National Independent Venue Foundation
The mission of the National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF) is to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent live performance venues and promoters throughout the united states by supporting a transparent, competitive marketplace serving a diverse and inclusive community of artists, fans, and industry workers.
National Independent Venue Foundation at a glance
In short: National Independent Venue Foundation gave $162K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), top state New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $161,788
- +24.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $17,976
- -17.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $1,008,012
- +9.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (26% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to National Independent Venue Foundation
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from National Independent Venue Foundation
Business & Entrepreneurship Resource Program - Online Business Center Portal (Future Program)
National Independent Venue Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Education, Artist Development & Community Partnership Program (Future Program)
National Independent Venue Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Executive Training Center (Future Program)
National Independent Venue Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who National Independent Venue Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was National Independent Venue Association ($43K). Together the top 9 received $162K.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 24 grants of 26 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How National Independent Venue Foundation gives
- Giving grew 102% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2022) to $2.5M (2021). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $162K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Independent Venue Association New York, NY | Economic Research and Conference | $42,788 |
| Happy Dog Cleveland, OH | Emergency Relief Grant | $25,000 |
| Clocktower Entertainment LLC Denver, CO | Emergency Relief Grant | $20,000 |
| EWRB LLC dba No Class Cleveland, OH | Emergency Relief Grant | $15,000 |
| The House of Songs Bentonville, AR | Emergency Relief Grant | $15,000 |
| Lulu's Downstairs LLC Colorado Springs, CO | Emergency Relief Grant | $15,000 |
| The Orange Peel Social Aid and Pleasure Club LLC Asheville, NC | Emergency Relief Grant | $12,500 |
| For The Funk Of It Productions Chico, CA | Emergency Relief Grant | $10,000 |
| Montford Park Players Inc Asheville, NC | Emergency Relief Grant | $6,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,008,012 | $604,753 | $574,717 | $161,788 | 9 | $24,642 |
| 2024 | $918,369 | $282,415 | $651,786 | $130,000 | 6 | $35,067 |
| 2023 | $1,308,975 | $431,560 | $644,773 | $90,000 | 4 | $15,750 |
| 2022 | $1,544,280 | $1,018,994 | $547,271 | $80,000 | 4 | $2,576 |
| 2021 | $1,016,725 | $3,595,397 | $2,607,187 | $2,490,500 | 3 | $605 |
About National Independent Venue Foundation
Based on IRS filings
National Independent Venue Foundation is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in New York, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $162K. Net investment income was $25K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
National Independent Venue Foundation is led by Laura Wilson, President since 2025 (on filings since 2021); none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Laura Wilson
President
Secretary & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → President, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Annie Brinn
Treasurer
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David M Mayeri
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hal Real
Board Member
President → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tobi Parks
Vice President
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jillian Sacher
Secretary
Board Member - Start March → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Taneshai Nash Laird
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Bloss-Baum
Board Member-
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Torrie Allen (2021–2024) — Board Member -
- Former: Cody Cowan - see Schedule O (2023–2024) — COO
- Former: Carl Swanson - see Schedule O (2024) — Executive Director -
- Former: Taneshia Nash Laird (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Carl Swanson (2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Moose See Schedule L. (2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Rev Moose (2021–2022) — Executive Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about National Independent Venue Foundation
How much does National Independent Venue Foundation give each year?
National Independent Venue Foundation gave $162K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $130K across 6 grants.
What is National Independent Venue Foundation's typical grant size?
National Independent Venue Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $17,976, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does National Independent Venue Foundation give grants?
National Independent Venue Foundation's top state is New York, with 26% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Ohio (25%) and Colorado (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (2 grants) and Asheville, NC (2 grants).
Does National Independent Venue Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on National Independent Venue Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Emergency Relief Grant" (8 grants).
Who are National Independent Venue Foundation's largest grantees?
National Independent Venue Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include National Independent Venue Association ($42,788), Happy Dog ($25,000) and Clocktower Entertainment LLC ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is National Independent Venue Foundation?
National Independent Venue Foundation reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $605K.
What is National Independent Venue Foundation?
National Independent Venue Foundation is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in New York, NY. It holds $1.0M in total assets as of 2025.
What is National Independent Venue Foundation's EIN?
National Independent Venue Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-2436574. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work National Independent Venue Foundation funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in National Independent Venue Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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