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Engelstad Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$52.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $35.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Engelstad Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $52,000,000 (2022)
  • Total Assets: $826,900,000
  • Average Grant Size: $506,000
  • Grant Range: $500 - $35,000,000
  • Number of Grants (2023): 67
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Southern Nevada; other regions by invitation only
  • Total Giving Since 2002: Over $500,000,000

Contact Details

  • Website: https://engelstadfoundation.com/esf/
  • Application Portal: Submittable platform (accessible through website)
  • Partner Resources: Nevada GrantLab (free grant assistance for Nevada nonprofits)

Overview

The Engelstad Family Foundation was established in 2002 by Ralph and Betty Engelstad to continue Ralph's legacy of charitable work. With assets exceeding $826 million and over $500 million distributed since inception, the foundation partners with organizations to create solutions in medical research, improve daily living for people with disabilities, and raise possibilities for high-risk individuals. Under the leadership of CEO Kris Engelstad, the foundation has endowed over $300 million in scholarships and grants to nearly 200 organizations across North Dakota, Nevada, Minnesota, Utah, and Mississippi. The foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022, marking this milestone by crossing the $500 million threshold in giving. Kris Engelstad received Dignity Health/St Rose Philanthropist of the Year in 2023, reflecting the foundation's significant impact on healthcare and community organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation organizes its giving into seven distinct categories with documented distributions totaling over $587 million:

  • Education ($187.5M total): K-12 schools, universities, scholarship programs, educational platforms

    • Notable: Bishop Gorman High School ($21.2M), UND Foundation ($20.6M), Andre Agassi Foundation ($7.5M)

  • Medical Research & Support ($153.2M total): Cancer research, children's health, specialized treatments

    • Notable: Nevada Cancer Institute ($35M), St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation ($21.8M)

  • At Risk ($142.8M total): Youth programs, homeless services, community safety, food security

    • Notable: Three Square ($16.3M), Legal Aid Center ($15.1M), Catholic Charities ($8.6M)

  • People with Disabilities ($71.3M total): Adaptive sports, disability services, housing

    • Notable: Opportunity Village ($46M)

  • Animal Compassion ($29.3M total): Animal welfare and rescue organizations

    • Notable: Animal Foundation ($11.4M)

  • Veterans ($3.5M total): Memorial projects and veteran services

  • Historical Preservation ($430K total): Regional heritage projects

Priority Areas

  • Education access and reform, particularly for first-generation college students
  • Medical research and healthcare facility improvements
  • Services for people with disabilities
  • Support for at-risk youth and families
  • Veterans' issues
  • Animal welfare
  • Catholic schools and organizations

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects outside the United States
  • Consultant fees
  • Organizations without a Southern Nevada presence (unless by invitation)
  • Organizations that have not received funding in the past two years (policy for 2024-2025)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Betty Engelstad - Trustee Emeritus
Born in Minnesota in 1933, Betty worked as a bank teller before marrying Ralph in 1954. She relocated to Las Vegas in 1961 and served as Ralph's bookkeeper during their early years. Dedicated to helping less fortunate others through philanthropic gifts.

Kris Engelstad - Trustee, CEO
UNLV graduate and longtime Nevada resident. Channels passion for education reform, veterans' issues, and improving lives of people with disabilities. Under her leadership, the foundation has endowed over $300 million in scholarships and grants to nearly 200 organizations. Awards: Dignity Health/St Rose Philanthropist of the Year (2023), UNLV Outstanding Alumna of the Year (2015).

Key quote: "I'm not a high-maintenance human being. I don't need parades, and I don't need accolades or plaques for dinners or galas. I just would like a thank-you and to stick to the original agreements."

On education: "My dad felt that if you could help somebody have an education, then you could open the world for them."

On scholarships: "Some of my proudest philanthropic accomplishments have been right here in Las Vegas. We're up to 80-plus students graduating from our Engelstad Scholars program at UNLV... so many of them are the first in their family to attend college."

Jeffrey M. Cooper - Trustee, Chief Financial Officer
Active in Boy Scouts leadership and serves on Las Vegas Area Council Executive Board. Previously president of Nevada State Board of Accountancy and chairman of Opportunity Village Foundation. Committed to values of Scouting and community service.

Sean Engelstad - Trustee, Investment Director
Nevada native and partner at 1930 Capital investment firm. Holds B.S. in Finance (University of Arizona) and Master's in Real Estate Development (USC). Committed to ensuring the foundation's capacity to continue its work far into the future.

Erin McGarry - Trustee, Chief Granting Officer
UCLA graduate (Psychology) and USC Master's degree holder (Nonprofit Leadership). Nevada native and Bishop Gorman High School alumna. Believes nonprofits succeed when supported by strong policy and partnerships.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Engelstad Foundation accepts applications through the Submittable online platform, accessible through their website. Applications are reviewed quarterly.

Critical Eligibility Requirement: For calendar years 2024 and 2025, the foundation only considers grant requests from organizations that have received funding within the past two years. This policy is described as final but may be reconsidered in 2026.

Geographic Restrictions: The foundation prioritizes organizations with a presence in Southern Nevada. Applications from organizations outside Southern Nevada are by invitation only.

