NEO Philanthropy Inc
NEO Philanthropy Inc is a public charity based in New York, NY. It works as a philanthropic intermediary, connecting funders with community-based groups and social justice movements. Its work includes managing collaborative funds, providing fiscal sponsorship and operational infrastructure to nonprofit projects, and supporting donor initiatives.
NEO Philanthropy Inc at a glance
In short: NEO Philanthropy Inc gave $103.5M across 558 grants in 2024 (avg $185K), top state Washington. 48% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $103,504,493
- +78.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 558
- +44.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $185,492
- +23.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $185,577,115
- -7.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (267 of 558, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Washington (23% 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 NEO Philanthropy Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
NEO Philanthropy does not accept unsolicited requests or proposals; in most cases, potential grantees are invited to submit proposals by a team member. The State Infrastructure Fund also does not accept unsolicited requests or proposals and uses a formal invitation process.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1001 Ave Of The Americas 12Fl, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 378-2800
Website: https://neophilanthropy.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from NEO Philanthropy Inc
Who NEO Philanthropy Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Breakthrough Energy Foundation ($23.6M). Together the top 10 received $39.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,176 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 773 grants of 2,176 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NEO’s 2024 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Washington state (23%), Washington, DC (11%), North Carolina (9%), California (9%), and New York (6%). These figures describe the distribution of that year’s grant dollars, not an exclusive geographic focus.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 558 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is NEO Philanthropy Inc open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 267 of 558 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $144K; repeat grants $224K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $120K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $53.1M (2022) to $103.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 558 grants totaling $103.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough Energy Foundation Kirkland, WA | Program Grant | $23,580,000 |
| Asian American Advancing Justice - AAJCInc Washington, DC | Program Grant | $3,675,000 |
| National Black Worker Center Inc Raleigh, NC | Program Grant | $2,598,740 |
| Ford Foundation New York, NY | Program Grant | $2,123,725 |
| One Arizona Phoenix, AZ | Program Grant | $1,780,000 |
| Blueprint North Carolina Durham, NC | Program Grant | $1,100,000 |
| Tides Center Los Angeles, CA | Program Grant | $1,078,250 |
| Alliance For Youth Organizing Washington, DC | Program Grant | $1,050,000 |
| Oficina Legal Del Pueblo Unido Inc Austin, TX | Program Grant | $1,050,000 |
| Center For Civic Policy Albuquerque, NM | Program Grant | $1,005,000 |
Ready to take the next step with NEO Philanthropy Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $185,577,115 | $168,890,598 | $184,937,212 | $103,504,493 | 558 | $3,789,026 |
| 2023 | $199,912,880 | $167,648,220 | $128,270,774 | $58,003,311 | 385 | $2,206,645 |
| 2022 | $153,308,341 | $132,029,874 | $114,068,624 | $53,075,707 | 342 | $344,630 |
| 2021 | $141,436,471 | $144,358,199 | $105,641,701 | $59,547,267 | 431 | $78,162 |
| 2020 | $96,344,863 | $133,422,585 | $127,961,206 | $85,522,329 | 460 | $319,353 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NEO’s mission is to nurture strong, sustainable, and transformative movements for justice by connecting changemakers and funders, supporting emerging leaders and movements, and directing resources to groups accelerating change. It identifies immigration, democracy, reproductive justice, racial justice, climate justice, and LGBTQ rights as core program areas, while noting that some of its work crosses these categories.
Its programs include fiscal sponsorship and donor services, as well as collaborative funds. The State Infrastructure Fund supports state-based networks working to increase civic participation among historically underrepresented communities and protect voting rights. The Four Freedoms Fund works toward the full integration of immigrants as active participants in democracy by supporting immigrants’ rights organizations and leaders.
Organizations receiving NEO grants in 2024 described a range of work. Breakthrough Energy Foundation says it works to accelerate climate-technology innovation. One Arizona says its mission is to increase civic participation among Arizonans. Blueprint North Carolina describes itself as a partnership of policy, advocacy, and grassroots-organizing nonprofits working on communications and civic engagement. Mississippi Engaged says it coordinates and resources civic-engagement efforts by nonprofit and community-based organizations.
Grantmaking
In 2024, NEO reported 558 grants totaling $103,504,493. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $23,580,000, with a median of $50,000. The largest awards included $23,580,000 to Breakthrough Energy Foundation; $3,675,000 to Asian American Advancing Justice - AAJCInc; $2,598,740 to National Black Worker Center Inc; and $2,123,725 to the Ford Foundation. Each was listed as a program grant.
NEO also administers grant opportunities. The Economic Mobility and Opportunity Fund’s Research & Data opportunity lists $2.3 million in total funding and awards of $100,000–$300,000 in general operating support for one year, with the possibility of a no-cost extension. It is described as the fund’s final round of support as it spends down and sunsets. The listed deadline is January 31, 2026.
