50CAN Inc
50CAN Inc is a public charity based in Washington, DC, formed in 2010. It works to improve public education in the United States through state-based advocacy campaigns, fellowships, support for educational innovators and entrepreneurs, and research and resources on effective advocacy.
50CAN Inc at a glance
In short: 50CAN Inc gave $54.9M across 197 grants in 2024 (avg $279K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $54,939,868
- -1.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 197
- +3.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $278,883
- -4.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $177,744
- Total assets
- $36,761,998
- +85.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (44% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to 50CAN Inc
- How to Apply
-
Builder applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed in February and November each year. The FIRE Fellowship is open to eligible applicants through its program application; participation is volunteer-only.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Mailing address: 1380 Monroe Street Nw 413, Washington, DC 20010
Phone: (301) 458-8452
Website: https://50can.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from 50CAN Inc
Who 50CAN Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Idea Public Schools ($2.3M). Together the top 10 received $14.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($1,085,600), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
483 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 191 grants of 483 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in New York (44%), Texas (24%), Tennessee (14%), Washington, DC (8%), and Maryland (7%). Listed 2024 recipients also include organizations in these states and jurisdictions.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 197 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How 50CAN Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $200K (2020) to $55.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 197 grants totaling $54.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Idea Public Schools Weslaco, TX | To Support Summer Boost | $2,266,000 |
| Kipp NYC Public Schools New York, NY | To Support Summer Boost | $1,920,000 |
| Success Academy New York, NY | To Support Summer Boost | $1,744,577 |
| Riverwalk Education Foundation Inc (Schools of Science and Technology) San Antonio, TX | To Support Summer Boost | $1,722,240 |
| Friendship Public Charter School Washington, DC | To Support Summer Boost | $1,707,200 |
| Basis San Antonio San Antonio, TX | To Support Summer Boost | $1,209,640 |
| Texas Council for International Studies (Old) Dallas, TX | To Support Summer Boost | $1,141,396 |
| Jubilee Academic Center Inc San Antonio, TX | To Support Summer Boost | $1,116,800 |
| Our World Neighborhood Charter Schools 2 Astoria, NY | To Support Summer Boost | $950,000 |
| Gestalt Community Schools Memphis, TN | To Support Summer Boost | $932,957 |
Ready to take the next step with 50CAN Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The organization reported receiving a one-time contribution of $49,702,797 in 2024 from an unaffiliated 501(c)(3) public charity. It said the contribution was unsolicited and not part of a recurring pattern.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $36,761,998 | $97,340,773 | $82,792,997 | $54,939,868 | 197 | $1,094,650 |
| 2023 | $19,850,307 | $80,614,407 | $74,177,633 | $55,805,033 | 191 | $199,950 |
| 2022 | $12,137,182 | $37,090,533 | $36,341,433 | $22,645,911 | 86 | $1,307 |
| 2021 | $11,451,169 | $14,699,448 | $11,541,176 | $641,887 | 4 | $706 |
| 2020 | $7,906,075 | $10,338,380 | $10,166,595 | $199,767 | 5 | $7,383 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
50CAN’s stated mission is to improve the quality of public education in the United States. Its filing describes three program areas: fiscal sponsorship for partner organizations; working with local advocacy leaders to develop and enact student- and family-centered policy change; and communications and mobilization, including media work, e-advocacy, publications, partnerships, phone banks, petitions, and rallies.
The organization’s website says it supports education entrepreneurs by providing back-office services such as finance, payroll, human resources, communications, and strategy, allowing them to focus on building their organizations. It says it is supporting more than a dozen education leaders through this work. Its 2024–2026 strategic plan organizes its work into four streams: advocate for the future of American education, spark new people and ideas, build proof points and support partner organizations, and serve the public.
Examples of grantees show support for schools and education organizations. IDEA Public Schools describes its mission as preparing students in Pre-K through grade 12 to succeed in college and life. Friendship Public Charter School says it seeks to provide a high-quality education and develop students as ethical, well-rounded, self-sufficient citizens. Gestalt Community Schools describes itself as a K–12 charter management organization preparing students for college, careers, and community life.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, 50CAN reported 197 grants totaling $54,939,868. Awards ranged from $14,630 to $2,266,000, with a median grant of $177,744.