Submission Deadlines (2025)

  • February 26 by 5 PM Pacific (March review)
  • June 4 by 5 PM Pacific (June review)
  • September 3 by 5 PM Pacific (September review)
  • December 3 by 5 PM Pacific (December review)

The foundation explicitly states: "Once our internal deadline has passed, we cannot make any exceptions."

Application Frequency

Organizations may apply once yearly, one year after their previous submission date, regardless of whether the previous application was approved or denied.

Required Documentation

All applicants must submit:

  • Current year budget
  • IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
  • Two most recent IRS 990s (or Alternate 990 Forms if exempt from filing 990s)
  • Two years of complete financial statements

Financial statement requirements vary by grant size:

  • Under $200,000: Internally prepared financials acceptable
  • $200,000-$499,999: CPA-reviewed financials required
  • $500,000+: Audited financials required

If financial statements are more than six months old at the time of submission, supplemental internally prepared statements showing current financial activity are required.

Special Application Notes

  • Organizations may submit one application covering multiple projects, provided they are presented in a cohesive manner
  • The foundation may choose to purchase event tables or tickets; such support is considered comprehensive and precludes additional grant requests
  • All required documents must be uploaded simultaneously through the Submittable platform

Decision Timeline

The foundation reviews applications quarterly, corresponding to the four annual deadlines. Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, but applicants should expect to hear within the quarter following their submission deadline.

Reporting Obligations

Grantees must submit financial reports according to requirements specified in their grant award letter. Non-compliance may result in:

  • Revocation of granted funds
  • Ineligibility for future applications

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply one year after their previous submission date, regardless of the outcome. However, the current 2024-2025 policy restricts applications to organizations that received funding in the past two years, effectively creating a closed application cycle for new applicants during this period.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Focus on Measurable Impact: The foundation has demonstrated preference for organizations that can show clear outcomes. Erin McGarry, Chief Granting Officer, emphasizes that nonprofits succeed when supported by "strong policy and partnerships," suggesting applications should highlight organizational governance and collaborative approaches.

Long-term Relationships Over One-time Grants: The foundation's 2024-2025 policy restricting applications to previous grantees within two years signals a strong preference for sustained partnerships. Their past donations page shows multi-year, cumulative giving to select organizations (e.g., $46M to Opportunity Village, $21.2M to Bishop Gorman High School), indicating they prefer deepening existing relationships rather than spreading funds widely.

Education as Transformational: CEO Kris Engelstad's philosophy that education "could open the world" for recipients and represents "an open door that allows high achievers from economically disadvantaged families to walk through, competing on a more level playing field" suggests applications should frame educational programs in terms of life transformation and generational impact. Applications describing "changing their family trees" resonate with the foundation's mission.

Accountability and Gratitude: Kris Engelstad's statement about wanting "a thank-you and to stick to the original agreements" indicates the foundation values professional relationships, clear communication, and honoring commitments. Organizations should demonstrate strong grant management practices and follow-through.

Southern Nevada Commitment: With major documented gifts to Las Vegas-area organizations and explicit geographic preferences, applications from Southern Nevada organizations have significantly higher success potential. Kris Engelstad has stated her "proudest philanthropic accomplishments have been right here in Las Vegas."

Proven Funding Categories

Based on documented giving patterns:

  • Disability services (particularly adaptive sports and employment programs like Opportunity Village's model)
  • Catholic institutions (schools, charities, healthcare)
  • First-generation college access (scholarship programs for economically disadvantaged students)
  • Cancer research and treatment (especially pediatric)
  • Food security and homeless services (particularly Three Square model)
  • Animal welfare (rescue and shelter operations)

Financial Requirements Alignment

Applications should request amounts appropriate to organizational capacity:

  • Ensure financial documentation matches grant tier requirements
  • Organizations requesting $500K+ must have audit-ready financial systems
  • Average grant size of $506K suggests mid-six-figure requests are within normal range
  • However, grants range from $500 to $35M, indicating flexibility based on project scope

Application Content Strategy

  • Emphasize partnership language: The foundation describes its work as "partnering to create solutions," not simply making grants
  • Document previous foundation support: For eligible applicants, highlight successful use of previous Engelstad grants
  • Connect to founder's legacy: Ralph Engelstad's story and values continue to guide the foundation
  • Demonstrate sustainability: Sean Engelstad's commitment to ensuring the foundation's work continues "far into the future" suggests preference for organizations with long-term viability

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Prior relationship essential (2024-2025): Only organizations funded within the past two years are eligible during this period; new applicants should plan for potential reopening in 2026
  • Southern Nevada strongly preferred: Geographic location is a primary eligibility factor; organizations outside this region need an invitation
  • Quarterly deadlines are firm: No exceptions are made for missed deadlines; plan submissions well in advance
  • Multi-year relationships valued: Average cumulative giving to top recipients exceeds $10M, indicating preference for sustained partnerships over one-time grants
  • Financial documentation is critical: Ensure audit/review requirements are met before applying; insufficient financial documentation will disqualify otherwise strong applications
  • Education programs resonate deeply: First-generation college access, K-12 support, and life-transformation narratives align with CEO's stated priorities
  • Partnership over transactional giving: Frame applications as collaborative solutions rather than funding requests; emphasize mutual accountability and organizational strength

References

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