The NEO Action Fund is a separate 501(c)(4) entity described as supporting advocacy, policy reform, public participation, and capacity building for advocacy organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Cathy Albisa, vice chair; Christina Schatz, secretary/treasurer; Kerrien Suarez and Kristen Ruff, co-chairs; and board members Alex-Handrah Aime, Blake Strode, Glenn Harris, John Gilroy Esq, and Kesi B Foster. Darren Sandow was listed as a board member through January 2024.
NEO Philanthropy Inc is led by Michele Lord, President on every filing since 2020; 12 of 23 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michele Lord
President
On filings since 2020
39.5 hrs/week
$284K (2020) → $324K (2024)
Dwana Franklin Davis
Program Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$288K (2020) → $355K (2024)
Edwin Rekosh
Program Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$215K (2020) → $244K (2024)
Alexandra Toma
Program Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$222K (2022) → $246K (2024)
Amanda Navarro
Program Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$229K (2023) → $228K (2024)
Zainab Salbi
Program Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$271K (2024)
Erin Ballard
COO & Executive Vice President
Chief Operating Officer → COO & Executive Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
39.6 hrs/week
$191K (2020) → $269K (2024)
Rini Chakraborty
Vice President & Fff
Senior Program Officer → Program Director, 2021
Program Director → Vice President & Fff, 2022
On filings since 2020
38.1 hrs/week
$200K (2020) → $258K (2024)
Su Lim
CFO & Vice President of Infrastructure
Chief Financial Officer → CFO & Vice President of Infrastructure, 2022
On filings since 2020
35.6 hrs/week
$150K (2020) → $220K (2024)
Erica Linnick
Vice President & Sif
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$191K (2022) → $260K (2024)
Margarita Rubalcava
Chief Program Officer
Vice Presidfent of Strategic Partnerships → Chief Program Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
39.9 hrs/week
$249K (2023) → $266K (2024)
Rutledge Simmons
Vice President & General Counsel
On filings since 2023
39.9 hrs/week
$173K (2023) → $277K (2024)
Cathy Albisa
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christina Schatz
Secretary & Treasurer
Treasurer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darren Sandow
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenn Harris
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Gilroy Esq.
Board Member
Chairperson → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kerrien Suarez
Co-Chair
Second Vice Chair → 1st Vice Chair, 2022
1st Vice Chair → Co-Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Ruff
Co-Chair
Board Member → 2nd Vice Chair, 2022
2nd Vice Chair → Co-Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Thomas-Breitfeld
Board Member
First Vice Chair → Chairperson, 2022
Chairperson → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alex-Handrah Aime
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Blake Strode
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kesi B. Foster
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Page Gleason (2023) — Director of State Strategy & Sif
- Former: Ben Wyskida (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Geoffrey Boehm (2022) — General Counsel
- Former: Negar Tayyar (2022) — Program Director
- Former: Anita Khashu (2020–2021) — Program Director
- Former: Chris Meyer Esq. (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Lisa Versaci (2020–2021) — Program Director
- Former: Robert Bray (2020–2021) — Director & Communications
- Former: Tanya House (2020–2021) — Senior Program Officer
- Former: Rebecca Carson (2021) — Senior Program Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $355K, to Dwana Franklin Davis (Program Director). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about NEO Philanthropy Inc
How much does NEO Philanthropy Inc give each year?
NEO Philanthropy Inc gave $103.5M across 558 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $58.0M across 385 grants.
What is NEO Philanthropy Inc's typical grant size?
NEO Philanthropy Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $185,492, across 558 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from NEO Philanthropy Inc that year got $144K on average.
Where does NEO Philanthropy Inc give grants?
NEO Philanthropy Inc's top state is Washington, with 23% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (11%) and North Carolina (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (44 grants), New York, NY (26 grants), Los Angeles, CA (18 grants) and Durham, NC (18 grants).
Does NEO Philanthropy Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 558 grants with a stated purpose on NEO Philanthropy Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Grant" (558 grants).
Who are NEO Philanthropy Inc's largest grantees?
NEO Philanthropy Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Breakthrough Energy Foundation ($23,580,000), Asian American Advancing Justice - AAJCInc ($3,675,000) and National Black Worker Center Inc ($2,598,740), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is NEO Philanthropy Inc?
NEO Philanthropy Inc reported $185.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $168.9M.
What does NEO Philanthropy Inc fund?
NEO’s mission is to nurture strong, sustainable, and transformative movements for justice by connecting changemakers and funders, supporting emerging leaders and movements, and directing resources to groups accelerating change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from NEO Philanthropy Inc?
NEO Philanthropy does not accept unsolicited requests or proposals; in most cases, potential grantees are invited to submit proposals by a team member. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is NEO Philanthropy Inc's EIN?
NEO Philanthropy Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3191113. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does NEO Philanthropy Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 31, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in NEO Philanthropy Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). NEO Philanthropy Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/neo-philanthropy-inc-morg_3d172ee8aa5c4938a8463b8bd29bd2c3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133191113_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{NEO Philanthropy Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/neo-philanthropy-inc-morg_3d172ee8aa5c4938a8463b8bd29bd2c3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from NEO Philanthropy Inc'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.
NEO Philanthropy Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?