U S Russia Foundation for Ecnomic Advancement and the Rule of Law
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE U.S. RUSSIA FOUNDATION (USRF) WAS FOUNDED IN 2008 AS A LEGACY ORGANIZATION OF THE U.S. RUSSIA INVESTMENT FUND (TUSRIF), WHOSE MISSION WAS TO SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENT PRIVATE SECTOR AS A BULWARK OF DEMOCRACY IN RUSSIA. TODAY, USRF SUPPORTS THE LONG-TERM FUTURE OF A MARKET-BASED DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM IN RUSSIA BY MAKING GRANTS IN THREE MAIN AREAS: MEDIA & FREE ENTERPRISE, RULE OF LAW, AND CIVIL SOCIETY & EXPERTISE.
- Income
- $13.5 million
- Spending
- $11.4 million
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $511,325, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $3.8 million spent. 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. SUPPORT FOR TEACHING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AIMED AT INCREASING EXPERTISE ON RUSSIA IN THE UNITED STATES.
- $3.0 million spent. 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. SUPPORT FOR PRO-DEMOCRACY RUSSIAN EXILE COMMUNITIES THROUGH TRAINING IN LEGAL, REGULATORY, ECONOMIC, AND BUSINESS PRACTICES THAT STRENGTHEN FREE ENTERPRISE AND PRIVATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
- $1.5 million spent. 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 THAT WILL ENABLE GOOD GOVERNANCE AT THE LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL LEVELS. USRF IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE AND ADVANCING PRO-DEMOCRACY INSTITUTIONS IN RUSSIA AS WELL AS CAPACITY BUILDING FOR RUSSIAN ATTORNEYS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.