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New Venture Fund

EIN 20-5806345 · Washington, DC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NEW VENTURE FUND, A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING FISCAL SPONSORSHIP, AIMS TO HELP BUILD A JUST, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE BY GETTING THE RIGHT TYPES OF PHILANTHROPIC CAPITAL INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE RIGHT IDEAS, AT THE RIGHT (CONT. SCHEDULE O) TIMES, IN THE RIGHT PLACES TO ACCOMPLISH NEEDED CHANGE.

Income
$662.4 million
Spending
$723.0 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
732
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$509,966, project director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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 (4)
  1. $293.1 million spent. NEW VENTURE FUND'S (NVF) CIVIL RIGHTS, SOCIAL, ACTION, AND ADVOCACY PORTFOLIO AIMS TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIAL FREEDOM, AND EQUALITY WHILE FOSTERING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ON THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE GRANTMAKING, COMMUNICATIONS, COORDINATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS, CIVIC AND MEDIA ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS.
  2. $107.6 million spent. NVF OPERATES A VARIETY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION-FOCUSED PROJECTS. THESE PROJECTS WORK IN A RANGE OF AREAS TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH AND IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATION IN THE U.S., SUCH AS EARLY LEARNING IN VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, LITERACY, CONNECTED LEARNING, SUPPORT TO TEACHERS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS, AND ADVOCACY FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES AND EDUCATION REFORM. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE GRANTMAKING, CONVENINGS, AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT.
  3. $93.2 million spent. NVF'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS FOCUS ON A RANGE OF CONSERVATION, CLIMATE, AND ENERGY ISSUES IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD. THESE ISSUES INCLUDE OCEAN AND RIVER CONSERVATION, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCES AND REDUCTION OF FOSSIL FUELS, PROTECTION OF OCEAN LIFE, WILDLANDS CONSERVATION, ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE, AND HABITAT RESTORATION. ACTIVITIES AMONG THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE GRANTMAKING, COMMUNICATIONS, COORDINATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS, CIVIC AND MEDIA ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS.
  4. $191.0 million spent. CAPACITY-BUILDING: NVF CAPACITY-BUILDING PROJECTS SUPPORT THE CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OF GRANTEES ON ISSUES RELATED TO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE.HEALTH: NVF HEALTH PROJECTS CONNECT STAKEHOLDERS (INCLUDING ACADEMIA, LOCAL COMMUNITIES, ACTIVISTS, AND POLICYMAKERS) TO SUPPORT A VARIETY OF POLICY, SYSTEMS, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION RELATED INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOOD HEALTH.INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: NVF SUPPORTS A VARIETY OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE LIVES OF MILLIONS GLOBALLY THROUGH EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE GRANTMAKING, COMMUNICATIONS, COORDINATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS, AND EDUCATION EFFORTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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.