Ness Family Foundation
Ness Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Boulder, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $47K.
Ness Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Ness Family Foundation gave $47K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $46,500
- -54.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- -60.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,750
- +15.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $3,398,282
- -12.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Ness Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cu Foundation ($15K). Together the top 6 received $47K.
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 39 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Ness Family Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 277% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $47K (2024) to $162K (2022). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $47K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cu Foundation Denver, CO | Education Programs | $15,000 |
| The Summit Foundation Breckenridge, CO | Charitable Giving | $12,500 |
| Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art Boulder, CO | MUSEUM | $10,000 |
| Friends of BCSIS Boulder, CO | Education Programs | $5,000 |
| Protect Our Winters Boulder, CO | Enviornmental Advocacy | $2,000 |
| Rainbow Socks Boulder, CO | Education | $2,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,398,282 | $-417,230 | $49,500 | $46,500 | 6 | $46,500 | — | $16,793 |
| 2023 | $3,865,012 | $-282,954 | $101,532 | $101,000 | 15 | $101,000 | — | $46,358 |
| 2022 | $4,249,498 | $-1,164,501 | $164,251 | $161,691 | 17 | $161,691 | — | $110,827 |
| 2021 | $5,578,250 | $5,726,247 | $148,031 | $50,000 | 1 | $59,524 | $5,715,740 | $206,098 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ness Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $17K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ness Family Foundation is led by Stephanie Ness, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephanie Ness
President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Kevin Ness
Treasurer & Secretary
Treasurer → Treasurer & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Daniel Walker (2021–2022) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Ness Family Foundation
How much does Ness Family Foundation give each year?
Ness Family Foundation gave $47K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $101K across 15 grants.
What is Ness Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Ness Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $7,500, and its average grant was $7,750, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Ness Family Foundation give grants?
Ness Family Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boulder, CO (4 grants).
Does Ness Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Ness Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Ness Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Ness Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Cu Foundation ($15,000), The Summit Foundation ($12,500) and Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ness Family Foundation?
Ness Family Foundation reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $47K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $17K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Ness Family Foundation's EIN?
Ness Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-4316657. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Ness Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ness Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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