National Independent Venue Association
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is a public charity based in New York, New York. Formed in 2020, it is a national trade association representing independent live entertainment venues, festivals, promoters, and presenters. Its work includes member services and advocacy intended to support the independent live entertainment sector.
National Independent Venue Association at a glance
- Total assets
- $1,159,485
- +134.2% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $2,714,382
- +6.2% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $2,158,491
- -17.8% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to National Independent Venue Association
- Contact
Mailing address: 209 W 29Th Street 263, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (434) 547-4277
Website: https://nivassoc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who National Independent Venue Association funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
27 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 25 grants of 27 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NIVA describes its membership and advocacy as national in scope, serving independent live entertainment organizations across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2021 it made 27 grants totaling $610K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Giving Back Fund Los Angeles, CA | Emergency Relief Fund | $250,000 |
| National Independent Venue Foundation New York, NY | Emergency Relief Fund | $235,287 |
| The Globe Theatre Los Angeles, CA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Rival Holdings LLC Atlanta, GA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| (Le) Poisson Rouge New York, NY | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Amphitheatre Ybor Inc Tampa, FL | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Bad Kitty LLC Ferndale, MI | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Belly up Tavern LLC Solana Beach, CA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Bimbo's 365 Club Inc San Francisco, CA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Count Basie Theatre Inc Red Bank, NJ | General Operations | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with National Independent Venue Association?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,159,485 | $2,714,382 | $2,158,491 | — | — |
| 2024 | $495,143 | $2,555,272 | $2,624,996 | — | — |
| 2023 | $849,786 | $1,797,074 | $1,992,996 | — | — |
| 2022 | $748,093 | $1,749,967 | $1,524,145 | — | — |
| 2021 | $376,677 | $3,857,632 | $3,820,687 | $610,287 | 27 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NIVA’s mission is to “cultivate, elevate, and advocate for a sustainable and equitable ecosystem of independent performance venues, festivals, and promoters.” Its stated activities include membership services, industry networking and knowledge exchange, advocacy, and an annual conference. NIVA also leads the Fix the Tix coalition, which advocates for ticketing reforms addressing practices such as price gouging, speculative ticketing, and deceptive marketing.
The grantees listed for 2021 include the National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF), which received $235,287. NIVF describes its mission as preserving and nurturing independent live performance venues and promoters through support for a transparent, competitive marketplace serving a diverse and inclusive community. Other listed recipients were Count Basie Theatre Inc., which describes its work as providing cultural and artistic experiences in New Jersey, and Rialto Theatre Foundation, which describes its work as renovating and operating a historic theater in downtown Tucson.
Grantmaking
NIVA’s filings report zero grants for 2023, 2024, and 2025. The organizations listed as receiving support in 2021 include NIVF ($235,287), Count Basie Theatre Inc. ($5,000), and Rialto Theatre Foundation ($5,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Andre Perry as president; Audrey Fix Schaefer and Jim Brunberg as vice presidents; Brad Grossman as treasurer; and Sean Watterson as secretary. It lists Grace Blake, Shahida Mausi, Hal Real, Kira Karbocus, and Jamie Loeb as board members.
National Independent Venue Association is led by Stephen Parker, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 3 of 14 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stephen Parker
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$161K (2024) → $165K (2025)
Andre Perry
President
Secretary → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cody Cowan
COO
COO → Chief Operating Officer, 2024
Chief Operating Officer → COO, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$53K (2023) → $101K (2025)
Lauren Kehrli
Head of Mrktg & Brand Strat.
Director of Marketing → Head of Marketing & Brand Strategy, 2024
Head of Marketing & Brand Strategy → Head of Mrktg & Brand Strat., 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$120K (2023) → $128K (2025)
Audrey Fix Schaefer
Vice President
On filings since 2021
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grace Blake
Board Member
On filings since 2021
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hal Real
Board Member
On filings since 2021
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Brunberg
Vice President
Treasurer → Board Member, 2023
Board Member → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Grossman
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kira Karbocus
Board Member
On filings since 2023
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Loeb
Board Member
On filings since 2024
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shahida Mausi
Board Member
On filings since 2024
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katie Tuten
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Watterson
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Dayna Frank (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jesica Gerbautz (2023–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Tina Beyers (2023–2024) — Director of Finance & Operations
- Former: Stephen Chilton (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Lara Ruggles (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Moose See Schedule L. (2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Rev Moose (2021–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Amy Madrigali (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Justin Kantor (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Stephen Sternshein (2021) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $165K, to Stephen Parker (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about National Independent Venue Association
How large is National Independent Venue Association?
National Independent Venue Association reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.7M.
What does National Independent Venue Association fund?
NIVA’s mission is to “cultivate, elevate, and advocate for a sustainable and equitable ecosystem of independent performance venues, festivals, and promoters.” Its stated activities include membership services, industry networking and knowledge exchange, advocacy, and an annual conference. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from National Independent Venue Association?
National Independent Venue Association has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check nivassoc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does National Independent Venue Association make grants?
NIVA describes its membership and advocacy as national in scope, serving independent live entertainment organizations across the United States.
What is National Independent Venue Association's EIN?
National Independent Venue Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-0802980. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 15, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in National Independent Venue Association's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Spectemur Agendo Inc
Washington, DC
SPECTEMUR AGENDO INC’s 2025 grants supported organizations working in areas including foreign policy, international affairs, reproductive rights, media, human rights, and social justice, with most reported funding going to recipients in Washington, DC and New York. Grants ranged from $15,000 to $60,000, with a median of $40,000; the filing says there is no specific application form or deadline.
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
19
Total Given
$775K
RWJ Barnabas Health Inc - Subordinates
Oceanport, NJ
RWJ Barnabas Health Inc. – Subordinates supports its health system’s patient care, education, research, and related charitable activities; its 2024 outside grants were all designated as sponsorships. Grants ranged from $5,500 to $66,500, with a median of $12,000, and went primarily to New Jersey organizations. The profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$9.7B
Grants
29
Total Given
$464K
Oceanfirst Foundation
Toms River, NJ
OceanFirst Foundation funds nonprofits working in health and wellness, housing, youth development and education, economic stability, quality of life, and higher education in communities served by OceanFirst Bank. In 2025 it awarded grants of $50 to $55,000, with a median of $2,200. It does not limit giving to preselected organizations; prospective applicants are directed to contact the foundation to discuss fit before applying through its online portal.
Assets
$6.1M
Grants
425
Total Given
$1.6M
Isaac Family Institute of Charity
Wichita, KS
The Isaac Family Institute of Charity supports organizations working in areas such as youth services, housing, food assistance, health care, and child welfare, with grants across multiple states, especially California and Kansas. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $20,000, with a median of $3,625. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5M
Grants
42
Total Given
$180K
The Mericos Foundation
Pasadena, CA
The Mericos Foundation supports a range of charitable work, including youth development, mental health, food access, homelessness services, outdoor education, and ocean conservation, with most 2024 grant dollars going to California organizations. Its 100 grants ranged from $2,500 to $135,000, with a median of $18,500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$56.3M
Grants
100
Total Given
$3.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from National Independent Venue Association's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
National Independent Venue Association down — hundreds of funders to go?