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William N Pennington Foundation

Annual Giving
$31.6M
Grant Range
$140K - $15.5M

William N Pennington Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $31.6 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $490 million
  • Geographic Focus: Nevada (primarily Reno and Northern Nevada)
  • Grant Range: $140,000 - $15.5 million
  • Application Process: Rolling basis (no public application guidelines available)
  • Founded: 1989

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 7290, Reno, NV 89510

Phone: (775) 333-9100

EIN: 37-1904998

Key Personnel:

  • Richard P. Banis, Co-President and Director
  • Fred V. Scarpello, Co-President and Director
  • Racquel Bridgewater, Secretary and Grants Manager
  • Grant D. Anderson III, Treasurer and CFO

Note: The foundation does not appear to have a public website or email address.

Overview

The William N Pennington Foundation was established in 1989 by William N. Pennington, a gaming industry pioneer and philanthropist who co-founded Circus Circus Enterprises with William Bennett. Born in 1923 in Kansas and a WWII bomber pilot, Pennington transformed Las Vegas entertainment by making it family-friendly and later expanded the Strip with properties including Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. The foundation was created to expand his charitable efforts and continues his legacy following his death in 2011.

With assets of approximately $490 million and annual giving of $31.6 million (2023), the foundation provides grants exclusively to Nevada organizations, with particular emphasis on Reno and northern Nevada. The foundation focuses on education, community services, healthcare, and medical research, with the stated mission of building "a broad base to help people and families persevere through difficult times." Recent major grants include a $15.5 million gift to establish the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute at Renown Health and over $7 million to Boys & Girls Clubs in Elko County over six years.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Education:

  • K-12 education (elementary and secondary schools)
  • Community college education
  • University education
  • Student scholarships and financial aid
  • Educational facilities and programs

Healthcare and Medical Research:

  • Cancer research and treatment
  • Hospital care and medical facilities
  • Transplant programs
  • Pediatric care
  • Health care clinics
  • Patient social services
  • Public health initiatives

Community Services:

  • Youth development and services
  • Child welfare
  • Senior services
  • Youth organizing programs
  • Human services

Geographic Focus: Unless initiated by the directors, Nevada is the only geographic area serviced. The foundation has made major and minor gifts to organizations in Reno, Washoe County, and rural northern Nevada.

Recent Grant Examples

Major Healthcare Grants:

  • Renown Health Foundation: $15.5 million for the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute (largest gift Renown has ever received)
  • Renown Health Foundation: $5.5 million for the Renown Transplant Institute to launch northern Nevada's first kidney transplant program
  • Renown Children's Hospital: $7.5 million (2016) for the William N. Pennington Fund for Advanced Pediatric Care

Major Education Grants:

  • Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC): $4.3 million for Applied Technology Center renovation and Technical Pathways program
  • TMCC: $2 million for the William N. Pennington Health Science Center
  • TMCC: $1.6 million for dental clinic renovations
  • University of Nevada, Reno: $6 million for the William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center
  • Oasis Academy Charter School: $4.3 million for new facility construction

Community Services Grants:

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Elko County: $7.1 million over six years
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada: $1.6 million for Smart Start Center in Carson City
  • Boys & Girls Club of Spring Creek: $4.5 million for new clubhouse construction
  • Boys & Girls Club of Mason Valley: $2.3 million for clubhouse purchase in Dayton
  • American Red Cross of Northern Nevada: $140,000 plus Ford F-150 truck for disaster response

Research Grants:

  • Desert Research Institute (DRI): Multi-year support for cloud seeding programs in northern Nevada

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly limits funding to Nevada organizations unless otherwise initiated by directors. Beyond the geographic limitation, specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the foundation's focus areas are clearly defined as education, community services, healthcare, and medical research.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Structure: The foundation is governed by Co-Presidents Richard P. Banis and Fred V. Scarpello, who both serve as Directors.

Key Personnel:

  • Richard P. Banis: Co-President and Director
  • Fred V. Scarpello: Co-President and Director
  • Racquel Bridgewater: Secretary and Grants Manager
  • Grant D. Anderson III: Treasurer and CFO

Founder's Legacy: William N. Pennington (1923-2011) was a member of the Forbes 400, inducted into Nevada's Business Hall of Fame, and named a Distinguished Nevadan by the University of Nevada-Reno. He received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from UNR and was a member of the American Academy of Achievement. The foundation continues to reflect his commitment to Nevada communities, particularly in helping people and families through difficult times.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: The William N Pennington Foundation does not have a public application process or published application guidelines. The foundation does not maintain a public website, online portal, or formal RFP process.

