The John Krakauer Charitable Trust is a private philanthropic foundation established in 2012 to carry forward the legacy and charitable vision of John L. Krakauer. Born in New York in 1941, Krakauer had a distinguished career in the medical insurance field and was a committed philanthropist, especially in the communities where he lived later in life—Las Vegas, Nevada, and La Jolla, California. The Trust was founded to support charitable organizations that embody values such as mission alignment, innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, measurable impact, passion, and collaboration.
The Trust focuses its grantmaking in three core program areas: education, health, and human services. Grants are targeted specifically toward organizations serving the Southern Nevada region or the San Diego area. Applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Trust does not fund general operating support or multi-year grants, emphasizing instead program support, capacity building, and scholarships aimed at helping children from low-income families access higher education.
Specific priority areas include programs or capacity-building projects that benefit single mothers working toward self-sufficiency, educational scholarships for students from financially constrained families (excluding K-12 school funding), professional development for non-English speaking immigrants pursuing careers in the U.S., and healthcare services for indigent individuals with chronic conditions. Capacity building is explicitly defined as enhancements that improve the effectiveness of nonprofits, such as technology or equipment upgrades, technical assistance, and staff development, and should not be confused with general operations support.
Applications are accepted year-round, but to be reviewed at the annual grant meeting held in late April, they must be submitted by February 28. Grants are typically reviewed once per year, and notifications are generally sent by May. An automated email confirms the submission of each application. Grant recipients are required to submit a progress report within nine months of receiving funding unless otherwise specified.
The average grant size for first-time recipients is $10,000. Larger grants may be available for returning grantees who have demonstrated clear, measurable impact with prior funding. All applicants are encouraged to ensure their programs align with the Trust’s core values and geographic focus. The Trust is administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which handles communications and grant program inquiries through its dedicated email and support line.
