rather than small: the p25 is $10,000, the median is $20,000, and the p75 is $30,000. The recent record also shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including Nevada high school scholarships, Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Note-able Music Therapy Services, Northern Nevada Hopes, Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, Care Chest of Sierra Nevada, and the University of Nevada Reno School of Public Health. The foundation appears to make discretionary, self-initiated grants alongside operating, program, scholarship, and capital support. It also funds individuals, as shown by scholarship awards to Nevada high school students.
$1.3M
$16M
$1.8M
$1.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $30K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$30K
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants (five grants totaling $820k) focused on a small number of local beneficiaries; repeat funding for scholarship programs and major one-off gifts to anchor local nonprofits and institutions.
Notable grantees: Nevada High School Scholarships (44 Nevada High School Scholarships / 43 Nevada High School Scholarships), University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health, Food Bank of Northern Nevada
The foundation’s giving is overwhelmingly local: 99% of grants go to recipients in Nevada, and the top giving state is NV. Recent grants cluster in Reno and Sparks, with additional awards in Carson City. Named recipient locations include Reno, Sparks, and Carson City, reflecting a northern Nevada focus rather than a broad geographic spread. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 143 grants in the United States.
It supports scholarships and tuition assistance at multiple levels. Recent examples include 43 Nevada high school scholarships for $136,000 in 2025, a $102,000 nurse tuition sponsorship to Renown Health Foundation in 2025, and $50,000 to Sky Tavern Jr Ski Program for ski scholarships.
Food security is prominent. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada received $200,000 in 2025 and $100,000 plus $40,000 in 2024 and 2023 for core food distribution, and Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada received $60,000 in 2024 and $45,000 in 2023 for St. Vincent's Food Pantry.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Note-able Music Therapy Services, Northern Nevada Hopes, Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, Care Chest of Sierra Nevada, and the University of Nevada Reno School of Public Health.
Its recent grant size distribution centers on mid-sized awards: the p25 is $10,000, the median is $20,000, and the p75 is $30,000. The recent list also includes larger gifts for scholarships, food distribution, and university support.
It gives primarily in Nevada. The top state by grant count is NV, and 99% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipient cities include Reno, Sparks, and Carson City.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOOD BANK OF NORTHERN NEVADA | SPARKS, NV | $200,000 | 2025 | CORE FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM AND SELF INITIATED END OF YEAR GRANT. |
| 43 NEVADA HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS | RENO, NV | $136,000 | 2025 | HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS |
| RENOWN HEALTH FOUNDATION | RENO, NV | $102,000 | 2025 | NURSE TUITUION SPONSORSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH | RENO, NV | $100,000 | 2025 | SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH |
| SKY TAVERN JR SKI PROGRAM | RENO, NV | $50,000 | 2025 | SKI SCHOLARSHIPS |
| NOTE-ABLE MUSIC THERAPY SERVICES | RENO, NV | $45,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TRUCKEE MEADOWS | RENO, NV | $40,500 | 2025 | LIFE AND WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAM |
| ARTOWN | RENO, NV | $35,000 | 2025 | MONDAY NIGHT MUSICAL SERIES |
| DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE | RENO, NV | $30,000 | 2025 | VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL GIVING PROGRAMS |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE RENO-SPARKS | RENO, NV | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT - OPERTAION SCHOOL BELL, SENIOR FOOD PANTRY, AND STUDENTS IN TRANSITION |
| NEVADA DIABETES ASSOCIATION | RENO, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | TEEN CAMP AND CAMP BUCK SCHOLARSHIPS |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF NORTHERN NEVADA | RENO, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | ELEVATING FAMILIES PROGRAM AND FOOD PANTRY |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHERN NEVADA | RENO, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | BUILDING BIG FUTURES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART | RENO, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | DEEP TIME: SEA DRAGONS OF NEVADA |
| KIDS AND HORSES THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER | MINDEN, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| CARE CHEST OF SIERRA NEVADA | RENO, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN NEVADA CHILDREN'S CANCER FOUNDATION | RENO, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | FAMILY ASSISTANCE FUND |
| RENO LITTLE THEATER | RENO, NV | $21,200 | 2025 | TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT |
| TERRY LEE WELLS NEVADA DISCOVERY MUSUEM | RENO, NV | $20,020 | 2025 | FIELD TRIPS |
| SOUFUL SEEDS | RENO, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| ADOPT A VET DENTAL PROGRAM | RENO, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NEVADA INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC NURSING | ELKO, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | CORTEX MACHINE |
| DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE CENTER | RENO, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY SERVICES AND REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES |
| NEVADA HEALTH CENTERS | CARSON CITY, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | MAMMOVAN |
| HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION | TRUCKEE, NV | $18,000 | 2025 | SKY TAVERN TRAIL EXPANSION |
| SIERRA SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS | RENO, NV | $15,865 | 2025 | RZH AMPHITHEATER RENTAL REIMBURSEMENT |
| FOR KIDS FOUNDATION | RENO, NV | $15,000 | 2025 | HIGH FIVE FOR NORTHERN NV CHILDREN |
| AMPLIFY LIFE | RENO, NV | $15,000 | 2025 | SKILLS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF NORTH LAKE TAHOE | KINGS BEACH, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | STEM GAMING PROGRAM AND CURRICULUM |
| WALKER BASIN CONSERVANCY | RENO, NV | $13,550 | 2025 | STEM-BASED PROGRAM FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN RURAL NEVADA |
| RENO FOOD SYSTEMS | RENO, NV | $12,000 | 2025 | FOOD FOR ALL: FARM FRESH PRODUCE DISTRIBUTIONS, HEALTHY PREPARED MEALS AND SEEDLING DONATION PROJECT |
| AVA BALLET THEATRE | RENO, NV | $12,000 | 2025 | RENTAL FEES |
| LYON COUNTY MUSEUM | YERINGTON, NV | $10,000 | 2025 | REPAIRS AND UPKEEP |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES | RENO, NV | $10,000 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SIERRA KIDS FOUNDATION | RENO, NV | $10,000 | 2025 | AUTISM ABA THRAPY PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS |
| CARMEL OF RENO | RENO, NV | $10,000 | 2025 | SELF-INITIATED END OF YEAR GRANT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MASON VALLEY | YERINGTON, NV | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| RENO PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION | RENO, NV | $10,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| KNPB-CHANNEL 5 | RENO, NV | $10,000 | 2025 | NEWSHOUR AND NATURE ACQUISTION EXPENSES |
| ARTS FOR ALL NEVADA | RENO, NV | $9,000 | 2025 | ART SUPPLIES |
| THE NEVADA WOODCHUCKS INC | RENO, NV | $6,750 | 2025 | ANNUAL TOY PROJECT |
| RENO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA | RENO, NV | $5,100 | 2025 | TECHNOLOGY UPDATES - LIGHT STANDS |
| TINY TOES FOUNDATION | RENO, NV | $5,000 | 2025 | FAMILY ASSISTANCE |
| THE FIRST TEE OF NORTHERN NEVADA | RENO, NV | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| TRUCKEE MEADOWS PARKS FOUNDATION | RENO, NV | $5,000 | 2025 | HEALTHY PARKS, HEALTHY PEOPLE. |
| BEES4VETS | SPARKS, NV | $5,000 | 2025 | BEEKEEPING COURSE |
| TOCCATA | VERDI, NV | $3,260 | 2025 | RZH AMPHITHEATER REIMBURSEMENT |
| RENO POPS ORCHESTRA | RENO, NV | $2,410 | 2025 | RENTAL FEES |
| SIERRA NEVADA BALLET | RENO, NV | $2,150 | 2025 | RZH AMPHITHEATER PERFORMANCE |
| NORTHERN NEVADA RURAL CONCERT INITIATIVE | RENO, NV | $2,000 | 2025 | MUSIC EDUCATION |
CORE FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM AND SELF INITIATED END OF YEAR GRANT.
43 NEVADA HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
$136,000HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
$100,000SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TRUCKEE MEADOWS
$40,500LIFE AND WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAM
DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$30,000VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL GIVING PROGRAMS
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE RENO-SPARKS
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT - OPERTAION SCHOOL BELL, SENIOR FOOD PANTRY, AND STUDENTS IN TRANSITION
NEVADA DIABETES ASSOCIATION
$25,000TEEN CAMP AND CAMP BUCK SCHOLARSHIPS
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF NORTHERN NEVADA
$25,000ELEVATING FAMILIES PROGRAM AND FOOD PANTRY
KIDS AND HORSES THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER
$25,000SCHOLARSHIP FUND
RENO LITTLE THEATER
$21,200TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
TERRY LEE WELLS NEVADA DISCOVERY MUSUEM
$20,020FIELD TRIPS
SOUFUL SEEDS
$20,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
ADOPT A VET DENTAL PROGRAM
$20,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
NEVADA INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC NURSING
$20,000CORTEX MACHINE
EMERGENCY SERVICES AND REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES
SIERRA SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS
$15,865RZH AMPHITHEATER RENTAL REIMBURSEMENT
AMPLIFY LIFE
$15,000SKILLS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS
RENO FOOD SYSTEMS
$12,000FOOD FOR ALL: FARM FRESH PRODUCE DISTRIBUTIONS, HEALTHY PREPARED MEALS AND SEEDLING DONATION PROJECT
AVA BALLET THEATRE
$12,000RENTAL FEES
LYON COUNTY MUSEUM
$10,000REPAIRS AND UPKEEP
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
$10,000OPERATING EXPENSES
SIERRA KIDS FOUNDATION
$10,000AUTISM ABA THRAPY PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS
CARMEL OF RENO
$10,000SELF-INITIATED END OF YEAR GRANT
ARTS FOR ALL NEVADA
$9,000ART SUPPLIES
THE NEVADA WOODCHUCKS INC
$6,750ANNUAL TOY PROJECT
RENO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
$5,100TECHNOLOGY UPDATES - LIGHT STANDS
TINY TOES FOUNDATION
$5,000FAMILY ASSISTANCE
THE FIRST TEE OF NORTHERN NEVADA
$5,000PROGRAM EXPENSES
TRUCKEE MEADOWS PARKS FOUNDATION
$5,000HEALTHY PARKS, HEALTHY PEOPLE.
BEES4VETS
$5,000BEEKEEPING COURSE
TOCCATA
$3,260RZH AMPHITHEATER REIMBURSEMENT
RENO POPS ORCHESTRA
$2,410RENTAL FEES
SIERRA NEVADA BALLET
$2,150RZH AMPHITHEATER PERFORMANCE
NORTHERN NEVADA RURAL CONCERT INITIATIVE
$2,000MUSIC EDUCATION