Established in 1998 the Community Foundation of Western Nevada has distributed over $34 million in grants and scholarships from our 180 charitable funds to strengthen our Nevada home.

On this page you will find the latest doings of the Community Foundation; interesting initiatives, grants, upcoming programs or meetings as well as the latest grant applications.

Peruse the site and then call us to learn more about how you can make your giving more satisfying and effective. 775-333-5499.



Jennifer Satre, Board Chair         Chris Askin, CSPG, CFRE, President and CEO


Message from Chris Askin:

Fiduciary Excellence

The 4th Quarter edition of The Journal of Gift Planning featured an article about how to ensure fiduciary excellence in challenging times; which provided a wonderful outline with a focus on fiduciary oversight of investments.  The author reasoned that these are challenging times for fiduciaries because they are tempted, and even pressured, to make decisions based on the current economic conditions rather than sticking with their long-term strategies. The article recommended practices to follow to ensure that the highest standards of fiduciary excellence are achieved.

This subject strikes home to the Community Foundation of Western Nevada because as stewards of significant charitable assets we must be prudent in how we manage and invest those assets.  Our invested assets have performed well since our inception twelve years ago, particularly during the downturn of 2008 and the recovery of 2009. We have worked over the past year to develop a new investment policy that provides greater depth in terms of the nature of our charitable funds and the timing of charitable distributions, and stricter language regarding investments and performance measurement.

It would be an understatement to say we spend a few hours each week working on our fiduciary responsibilities as relate to our investments.  The gravity of the economic downturn and the importance of the charitable support entrusted to the Foundation and the grants that are distributed from these assets constantly remind us of the importance of our duty to our fund holders and to the community.  As we receive reports that compare us to our peers in terms of our due diligence and our investment performance I am pleased to share that we rate in the top quartile. We are striving to be even better, and in the next few weeks, we will be rolling out our new investment policy. We will continually evaluate our investments to ensure that we do achieve fiduciary excellence.

We are grateful for the trust placed in us by donors.  If you would like more information about the Foundation’s investments or our policies, please give me a call.  Chris Askin, President and CEO, 775-333-5499 or email me at info@cfwnv.org.  The Community Foundation of Western Nevada makes philanthropy simple, powerful, and effective. 

Warm wishes,
Chris Askin
President and CEO
Community Foundation of Western Nevada


Assisting with Emergency Needs in Chile 
 
With another earthquake having left a considerable path of destruction - this time in Chile - we again are offering resources for Nevadans who are looking for ways to help. 

UNR Students of Professor Emma Supulveda have established a charitable fund to  re-build an elementary school in the south of Chile, near the city of Talca. The town is called Curepto and it was 80% destroyed by the earthquake. Their project is called "UNA ESCUELA PARA CHILE/ A SCHOOL FOR CHILE." Go to Donate Online and give a contribution to this worthwhile fund. 
 
Our thanks to the Council on Foundations, the nation's professional association of foundations, for these resources:

  • A summary of what many of the "on the ground" relief organizations are doing to assist. (Under "NGO Response," click on the name of an organization to learn how to support its efforts.)

  • "Eight Principles of Good Disaster Grantmaking"

View these resources at Responding to the Earthquake in Chile.



2010 Scholarship Applications are posted.

Interested students please check out the Scholarship Page.
If you have questions please call Tracy Turner, Program Officer at
775-333-5499.

Good luck!







Grant News
2010 Community Partnership Grant RFP is published

abstract_10033581.jpg Once again, the Community Foundation trustees recognize that nonprofits in our region continue to face monumental financial challenges due to our changing economic environment. In response to these challenges, the Program Committee of the Community Foundation has decided to maintain the “sustainability” focus in this year’s round of Community Partnership Grants.

Proposals are due Tueday, April  27, 2010 .... read more....


Publications
2008 Annual Report Available

abstract_10030080.jpg Download this report and learn how you can join with the Community Foundation as we rise to the challenges our community is facing. Make your philanthropy more personal and powerful and become involved with the people and place that we call home.

If you prefer to read the paper version of this report, give us a call and we will send one to you. 775-333-5499.