Canarellis Donated $50 Million to Children’s Hospital
The gift will name the inpatient tower at the future UNLV research park campus, which is set to open in 2030.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Should communities rely on private developer donations to fund essential local hospital infrastructure?
Local families looking for specialized pediatric care will see a significant expansion as Larry and Heidi Canarelli pledged $50 million to the Nevada standalone children's hospital project. The donation will help fund the inpatient tower at the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.
Why it matters
The donation supports the mission of keeping Nevada families together during long-term medical treatment by reducing the need for out-of-state travel. It brings the project, which aims to serve local kids, closer to its infrastructure goals.
The project includes a $50 million lead gift from the Canarellis, supplementing a $25 million pledge from Raiders co-owners. The planned facility will house 180 inpatient beds across a suite of pediatric medical services.
The players
Larry and Heidi Canarelli
Local philanthropists who provided a $50 million donation for the children's hospital project.
Intermountain Healthcare Foundation
The health organization overseeing the hospital's development and the naming of the inpatient tower.
The details
The hospital will be situated at the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park in southwest Las Vegas. The facility is designed to feature a trauma center, emergency department, neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, a cancer center, and behavioral health services. Intermountain Healthcare Foundation will manage the naming rights for the tower, which is slated to offer 180 inpatient beds with room for future expansion.
Timeline
Groundbreaking for the hospital is planned for October 2026.
The inpatient tower is scheduled to open in 2030.
Beyond the Strip
This gift builds on the momentum of the $25 million pledge from Raiders co-owners previously committed to the hospital campaign. It reflects a growing trend of private donor investment in local medical infrastructure to supplement regional healthcare capacity.
Families across the valley should watch for the start of construction in southwest Las Vegas in October 2026. Once operational in 2030, the facility will provide centralized access to pediatric trauma and emergency care.
The takeaway
This donation secures the funding necessary to move the 180-bed inpatient tower toward its 2030 opening date. Residents should monitor the project site at the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park for construction activity beginning in late 2026.
What happens next
Intermountain Health will begin the construction phase at the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park in October 2026.
Further reading
For more on how major gifts shape regional health facilities, see Philanthropy.
Live Poll
Should communities rely on private developer donations to fund essential local hospital infrastructure?
