The Novogradac Rivers Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in October 2001 and based in Orinda, California. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as an independent foundation focused on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors and geographic areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.6M
-0.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$603K
-10.5% YoY
Grant Count
12
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$50K
+19.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Novogradac Rivers Foundation reported a distributable amount of $875K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is to provide low-interest loans to 501(c)(3) organizations that offer below-market rate loans to small businesses in distressed areas and to affordable housing developers who are preserving and improving at-risk existing affordable homes or creating permanently affordable housing opportunities.
Beyond this core mission, the foundation supports initiatives including:
- General assistance
- Neurosurgery skull base research and innovation
- Humanitarian crisis relief (including Ukraine humanitarian crisis support)
- Matching contributions
- Education
- Healthcare services
- Youth sports and family services
Grantmaking
The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding. No confirmed application deadlines are provided by the foundation. Interested organizations should approach the foundation directly for more information.
Grant Range
$100 to $200,000
Average Grant
amount: $172 (across all grants)
Review Cycle
are provided by the foundation. Interested organizations should approach the foundation directly for more information.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across various U.S. cities and states, including major metropolitan areas such as New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Geographic funding distribution includes California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total assets: $16,681,949
- Total revenue: $5,461,404
- Total expenses: $681,603
- Total liabilities: $11,000
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $16,607,014 | $16,681,949 | $11,911,148 |
| Revenue | $549,160 | $5,461,404 | $1,774,860 |
| Expenses | $633,095 | $681,603 | $334,281 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $603,200 | $674,333 | $331,566 |
| Net Investment Income | $549,162 | $461,409 | $275,885 |
| Distributable Amount | $874,801 | $646,842 | $603,306 |
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
106 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Northwell Health Foundation ($200,000), Stanford University ($200,000), Ucla Jonsson Cancer Center ($53,150).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE CLAREMONT, CA | GENERAL ASSSITANCE | $50,000 |
| MIKE ROWE WORKS FOUNDATION SANTA MONICA, CA | GENERAL ASSISTANCE; MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS | $10,000 |
| NORTHWELL HEALTH FOUNDATION NEW HYDE PARK, NY | GENERAL ASSISTANCE | $200,000 |
| OAKLAND GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL ASSISTANCE | $2,000 |
| RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | GENERAL ASSISTANCE | $20,200 |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY STANFORD, CA | GENERAL ASSSITANCE | $200,000 |
| THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL DANVILLE, CA | EXCELLENT EDUCATOR GRANT | $15,000 |
| THE CANCER LEAGUE OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL ASSISTANCE | $1,500 |
| THE NHP FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL ASSISTANCE | $1,250 |
| UCLA JONSSON CANCER CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL ASSISTANCE | $53,150 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by a team of Novogradac family members who serve without compensation:
- Michael J. Novogradac – CEO
- Charles J. Novogradac – CFO
- John Ross J. Novogradac – Secretary
- Elizabeth J. Novogradac – Assistant Secretary
Major donors include Barbara Forsberg and Michael Novogradac.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL J NOVOGRADAC | CEO | — | — |
| CHARLES J NOVOGRADAC | CFO | — | — |
| JOHN ROSS J NOVOGRADAC | SECRETARY | — | — |
| ELIZABETH J NOVOGRADAC | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation made 12 grants in its most recent reporting year, including support to the Mike Rowe Works Foundation and various educational and research institutions. The foundation continues to actively distribute funds across its priority areas, with recent grants supporting neurosurgery research at major universities and general assistance to educational institutions.
Innovation Showcase - Rutgers Office for ResearchSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Novogradac Rivers Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary mission is to provide low-interest loans to 501(c)(3) organizations that offer below-market rate loans to small businesses in distressed areas and to affordable housing developers who are preserving and improving at-risk existing affordable homes or creating permanently affordable housing opportunities. Beyond this core mission, the foundation supports initiatives including: • General assistance • Neurosurgery skull base research and innovation • Humanitarian crisis rel…
How do I apply for a grant from Novogradac Rivers Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $674,333 • Number of grants awarded: 25 grants in the most recent year • Grant range: $100 to $200,000 • Median grant amount: $20,000 • Average grant amount: $172 (across all grants) • Giving rate: 4.7% of assets **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • University of Pittsburgh: $200,000 (Neurosurgery Skull Base Research and Innovation Fund) • Head-Royce School: $200,000 (General Assistance) • General Assistance grants: averaging $26,501 to 15 recipients •…
Where does Novogradac Rivers Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across various U.S. cities and states, including major metropolitan areas such as New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Geographic funding distribution includes California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin.
What size grants does Novogradac Rivers Foundation award?
In 2024, Novogradac Rivers Foundation awarded 12 grants totaling $603K — an average of about $50K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Novogradac Rivers Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Novogradac Rivers Foundation reported a distributable amount of $875K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Novogradac Rivers Foundation's EIN?
Novogradac Rivers Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3399829. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Novogradac Rivers Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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