Richard Tam Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,546,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies widely - up to $7.6 million for strategic initiatives
• Geographic Focus: Nevada and national for strategic medical research

Contact Details

• Phone: 702-642-1177 or 702-581-1108
• Address: 8535 Edna Ave., Ste. 120, Las Vegas, NV 89117-4430
• Website: None
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Richard Tam Foundation, established in 1988 as a Nevada-based private family foundation, distributes approximately $4.5 million annually in strategic grants. Named after pioneering Las Vegas real estate developer Richard Tam (1916-1999), the foundation is currently led by Judith Tam as president. While officially focused on education, the foundation has evolved to prioritize transformative medical research, particularly in mental health and cancer. The foundation operates as a classic private family foundation, making large, strategic gifts to select institutions with whom they maintain long-term relationships, notably the University of Michigan and UNLV.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but has demonstrated patterns of giving:

• Medical Research Initiatives: Multi-million dollar commitments for named research programs
• University Support: Capital projects, endowed professorships, and student scholarships
• Recent grant activity: 3 awards totaling $4,546,000 in 2023

Priority Areas

• Mental health research, specifically bipolar disorder
• Cancer research, particularly ALK-positive lung cancer
• Higher education infrastructure and endowments
• Student scholarships (primarily at UNLV)
• Precision medicine initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Based on grant patterns, the foundation does not appear to fund:

• General operating support for nonprofits
• Arts and cultural programs
• Direct service organizations
• International projects
• Religious organizations

Governance and Leadership

President: Judith Tam (also listed as Judith L. Tam or Judith Tam Sargent) Treasurer and Director: Judith L. Sargent Agent: Ian Ross

The foundation is led by Judith Tam, who appears to be the widow or family member of founder Richard Tam. Leadership maintains close personal involvement in grant decisions, with giving patterns suggesting personal connections to funded causes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion and invitation only. The foundation identifies recipients through existing relationships and strategic alignment with foundation priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Based on grant patterns, the foundation appears to make a limited number of strategic decisions annually (3 grants in 2023, 1 in 2022).

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only status.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Organizations that have successfully received funding from the Richard Tam Foundation share these characteristics:

• Established relationships with foundation leadership
• Major research universities with strong track records
• Ability to create named programs or professorships honoring the Tam family legacy
• Focus on transformative rather than incremental impact
• Strong alignment with causes of personal significance to the Tam family (mental health and cancer research)
• Capacity to manage multi-million dollar gifts effectively

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Richard Tam Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications
• Focus is on large, transformative gifts rather than routine program funding
• Medical research, particularly mental health and cancer, represents the current strategic priority
• The foundation values naming opportunities and legacy recognition
• Long-term institutional relationships are critical - both major recipients (U-M and UNLV) have decades-long connections
• Grant amounts can be substantial ($5-10 million) for the right strategic opportunity
• Personal connections to funded causes appear important in grant decisions

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Richard Tam Foundation EIN 880241216 (accessed March 3, 2026)
• University of Michigan Medical School - "Gift establishes ALK lung cancer research initiative" (January 2022)
• University of Michigan Precision Health - "$5.8M gift advances bipolar disorder research" (2019)
• UNLV Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement - Richard Tam Alumni Center history (accessed March 3, 2026)
• Las Vegas Sun - "Richard Tam Obituary" (July 8, 1999)
• Nevada Secretary of State Corporate Records - Entity C5854-1988 (accessed March 3, 2026)
• Cause IQ Foundation Profile - Richard Tam Foundation (accessed March 3, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Richard Tam Foundation profile (accessed March 3, 2026)