WELCOME TO PALMS CARES
Palms Casino Resort is the first casino resort in Las Vegas to be fully owned and operated by a Native American tribe under the leadership of San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (SMGHA). SMGHA and Palms are committed to creating change in the Las Vegas community through charitable giving.
We recognize the importance of answering the call of Yawa’ – to act upon one’s beliefs – in our commitment to support organizations helping to create a better tomorrow. We aim to make a positive impact in the lives of those in need and facing economic challenges in Nevada.
Read below to learn about our charitable giving program, how to apply for grants and the phases of the application process.
Apply early! Apply now! The application window for the 2025 Palms Cares Grant Cycle is now open. Applications must be submitted by March 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM (PDT).
Please note: This is a competitive process, and we are not able to support all grant requests that are submitted. Late applications will not be accepted, and extensions will not be granted.
In-Progress Grant Application:
For returning users, please click here to access your account.
*Please note – this Account Access link is only to view saved/in-progress applications.
*We recommend saving application information on a separate document for reference in case you must complete your application at a later time.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
Please note these dates are subject to change and will be communicated out via the Strategic Philanthropy Department.
Review our Program Pillars and Grant Guidelines to learn the programs and organizations SMGHA and Palms support, eligibility requirements to apply and the required documents needed to accompany a funding proposal.
DOS + DON'TS
- Save your work as you go, lost information cannot be retrieved.
- Attach the IRS’ most recent W9 form (March 2024), it must be signed.
- Attach a signed letter of justification if your organization does not have one of the required documents (e.g. Audit financials).
- Confirm the requested amount in the application matches the requested amount listed in the Project/Program Budget Template.
- Ensure the Project/Program Budget Template is fully completed.
- Attach secured funding confirmation, if provided in the Project/Program Budget Template.
- Review your application before submission to ensure all questions have been answered fully and required documents have been attached.
- Submit early
- Add [email protected] to your email contacts, communications will be made through this email or directly from your assigned Program Officer.
- Respond to all communications within the timeframe given, not doing so can result in the closure of your application.
- Forget to submit all required documents, incomplete applications will be declined.
- Apply if you are in a current grant term or have outstanding reports due from a prior grant.
- Apply if you have not had your 501(c)3 status for at least 3 years.
- Apply for multiple projects/programs from your organization.
- Mail your application, only digitally submitted application through our grant portal are accepted.
Review our Program Pillars and Grant Guidelines to learn the programs and organizations SMGHA and Palms support, eligibility requirements to apply and the required documents needed to accompany a funding proposal.
PROGRAM PILLARS
We believe education creates a path to a better future.
Funding Areas:
- Support Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programming in local K-12 schools (public, private and charter).
- Support after-school programming to help students reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
- Fund scholarship programs for high school and college students in need of financial assistance for tuition and education-related expenses.
- Support college access programs to expand education opportunities for underrepresented students to prepare them to enter higher education.
- Aid college and career readiness programs to prepare students for post-secondary education or training that can result in better job opportunities.
- Support community-based arts and music programming.
We support organizations that improve the quality of life for seniors, the underserved and the homeless.
Funding Areas:
- Support programs that provide basic needs to underserved communities and those at-risk.
- Support case management services and housing programs to address and prevent homelessness.
- Aid nonprofit organizations developing new strategies and competencies to increase their organizational capacity.
- Support programming efforts that increase the quality of life for senior citizens.
- Support projects that develop, preserve and/or rehabilitate accessible transitional housing.
- Assist nonprofit organizations that provide accessible civil legal aid.
- Support career pathway programs through workforce development and training opportunities.
We collaborate across Indian Country to ensure a bright, prosperous future for Indigenous people.
Funding Areas:
- Support revitalization and preservation of traditional language for Tribal communities.
- Assist programs that support cultural education through storytelling, traditional art and documentaries.
- Support cultural gatherings, heritage celebrations, cultural centers and tribal museums.
- Support programs providing direct services for missing and murdered Indigenous persons.
- Support for repatriation work that includes maintaining artifacts.
We partner with community nonprofits, Native-led organizations and local agencies that promote wellness and resilience within communities.
Funding Areas:
- Support direct healthcare services, including education, prevention and disease management.
- Support mental and behavioral health programs and services.
- Support programs and services that offer support to victims of domestic violence.
- Support programs and services that provide direct support to foster youth, abused and neglected children.
- Support programs that promote active and healthy lifestyles through physical activity and nutrition.
- Support disaster response and relief efforts that strengthen communities.
- Support emergency services and public safety programs.
- Programs and services directed to promote resiliency and support the health and well-being of our veterans and active duty members, along with military families.
- Conservation efforts and wildlife and environmental education.
*Palms Cares prohibits the funding of individual recreational teams and leagues.
GRANT GUIDELINES
Our support is directed to organizations providing services in Nevada, including:
• Public schools
• Private schools
• Charter schools
• Nevada Tribal Governments
• Local government agencies
All programs and projects should align with the Giving Pillars
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- Organizations with a minimum of three continuous years of current tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.
- Tribal and Nevada government entities requesting support for programs within our Giving Pillars.
- K-12 schools/districts, colleges and universities. One request per school will be considered per 12-month period.
- Organizations are only eligible to apply once per 12-month period.
- Please Note: if you have received a sponsorship within the last 12-month period you are ineligible to apply at this time. - Organizations must demonstrate strong financial capacity and performance to be considered for funding.
- Organizations must have an established track-record that can demonstrate positive impact and progress toward desired goals.
If applying for a grant, the following documents must be submitted along with the proposal:
- IRS Tax Ruling Letter
- Current Signed W-9 Form - March 2024 version
- Most Recent Form 990, 990N or 990EZ
- Financial Audit
- Attach a signed letter of justification if your organization does not meet the required IRS threshold. Other documents may be provided in its place such as, Reviews, Profit + Loss, Balance Sheet. - Organizational Budget
- Board of Directors List, submit on your organization's letterhead
- Confirmation of Secured Program Funding
- Project Budget on the San Manuel Template. This template will be provided in application and is the only acceptable form.
- Signed Letter of support from organization leadership (schools, tribal and city governments only).
- Quotes/Bids (if applicable)
- National organizations that do not deliver services in our geographic area (excluding tribal organizations requests).
- Individuals for any purpose (e.g. scholarships, hardship assistance, field trips and beauty pageants).
- Grants are not made to organizations that discriminate against certain groups or individuals in the delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation or disability.
- Elections, political candidates or political campaigns.
- Fundraising dinners or events.
- Third-party funding and/or funding for redistribution to other groups.
- Organizations that spend more than 25% of their operating budget on administrative overhead and fundraising costs.
- Requests to fund the majority or total cost of a project. Diversification of funding is required for a request.
- Religious organizations seeking funding for religious purposes. Only religious organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation that seek funding for projects outlined in our Giving Pillars are eligible to apply.
- Booster Clubs. Clubs are encouraged to work directly with school principals on school applications.
- Capital campaign projects for sport complexes, gymnasiums, baseball fields, soccer fields, etc.
FAQs
Philanthropic Business of the Year: SMGHA, Palms Cares
Staying true to the cultural values of the tribe, San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority is proud to uplift the communities in which it works. “Community encompasses interconnectedness, shared values, collective responsibility, and a shared vision for the local population,” said Latisha Prieto, chairperson of the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority Board. “Our value of stewardship requires that we take care of our people, land, animals, plant life, the environment and the various ecosystems that are part of this territory.”
To sign our legal waiver and access SMGHA's logo visit the Use of Marks page.