E L Cord Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,012,675 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not available
• Decision Time: Not available
• Grant Range: $5,000–$100,000
• Geographic Focus: Truckee Meadows and rural communities of Northern Nevada

Contact Details

• Website: https://elcordfoundation.com
• Phone: 775-323-0373
• Email: Not publicly available
• Address: 550 W Plumb Ln Ste B PMB 529, Reno, NV 89509

Overview

The E L Cord Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established on December 4, 1962, by Errett Lobban Cord. Based in Reno, Nevada, the foundation was established to honour the legacy of E.L. Cord, a builder and innovator who worked in various enterprises throughout his life. When Mr Cord passed away in 1974, a substantial portion of his estate was dedicated to the foundation to be used for the betterment and wellbeing of mankind. With total assets of approximately $68.8 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes approximately $4 million annually in charitable disbursements to nonprofit organisations in Northern Nevada.

The foundation is responsible for enriching the lives of the residents of the Truckee Meadows and the rural communities of Northern Nevada. The foundation operates with a small staff structure, with trustees managing its operations and grantmaking decisions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis with no specific deadlines. Applications are submitted by post and reviewed by the trustees according to published assessment criteria.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on five key funding areas:

1. Charities supporting those in need – Supporting organisations that serve vulnerable populations
2. Advancement of science – Funding scientific research and advancement
3. Art & cultural achievements – Supporting arts and cultural initiatives
4. Youth initiatives – Furthering and protecting programmes for young people
5. Education – Encouraging enlightenment through educational programmes, including secondary education and higher education

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusion criteria are not publicly documented. The foundation's trustees review each proposal according to their published Grant Policies and Procedures.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates with trustees who formally adopted Grant Policies and Procedures that guide grantmaking decisions. Specific trustee names and governance structure details are available in the foundation's annual 990-PF filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofit organisations on an ongoing, rolling basis. Applications should be submitted by post to:

550 W Plumb Ln, Ste B, PMB #529
Reno, NV 89509

Application Requirements:

• Project description
• Amount requested
• Proof of tax-exempt status
• Copy of the organisation's audited financial statement for its prior fiscal year
• Copy of the organisation's budget for the current year
• Most recent unaudited operating and other financial statements available
• Statement of the organisation's major sources of financial support

For general questions, contact the foundation at 775-323-0373.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. The foundation's trustees carefully consider each proposal received and adhere to their published assessment criteria.

Success Rates

Not available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

The foundation's trustees carefully consider each proposal received according to their published Grant Policies and Procedures. Successful applications will demonstrate how the proposed project aligns with one or more of the foundation's five priority funding areas and serves residents of the Truckee Meadows and rural communities of Northern Nevada.

Grant amounts typically range between $5,000 and $100,000.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The E L Cord Foundation accepts unsolicited applications on a rolling basis
• Applications must be submitted by post (no online portal)
• Annual charitable disbursements total approximately $4 million
• Grant range: $5,000–$100,000
• Geographic focus: Truckee Meadows and rural communities of Northern Nevada
• Five priority funding areas: supporting those in need, science, arts & culture, youth, and education
• Comprehensive financial documentation required with application
• Contact the foundation by phone (775-323-0373) with questions before applying
• Trustees review all applications according to published assessment criteria

References

• E L Cord Foundation official website (https://elcordfoundation.com, accessed May 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - E L Cord Foundation profile, 2024 990-PF filing (accessed May 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy - E.L. Cord Foundation profile (accessed May 2026)
• IRS Tax Exempt Organisation Search database, EIN 36-6072793 (accessed May 2026)