Support the long-term future of a market-based democratic system in Russia by making grants that build Russian innovation, entrepreneurship, education, and scientific expertise and by connecting Russians and Americans in business, the legal profession, civil society, the media, and education.
A single grant of $133,236,209 to Western Nis Enterprise Fund stands out in the foundation’s recent record and points to the scale of its support for market institutions connected to Russia. US Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law pairs that large commitment with a broader set of grants to universities, legal organizations, media groups, and civil society intermediaries. Across the recent grants list, its support reaches higher education, rule-of-law work, independent media, and entrepreneurship, reflecting the mission to sustain a market-based democratic system in Russia and connect Russians and Americans in business, law, civil society, the media, and education. The foundation’s grantees include institutions such as The George Washington University, Yale University, and American Councils for International Education, alongside Russia-focused nonprofits like Free Russia Foundation and Eurasianet Inc. It also funds organizations working on legal capacity and public-interest infrastructure, including American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative and Pilnet. The pattern suggests a funder that mixes very large support for a central enterprise vehicle with continued project support for academic, civic, and information networks tied to Russia and Russian diaspora communities.
In entrepreneurship and free enterprise, the foundation gave $133,236,209 to Western Nis Enterprise Fund, the clearest signal in the recent grants record. In media and information work, it awarded $297,528 to Free Russia Foundation, and also supported Eurasianet Inc with $168,701 and $150,000 in separate grants. For legal assistance and rule of law capacity building, it granted $240,000 to American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative and $158,364 to Pilnet. Education and expertise building appear through grants to The George Washington University for $242,000, Yale University for $165,000, and American Councils for International Education for $170,589 and $160,000. The foundation’s civil society and expertise work is also visible in support for Foundation for Democratic Development at $150,000.
$4M
$191.5M
$6.7M
$12.9M
Most grants fall between $50K and $126K, with a median of $75K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$75K
75th Percentile
$126K
About 20% of grants go to recipients in OH.
MATTHEW ROJANSKY
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Typical grant size sits at $49,616 at the 25th percentile, $75,000 at the median, and $125,560 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also shows repeated support to several organizations across multiple years, including Cerge-ei Foundation, Wild Salmon Center, Pilnet, Indiana University, Bard College, Yale University, and Eurasianet Inc. The foundation is classified as a regular funder and primarily makes public-support grants to public charities. Its listed programs accept unsolicited requests in several areas, including the USRF Grant Program, Rule of Law, Civil Society & Expertise, Media & Free Enterprise, and Scholars at Risk.
US-based recipients account for all listed grants, and 20% go to organizations in the foundation’s HQ jurisdiction of Washington, DC. Beyond DC, grants land heavily in Chicago, Newark, New York, Madison, Bloomington, New Haven, and Redwood City. The recent grants list also shows concentrations in Portland, Annandale-on-Hudson, and Austin. Even with a national giving scope, the recipient map is strongly centered on U.S. institutions rather than foreign grantees.
Its listed focus areas include independent Russian media, legal assistance and rule of law capacity building, civil society strengthening and diaspora support, education and training, entrepreneurship and free enterprise, IT infrastructure and media sustainability, and relocation and scholar support. The grant record matches those areas through awards to universities, legal nonprofits, media organizations, and enterprise-related funds.
Yes. Several active programs are marked as accepting unsolicited applications, including the USRF Grant Program, Rule of Law, Civil Society & Expertise, Media & Free Enterprise, and Scholars at Risk.
The grant-size distribution is $49,616 at the 25th percentile, $75,000 at the median, and $125,560 at the 75th percentile. That sits well below the largest recent award, which is an outlier in the record.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Cerge-ei Foundation, Wild Salmon Center, Pilnet, Indiana University, Bard College, Yale University, and Eurasianet Inc. That points to recurring support rather than purely one-time awards.
