LAS VEGAS — A major philanthropic commitment announced Friday is accelerating plans for Nevada’s first standalone children’s hospital. Felicia and Ben Horowitz are donating $150 million to the Intermountain Health project, which will bear their names as the Intermountain Health Felicia and Ben Horowitz Children’s Hospital.
The gift is being described by Intermountain Health as one of the largest publicly announced donations to a children’s hospital in the United States. It arrives as local leaders and health systems prepare to break ground at the end of October on the hospital campus located on roughly 34 acres within UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.
What the gift means for the project
The Horowitz commitment adds momentum to an already high-profile fundraising campaign that has included significant local donors and civic partners. With the hospital estimated to cost over $1 billion, large philanthropic gifts are central to the capital campaign and to securing naming rights for towers and major program areas.
The facility is planned to open with approximately 200 beds and to employ between 2,000 and 3,000 caregivers. Intermountain Health and campaign leaders have said the building will serve children across Nevada and the Mountain West, addressing a longstanding need for pediatric specialty services in the state.
- Major donors already announced: MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle and his wife Wendy serve as co-chairs of the Nevada Campaign for Kids.
- Recent gifts: Larry and Heidi Canarelli pledged $50 million; the Las Vegas Raiders and team owners contributed $25 million in total.
- Site: UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park, southwest valley.
Construction is expected to begin at the end of October, according to previously released timelines. Project officials have indicated the hospital will be a regional center for pediatric care, with specialized units and programs designed to retain complex children’s medical services within Nevada rather than sending families out of state.
Economic and workforce implications
Developers estimate the hospital will bring a sizeable health care workforce to the Las Vegas area. The projected 2,000–3,000 caregivers include clinicians, nurses, administrative staff and allied health professionals. That scale of hiring will influence local workforce development, training pipelines at Nevada colleges and UNLV’s health programs, and recruitment efforts by health systems.
Large capital projects also generate construction jobs and related economic activity over several years. While the precise timeline for phased openings and program rollouts has not been detailed publicly, the initial construction and fit-out of a hospital of this size will be a multiyear effort.
Philanthropy and naming
The Horowitz donation will secure naming recognition for the hospital and stands among the largest gifts tied to the project. Previous naming-level donations have included the Canarellis’ $50 million pledge, which will designate a tower, and the Raiders’ $25 million contribution.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Horowitz gift | $150,000,000 |
| Canarelli pledge | $50,000,000 |
| Raiders and owners | $25,000,000 |
Intermountain Health has framed the campaign as a public-private endeavor, relying on philanthropy along with institutional capital and financing. As is common with projects of this size, donors who make large contributions often shape programmatic priorities, research partnerships and community outreach efforts.
Questions that remain
Key operational details have not been released in full. Public reporting indicates the hospital will house roughly 200 beds and a significant caregiver staff, but specific program lines, timelines for patient services and long-term operating budgets have not been disclosed in recent announcements.
State and local health planners will be watching how the new facility integrates with existing pediatric services in Nevada, including partnerships with community hospitals, emergency services and specialty clinics. Retaining complex pediatric care locally could reduce out-of-state transfers and the financial and emotional burden on families who previously left Nevada for treatment.
The project is still developing. Intermountain Health and campaign leaders are expected to release further details as the groundbreaking approaches and construction progresses.
Reporting for this article drew from an Intermountain Health announcement and public reporting on recent donations and project plans. Additional details should be available through Intermountain Health’s media channels and the Nevada Campaign for Kids as the project advances.
