Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
The Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation based in New York City that makes grants to people-powered organizations participating in intersecting social-justice movements across the United States. The foundation combines grantmaking with mission-aligned investing to strengthen and support social justice movements.
Key facts about Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
- EIN
- 13-5600408
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,014,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 72
- Average grant
- $41,861
- Median grant
- $40,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (4 of 66, 2024)
- Total assets
- $56,655,381
- Primary geography
- New York (41% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation's 72 itemized 2024 grants were New York (41%), Mississippi (26%) and California (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (15 grants), Jackson, MS (8 grants), Oakland, CA (3 grants) and Buffalo, NY (3 grants). 82% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Project support" (13 grants).
Is Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 66 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $48K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $40K repeat.
- 58% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 28% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 142% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
- How to evaluate Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$56.7M
+1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.0M
+2.0% YoY
Grant Count
72
+7.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$42K
-5.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The foundation envisions a socially just and environmentally sustainable society in which all people are able to gain the knowledge and build the power they need to exercise their rights and participate fully in the economic, social, and political decisions that affect their lives and communities.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Racial justice and equity
- Gender justice and women's empowerment
- Economic justice
- Environmental justice and sustainability
- Indigenous justice
- Reproductive rights
- International human rights
- Support for marginalized communities including Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and immigrant communities
- Hazardous waste management and toxic substance control
Grantmaking Approach: The foundation prioritizes grassroots organizations and coalitions working on intersecting issues. Its approach is guided by three core principles:
- Uplifting the power of the people through collective action led by those most harmed by the status quo
- Amplifying voices for equity by supporting organizations that address injustice at its roots and communicate strategically for change
- Expanding influence through coalitions, strategic alliances, and intersecting movements
Grantmaking
Typical awards range from $1,000 to $100,000.
Grant Range
s:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across the United States, with particular activity in New York, California, Washington, Mississippi, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 72 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $56,655,381 (based on 2024 IRS Form 990)
- $55,705,644 (alternative recent filing)
Annual Giving:
- $3,014,000 (2024)
Annual Revenue:
- $948,528 (recent filing)
- $4,092,301 (alternative recent data)
Annual Expenses:
- $4,666,395 (recent filing)
Staffing: The foundation employs 5 people, with approximately 4 based in the United States and 1 in the United Kingdom.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $56,655,381 | $55,705,644 | $53,056,158 |
| Revenue | $2,931,623 | $948,528 | $1,446,891 |
| Expenses | $4,474,775 | $4,666,395 | $5,106,737 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,863,863 | $4,110,948 | $4,570,596 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,380,820 | $426,081 | $910,425 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,730,601 | $2,668,896 | $2,994,803 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
517 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Common Counsel Foundation ($175,000 across 2 grants), Borealis Philanthropy ($100,000), Mississippi Workers Center for Human Rights ($100,000 across 2 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Borealis Philanthropy Minneapolis, MN | Project support | $100,000 |
| Common Counsel Foundation Oakland, CA | Project support | $100,000 |
| NDN Collective Rapid City, SD | General operating support | $100,000 |
| Common Counsel Foundation Oakland, CA | Project support | $75,000 |
| Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York New York, NY | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Indigenous Environmental Network Bemidji, MN | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board of the American Baptist Churches New York, NY | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Progressive Multiplier Fund Washington, DC | General operating support | $75,000 |
| St Charles Hospital Port Jefferson, NY | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Friends of the Akwesasne Freedom School Rooseveltown, NY | General operating support | $60,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Personnel:
- Rini Banerjee Conway - President (compensated board member earning $311,787 annually)
- Amy T Morris - Incoming President
- Nia Holton-raphael - Board Member (joined January 2026)
- Chad Raphael - Board Member
- Lizzie Flower - Board Member
The foundation's board consists of several directors who serve without compensation, reflecting a commitment to volunteer leadership.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Dixon | Treasurer/Director | 2 | — |
| Rachel Norko | Secretary/Director | 2 | — |
| Elizabeth Flower | Director | 2 | — |
| Vonda Brunsting | Director | 2 | — |
| Marc Diaz | Chair/Director | 2 | — |
| Brook Beardsley | Director | 2 | — |
| Terrelene Massey | Director | 2 | — |
| Chad Raphael | Vice Chair/Director | 2 | — |
| Rini Banerjee Conway | Past President | 35 | $44,263 |
| Jason Beardsley | Director | 2 | — |
| Essma Bengabsia | Director | 2 | — |
| Evelysse Vargas | Director | 2 | — |
| Jenifer Getz | Director | 2 | — |
| Richard Burns | Interim Executive Director | 35 | $62,900 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced new leadership in February 2026, welcoming Amy T Morris as Incoming President and Nia Holton-raphael as a new Board Member.
Welcoming our New Leadership - Jessie Smith Noyes FoundationFrequently Asked Questions
What does Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The foundation envisions a socially just and environmentally sustainable society in which all people are able to gain the knowledge and build the power they need to exercise their rights and participate fully in the economic, social, and political decisions that affect their lives and communities. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Racial justice and equity • Gender justice and women's empowerment • Economic justice • Environmental justice and sustainability • Indigenous justice …
How do I apply for a grant from Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $100,000. **Annual Giving:** Total giving of $3,014,000 (based on most recent IRS 990 filing for 2024). **Grant Focus:** The foundation supports grassroots organizations and movements working to change environmental, social, economic, and political conditions to bring about a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.
Where does Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations across the United States, with particular activity in New York, California, Washington, Mississippi, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation award?
In 2024, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation awarded 72 grants totaling $3.0M — an average of about $42K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation's EIN?
Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-5600408. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.