Bridge at Wingfield park

Celebrating 10 years ... connecting people who care with causes that matter.

    Philosophy
  • We nurture the communities in which we live through the support of our institutions, families, neighborhoods and the environment.
  • We are committed to be the philanthropic leader.
  • We will create an awareness of the importance of philanthropy and its impact on the region.
  • We encourage the growth of charitable spirit and deeds in our community


"Every place on earth bespeaks its own rhythm of life. Every locality has its own spirit." - Frank Waters
History
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. - Goethe

Jim Webster, Community Foundation of Western Nevada Founding Board of Trustees President

The Community Foundation of Western Nevada was established in 1997 by a small group of community leaders. Jim Webster, the Foundation’s first Board President spearheaded a mission to create a charitable savings account for Western Nevada. He was inspired to do so by the loss of two bequests worth $17 million dollars that would have benefited Reno if it had a community foundation to accept them. Jim is a passionate man who motivated visionary and generous citizens to join the founding board and to work to make their shared dream a reality.

Marguerite Wattis Petersen’s gift nurtured the Foundation’s first years. Marguerite Wattis Petersen nurtured the Foundation infancy by leaving a gift of $500,000 to be used to supplement five years of operating income. She left more than money as, upon her passing her daughter, Kathie Dees took her place on the board and a few years later her son, Steve Petersen became the Foundation controller.

The Foundation outgrew it’s corner in Jim Webster’s Office and in June of 2000 moved to our present location and hired it’s first full-time staff person Chris Askin, CFRE CSPG. From $435 thousand in assets at the end of 2000, the Community Foundation of Western Nevada had grown to over $50 million in assets and total of $32 million in charitable distributions ten years later in February of 2008 – a fitting tribute to these passionate citizens whose philanthropic vision inspired the Community Foundation – spurring growth and support for the arts, humanities, education, health and environment throughout Western Nevada.