Cloud Mountain Foundation is a private independent foundation based in New York City, established in 2001. The foundation operates exclusively through grantmaking and does not conduct direct charitable activities or make program-related investments. It maintains a low public profile and does not accept unsolicited applications, instead funding only preselected organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$92.1M
+0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.5M
-29.7% YoY
Grant Count
105
-4.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$43K
-26.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cloud Mountain Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation accomplishes its charitable purposes solely through a program of making charitable gifts. Based on grant activity, Cloud Mountain Foundation supports:
- Environmental justice and grassroots environmental advocacy
- Agricultural biotechnology issues
- Progressive media organizations
- Civic and philanthropic initiatives
Grantmaking
Cloud Mountain Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific application cycles. The foundation makes grants on a rolling basis exclusively to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications. Direct contact information is not publicly available.
Grant Range
$5,000 to $420,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across the United States on a national basis, with documented funding activity in multiple states including California, Massachusetts, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $91.6 million
- Total revenues: $4.4 million
- Total expenses: $6.7 million
- Total liabilities: $2.1 million
EIN: 04-3493352
Address: 237 W 35th St Ste 1001, New York, NY 10001
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $92,085,242 | $91,604,630 | $91,811,399 |
| Revenue | $7,479,096 | $4,404,091 | $1,030,000 |
| Expenses | $4,886,275 | $6,723,069 | $3,477,827 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,624,917 | $6,544,798 | $3,118,289 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,497,737 | $4,225,820 | $712,534 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,561,660 | $5,017,209 | $5,083,922 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Grassroots Fund ($200,000), Bold Alliance ($150,000), Cder ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY HUDSON, MA | CIVIC | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN PROMISE EDUCATION FUND CONCORD, MA | CIVIC | $50,000 |
| APPALACHIAN VOICES BOONE, NC | ENVIRONMENTAL | $25,000 |
| AUDIT USA TUCSON, AZ | CIVIC | $25,000 |
| BEND THE CURVE WASHINGTON, DC | CIVIC | $10,000 |
| BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST GREAT BARRINGTON, MA | ENVIRONMENTAL | $25,000 |
| BERKSHIRE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION TEAM PITTSFIELD, MA | ENVIRONMENTAL | $25,000 |
| BERKSHIRE NAT'L RESOURCES COUNCIL PITTSFIELD, MA | ENVIRONMENTAL | $50,000 |
| BEYOND PLASTICS AT BENNINGTON COLLEGE BENNINGTON, VT | ENVIRONMENTAL | $25,000 |
| BLUE RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE LEAGUE NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC | ENVIRONMENTAL | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Benjamin Friedman serves as president and sole officer of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BENJAMIN FRIEDMAN | PRESIDENT | 15 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Cloud Mountain Farm Center, a separate organization, has received grants for agricultural education initiatives and sustainable farming projects in Whatcom County, Washington, including support for innovative mulch projects and agricultural education advancement.
$289,000 in Methow Valley Fund Grants to Support Local Nonprofits - CommunitySubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cloud Mountain Foundation fund?
The foundation accomplishes its charitable purposes solely through a program of making charitable gifts. Based on grant activity, Cloud Mountain Foundation supports: • Environmental justice and grassroots environmental advocacy • Agricultural biotechnology issues • Progressive media organizations • Civic and philanthropic initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from Cloud Mountain Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $6.4 million (2024) • Total assets: $92.1 million • Number of grants: 109-110 grants annually • Grant range: $5,000 to $420,000 • Median grant: $40,000 **Application Process:** Cloud Mountain Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific application cycles. The foundation makes grants on a rolling basis exclusively to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications. Direct contact information is not publicly available.
Where does Cloud Mountain Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across the United States on a national basis, with documented funding activity in multiple states including California, Massachusetts, and New York.
What size grants does Cloud Mountain Foundation award?
In 2024, Cloud Mountain Foundation awarded 105 grants totaling $4.5M — an average of about $43K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Cloud Mountain Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Cloud Mountain Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Cloud Mountain Foundation's EIN?
Cloud Mountain Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3493352. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cloud Mountain Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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