John C. Kish Foundation

OVERVIEW: The John C. Kish Foundation supports LGBTQ organizations across the United States, as well as hospitals, colleges, public schools, performing arts and religious groups.

IP TAKE: This funder appears to award grants strictly for general operating support. While it has supported organizations in a variety of U.S. cities, its grantmaking tends to center around Las Vegas, Nevada, and Park City, Utah. It also seems to favor groups with a religious orientation, even in its education and health grantmaking.

This is not an accessible funder, but it is approachable, so contact them to learn more about how it conducts funding.

PROFILE: The late John Kish, former owner and the Skyline Casino in Henderson, Nevada established the John C. Kish Foundation in 2004. During his life, Kish and his longtime partner, Jack Plevo, were well known for their philanthropy. While the foundation does not have a website, its Facebook page states that the Kish Foundation dedicates its grantmaking to help “organizations in the areas of health, education, performing arts, and animal welfare.” Its Facebook page fails to mention that Kish strongly supports LGBTQ organizations across the United States, particularly in its founder’s adopted hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Grants for LGBTQ

Given its lack of transparency, it’s unclear how the foundation strategically approaches the LGBTQ funding space; however, its latest tax filings suggest that it invests in recreation and community services focused on the LGBTQ community. Past grantees in this space include the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, the Palm Springs Gay Softball League, and Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Services have all received grants from Kish in the past.

Grants for Public Health

The Kish Foundation is a low-profile funder that does not operate a website. According to its latest tax filings, it has previously made donations to hospitals, medical institutions, and health centers such as Mercy Hospital Foundation, St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation and Saint Jude’s Ranch for Children. The foundation lacks a grantmaking strategy in this space, leaving its investments purposely broad so that it may fund a range of work.

Grants for K-12 and Higher Education

The Kish Foundation has previously made donations to Christian schools like Wilson College, as well as public universities such as Utah State, Utah Valley. It also supports public education and education related non-profits, with grants to Clark County Public Education Foundation, Park City School District and Spread the Word Nevada.

Grants for the Performing Arts

The Kish Foundation does not state grantmaking strategies in its performing arts funding space. However, its latest tax filings suggest that the foundation prefers to fund larger, institutional organizations rather than community outfits. Past performing arts grantees include regular donations to the Smith Center for Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Park City Performing Arts Foundation in Park City, Utah.

Grants for Religious Causes

The Kish Foundation is a low-profile funder that does not operate a website. According to its latest tax filings, it has made donations to both Christian and Jewish religious institutions and nonprofits in various American cities, such as Apostolic Global Ministries, Grand View Pentecostal Church, Temple Sinai Las Vegas, and the Anti-Defamation league.

Important Grant Details:

Grant amounts typically range from a low of around $5,000 to a high of $100,000. The majority of grants tend to fall in the $5,000 to $30,000 range. The John C. Kish Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding. Contact information is provided below.

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CONTACT:

John C. Kish Foundation

P.O. Box 1501, NJ2-130-03-31

Pennington, New Jersey 08534

(609) 274-6834