Democracy Fund Inc
Preselected recipients only
Democracy Fund Inc is a private foundation in Washington, District of Columbia. In tax year 2024 it gave $37.7 million in 237 grants; the typical grant was $165,000 and the largest $1.5 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$37.7 million
- Number of grants237
- Typical grant$165,000
- Largest grant$1.5 million
- Assets$15.8 million
- New grantees28%
Giving in 2024 was down from $77.2 million the year before.
28% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $77.2 million | 230 | $25.6 million |
| 2024 | $37.7 million | 237 | $15.8 million |
How to apply
Democracy Fund Inc says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Democracy Fund Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 32 states, the most to District of Columbia.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 76 | $19.1 million |
| California | 24 | $6.9 million |
| New York | 31 | $5.1 million |
| Illinois | 17 | $2.7 million |
| Massachusetts | 9 | $1.8 million |
| Minnesota | 5 | $1.8 million |
| Florida | 6 | $1.6 million |
| North Carolina | 6 | $1.2 million |
| Maryland | 8 | $1.2 million |
| Michigan | 6 | $1.0 million |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Venture Fund | Program support for Trusted Elections Fund | $1.5 million |
| Solutions Project Inc | Program support to advance climate and migrant justice | $1.5 million |
| Borealis Philanthropy | Program support for the Racial Equity in Journalism Fund | $1.0 million |
| JustFundUs | Program support for Building Power Fund | $934,000 |
| Hopewell Fund | Program Support for Free Election Fund | $750,000 |
| The Project on Government Oversight Inc | General support | $750,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Program support for Future Currents | $720,000 |
| Democracy Forward Foundation | General support | $700,000 |
| Free Press | General support | $700,000 |
| Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law | General support | $600,000 |
| People's Action Institute | General support | $560,000 |
| Proteus Fund Inc | Program support for Rise Together Fund | $550,000 |
| Partnership for Public Service Inc | General support | $525,000 |
| American Journalism Project | General support | $500,000 |
| Center for Media Justice | General support | $500,000 |
| Global Impact | Program support for GovAct | $500,000 |
| Global Impact | Program support for Legal Accountability Center | $500,000 |
| State Leadership Project | Program support to bring new funding to nonpartisan civic engagement | $500,000 |
| The Miami Foundation Inc | Program Support for Press Forward | $500,000 |
| Way to Rise | Program support for Valiente Fund | $500,000 |
| Voter Registration Project | General support | $473,000 |
| Allied Media Projects Inc | Program support for Detroit Community Tech Project | $450,000 |
| AccountableUS | General support | $415,000 |
| University of Maryland | Program support for the Election Talent Study Group | $411,800 |
| Rural Digital Youth Resiliency Project Inc | General support | $400,000 |
| NEO Philanthropy Inc | Program support for North Carolina Local News Lab Fund | $375,000 |
| Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association | General support | $360,000 |
| Free Press | Program support for Media 2070 | $350,000 |
| Kairos Fellowship Inc | General support | $350,000 |
| Santa Fe Community Foundation | Program support for New Mexico Local News Fund | $350,000 |
| Tides Center | Program support for 22nd Century Initiative | $350,000 |
| Policy Impact | Program support for Hearken's Election SOS project | $340,000 |
| Action Center on Race and the Economy Institute | General support | $300,000 |
| Aspiration | Program support for The Revival Lab | $300,000 |
| Fund for Constitutional Government | Program support for Keseb | $300,000 |
| Montclair State University Foundation Inc | Program support for Center for Cooperative Media | $300,000 |
| Protect Democracy Project | General support | $300,000 |
| The Miami Foundation Inc | Program support for NewsMatch | $300,000 |
| American Oversight Inc | General support | $275,000 |
| Ayni Institute Inc | General support | $250,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Patricia Christen
- Joseph Goldman
- Deepa Isac
- Robin Thompson
- Danielle Allen
- Crystal Hayling
- Deepak Bhargava
Questions people ask
Does Democracy Fund Inc accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Democracy Fund Inc give?
$37.7 million in tax year 2024, across 237 grants, with a typical grant of $165,000.
Who runs Democracy Fund Inc?
Its 2024 filing lists Patricia Christen (Chairman), Joseph Goldman (President & CEO), Deepa Isac (General Counsel & Secretary) and Robin Thompson (Treasurer & Senior Director of Finance) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does Democracy Fund Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, community development and environment and conservation.