Nipera Inc
NiPERA Inc. is the independently-incorporated science division of the Nickel Institute, operating as a private foundation (501(c)(3)) based in Durham, North Carolina. The organization is committed to supporting scientifically-sound research and promoting awareness of the care required in safely producing, using, and disposing of nickel.
Key facts about Nipera Inc
In short: Nipera Inc gave $623K across 33 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), top state North Carolina. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 13-3070077
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $623,057
- Grants made (2024)
- 33
- Average grant
- $18,881
- Median grant
- $13,054
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (8 of 24, 2024)
- Total assets
- $1,501,666
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (8% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Quick answers about Nipera Inc
How much does Nipera Inc give each year?
Nipera Inc gave $623K across 33 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $722K across 36 grants.
What is Nipera Inc's typical grant size?
Nipera Inc's median grant in 2024 was $13,054, and its average grant was $18,881, across 33 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Nipera Inc that year got $27K on average.
Where does Nipera Inc give grants?
Nipera Inc's top state is North Carolina, with 8% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was Massachusetts (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Durham, NC (2 grants).
Does Nipera Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 33 grants with a stated purpose on Nipera Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Health and Environmental Research" (33 grants).
Who are Nipera Inc's largest grantees?
Nipera Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Cobalt Institute ($112,520), Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan ($61,327) and Wca Environment Limited ($58,905 across 4 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Nipera Inc?
Nipera Inc reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $28K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Is Nipera Inc open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 24 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 54% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 57% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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.
Next steps with Nipera Inc
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.5M
-6.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$623K
-13.8% YoY
Grant Count
33
-8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-5.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Nipera Inc reported a distributable amount of $28K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
NiPERA's mission centers on supporting research investigations, studies, and surveys relating to occupational health and safety aspects of the nickel producing industries and related environmental matters. The organization ensures awareness of the current state of science on potential health and environmental effects associated with safely producing and using nickel, nickel compounds, and alloys.
Primary activities include:
- Initiating and funding research investigations, studies, and surveys relevant to human and environmental health effects of nickel exposure
- Formulating and managing nickel-related research and disseminating results to the nickel industry and scientific and regulatory communities
- Performing risk assessments of nickel-containing substances and mixtures for regulatory purposes
- Providing workplace guidance regarding occupational exposure monitoring and health assessments
- Keeping Nickel Institute Members informed on relevant papers, presentations, ongoing research, scientific meetings, and worldwide regulatory activities addressing nickel-related health and environmental issues
Grantmaking
NiPERA made 45 grants in the most recent reporting year. The organization commissions research projects conducted by global experts on nickel, including academic laboratories, government organizations, private laboratories, and consultancies that are independent of the nickel industry.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NiPERA provides science-based evidence to regulators in multiple countries including the United States, China, Australia, Norway, and New Zealand. The organization has expanded collaborations to address issues in new regions, including Indonesia, and in new applications such as cathode active materials.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 33 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $1,501,666
- Total revenues: $4,174,491
- Total expenses: $4,436,090
- Number of employees: 12
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,501,666 | $1,607,044 | $1,154,305 |
| Revenue | $4,174,491 | $4,672,102 | $4,784,964 |
| Expenses | $4,436,090 | $4,408,765 | $4,673,111 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,804,107 | $1,465,464 | $1,850,709 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,240 | $1,697 | $13 |
| Distributable Amount | $28,379 | $24,324 | $19,945 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
201 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COBALT INSTITUTE | HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH | $112,520 |
| KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOGSKOLAN | HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH | $61,327 |
| WCA ENVIRONMENT LIMITED | HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH | $42,578 |
| GRADIENT CORP Boston, MA | HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH | $38,880 |
| INTERNATIONAL ZINC ASSOCIATION Durham, NC | HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH | $38,213 |
| BIOXQ BV | HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH | $30,435 |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA | HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH | $26,000 |
| CSIRO COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRY RESEARCH ORGANISATION | HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH | $25,000 |
| WCA ENVIRONMENTAL LTD | HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH | $25,000 |
| WCA ENVIRONMENTAL LTD | HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH | $24,765 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Dr. Chris Schlekat – Executive Director, NiPERA Inc.
Nipera Inc is led by Christian E. Schlekat, Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christian E. Schlekat
Executive Director
Deputy Executive Director → Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$232K (2020) → $319K (2024)
Hudson Bates
Chairman
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$400K (2020) → $473K (2024)
Gerald M. Schuetz Cpa Cgma
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$286K (2020) → $344K (2024)
Linda Quirk
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Adriana Oller (2020) — Executive Director
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
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2024, NiPERA's scientists continued over 40 years of work on fundamental questions regarding the safe use of nickel at the workplace, in communities, and in the environment. The organization successfully intervened on regulatory matters including Norway's proposed nickel occupational exposure limits and Australia/New Zealand's nickel water quality standards.
NiPERA scientists grew their scientific credentials through publishing scientific papers, speaking at international conferences, and expanding professional networks. The organization is increasingly recognized as a credible authority on risk assessment and management as well as nickel-specific science.
**Contact Information:**
Address: 2525 Meridian Parkway, Suite 240, Durham, NC 27713, USA
Telephone: +1 919-595-1950
Website: www.nipera.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nipera Inc fund?
NiPERA's mission centers on supporting research investigations, studies, and surveys relating to occupational health and safety aspects of the nickel producing industries and related environmental matters. The organization ensures awareness of the current state of science on potential health and environmental effects associated with safely producing and using nickel, nickel compounds, and alloys. Primary activities include: • Initiating and funding research investigations, studies, and surveys …
How do I apply for a grant from Nipera Inc?
NiPERA made 45 grants in the most recent reporting year. The organization commissions research projects conducted by global experts on nickel, including academic laboratories, government organizations, private laboratories, and consultancies that are independent of the nickel industry. **Grant Activity (2024):** • Total grants awarded: $623,057 • Typical award range: $175–$344,580 • Notable grantee: RTI International **Active Research Programs:** • **Oral Carcinogenicity of Cobalt Chloride Stud…
What is Nipera Inc's EIN?
Nipera Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3070077. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.