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.
Key facts about US Russia Foundation for Economic
- EIN
- 01-0732928
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,997,161
- Grants made (2024)
- 40
- Average grant
- $99,929
- Median grant
- $78,336
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (15 of 40, 2024)
- Total assets
- $191,518,152
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (22% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who US Russia Foundation for Economic funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for US Russia Foundation for Economic's 40 itemized 2024 grants were District of Columbia (22%), New York (21%) and California (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (8 grants), New York, NY (4 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants). None of its 40 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Public Support" (40 grants).
Is US Russia Foundation for Economic open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 40 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $82K; repeat grants $111K. How we count
Medians: $72K first-time, $100K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with US Russia Foundation for Economic
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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
Share of all 40 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
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 | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
222 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include The George Washington University ($242,000), Cerge-Ei Foundation ($240,000), Wild Salmon Center ($220,312).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Washington, DC | PUBLIC SUPPORT | $242,000 |
| CERGE-EI FOUNDATION Newark, NJ | PUBLIC SUPPORT | $240,000 |
| WILD SALMON CENTER Portland, OR | PUBLIC SUPPORT | $220,312 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN Madison, WI | PUBLIC SUPPORT | $208,096 |
| POLAR BEAR VIDEO VENTURES INC Redwood City, CA | PUBLIC SUPPORT | $201,000 |
| YALE UNIVERSITY New Haven, CT | PUBLIC SUPPORT | $165,000 |
| AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION ACTR ACCELS INC Washington, DC | PUBLIC SUPPORT | $160,000 |
| EURASIANET INC New York, NY | PUBLIC SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT Washington, DC | PUBLIC SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| PILNET New York, NY | PUBLIC SUPPORT | $139,374 |
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 IRS 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does US Russia Foundation for Economic fund?
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 busin…
How do I apply for a grant from US Russia Foundation for Economic?
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. Recent grant recipients include Utah Valley University and the University of Michigan's Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREES) and Ford School, which received grants to support Russian expertise development.
Where does US Russia Foundation for Economic make 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.
What size grants does US Russia Foundation for Economic award?
In 2024, US Russia Foundation for Economic awarded 40 grants totaling $4.0M — an average of about $100K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is US Russia Foundation for Economic's EIN?
US Russia Foundation for Economic's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0732928. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.