Novogradac Rivers Foundation
The Novogradac Rivers Foundation is a private foundation based in Orinda, California. Its 2024 grants supported charitable organizations, including universities, healthcare and research organizations, a school, and community organizations.
Novogradac Rivers Foundation at a glance
In short: Novogradac Rivers Foundation gave $603K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $50K), mostly in California. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $603,200
- -10.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $50,267
- +19.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,600
- Total assets
- $16,607,014
- -0.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (3 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (55% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Novogradac Rivers Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 244 Glorietta Blvd, Orinda, CA 94563
Phone: (925) 254-8080
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Novogradac Rivers Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Northwell Health Foundation ($200K). Together the top 10 received $602K.
Grant Size Distribution
106 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 91 grants of 106 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars were distributed among recipients in California (55%), New York (33%), Pennsylvania (8%), and New Jersey (3%); the reported share for Washington, D.C., was 0%. The listed grants included a $100 award to the Urban Land Institute Annual Fund in Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Novogradac Rivers Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 12 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $59K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 58% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 68% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 69% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $249K (2020) to $674K (2023). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $603K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northwell Health Foundation New Hyde Park, NY | General Assistance | $200,000 |
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | General Asssitance | $200,000 |
| UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Los Angeles, CA | General Assistance | $53,150 |
| Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CA | General Asssitance | $50,000 |
| University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Neurosurgery Skull Base Research and Innovation Fund | $50,000 |
| Rutgers University Foundation New Brunswick, NJ | General Assistance | $20,200 |
| The Athenian School Danville, CA | Excellent Educator Grant | $15,000 |
| Mike Rowe Works Foundation Santa Monica, CA | General Assistance; Matching Contributions | $10,000 |
| Oakland Girls Softball League Oakland, CA | General Assistance | $2,000 |
| The Cancer League Oakland, CA | General Assistance | $1,500 |
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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 | $16,607,014 | $549,160 | $633,095 | $603,200 | 12 | $603,200 | $549,162 | $874,801 |
| 2023 | $16,681,949 | $5,461,404 | $681,603 | $674,333 | 16 | $674,333 | $461,409 | $646,842 |
| 2022 | $11,911,148 | $1,774,860 | $334,281 | $331,566 | 12 | $331,566 | $275,885 | $603,306 |
| 2021 | $10,469,569 | $195,309 | $376,023 | $358,764 | 27 | $358,764 | $194,209 | $516,280 |
| 2020 | $10,635,076 | $233,519 | $279,233 | $249,205 | 39 | — | $226,319 | $1,192,588 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for education, healthcare and research, youth sports, and other charitable purposes.
Grantees describe their own work in varied ways. Northwell Health Foundation says it supports efforts including assistance to underserved and uninsured people, medical technology and research, and facilities and programs within Northwell Health. The Cancer League says it funds early-stage cancer research in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Athenian School describes itself as an independent school serving grades 6 through 12. The Oakland Girls Softball League also received a grant.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 12 grants totaling $603,200. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $200,000, with a median of $17,600. Its largest awards were $200,000 each to Northwell Health Foundation and Stanford University. Other notable grants included $53,150 to UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center, $50,000 each to Claremont McKenna College and the University of Pittsburgh, and $20,200 to Rutgers University Foundation.
The University of Pittsburgh grant supported its Neurosurgery Skull Base Research and Innovation Fund. Other listed purposes included general assistance, an Excellent Educator Grant to The Athenian School, and general assistance and matching contributions to the Mike Rowe Works Foundation.
The grantee descriptions span several areas: the University of Pittsburgh describes itself as a public research university serving its region, state, and nation through education and research; Rutgers University Foundation says its mission is to support Rutgers in education, research, and public service; and The NHP Foundation says it works to preserve and create affordable multifamily housing for low- to moderate-income families and seniors.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael J. Novogradac as CEO, Charles J. Novogradac as CFO, John Ross J. Novogradac as secretary, and Elizabeth J. Novogradac as assistant secretary.
Novogradac Rivers Foundation is led by Michael J. Novogradac, CEO on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael J. Novogradac
CEO
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Charles J. Novogradac
CFO
Secretary → CFO, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
John Ross J. Novogradac
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Elizabeth J. Novogradac
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Barbara J. Novogradac (2020–2022) — Vice President
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 Novogradac Rivers Foundation
How much does Novogradac Rivers Foundation give each year?
Novogradac Rivers Foundation gave $603K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $674K across 16 grants.
What is Novogradac Rivers Foundation's typical grant size?
Novogradac Rivers Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,600, and its average grant was $50,267, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Novogradac Rivers Foundation that year got $23K on average.
Where does Novogradac Rivers Foundation give grants?
Novogradac Rivers Foundation gives mostly in California: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (33%) and Pennsylvania (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (2 grants).
Does Novogradac Rivers Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of Novogradac Rivers Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Novogradac Rivers Foundation's largest grantees?
Novogradac Rivers Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Northwell Health Foundation ($200,000), Stanford University ($200,000) and UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center ($53,150), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Novogradac Rivers Foundation?
Novogradac Rivers Foundation reported $16.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $603K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $875K (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.
What does Novogradac Rivers Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for education, healthcare and research, youth sports, and other charitable purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Novogradac Rivers Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does Novogradac Rivers Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Novogradac Rivers Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/novogradac-rivers-foundation-morg_85a4da7cf2c1469e8b024458f9c47c09
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_943399829_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Novogradac Rivers Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/novogradac-rivers-foundation-morg_85a4da7cf2c1469e8b024458f9c47c09},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Novogradac Rivers Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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