Jeremy Renner may not only play a superhero in the movies. The Reno resident uses his power for good in real life, too, dedicating time in between his busy shooting schedule—Jeremy has starred in Mayor of Kingstown since 2021 and famously plays Hawkeye in the Marvel Universe—to attend local events and support area youth through programs funded by his organization (co-run with his sister Kym Renner) RennerVation Foundation.
The “Reno-rooted” nonprofit focuses specifically on championing both youth and young adults who face barriers related to foster care, housing instability, and limited access to opportunity. “We believe that consistent support, safe spaces, and genuine connection change outcomes,” Kym says.
At the heart of the efforts are two cornerstone programs, Pave Your Way and Camp RennerVation. While Jeremy is known worldwide, his philanthropic efforts are focused on his own backyard, working closely with local schools, organizations, and service providers whose visions for today’s youth mirror their own. “Our work is intentionally local, relationship-driven, and centered on showing up for youth in meaningful ways,” says Kym.
With a focus on youth in foster care, RennerVation Foundation not only gives children meaningful childhood experiences but also holds their hand through the difficult transition to adulthood as they age out of the system, a process Jeremy says many are often left to navigate on their own.
“These are critical moments, and too many kids are left to figure it out alone and no one is asking them, ‘What are your goals? Where do you see yourself? What do you want to accomplish?’ We want to provide stability, a sense of belonging, and real opportunity when they’re ready to take hold of it,” Jeremy says.
Pave Your Way provides post-foster care housing assistance and mentorship for next steps. They partner with Truckee Meadows Community College to increase education access specifically through the Fostering College Success Program, which was made possible in part by a grant from the Walter S. Johnson Foundation. This partnership provides wraparound services such as case management for students who have aged out and 1:1 counseling services to assist with enrollment. Some of these students even move into apartments provided by RennerVation Foundation.
“We invest in Reno by putting resources directly into the community—working hand in hand with trusted local partners, implementing programs that respond to real needs, engaging volunteers, and creating opportunities for young people to feel supported and seen,” Kym says. “Our investment isn’t just financial; it’s deeply relational. We prioritize long-term relationships, show up consistently, listen closely, and build alongside the community rather than around it.”
Camp RennerVation concentrates on building positive foundations in formative years. Supplemental events including their Christmas on the Comstock inclusion, a Toys for Tots drive, and PBS Reno’s Be My Neighbor Day are just more ways RennerVation can give back and create joy in kids that don’t always find it so easily.
“One of our biggest achievements has been building trust within the Reno community and establishing programs that truly meet youth where they are,” says Kym, who adds the goal of additional programming is often to bring fun and connection and not just provide services.
Jeremy isn’t just the face of the nonprofit. RennerVation was, indeed, his idea.
“I basically annoyed my sister enough til she agreed to get this off the ground with me,” he says. “But in all seriousness, I’ve been in it from the start and I stay close to the mission.”
He gives credit to the Reno team that runs the day to day, but Jeremy also shows up, and he shows up often, including attending many of the foundation-supported events and spending weeks at summer camp.
“I’ll admit, I was a little nervous going into that week, but the teens were incredible,” he reminisces of the first teen camp held in 2025. “It ended up being this great mix of a classic camp experience and early career exposure for them. And yes, there was a fire truck and a helicopter, so I wasn’t mad about that.”
Kym and Jeremy both want to expand their successful programs and add more access to summer camp as well as other youth experiences “that build confidence, reform trauma, and promote belonging.”
“Our long-term goal is to scale impact while staying grounded in relationships and community-driven solutions,” Kym says. “Every community faces particular challenges, as we grow we want to stay specific and continue to provide targeted support.”
"I’ve been in it from the start and I stay close to the mission," Jeremy Renner
“Our long-term goal is to scale impact while staying grounded in relationships and community-driven solutions,” Kym Renner