The John C Kish Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered; approach it only if you already have a route in.
- Its stated priority is Southern Nevada, as reported in other published sources, and its themes are performing arts, animal welfare and land conservation, so a charity working in those areas and that region is the closest fit.
- Most of its grants are modest: about 8 in 10 fall between $10,000 and $100,000, with a median of $25,000, so a request in that range is realistic, though its largest grant was $1,000,000, so that band is typical rather than a limit.
- Repeat giving is strong, with 83% of its grant dollars going to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so a new applicant should expect to compete with established recipients.
- Nothing here sets out a timetable, so any approach should be planned around the foundation's own invitation process.
Overview
The John C Kish Foundation is a US private foundation based in Las Vegas, NV.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and web pages about the foundation (neon.reviewjournal.com, parkcitycf.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation states that it supports performing arts and animal welfare in Southern Nevada. A trustee has also described its legacy as supporting people, animals, land conservation and the arts. Its grants go to a broad range of organisations, including churches and ministries, educational institutions, arts and cultural organisations, community foundations, health providers, environmental organisations and animal-welfare groups. The filing records recipients in Utah and other states as well as Nevada. The filings describe each reported purpose as unrestricted general support, not a named project.
Themes
- Performing arts
- Animal welfare
- Land conservation
Geographic Focus
Priority: Southern Nevada. (as reported in other published sources) From its grants, not stated by the foundation: Nevada; Utah; Alabama; California.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 83% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 232 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 11%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 4%
- The largest single recipient received 12% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 83% of grant dollars went to organisations The John C Kish Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- <1% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (Mexico).
- 3% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 85 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $20,000 (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Social Cirkish Foundation · Unrestricted general support$393,0702025 tax year
- Unlv Foundation · Unrestricted general support$170,0002025 tax year
- Blue Bridges · Unrestricted general support$158,0002025 tax year
- Hilltop Tabernacle Church · Unrestricted general support$150,0002025 tax year
- Wilson University · Unrestricted general support$120,0002025 tax year
- Fidelity Jesus Name Church · Unrestricted general support$100,0002025 tax year
- Grandview Pentecostal Church · Unrestricted general support$100,0002025 tax year
- Blue Heart Ministries · Unrestricted general support$100,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Melina Nicolatus — Principal
- H Matthew Frazier — Principal
- Mark Blouin — Principal
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $3,383,927 | $3,000,000 | $33,479,499 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,270,484 | $3,900,000 | $0 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $3,672,774 | $3,300,000 | $0 | Filing for 2025 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
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At a glance
Applying to The John C Kish Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Las Vegas, NV
Applying to The John C Kish Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Las Vegas, NV