The Palms Cares Grant Program is administered by the Palms Casino Resort, which is owned and operated by the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (SMGHA), a Native American tribal entity. SMGHA and Palms are committed to community impact through charitable giving, with a focus on improving the lives of Nevada residents, particularly those facing economic hardship. This grant program is part of their larger commitment to the tribal value of Yawa’, which calls for taking action based on one’s beliefs, particularly through philanthropic work that uplifts the community.

The purpose of the Palms Cares Grant Program is to provide funding to support organizations and programs that align with their four giving pillars: Inspiring Our Future Through Education, Empowering Lives, Preserving Cultural Traditions & Empowering Indian Country, and Reinforcing Healthy & Resilient Communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with at least three continuous years of tax-exempt status, tribal governments, and Nevada governmental entities. Public, private, and charter K-12 schools, along with colleges and universities, are also eligible to apply, although only one application per school will be considered within a 12-month period.

The funding supports programs operating in Nevada that fit within the program pillars. These pillars include STEM programming in K-12 schools, after-school programs, scholarships, college access and career readiness programs, and community-based arts and music initiatives. Other areas of focus include preserving cultural traditions within Indian Country and supporting public health, wellness, and economic resilience for Nevada communities. Funding cannot be used for purposes outside the stated pillars, and all programs must demonstrate alignment with SMGHA’s philanthropic goals.

The application window for the 2025 Palms Cares Grant Cycle opened recently and will close on March 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Applications must be submitted online, and late applications will not be considered. Organizations are encouraged to apply early, as this is a competitive process and extensions will not be granted. Required documents include a current IRS W9 form (dated March 2024), audit financials or an official justification letter if audits are unavailable, a completed Project/Program Budget Template, and any secured funding confirmations.

Applications are reviewed by the Strategic Philanthropy Department, and communications regarding the application will come directly from charitablegiving@sanmanuel-nsn.gov or an assigned Program Officer. Applicants must respond promptly to all communications or risk disqualification. The program encourages applicants to save their work offline as they proceed and to review their application thoroughly before submission to ensure all questions are answered completely and all documents are included.

For questions or additional information, applicants can contact the charitable giving team at charitablegiving@sanmanuel-nsn.gov. The program is based at Palms Casino Resort, located at 4321 W. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89103. Applicants can also call 1-866-942-7777 for general inquiries. Grant decisions will be communicated following the review process, but specific award dates are not provided in the materials.