The Joseph Novakoff Charitable
The Joseph Novakoff Charitable is a private foundation based in Weston, Massachusetts. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations in Massachusetts, Arizona, and California.
The Joseph Novakoff Charitable at a glance
In short: The Joseph Novakoff Charitable gave $31K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Massachusetts. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $31,327
- +20.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +25.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,133
- -3.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,009
- Total assets
- $233,347
- -9.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (3 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (80% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Joseph Novakoff Charitable
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Its 2024 filing states that no specific application is necessary, but complete information on the charitable purpose is required. The filing states that awards have no restrictions except that recipients must be tax-exempt charitable organizations.
- Review Cycle
- None, according to the 2024 filing.
- Deadline
- None, according to the 2024 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Stephen Novakoff
Mailing address: 8525 North Sendero Tres M, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Phone: (602) 885-9300
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Joseph Novakoff Charitable funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hebrew Senior Life ($10K). Together the top 10 received $31K.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 40 grants of 40 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grants went to recipients in Massachusetts, Arizona, and California. Massachusetts received 80% of grant dollars, Arizona 11%, and California 9%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Joseph Novakoff Charitable open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 10 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 60% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 286% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $20K (2019) to $36K (2022). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $31K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hebrew Senior Life Roslindale, MA | Philanthropic | $10,250 |
| Temple Emanuel Newton, MA | Philanthropic | $7,149 |
| Combined Jewish Philanthropies Boston, MA | Philanthropic | $3,600 |
| Temple Chai Scottsdale, AZ | Philanthropic | $2,525 |
| Wilshire Boulevard Temple Los Angeles, CA | Philanthropic | $2,517 |
| Friends of the Children Boston, MA | Charitable | $1,500 |
| Newton Wellesley Hospital Fund Newton, MA | Philanthropic | $1,500 |
| Wildflower Inc Lexington, MA | Philanthropic | $1,000 |
| Chabad Lubavich of Arizona Phoenix, AZ | Charitable | $950 |
| Sinai Temple Los Angeles, CA | Philanthropic | $336 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $233,347 | $11,061 | $34,312 | $31,327 | 10 | $34,312 | $11,061 | $11,980 |
| 2024 | $256,598 | $13,941 | $28,899 | $25,914 | 8 | $28,899 | $13,941 | $12,875 |
| 2023 | $271,556 | $11,831 | $24,863 | $19,948 | 5 | $23,733 | $11,831 | $13,564 |
| 2022 | $284,588 | $67,289 | $39,671 | $36,136 | 8 | $39,671 | $67,289 | $14,052 |
| 2021 | $256,970 | $-4,042 | $36,357 | $33,072 | 9 | — | $5,493 | $15,518 |
| 2020 | $297,369 | $-12,806 | $26,226 | $23,041 | 12 | — | $6,546 | $15,849 |
| 2019 | $336,401 | $3,378 | $23,427 | $19,892 | 11 | — | $8,108 | $17,148 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Joseph Novakoff Charitable reported a distributable amount of $12K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants went to organizations including temples, Jewish philanthropic organizations, a hospital fund, and organizations serving children and families. Wildflower Inc., a 2025 grantee, says it serves children and families who have experienced the death of a parent by providing camp, enriching experiences, and long-term support.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $31,327 through 10 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $336 to $10,250, with a median of $2,008. Its largest grants included $10,250 to Hebrew Senior Life in Roslindale, Massachusetts; $7,149 to Temple Emanuel in Newton, Massachusetts; $3,600 to Combined Jewish Philanthropies in Boston; $2,525 to Temple Chai in Scottsdale, Arizona; and $2,517 to Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Karen Novakoff and Stephen Novakoff as trustees.
The Joseph Novakoff Charitable's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Karen Novakoff
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Novakoff
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 The Joseph Novakoff Charitable
How much does The Joseph Novakoff Charitable give each year?
The Joseph Novakoff Charitable gave $31K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $26K across 8 grants.
What is The Joseph Novakoff Charitable's typical grant size?
The Joseph Novakoff Charitable's median grant in 2025 was $2,009, and its average grant was $3,133, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Joseph Novakoff Charitable that year got $2K on average.
Where does The Joseph Novakoff Charitable give grants?
The Joseph Novakoff Charitable gives mostly in Massachusetts: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Arizona (11%) and California (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Newton, MA (2 grants), Boston, MA (2 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does The Joseph Novakoff Charitable give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on The Joseph Novakoff Charitable's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Philanthropic" (8 grants).
Who are The Joseph Novakoff Charitable's largest grantees?
The Joseph Novakoff Charitable's largest 2025 grantees include Hebrew Senior Life ($10,250), Temple Emanuel ($7,149) and Combined Jewish Philanthropies ($3,600), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Joseph Novakoff Charitable?
The Joseph Novakoff Charitable reported $233K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $34K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $12K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Joseph Novakoff Charitable fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants went to organizations including temples, Jewish philanthropic organizations, a hospital fund, and organizations serving children and families. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Joseph Novakoff Charitable?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Joseph Novakoff Charitable's EIN?
The Joseph Novakoff Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6768027. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Joseph Novakoff Charitable accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Joseph Novakoff Charitable funds
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