Contact Method: Organizations interested in funding should contact the foundation directly:

  • Phone: (775) 333-9100
  • Mail: PO Box 7290, Reno, NV 89510
  • Contact: Racquel Bridgewater, Secretary and Grants Manager

Applications for grants are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis, but there are no publicly available application forms or specific submission requirements documented.

Getting on Their Radar

The William N Pennington Foundation appears to identify grant recipients through:

Geographic Connection: The foundation has a strong track record with established Nevada institutions, particularly in the Reno area. Organizations with deep roots in northern Nevada communities appear to receive substantial support.

Major Institutional Relationships: The foundation has longstanding relationships with key Nevada institutions including:

  • Renown Health and Renown Health Foundation
  • University of Nevada, Reno
  • Truckee Meadows Community College
  • Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Nevada
  • Desert Research Institute

Naming Opportunities: Many of the foundation's largest gifts have included naming rights for facilities, centers, or programs (e.g., William N. Pennington Cancer Institute, William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center, William N. Pennington Health Science Center).

Board-Initiated Grants: According to public information, unless initiated by the directors, Nevada is the only geographic area serviced, suggesting that the board of directors plays an active role in identifying and approving grant opportunities.

Direct Contact: Given the foundation's preference for privacy and lack of formal application process, organizations seeking funding should initiate contact through the Grants Manager, Racquel Bridgewater, at (775) 333-9100 to discuss potential funding opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Given the foundation's rolling application acceptance and lack of formal deadlines, decision times likely vary depending on the size and scope of the proposed project.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. However, the foundation's track record shows repeat funding to organizations like Renown Health, TMCC, UNR, and various Boys & Girls Clubs, suggesting that successful grant recipients can receive multiple grants over time.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented giving patterns, organizations are more likely to receive funding if they:

1. Are Nevada-Based with Northern Nevada Focus: The foundation has an explicit geographic limitation to Nevada, with particular emphasis on Reno, Washoe County, and rural northern Nevada. Organizations outside this geographic area should not apply unless specifically invited by directors.

2. Align with Core Funding Areas: Successful applicants fall squarely within the foundation's stated priorities:

  • Education (K-12, community college, university, scholarships)
  • Healthcare and medical research (particularly cancer care, transplant programs, pediatric care)
  • Community services (especially youth development and senior services)

3. Serve Vulnerable Populations: The foundation's mission emphasizes "helping people and families persevere through difficult times." Successful grants have supported:

  • Children and youth (Boys & Girls Clubs, pediatric care, K-12 education)
  • Elderly populations (senior services)
  • Patients with serious medical conditions (cancer, transplant needs)
  • Students needing financial aid

4. Offer Capital or Transformative Projects: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to make substantial investments in:

  • Major building projects and facility construction
  • New programs or centers that expand service capacity
  • Equipment and infrastructure that enables new services
  • Naming opportunities for significant facilities

5. Are Established Organizations with Strong Track Records: Review of grant recipients shows preference for:

  • Well-known Nevada institutions with proven impact
  • Organizations with professional development and fundraising operations
  • Projects with potential for lasting community benefit

6. Build Long-Term Relationships: The foundation has provided multiple grants to the same organizations over time (Renown Health, UNR, TMCC, various Boys & Girls Clubs), suggesting that strong performance leads to continued support.

7. Demonstrate Concrete Community Impact: Funded projects show clear, measurable benefits:

  • The Renown Transplant Institute brought northern Nevada's first kidney transplant program
  • Boys & Girls Club facilities expanded youth services to underserved communities
  • Educational facility improvements increased program capacity and student access

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Limitation is Absolute: Do not apply unless your organization serves Nevada, particularly northern Nevada. The foundation's charter explicitly limits giving to Nevada unless directors initiate otherwise.

  • No Public Application Process: Unlike many foundations, there is no online portal, application form, or RFP. You must initiate contact directly via phone at (775) 333-9100 or by mail.

  • Think Big and Transformative: Recent grants range from $140,000 to $15.5 million, with many multi-million dollar awards. The foundation appears to prefer substantial investments that create lasting change rather than small operational grants.

  • Relationship Building is Essential: Without a formal application process, success likely depends on developing relationships with foundation leadership. Consider how to connect with Directors Richard P. Banis and Fred V. Scarpello or Grants Manager Racquel Bridgewater.

  • Align with William N. Pennington's Legacy: Understanding the founder's story—a gaming pioneer who believed in family-friendly entertainment and helping communities through difficult times—may help frame your proposal in terms that resonate with the foundation's values.

  • Naming Opportunities May Enhance Prospects: Many major grants have included naming rights. If your project includes a facility, center, or program that could be named, this may increase appeal for significant funding.

  • Demonstrate Community Impact: Successful grants show clear benefits to Nevada communities—bringing new services, expanding capacity, or addressing urgent needs in education, healthcare, or youth services.

References

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