The active programs center on Rule of Law; Media & Free Enterprise; Civil Society & Expertise; and Scholars at Risk. The program descriptions emphasize legal training and rights protection, independent Russian media and business sustainability, civil-society capacity building, and fellowships or placements for scholars at risk.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $242,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| CERGE-EI FOUNDATION | NEWARK, NJ | $240,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| WILD SALMON CENTER | PORTLAND, OR | $220,312 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN | MADISON, WI | $208,096 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| POLAR BEAR VIDEO VENTURES INC | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $201,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $165,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION ACTR ACCELS INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $160,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| EURASIANET INC | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| PILNET | NEW YORK, NY | $139,374 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| BARD COLLEGE | ANNANDALEONHUDSON, NY | $139,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| THE BOARD OF TRUTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $134,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FOUNDATION INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $133,617 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR EUROPEAN POLICY ANALYSIS | WASHINGTON, DC | $125,664 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| RUSSIAN AMERICAN SCIENCE ASSOCIATION CORP | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $125,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| NEO PHILANTHROPY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $120,656 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| FORDHAM UNIVERSITY | BRONX, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| TAMIZDAT PROJECT INC | ASTORIA, NY | $99,990 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| NEW TIMES FOUNDATION USA | BROOKLYN, MA | $85,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| ASTREA LLC | CHEVY CHASE, MD | $81,500 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA | TUCSON, AR | $75,171 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| SUPPORTERS OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN RUSSIA INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $72,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| FREE RUSSIA FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $70,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| AATEEL OF THE US INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $64,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT AND SOLIDARITY BATANI | YARMOUTH, ME | $62,643 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $60,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| ASSOCIATION FOR SLAVIC EAST EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN STUDIES | PITTSBURGH, PA | $60,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| THE EURASIA FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $60,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $54,638 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | COLUMBUS, OH | $54,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| UARZAZAT MEDIA INC | PALO ALTO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS CENTER FOR RESEARCH INC | LAWRENCE, KS | $50,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| WAYUSA INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY | OREM, UT | $41,225 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS INC | WESTBOOTHBAYHARBOR, ME | $38,035 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SCHOOL OF LAW FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, ME | $29,082 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| STREET LAW INC | SILVER SPRING, MD | $27,235 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $24,165 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | TEMPE, AZ | $9,758 | 2025 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| WESTERN NIS ENTERPRISE FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $133,236,209 | 2024 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| FREE RUSSIA FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $297,528 | 2024 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| CERGE-EI FOUNDATION | NEWARK, NJ | $248,527 | 2024 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN | MADISON, WI | $243,527 | 2024 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION RULE OF LAW INITIATIVE | WASHINGTON, DC | $240,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $209,795 | 2024 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| BARD COLLEGE | ANNANDALEONHUDSON, NY | $184,771 | 2024 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $170,589 | 2024 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| EURASIANET INC | NEW YORK, NY | $168,701 | 2024 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| PILNET | NEW YORK, NY | $141,967 | 2024 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$242,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
CERGE-EI FOUNDATION
$240,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
WILD SALMON CENTER
$220,312PUBLIC SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
$208,096PUBLIC SUPPORT
POLAR BEAR VIDEO VENTURES INC
$201,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
YALE UNIVERSITY
$165,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION ACTR ACCELS INC
PUBLIC SUPPORT
FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT
$150,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
EURASIANET INC
$150,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
PILNET
$139,374PUBLIC SUPPORT
BARD COLLEGE
$139,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
THE BOARD OF TRUTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
$134,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FOUNDATION INC
$133,617PUBLIC SUPPORT
CENTER FOR EUROPEAN POLICY ANALYSIS
$125,664PUBLIC SUPPORT
RUSSIAN AMERICAN SCIENCE ASSOCIATION CORP
$125,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
NEO PHILANTHROPY INC
$120,656PUBLIC SUPPORT
FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
$100,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
TAMIZDAT PROJECT INC
$99,990PUBLIC SUPPORT
NEW TIMES FOUNDATION USA
$85,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
ASTREA LLC
$81,500PUBLIC SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
$75,171PUBLIC SUPPORT
SUPPORTERS OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN RUSSIA INC
$72,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
FREE RUSSIA FOUNDATION
$70,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
AATEEL OF THE US INC
$64,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT AND SOLIDARITY BATANI
$62,643PUBLIC SUPPORT
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
$60,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
ASSOCIATION FOR SLAVIC EAST EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN STUDIES
$60,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
THE EURASIA FOUNDATION
$60,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$54,638PUBLIC SUPPORT
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
$54,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
UARZAZAT MEDIA INC
$50,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS CENTER FOR RESEARCH INC
$50,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
WAYUSA INC
$50,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY
$41,225PUBLIC SUPPORT
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS INC
$38,035PUBLIC SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SCHOOL OF LAW FOUNDATION
$29,082PUBLIC SUPPORT
STREET LAW INC
$27,235PUBLIC SUPPORT
INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS INC
$25,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
$24,165PUBLIC SUPPORT
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
$9,758PUBLIC SUPPORT
WESTERN NIS ENTERPRISE FUND
$133,236,209PUBLIC SUPPORT
FREE RUSSIA FOUNDATION
$297,528PUBLIC SUPPORT
CERGE-EI FOUNDATION
$248,527PUBLIC SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
$243,527PUBLIC SUPPORT
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION RULE OF LAW INITIATIVE
$240,000PUBLIC SUPPORT
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
$209,795PUBLIC SUPPORT
BARD COLLEGE
$184,771PUBLIC SUPPORT
AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
$170,589PUBLIC SUPPORT
EURASIANET INC
$168,701PUBLIC SUPPORT
PILNET
$141,967PUBLIC SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Us Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations in the United States or abroad may apply. Applicants should have at least a two-year financial history confirmed by reports to tax authorities with jurisdiction over the applicant, and an established track record in successful project management and implementation.
Deadline: 2026 | Applications for the October 2026 grant cycle are due on August 1, 2026.
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