Us Russia Foundation for Economic
The U.S. Russia Foundation (USRF) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2008 as a legacy organization of the U.S. Russia Investment Fund (TUSRIF), USRF operates as a 501(c)(4) organization with 15 employees. The foundation aims to strengthen relations between the United States and Russia and promote the development of a market-based democratic system in Russia.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$191.5M
+3.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.0M
-16.9% YoY
Grant Count
40
-20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$100K
+3.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
USRF's mission is to support the long-term future of a market-based democratic system in Russia by making grants in three main areas:
Media & Free Enterprise (MFE): Support for independent Russian media in efforts to reach audiences inside and outside of Russia, develop IT infrastructure and innovative technological approaches, and establish sustainable business models. The foundation also provides training to pro-democracy Russian exile communities in legal, regulatory, economic, and business practices that strengthen free enterprise and private entrepreneurship.
Rule of Law: Support for outreach, education, and training in international and domestic law, expertise and best practices that build the capacity of Russians to develop and sustain laws, institutions, and jurisprudence that protect citizens' rights and enable good governance at local, regional, and national levels. USRF is committed to protecting the vulnerable and advancing pro-democracy institutions in Russia.
Civil Society & Expertise (CSE): Support for pro-democracy Russian civil society groups and networks inside and outside Russia, including opportunities for training and capacity building. This includes support for civil society initiatives of pro-democracy, anti-war groups of Russians inside the country and abroad, non-government organizations, Russian anti-war groups, and community building efforts in new Russian diasporas.
Additionally, USRF supports programs to provide U.S. students and young professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to become the next generation of Russian experts, including language and area studies programs, travel grants for language and cultural immersion, internships, and professional development and research opportunities for U.S. scholars.
Grantmaking
USRF made a significant $135 million grant to support Ukraine and Moldova in the wake of the Kremlin's ongoing illegal and unprovoked aggression, via the Western New Independent States Enterprise Fund, as agreed with the United States government.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
USRF funds organizations and initiatives in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and the United States. The foundation supports independent Russian media and civil society groups both inside Russia and among Russian exile communities outside the country.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $191,518,152
- Total revenues: $6,679,745
- Total expenses: $12,931,657
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $184,744,809
- Total revenues: $1,615,017
- Total expenses: $147,153,481
- Total giving: $143,197,582
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $191,518,152 | $184,744,809 | $314,073,937 |
| Revenue | $6,679,745 | $1,615,017 | $8,625,146 |
| Expenses | $12,931,657 | $147,153,481 | $10,710,430 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $6,679,745 | $1,580,067 | $8,620,494 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
218 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Matthew Rojansky serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, joining in 2022. Rojansky was previously Director of the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute and Deputy Director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Ambassador John Beyrle serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors (2018–present).
Past leadership includes Celeste Wallander (President, 2017-2022) and Mark Pomar (President, 2008-2017).
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN R BEYRLE | CHAIRMAN | 18 | — |
| KAREN N HORN | VICE CHAIR/TREASURER | 8 | — |
| STEPHEN BIEGUN | DIRECTOR | 8 | — |
| DR JENNE K BRITELL | DIRECTOR | 6 | — |
| THE HONORABLE JAMES F COLLINS | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| SUSAN EISENHOWER | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| THOMAS FIRESTONE | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| R CRAIG KENNEDY | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| THE HONORABLE MICHAEL M MIHM | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| STEVEN L PEASE | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| GREGORY RIGDON | DIRECTOR | 6 | — |
| CHARLES E RYAN | DIRECTOR | 8 | — |
| MATTHEW ROJANSKY | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $362,515 |
| ALAN GRIFFIN | COO/CFO | 40 | $290,098 |
| LORI JONES | ASST. TREASURER/SECRETARY | 40 | $119,695 |
| MARIA LVOVA | SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $110,196 |
| RUSLAN GARIPOV | PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $104,055 |
| GENNADY PODOLNY | SENIOR GRANTS MANAGER | 40 | $114,443 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
USRF announced a $135 million grant to support Ukraine and Moldova through the Western New Independent States Enterprise Fund in response to the Kremlin's aggression in the region.
USRF Announces $135 Million TUSRIF Grant to Support Ukraine and Moldova\The foundation has awarded grants to educational institutions including Utah Valley University and the University of Michigan to support the development of Russian language and area studies expertise among U.S. students and scholars.
U-M\u2019s CREES and Ford School awarded grant to deepen Russian expertise\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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