Skip Viragh Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $24,498,596 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $8,200,000
• Median Grant: $245,000
• Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Nevada and Maryland
• Total Assets: $223,568,500

Contact Details

Address: 316 California Avenue, Suite 448, Reno, NV 89509

Key Personnel:

• Mark S. Viragh, President
• Roger E. Young, Vice President
• Katherine A. Viragh, Secretary

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations.

Overview

Established in 2007, the Skip Viragh Foundation honours the legacy of Albert P. "Skip" Viragh, an entrepreneurial investment fund innovator who founded Rydex Funds and was recognised as one of the 30 most influential individuals in financial services from 1980-2010. Skip died of pancreatic cancer in December 2003 at age 62. The foundation, managed by Skip's siblings Mark and Katherine Viragh along with Roger Young, operates with assets of $223.6 million and distributed approximately $24.5 million across 46 grants in 2023. The foundation's mission centres on healthcare (particularly cancer research), education (especially Catholic schools), homelessness services, military support, and youth development. The Viragh family's total philanthropic commitment has exceeded $70 million to pancreatic cancer research alone, making them one of the most significant donors in this field. In 2009, Skip Viragh was posthumously named one of America's Top Donors by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than formal application programmes. Recent grants demonstrate the following funding tiers:

• Major Institutional Grants: $2,000,000 - $8,200,000 (flagship partnerships with established organisations)
• Significant Programme Support: $500,000 - $2,000,000 (substantial multi-year or transformational gifts)
• Standard Grants: $100,000 - $500,000 (core operating support or specific initiatives)
• Smaller Awards: $25,000 - $100,000 (targeted projects or newer relationships)

The median grant size is $245,000, indicating the foundation's preference for meaningful, substantial investments in organisations rather than small, scattered donations.

Priority Areas

Cancer Research and Treatment (Highest Priority):

• Pancreatic cancer research and patient support
• Cancer treatment facilities and programmes
• Medical research institutions
• The Viragh family has committed over $70 million to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN)

Homelessness and Housing:

• Housing development and services
• Homeless shelters and transitional programmes
• Organisations serving homeless populations
• Recent major grant: $8.2 million to Helping Up Mission

Healthcare Access:

• Community health centres
• Healthcare for underserved populations
• Medical services for vulnerable communities
• Recent grant: $2.5 million to Northern Nevada HOPES

Catholic Education:

• Cristo Rey Network schools
• Catholic preparatory schools
• Educational institutions with faith-based missions
• Chaminade College Preparatory School (Skip's alma mater)

Military and Veterans Support:

• TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Programme for Survivors)
• Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund
• Organisations supporting military families

Youth Development:

• Boys & Girls Clubs
• Youth mentorship programmes
• Children's services organisations
• Programmes serving at-risk youth

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, the foundation's grantmaking pattern shows:

• Does not support individual requests or scholarships
• Does not fund organisations outside their preselected portfolio
• Limited international grantmaking (focus is US-based)
• No evidence of arts/culture funding (despite Skip Viragh Centre for the Arts named in his honour, this was funded separately)

Governance and Leadership

Mark S. Viragh, President - Skip's brother, co-manages the foundation with 30 hours per week commitment. Mark spoke at the opening of the Skip Viragh Outpatient Cancer Building at Johns Hopkins, stating the family's commitment to honouring Skip's legacy through strategic philanthropy. The Viragh brothers collectively spent 24 years at Chaminade Catholic preparatory school in St. Louis.

Katherine A. Viragh, Secretary - Skip's sister, actively involved in foundation governance with 30 hours per week commitment. Katherine attended the dedication of the Skip Viragh Outpatient Cancer Building at Johns Hopkins and has been instrumental in continuing the family's philanthropic vision.

Roger E. Young, Vice President - Works 30 hours per week managing foundation operations and strategy alongside the Viragh siblings.

