Nova Foundation Inc
Nova Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Emeryville, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.6M in total assets. In 2024, it made $3.6M in qualifying distributions.
Nova Foundation Inc at a glance
- Total assets
- $3,600,715
- -0.0% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $40,569
- -97.4% vs 2023
- Qualifying distributions (2024)
- $3,558,560
- -51.8% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $41,592
- -98.9% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Nova Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 5 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How Nova Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 1754% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above 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 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $41K (2021) to $3.8M (2023). In 2023 it made 1 grant totaling $3.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Calvin Simmons Theatre Oakland, CA | Program Support | $3,817,373 |
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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 | $3,600,715 | $40,569 | $41,592 | — | — | $3,558,560 | — | $109,554 |
| 2023 | $3,601,738 | $1,552,418 | $3,858,080 | $3,817,373 | 1 | $7,378,026 | $1,514,804 | $162,511 |
| 2022 | $6,608,638 | $2,412,797 | $331,236 | $287,475 | 1 | $289,798 | $289,620 | $262,136 |
| 2021 | $6,755,267 | $199,683 | $113,468 | $41,300 | 2 | $67,884 | $156,616 | $316,559 |
| 2020 | $5,904,051 | $430,215 | $249,100 | $205,946 | 1 | — | $111,941 | $226,199 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Nova Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $110K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Nova Foundation Inc is led by Joseph Orton, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Joseph Orton
Director & President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Nicholas Orton
Director & President
Director & Secretary → Director & President, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Nora Orton
Chairman
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
J Robert Orton III
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Katherine Pickrell
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Amy S. Orton (2020) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about Nova Foundation Inc
How large is Nova Foundation Inc?
Nova Foundation Inc reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $110K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does Nova Foundation Inc operate?
Nova Foundation Inc has awarded grants in California.
What is Nova Foundation Inc's EIN?
Nova Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4621652. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Nova Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Nova Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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