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NoVo Foundation

Annual Giving
$169.4M
Grant Range
$5K - $23.0M

NoVo Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $169,364,905 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $720 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Varies (no standard timeline)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $23,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: National with concentrated focus on Kingston, NY and Mid-Hudson Valley
  • Total Grants Since 2014: $3.6 billion across 8,937 grants

Contact Details

General Contact:

Kingston/Hudson Valley Specific:

Overview

Founded in 2006 by Peter and Jennifer Buffett, the NoVo Foundation is one of the nation's largest private foundations dedicated to fostering a transformation in global society from a culture of domination and exploitation to one of collaboration and partnership. With over $720 million in assets and annual giving exceeding $169 million, NoVo takes a distinctive, relationship-based approach to philanthropy. The foundation eliminated its distinct grantmaking programs in recent years, shifting to a single body of work with interconnected focus areas: regenerative bioregional-scale communities, Indigenous communities and ways of knowing, food systems, child development, and community organizing. In 2020, NoVo relocated from New York City to Kingston, NY, committing $39-46 million annually to support community resilience in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Peter and Jennifer Buffett have been recognized with the Clinton Global Citizen Award and named in Barron's list of top 25 most effective philanthropists.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

NoVo Foundation does not operate traditional grant programs with fixed categories. Instead, they fund interconnected initiatives across several thematic areas:

Indigenous Communities and Ways of Knowing

  • Major recipients include Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples ($2.5 million+), First Nations Development Institute ($1 million+), and Indigenous Knowledge Holder's Fund at RSF Social Finance
  • Focus on Indigenous-led movements and preservation of traditional knowledge systems

Regenerative Food Systems and Agriculture

  • Grants to organizations like Soul Fire Farm and Chester Agricultural Center
  • Emphasis on sustainable, community-based food production

Women and Girls' Empowerment

  • Major investment in Tides Foundation's Advancing Girls Fund ($23 million in 2023)
  • Previously operated "Move to End Violence" program (10-year, $80 million initiative)
  • Supported organizations like Girls for Gender Equity and #SayHerName campaign

Kingston/Mid-Hudson Valley Community Development

  • Annual investment: $39-46 million
  • General operating support for established nonprofits and emerging organizations
  • Capital projects strengthening community infrastructure (YMCA, People's Place, Pine Street Family Health Clinic)
  • Focus areas: food security, housing, education, community organizing, racial justice

Media and Storytelling for Social Justice

  • Grants to Allied Media Projects, Filmmakers Collaborative
  • Support for narrative change work

Other Major Recipients (2023):

  • Democracy Collaborative ($1,335,000)
  • New Venture Fund ($2,250,000 + $450,000)
  • Rockefeller Family Fund ($800,000)

Grant Range: $5,000 - $23,000,000; median approximately $150,000. In 2023, NoVo made 501 grants totaling $169 million.

Priority Areas

  • Community-led and grassroots initiatives, particularly those led by Black, brown, and Indigenous women
  • Holistic, interconnected approaches that address multiple issues simultaneously rather than single-issue work
  • Marginalized and vulnerable populations, including formerly incarcerated individuals, immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ communities
  • Systems transformation rather than top-down interventions
  • Long-term partnerships and sustained support over multiple years
  • Bioregional resilience and regenerative community practices

What They Don't Fund

NoVo Foundation does not publicly specify exclusions, but their approach indicates they do not fund:

  • Traditional top-down, "productized" interventions
  • Single-issue work without connection to broader systems change
  • Organizations without clear grounding in community leadership
  • Work that doesn't align with their vision of transforming from domination to partnership

Governance and Leadership

Co-Presidents and Co-Chairs of the Board:

  • Peter Buffett (son of investor Warren Buffett)
  • Jennifer Buffett

Both serve as the primary decision-makers for the foundation. Peter and Jennifer are deeply involved in the foundation's strategic direction and relationship-building with grantees.

Key Quotes from Leadership:

Jennifer Buffett on their approach: "We believe that people internalize and carry forward real change, and that relationships and systems need to be carefully considered any time one intervenes, no matter how well-meaning one is. Considering the 'how' is just as important as the 'what' one does or focuses on."

Jennifer on their root-cause focus: "We wanted to get at the root of the problems we face and not fund top-down 'productized' interventions... We care about so many issues — poverty, health, education, the environment, social justice, human rights — and we saw them as linked."

Peter Buffett on their quiet approach: "Because our work touches many vulnerable populations, we prefer to do what we do quietly," emphasizing the principle of trust-based philanthropy.

Staff Size: 11-50 employees

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

NoVo Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. All grants are offered by invitation only, and the foundation explicitly states they "do not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding."

How Grants Are Awarded:

  • NoVo identifies potential partners through research, field scanning, and relationship-building
  • The foundation prioritizes organizations visible at relevant conferences, in sector publications, and through professional networks
  • Relationship development typically takes substantial time (months to years) before an invitation to apply may be extended
  • Invited organizations receive specific application guidance and direct support through the process

Exception for Kingston/Mid-Hudson Valley Organizations:

Organizations working in Kingston, NY and the surrounding Mid-Hudson Valley may initiate contact by emailing hello@novoinkingston.org to share information about their community resilience work. While this does not guarantee funding, the foundation has expressed interest in learning about how local community members and organizations are working to support Kingston's resilience.

