The Neon Foundation
The Neon Foundation is a private foundation, based in Wilmington, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $13.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $590K. Net investment income was $1.8M.
The Neon Foundation at a glance
In short: The Neon Foundation gave $590K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $74K), top state Nevada. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $589,681
- +670.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- +100.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $73,710
- +285.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $56,250
- Total assets
- $13,694,458
- +7.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Nevada (30% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Neon Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New ($151K). Together the top 7 received $490K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($100,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 12 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Neon Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 79% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $77K (2023) to $590K (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $590K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New New York, NY | To support the Integrated Research Projects on Regional Food System Transformation, a collaborative project between the Columbia Climate School and Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture to develop and carry out research on regional food system transformation | $151,181 |
| Neon Museum Las Vegas, NV | to support the Mobile Neon Bending Studio, a Science Technology Engineering Art and Math (STEAM) initiative | $150,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc San Francisco, CA | General & Unrestricted | $148,000 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $100,000 |
| Friends of Red Rock Canyon Las Vegas, NV | funds for Fencing to protect the petroglyphs/pictographs, Fencing to realign trails and get rid of social trails, Seeding and replanting of native plants, Replacing 2 of the trash containers, to purchase Painting supplies for continual upkeep of the fences and railings around the upper lot for the bathroom mural in conjunction with a local high school | $12,500 |
| Pacific Historic Parks Waipahu, HI | Make Us Visible and the production of AANHPI Coloring Books | $11,000 |
| Crskillstraining Foundation Las Vegas, NV | Gym rental funds and to purchase Basketballs and Water/supplies | $10,000 |
| Green Our Planet Las Vegas, NV | To support the 2024-25 GardenConnect programs at Keller elementary school and Forbuss elementary school | $7,000 |
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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 | $13,694,458 | $1,803,733 | $818,703 | $589,681 | 8 | $624,072 | $1,788,232 | $793,057 |
| 2023 | $12,711,838 | $1,163,019 | $182,640 | $76,500 | 4 | $104,634 | $1,535,045 | $630,422 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Neon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $793K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Neon Foundation's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Amanda Nee
Trustee
Class B Trustee → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Nee
Trustee
Class A Trustee → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lucy Nee
Trustee
Class A Trustee → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wesley Nee
Trustee
Class C Trustee → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 The Neon Foundation
How much does The Neon Foundation give each year?
The Neon Foundation gave $590K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $77K across 4 grants.
What is The Neon Foundation's typical grant size?
The Neon Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $56,250, and its average grant was $73,710, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Neon Foundation give grants?
The Neon Foundation's top state is Nevada, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (26%) and California (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Las Vegas, NV (4 grants).
Does The Neon Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of The Neon Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Neon Foundation's largest grantees?
The Neon Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New ($151,181), Neon Museum ($150,000) and Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc ($148,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($100,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Neon Foundation?
The Neon Foundation reported $13.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $624K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $793K (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 is The Neon Foundation's EIN?
The Neon Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-4153499. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
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 2021–2024
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