Nierenberg Foundation
Nierenberg Foundation is a private foundation, based in La Jolla, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $77K. Net investment income was $91K.
Nierenberg Foundation at a glance
In short: Nierenberg Foundation gave $77K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $77K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $77,015
- -9.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $77,015
- -9.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $77,015
- Total assets
- $1,725,025
- +0.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Nierenberg Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Regents of the University of California ($77K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 4 grants of 5 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Nierenberg Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2021) to $90K (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $77K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Regents of the University of California La Jolla, CA | Student Support | $77,015 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,725,025 | $94,355 | $89,319 | $77,015 | 1 | $77,015 | $90,569 | $82,730 |
| 2024 | $1,719,989 | $187,779 | $96,866 | $85,000 | 1 | $85,000 | $181,192 | $81,771 |
| 2023 | $1,629,076 | $133,690 | $100,299 | $90,000 | 1 | $90,000 | $129,650 | $84,822 |
| 2022 | $1,595,685 | $274,211 | $90,004 | $80,000 | 1 | $80,000 | $88,699 | $90,041 |
| 2021 | $1,411,478 | $112,192 | $41,451 | $30,000 | 1 | $30,000 | $63,963 | $79,087 |
| 2020 | $1,340,737 | $68,768 | $12,716 | — | — | — | $61,587 | $71,186 |
| 2019 | $1,284,685 | $99,517 | $83,543 | $70,000 | 1 | — | $59,774 | $62,570 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Nierenberg Foundation reported a distributable amount of $83K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Nierenberg Foundation is led by Nicolas Nierenberg, President & Director on every filing since 2019; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Nicolas Nierenberg
President & Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Nierenberg
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Nierenberg Foundation
How much does Nierenberg Foundation give each year?
Nierenberg Foundation gave $77K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $85K across 1 grant.
How large is Nierenberg Foundation?
Nierenberg Foundation reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $77K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $83K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does Nierenberg Foundation operate?
Nierenberg Foundation has awarded grants in California.
What is Nierenberg Foundation's EIN?
Nierenberg Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0929538. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 19, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work Nierenberg 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 Nierenberg Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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