RIFF Foundation is a private family foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 2017. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable entity dedicated to supporting grassroots movements and community-led initiatives focused on social, economic, and environmental justice.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$32.1M
-0.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.0M
-2.9% YoY
Grant Count
1
-66.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7.0M
+191.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Riff Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
RIFF Foundation works to support grassroots movements fighting for self-determination and collective liberation. The foundation emphasizes that contemporary social, economic, and ecological crises require an unwavering commitment to community-led power building and advancing transformational solutions.
The foundation's grantmaking strategy centers on:
- Communities at the Center — Centering the voices and leadership of frontline communities
- Uplifting Intersectionality — Recognizing interconnected systems of oppression
- Building Power — Supporting community organizing and movement building
- Supporting the Sparks — Nurturing emerging initiatives and leaders
- Movement Building — Strengthening collective action for change
- Culture Change — Supporting cultural shifts toward justice
- Healing & Resilience — Investing in community healing and resilience
The foundation supports community organizations and movements advancing racial, economic, gender, and environmental justice.
Grantmaking
The foundation is open to new applicants.
Grant Range
$10,000
Average Grant
$10,000
Ready to take the next step with Riff Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
RIFF Foundation focuses its grantmaking in:
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Washington, D.C.
- District of Columbia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $32.2 million
- Annual Revenue: $12.4 million
- Annual Expenses: $7.69 million
- Total Liabilities: $39,700
- Expense Ratio: 61.9% of total revenue spent on programs
Year-over-year growth: Assets increased 2.6% from the previous year.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $32,072,524 | $32,203,689 | $24,920,566 |
| Revenue | $6,626,974 | $12,415,018 | $8,608,786 |
| Expenses | $7,714,478 | $7,685,433 | $7,556,761 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,145,990 | $7,396,458 | $7,268,796 |
| Net Investment Income | $638,632 | $463,255 | $90,885 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,615,705 | $1,423,797 | $1,292,431 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Amalgamated Charitable Foundation ($6,967,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Washington, DC | General support | $6,967,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- Nancy Vinal — President (serves without compensation)
- Pamela Kohlberg — Treasurer (serves without compensation)
- Samuel Vinal — Secretary (serves without compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nancy Vinal | President | 5 | — |
| Pamela Kohlberg | Treasurer | 5 | — |
| Samuel Vinal | Secretary | 5 | — |
Contact Information
Website: radicalimaginationfoundation.org
Mailing Address: PO Box 961510 Boston, MA 02196-1510
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Riff Foundation fund?
RIFF Foundation works to support grassroots movements fighting for self-determination and collective liberation. The foundation emphasizes that contemporary social, economic, and ecological crises require an unwavering commitment to community-led power building and advancing transformational solutions. The foundation's grantmaking strategy centers on: • **Communities at the Center** — Centering the voices and leadership of frontline communities • **Uplifting Intersectionality** — Recognizing in…
How do I apply for a grant from Riff Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total grants awarded in 2023: 244 grants • Total grants awarded in 2024: 3 grants • Total annual giving (2023): $7.2 million • Typical award range: $10,000–$7,136,000 • Average grant size: $10,000 • Percentage of new applicants funded: 12% The foundation is open to new applicants.
Where does Riff Foundation make grants?
RIFF Foundation focuses its grantmaking in: • Jackson, Mississippi • Washington, D.C. • District of Columbia
What size grants does Riff Foundation award?
In 2024, Riff Foundation awarded 1 grants totaling $7.0M — an average of about $7.0M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Riff Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Riff Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Riff Foundation's EIN?
Riff Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-5214407. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Riff 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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