NAF
NAF is a New York, New York-based public charity that brings schools, businesses, and community leaders together to transform the high school experience. It supports career-focused education, including NAF academies and work-based learning, to help students prepare for college, careers, and the future. The organization was formed in 1988.
NAF at a glance
In short: NAF gave $403K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $29K), top state Connecticut. 79% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $403,000
- -6.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- +27.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $28,786
- -26.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,000
- Total assets
- $8,041,747
- -17.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 79% first-time grantees (11 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (37% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to NAF
- Contact
Mailing address: 169 Madison Ave 2797, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 635-2400
Website: https://naf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who NAF funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ready CT ($150K). Together the top 10 received $374K.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 44 grants of 71 (62%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NAF is based in New York, New York. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states and Puerto Rico. The largest reported shares by recipient state were Connecticut (37%), Michigan (21%), Mississippi (12%), Wisconsin (6%), and Minnesota (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is NAF open to new grantees?
79%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 14 grantees (79%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $61K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $23K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $403K (2024) to $1.6M (2021). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $403K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ready CT Hartford, CT | Hartford Subgrant Through Readyct | $150,000 |
| Detroit Public Schools Foundation Detroit, MI | Subgrant for Academy Development | $85,000 |
| Milwaukee Board of School Directors Milwaukee, WI | Distinguished Academies | $26,000 |
| Jackson Public School Jackson, MS | NAF Grant Covering 2024-2025 Membership/YOP Fees for ACADEMY(IES) | $24,000 |
| Scholarship America Inc Minneapolis, MN | Scholarships | $23,000 |
| Jackson-Reed Parent Teacher Student Organization Washington, DC | Distinguished Academies & Stipend for Hosting on-Site Visit | $21,000 |
| Forest Municipal School District Forest, MS | NAF Grant Covering 2024-2025 Membership/YOP Fees for ACADEMY(IES) | $12,000 |
| Scott County School District Forest, MS | NAF Grant Covering 2024-2025 Membership/YOP Fees for ACADEMY(IES) | $12,000 |
| Compton Unified School District Compton, CA | Sponsorship of school event & naf grant covering 2024-2025 membership/yop fees for academy(IES) | $11,000 |
| Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education Charlotte, NC | Distinguished Academies | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,041,747 | $20,586,275 | $20,485,769 | $403,000 | 14 | $41,495 |
| 2023 | $9,794,102 | $20,349,887 | $25,166,675 | $432,500 | 11 | $949,533 |
| 2022 | $19,081,833 | $13,558,397 | $24,565,644 | $1,038,323 | 15 | $211,522 |
| 2021 | $28,094,768 | $18,819,868 | $23,124,545 | $1,584,980 | 18 | $290,635 |
| 2020 | $32,321,948 | $25,149,718 | $19,588,246 | $808,500 | 13 | $404,894 |
| 2019 | $26,121,624 | $26,802,503 | $23,550,264 | $602,500 | 12 | $435,128 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NAF’s stated mission is to address challenges in education and the economy by bringing education, business, and community leaders together to transform the high school experience. Its approach includes career-focused curricula, academy development, advisory boards, and work-based learning and internships. Its policy priorities include alignment among K–12, post-secondary, and workforce systems; access to career-connected and work-based learning; and increased investment in work-based learning for high school students.