Getting on Their Radar

NoVo Foundation finds partners through a deliberate process of research and relationship-building. Based on the foundation's documented approach:

Field Scanning and Visibility:

  • NoVo conducts research to identify organizations doing groundbreaking work aligned with their priorities
  • Being visible at conferences, in sector publications, and through professional networks relevant to their focus areas increases the likelihood of being noticed
  • The foundation values organizations that are recognized leaders in their communities and movements

Relationship-Based Approach:

  • Jennifer Buffett describes their method as "slow and trusting relationship building"
  • The foundation emphasizes building partnerships over many years rather than transactional grantmaking
  • They seek organizations that share their values of compassion, community-led work, and systems transformation

For Kingston/Hudson Valley Organizations:

  • Contact hello@novoinkingston.org to share information about community resilience work
  • NoVo in Kingston prioritizes "centering the needs of the most historically and continuously marginalized"
  • The foundation values "meaningful progress achieved in relationship with others" and operates from a philosophy of compassion

Philosophy: NoVo operates from the belief that "philanthropy" means "for the love of human beings," viewing their work as supporting people and organizations that serve as "lifeboats through turbulent times."

Decision Timeline

NoVo Foundation does not operate on fixed application cycles or standard decision timelines. Because all grants are by invitation only:

  • There are no regular deadlines or announcement schedules
  • Decision timeframes vary based on the relationship and grant size
  • Many grants are multi-year commitments reflecting long-term partnerships
  • The foundation emphasizes sustained support rather than one-off grants

Success Rates

Success rates are not applicable given the invitation-only model. Organizations that are invited to apply and have gone through the relationship-building process are highly likely to receive funding.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. The foundation's approach is based on ongoing relationships rather than discrete application cycles. Many grantees receive sustained, multi-year support.

Application Success Factors

Since NoVo Foundation operates by invitation only, "success" is less about crafting a winning application and more about alignment with their values and visibility in the field. Based on their documented preferences and funded projects:

Community-Led Leadership:

  • NoVo prioritizes grassroots organizations led by the communities they serve
  • Particular emphasis on leadership by Black, brown, and Indigenous women
  • The foundation supported 21 "Movement Makers" (all women of color or Indigenous women) in their violence prevention work
  • Organizations led by formerly incarcerated individuals, immigrants, Muslims, and transgender communities have received support

Holistic, Interconnected Thinking:

  • NoVo seeks programs that integrate multiple focus areas rather than single-issue work
  • Organizations demonstrating how their work addresses root causes of systemic problems are favored
  • Jennifer Buffett has emphasized they "wanted to get at the root of the problems we face" and see issues as "linked"

Alignment with Transformation Vision:

  • The foundation's core mission is fostering transformation "from a culture of domination and exploitation to collaboration and partnership"
  • Organizations working toward systemic change rather than band-aid solutions align with this vision
  • Projects that challenge hierarchical structures and promote partnership models resonate with NoVo's values

Long-Term Orientation:

  • Many NoVo grantees receive ongoing or multi-year support
  • The foundation values sustained partnerships built over many years
  • Organizations demonstrating commitment to long-term community transformation rather than quick fixes are preferred

Specific Focus Area Alignment: Evidence from recent grantmaking shows strong support for:

  • Indigenous-led organizations preserving traditional knowledge and supporting sovereignty
  • Regenerative agriculture and food systems work
  • Community organizing and racial justice initiatives
  • Women and girls' empowerment, particularly for marginalized populations
  • Media and storytelling that shifts narratives around social justice

For Kingston/Hudson Valley Organizations:

  • Demonstrate clear connection to community resilience
  • Center the needs of historically marginalized communities
  • Show understanding of NoVo's values of compassion and partnership
  • Focus on areas like food security, housing, education, community organizing, and racial justice

Trust-Based Philanthropy: Peter Buffett has emphasized their "quiet" approach and work with "vulnerable populations," suggesting they value:

  • Discretion and respect for community privacy
  • Trust in grantee expertise and leadership
  • Flexibility and responsiveness rather than rigid program structures

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • NoVo does not accept unsolicited applications - focus on becoming visible in your field through conferences, publications, and sector leadership rather than submitting proposals
  • Relationship-building is essential - expect the process to take months or years; this is a relationship-driven funder, not a transactional one
  • Kingston/Hudson Valley organizations have a unique pathway - if working in this region on community resilience, reach out to hello@novoinkingston.org
  • Community-led work by marginalized populations is central - NoVo consistently prioritizes organizations led by Black, brown, and Indigenous women, LGBTQ+ communities, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated individuals
  • Think holistically and systemically - demonstrate how your work connects multiple issues and addresses root causes rather than symptoms
  • Long-term commitment matters more than quick wins - NoVo values sustained partnerships and multi-year support; show your long-term vision for transformation
  • Align with their core mission - frame your work in terms of shifting from "domination to partnership" and fostering collaboration, equality, and community-led solutions

References

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