The leadership team's compensation ($100,000 each) reflects significant time commitment to thoughtful, strategic grantmaking. The foundation operates with a family governance model, with Skip's siblings ensuring grants align with his values of entrepreneurship, faith, education, and compassionate service to those facing health challenges.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Skip Viragh Foundation does not have a public application process. According to their official policy, the foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion, with the board (Mark Viragh, Katherine Viragh, and Roger Young) identifying and selecting beneficiary organisations based on alignment with the foundation's mission and Skip Viragh's legacy.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. The foundation makes grantmaking decisions internally on a rolling basis throughout the year, as evidenced by their 46 grants distributed in 2023.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with preselected organisations.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Organisations currently in the foundation's portfolio may receive renewed or continued support based on trustee decisions and programme outcomes.

Application Success Factors

Since the Skip Viragh Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their grantmaking reveals the organisations most likely to receive consideration share these characteristics:

Mission Alignment with Skip Viragh's Legacy: Organisations that align with Skip's personal story resonate strongly. Skip overcame bankruptcy at age 44 to build Rydex Funds into a $10 billion enterprise by age 62, demonstrating resilience and innovation. His battle with pancreatic cancer from 2002-2003 deeply shaped the foundation's focus. Mark Viragh noted at a dedication ceremony that Skip "chose to give resources" to institutions that matched his values of perseverance, faith, and service.

Established Track Record and Scale: The foundation's grants range from $25,000 to $8.2 million with a median of $245,000, indicating preference for established institutions capable of managing significant funds. Recent major recipients include:

• Helping Up Mission: $8.2 million (homelessness services)
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: $6.9 million (cancer research)
• Northern Nevada HOPES: $2.5 million (community healthcare)

Connection to Nevada or Maryland: With headquarters in Reno, Nevada, and Skip's professional base in Rockville, Maryland, the foundation shows geographic affinity for both states. Johns Hopkins (Maryland) has received over $65 million from the Viragh family, and Nevada organisations like Northern Nevada HOPES receive substantial support.

Catholic Educational Institutions: The Viragh family's deep connection to Catholic education, particularly Chaminade College Preparatory School where the brothers spent 24 combined years, makes Cristo Rey Network schools and similar institutions strong candidates for support.

Entrepreneurial and Faith-Based Approach: Organisations demonstrating innovation, calculated risk-taking, and faith-based service align with Skip's personal philosophy. Skip was described as "entrepreneurial, driven, and a bit contrarian" who valued "pushing the envelope, innovating and taking risks."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - there is no traditional grant writing opportunity. Organisations cannot submit proposals or letters of inquiry.

• Relationship-driven grantmaking - All grants flow from trustee identification of organisations that align with Skip Viragh's legacy of entrepreneurship, faith, resilience, and compassionate service.

• Pancreatic cancer research receives extraordinary support - The Viragh family has committed over $70 million to PanCAN alone, making this the foundation's signature cause. Organisations in this space have received transformational multi-million dollar gifts.

• Large grant sizes indicate capacity requirements - With a median grant of $245,000 and awards up to $8.2 million, the foundation seeks established organisations with proven ability to manage substantial funding effectively.

• Geographic focus on Nevada and Maryland - While national in scope, the foundation shows strong affinity for organisations in Reno, NV (headquarters) and Maryland (Skip's professional base), particularly Johns Hopkins.

• Multi-year commitment potential - The Viragh family's sustained support to organisations like PanCAN (multiple gifts from 2004-2023) suggests they build long-term partnerships rather than one-time grants.

• Faith-based and Catholic institutions align with family values - Catholic schools, particularly those in the Cristo Rey Network and institutions like Chaminade, receive consistent support reflecting the family's educational background and values.

References

• Grantmakers.io - Skip Viragh Foundation Inc. Profile - Accessed December 24, 2025
• Instrumentl - Skip Viragh Foundation Inc 990 Report - Accessed December 24, 2025
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - Skip Viragh Donor Story - Accessed December 24, 2025
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - $25 Million Transformational Gift Press Release - Accessed December 24, 2025
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Skip Viragh Foundation - Accessed December 24, 2025
• Chaminade College Preparatory - Skip Viragh's Life and Legacy - Accessed December 24, 2025
• Johns Hopkins Medicine - About Skip Viragh - Accessed December 24, 2025
• The Washington Post - A.P. 'Skip' Viragh Obituary, December 14, 2003 - Accessed December 24, 2025
• Philanthropy News Digest - Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Receives $25 Million - Accessed December 24, 2025
• Cause IQ - The Skip Viragh Foundation Profile - Accessed December 24, 2025