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Elaine P Wynn And Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.7M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,675,945 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not disclosed
  • Grant Range: $500 - $1,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Las Vegas and Los Angeles primarily, with some national reach

Contact Details

Address: 11812 San Vicente Blvd, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 826-0909
Email: Not publicly available
Website: None (highly private foundation)

Note: As of April 2025, the foundation's future direction may evolve following the passing of founder Elaine P. Wynn. The foundation is now led by trustees Gillian Wynn and Kevyn Wynn.

Overview

Established in 2011, the Elaine P. Wynn and Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation with assets totaling approximately $22.5 million and annual giving of $5.7 million. The foundation centers its grantmaking around three core areas: providing wraparound services for K-12 youth living in poverty; supporting performing and visual arts as an active patron; and funding at the intersection of arts and at-risk youth. The foundation operates with a highly focused geographic scope, concentrating primarily on Las Vegas and Los Angeles, with selective grants extending to other states. Founded by businesswoman and philanthropist Elaine P. Wynn, who passed away in April 2025, the foundation is known for its hands-on, relationship-based approach to philanthropy, often providing multi-year general operating support to trusted partner organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific application cycles. Instead, it awards discretionary grants ranging from $500 to over $1 million on a rolling basis to pre-selected organizations.

  • Multi-year Operating Grants: Significant funding for long-term partners (amounts vary, often seven figures)
  • Project-Specific Grants: Smaller grants for specific initiatives ($500 - $100,000+)
  • Capital Campaigns: Major gifts for building projects and endowments ($50,000 - $1,000,000+)

Priority Areas

K-12 Youth in Poverty:

  • Wraparound student support services
  • Integrated student services in schools
  • Educational equity initiatives
  • Eye care and health services for children

Performing and Visual Arts:

  • Major arts institutions (museums, performing arts centers)
  • Dance companies and theater organizations
  • Arts education facilities and programs

Arts for At-Risk Youth:

  • Arts education programs serving disadvantaged students
  • Organizations combining arts programming with youth development
  • Creative outlets for vulnerable populations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only makes contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations. There is no public information about specific exclusions, but the foundation maintains a narrow focus on its three priority areas within Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Gillian Wynn
  • Kevyn Wynn

Chief Executive Officer:

  • Punam Mathur (compensation: $166,000 annually)

The foundation was led by founder Elaine P. Wynn until her passing in April 2025. Wynn was deeply involved in her philanthropic work, with Punam Mathur, the foundation's Executive Director, noting: "She's not just investing, she's rolling up her sleeves and committing completely in ways that few people do." Wynn served as board chair of Communities In Schools for 17 years (2007-2024) and was a trustee of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, demonstrating her commitment to hands-on leadership in the organizations she supported.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation takes a proactive approach to grantmaking, identifying and reaching out to potential grantees rather than accepting unsolicited applications from organizations.

The foundation maintains a portfolio of long-term partner organizations that receive multi-year general operating grants, with new grantees occasionally added to the roster through the foundation's own research and outreach.

Organizations interested in learning more about potential grant opportunities may contact the foundation directly at the address and phone number listed above, though there is no guarantee of a response or funding consideration.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's approach to identifying grantees appears to be driven by trustee connections and board relationships. Elaine Wynn's extensive board service provided insight into potential grantees - she served on the boards of Communities In Schools (chair for 17 years), LACMA (co-chair), Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the UNLV Foundation. Organizations where trustees have direct involvement or board representation are more likely to receive funding consideration.

The foundation tends to support organizations where family members can be "personally and actively involved" and whose "passions and priorities mirror their own." Building relationships within the Las Vegas and Los Angeles nonprofit sectors, particularly in youth services and arts education, may create opportunities for visibility, though there is no formal pathway to solicitation.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not disclose decision timelines. As a private foundation with a proactive grantmaking approach, funding decisions appear to be made on a rolling basis throughout the year rather than following fixed deadlines.

Success Rates

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. However, data suggests the foundation provides ongoing support to core grantees, with many of the same organizations receiving funding year after year.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding share several characteristics:

Alignment with Core Mission: All funded organizations align closely with at least one of the foundation's three priority areas: K-12 youth in poverty, performing and visual arts, or the intersection of arts and at-risk youth.

Geographic Focus: Strong preference for Las Vegas and Los Angeles-based organizations or those with significant operations in these cities.

Long-term Relationships: The foundation "tended to award multi-year general operating grants to many of the same outfits each year," indicating a preference for sustained partnerships over one-time grants.

Hands-on Engagement: Organizations where trustees can be personally involved and engaged appear to be favored. The foundation values opportunities for family members to participate actively in the organizations they support.

Proven Track Record: Major grantees like Communities In Schools, After School All Stars, and major arts institutions demonstrate significant scale and established reputations in their fields.

Examples of Funded Organizations:

  • Communities In Schools (Las Vegas and Los Angeles) - seven-figure grants for wraparound student services
  • After School All Stars - youth development and education
  • Eye Care for Kids - health services for disadvantaged children
  • Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation - received funding for the Elaine Wynn & Family Education Wing
  • Smith Center for Performing Arts - home to The Elaine Wynn Studio for Arts Education
  • LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) - received $50 million pledge from Elaine Wynn personally
  • Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • Three Square Food Bank

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications; funding comes through trustee identification and outreach only
  • Relationship-driven philanthropy: Board connections, personal relationships, and direct trustee involvement appear to be the primary drivers of funding decisions
  • Geographic specificity: Strong focus on Las Vegas and Los Angeles limits opportunities for organizations outside these regions
  • Multi-year commitment: The foundation prefers sustained relationships with grantees, providing ongoing general operating support rather than one-time project grants
  • High engagement expected: The family seeks organizations where they can be personally and actively involved, not just financial supporters
  • Three-pillar focus: All funding aligns with youth in poverty, arts patronage, or arts for at-risk youth - organizations outside these areas are unlikely to be considered
  • Transition period: Following Elaine Wynn's passing in April 2025, the foundation's future direction and priorities may evolve under the leadership of trustees Gillian and Kevyn Wynn

References

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