NAF’s 2024 filing describes academies in finance, information technology, STEM, and health sciences. For example, it says the Academy of Finance curriculum covers subjects including banking, financial planning, and economics; the Academy of Information Technology prepares students for fields such as networking and programming; and the STEM and Health Sciences academies provide career-related education in their respective fields.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, NAF reported 14 grants totaling $403,000. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $150,000, with a median of $12,000. Among the largest awards were $150,000 to READY CT for a Hartford subgrant; $85,000 to Detroit Public Schools Foundation for academy development; $26,000 to Milwaukee Board of School Directors for Distinguished Academies; and $24,000 to Jackson Public School for 2024–2025 academy membership and YOP fees. Other awards included $23,000 to Scholarship America Inc. for scholarships and $21,000 to Jackson-Reed Parent Teacher Student Organization for Distinguished Academies and hosting an on-site visit.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gregory J. Hayes as chairman, Sanford I. Weill as chairman emeritus, Kenneth I. Chenault and Robert F. Smith as vice chairmen, and Eugene A. Ludwig as secretary. Directors listed were Jeffrey A. Brill, Ursula M. Burns, Lynne M. Doughtie, Alex Gorsky, and Erin McSweeney.
NAF is led by Lisa Paulette Dughi, Chief Executive Officer since 2022 (on filings since 2019); 25 of 48 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lisa Paulette Dughi
Chief Executive Officer
President → President & CEO, 2021
President & CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$345K (2019) → $453K (2024)
Gregory J. Hayes
Chairman
Director → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Umang Beri
Senior Director, Data & Systems
Senior Director, Systems & Data App. → Senior Director, Systems & Data Apps, 2022
Senior Director, Systems & Data Apps → Senior Director, Data & Systems, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$128K (2019) → $160K (2024)
Keisha Stephenson Taylor Sr.
Senior Director, Alumni & Postsecondary Engmt.
Director, Alum. & Postsecondary Engage. → Senior Director, Alumni & Postsecondary Engagement, 2023
Senior Director, Alumni & Postsecondary Engagement → Senior Director, Alumni & Postsecondary Engmt., 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$143K (2022) → $168K (2024)
Don-Lee M. Applyrs
Senior Director & Strategic Engagement
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$148K (2023) → $159K (2024)
Arlene Dwight-Williams
Director & Community Impact
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$138K (2024)
Jennifer L. Geisler
Director & Emerging Academies
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$137K (2024)
Joshua Seth Benfield
Senior Director & Program Implementation
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$157K (2024)
Kimberley Jane Milliken Hayden
Senior Director & Development Operations
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$151K (2024)
Teresa Miccan Clark
Senior Director & Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$141K (2024)
Alex Gorsky
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David L. Steward
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James D. Robinson III
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey A. Brill
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Morgan
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph M. Tucci
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Renfro
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynne M. Doughtie
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marc Reed
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marc Weill
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Zielinski
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Penny III
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ursula M. Burns
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicola Palmer
Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erin McSweeney
Director
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandy Torchia
Director
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dantaya Wiliams
Director
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph J. Russo
Director
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colleen M. Devery
Chief Strategy Officer
Vice President & Strategy → Chief Strategy Officer, 2021
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$154K (2019) → $219K (2024)
Tarawhona Davis Bellevue
Vice President & Idea Strategy
Senior Managing Director & Network Expansion → Senior Managing Director & Network, 2020
Senior Managing Director & Network → Vice President & Idea Strategy, 2021
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$130K (2019) → $187K (2024)
Craig W. Love
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer → CFO & Treasurer, 2022
CFO & Treasurer → Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$171K (2020) → $217K (2024)
Marc A. Lesser
Vice President, Research & Technology
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$175K (2020) → $189K (2024)
Reedy Michele Wade
Vice President, Academy Engagement & Impact
Vice President, Academy Development & Impact → Vice President, Academy Engagement & Impact, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$151K (2021) → $195K (2024)
Camille L. Currie
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Vice President, Marketing & Committee → Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$155K (2022) → $186K (2024)
James B. Cole
