The E.L. Cord Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Your work fits if it is based in No. Nevada; rural counties of Nevada and falls within the foundation's themes of support for people in need, scientific advancement, arts and culture, children and youth, and education and literacy, and your organisation holds tax-exempt status from the State (if applicable) and Federal governments.
- Do not apply if your request is for direct aid to individuals, general fundraising events or campaigns, deficit funding, grant writer or administrative fees, or money you would pass on to other organisations, or if it would need permanent or continuing support from the foundation.
- Most of its grants fall between $5,000 and $100,000, though that band is typical rather than the full range, and half of its grants are $16,000 or less, so a modest request in that region suits it well.
- Send a formal application by U.S. Postal Service to the Reno address it publishes; applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there is no deadline to wait for.
- Because 91% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had already funded in earlier filings, the foundation appears to be relationship-led, so do not contact trustees directly, as this is discouraged, and expect that a programme officer may ask for a meeting or visit before the proposal goes to the trustees.
Overview
The E.L. Cord Foundation is a US private foundation based in Reno, NV.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Foundation says it funds all aspects of nonprofit organisations and worthy causes in the community, and lists charitable, scientific, arts and culture, children/youth, and educational and literacy interests. It describes charitable giving as supporting charities that serve those in need, alongside support for science, cultural achievements, youth initiatives and education. Its grant guidance focuses primarily on organisations in No. Nevada and the rural counties of Nevada. In assessing proposals, it looks for exemplary organisations with a record of achievement and good management, stable finances, and programmes or projects that build self-sufficiency rather than ongoing dependence. It also seeks measurable impact in the area and for the purpose requested.
Themes
- Support for people in need
- Scientific advancement
- Arts and culture
- Children and youth
- Education and literacy
Geographic Focus
Priority: No. Nevada; rural counties of Nevada.
What They Don't Fund
- Organizations that do not have a tax-exempt status from the State (if applicable) and Federal governments; or, do not comply with other terms or provisions of the Foundation's Application Procedures
- General fund raising events, campaigns, memorial campaigns, deficit funding, conferences or seminars, dinners, or mass mailings
- Direct aid to individuals
- Grants to organizations who use funds granted to support other organizations
- Grants to religious organizations for sectarian purposes
- Any request that will require permanent or continuing support by the Foundation
- Administrative fees, grant writer fees, and other indirect costs
How to apply
Submit an application by U.S. Postal Service to the Reno address published by the Foundation.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 91% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 265 grants to organisations were $16,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The Foundation favours exemplary organisations with a history of achievement and good management.
- The Foundation looks for institutions with a stable financial condition supported by current and audited financial statements.
- The Foundation favours programmes and projects that produce self-sufficiency rather than continuing dependence on its support.
- The Foundation looks for measurable impact in the area and for the purpose requested.
- After a formal application, the programme officer or trustees may request a meeting or interview, a project visit or a telephone discussion before the formal proposal goes to the trustees.
- Direct contact with trustees is discouraged.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 18% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 91% of grant dollars went to organisations The E.L. Cord Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 3% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 90 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $20,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- University of Nevada Reno Foundation · General purpose$830,0002024 tax year
- First Tee Northern Nevada · General purpose$350,0002024 tax year
- Nevada Museum of Art · General purpose$200,0002024 tax year
- PBS Reno · General purpose$160,0002024 tax year
- Reno Philharmonic Association · General purpose$100,0002024 tax year
- Food Bank of Northern Nevada · General purpose$100,0002024 tax year
- Artown · General purpose$100,0002024 tax year
- National Automobile Museum · General purpose$100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- William O Bradley JR — Co-Trustee
- Joseph S Bradley — Co-Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $4,400,369 | $2,988,000 | $68,605,524 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $4,555,678 | $3,233,400 | $74,242,286 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,933,373 | $3,593,750 | $79,311,868 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The E.L. Cord Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (775) 323-0373
- Reno, NV
- elcordfoundation.com
Applying to The E.L. Cord Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (775) 323-0373
- Reno, NV
- elcordfoundation.com