Assistant Vice President & Partnerships
Senior Director & Partnership Activation → Assistant Vice President & Partnerships, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$139K (2022) → $166K (2024)
Lindsey Dixon
Vice President, Product & Innovation
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$168K (2022) → $193K (2024)
Dirk A. Butler
Chief Program Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$172K (2023) → $240K (2024)
Valaida Danielle Wynn
Chief Advancement Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$269K (2023) → $200K (2024)
Brooke A. Rice Vp
Curriculum & Work-Based Learning
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$198K (2024)
Dana B. Pungello
Assistant Vice President, Marketing & Communications
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$148K (2024)
Elizabeth Perez Chief
Partnership Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$69K (2024)
Jennifer M. Pautz
Assistant Vice President, Policy & Advocacy
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$178K (2024)
Melanie R. Sacca
Assistant Vice President & Finance
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$137K (2024)
Sandra R. Greer-Sanders Vp
People Operations & Talent Management
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$199K (2024)
Eugene A. Ludwig
Secretary
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth I. Chenault
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sanford I. Weill
Chairman Emeritus
Chairman → Chairman Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert F. Smith
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (33)
- Former: Helen S. Blanch (2019–2023) — Vice President, Curriculum & Instruction
- Former: Elizabeth Perez (2022–2023) — Chief Partnership Officer
- Former: Sandra R. Greer-Sanders (2022–2023) — Vice President, People Operations & Talent Management
- Former: Brooke A. Rice (2023) — Vice President, Curriculum & Work-Based Learning
- Former: Rebecca A. Bostwick (2023) — Assistant Vice President & Community Impact
- Former: Barbara Benioff Friedman (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Harold McGraw III (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jondel Hoye (2019–2022) — Former Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Ronald A. Williams (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Sanjiv Yajnik (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Demethous F. Chambliss (2021–2022) — Director & Network Evaluation
- Former: Brenda B. Barry Chief (2022) — Program Officer
- Former: Brooke A. Rice Vp Work-Based (2022) — Learning & Advisory Board Activation
- Former: Maryanne Bloomfield Chief (2022) — Advancement Officer
- Former: Valaida Danielle Wynn Chief (2022) — Advancement Officer
- Former: William Taylor Vp Outreach (2022) — Partnership Development
- Former: Brenda Barry (2019–2021) — Chief Program Officer
- Former: Irene Lynn (2019–2021) — Chief of Staff & Internal
- Former: Joseph J. Plumeri II (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Kearney Staniford (2019–2021) — Chief of Staff & External
- Former: Maryanne Bloomfield (2019–2021) — Chief Advancement Officer
- Former: Michael Henson (2019–2021) — Director & Professional Learning
- Former: Patricia Brown (2019–2021) — Vice President Corporate Engagement & Relations
- Former: Robert C. Dughi (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: William Taylor (2019–2021) — Vice President, Outreach & Partnership
- Former: Trudy Stallings (2020–2021) — Assistant Cp & Development
- Former: Ira Berkowitz (2019–2020) — CFO
- Former: John Hinshaw (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Zachary Goldstein (2020) — Asst.vp & Innovation
- Former: A. Kirk Lanterman (2019) — Director
- Former: David Siegel (2019) — Director
- Former: Ronald Wilson (2019) — Senior Director & Finance
- Former: Salli Schwartz (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $453K, to Lisa Paulette Dughi (Chief Executive Officer). 25 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about NAF
How much does NAF give each year?
NAF gave $403K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $433K across 11 grants.
What is NAF's typical grant size?
NAF's median grant in 2024 was $12,000, and its average grant was $28,786, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from NAF that year got $20K on average.
Where does NAF give grants?
NAF's top state is Connecticut, with 37% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Michigan (21%) and Mississippi (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Forest, MS (2 grants).
Does NAF give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on NAF's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are NAF's largest grantees?
NAF's largest 2024 grantees include Ready CT ($150,000), Detroit Public Schools Foundation ($85,000) and Milwaukee Board of School Directors ($26,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is NAF?
NAF reported $8.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $20.6M.
What does NAF fund?
NAF’s stated mission is to address challenges in education and the economy by bringing education, business, and community leaders together to transform the high school experience. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from NAF?
NAF has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check naf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is NAF's EIN?
NAF's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3480246. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS November 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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NAF down — hundreds of funders to go?