The largest reported grants included $2,266,000 to IDEA Public Schools, $1,920,000 to KIPP NYC Public Schools, $1,744,577 to Success Academy, and $1,722,240 to Riverwalk Education Foundation Inc. Each was designated to support Summer Boost. Other large grants for Summer Boost included $1,707,200 to Friendship Public Charter School, $1,209,640 to BASIS San Antonio, and $1,141,396 to Texas Council for International Studies.
50CAN also offers the Families Invested in Reforming Education (FIRE) Fellowship, a volunteer-only, six-week advocate training program for people connected to a child in the U.S. PreK–12 education system who have a strong interest in education advocacy. Participants are expected to attend at least seven of eight training sessions. Graduates can continue engaging with local teams and attend optional monthly trainings and dialogues. The fellowship has no stipend and is not described as a grant program for outside applicants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Marc Magee as CEO and treasurer and Derrell Bradford as president. It lists Michael Phillips as chair, and Ann Borowiec, Campbell Brown, Katherine Haley, Roland Martin, Lisa Graham Keegan, Andrew Schwedel, and Derrick Diggs as directors.
50CAN Inc is led by Marc Magee, CEO & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; 9 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Marc Magee
CEO & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$303K (2020) → $393K (2024)
Derrell Bradford
President
Executive Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$196K (2020) → $304K (2024)
Reshma Singh
Executive Director of Pace
Founding Partner & Pace Strategies → Senior Advisor, 2021
Senior Advisor → Executive Director of Pace, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$230K (2020) → $288K (2024)
Kelli Drago Bottger
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$206K (2023) → $215K (2024)
Paula White
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$230K (2023) → $239K (2024)
Benjamin Austin
Executive Director of Ecrn
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$280K (2024)
Michael Phillips
Chair
Board Chair → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Schwedel
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Borowiec
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Campbell Brown
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Haley
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roland Martin
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Graham Keegan
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Derrick Diggs
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Nikkila
Executive Vice President
Senior Vice President → Executive Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$179K (2020) → $225K (2024)
Sean Andersen
Senior Advisor of Pace
Founding Partner & Pace Strategies → Senior Advisor, 2021
Senior Advisor → Senior Advisor of Pace, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$227K (2020) → $248K (2024)
Kenna Little
Vice President of Finance & Operations
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$160K (2024)
Former officers (8)
- Former: Dacia Toll (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Deepa Javeri (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ben Austin (2021–2023) — Executive Director of Ecrn
- Former: Michele Mason (2022–2023) — Former COO
- Former: Subira Gordon (2020–2022) — Executive Director Conncan
- Former: Vallay-Lath Varro (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Derrell Bradford President (2021)
- Former: Jason Provost (2020) — Managing Director & Pace Strategies
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $393K, to Marc Magee (CEO & Treasurer). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about 50CAN Inc
How much does 50CAN Inc give each year?
50CAN Inc gave $54.9M across 197 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $55.8M across 191 grants.
What is 50CAN Inc's typical grant size?
50CAN Inc's median grant in 2024 was $177,744, and its average grant was $278,883, across 197 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does 50CAN Inc give grants?
50CAN Inc's top state is New York, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Texas (24%) and Tennessee (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bronx, NY (30 grants), Washington, DC (26 grants), New York, NY (22 grants) and Memphis, TN (22 grants).
Does 50CAN Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 197 grants with a stated purpose on 50CAN Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support Summer Boost" (197 grants).
Who are 50CAN Inc's largest grantees?
50CAN Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Idea Public Schools ($2,266,000), Kipp NYC Public Schools ($1,920,000) and Success Academy ($1,744,577), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($1,085,600), which are not listed by name. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is 50CAN Inc?
50CAN Inc reported $36.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $97.3M.
What does 50CAN Inc fund?
50CAN’s stated mission is to improve the quality of public education in the United States. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from 50CAN Inc?
Builder applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed in February and November each year. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is 50CAN Inc's EIN?
50CAN Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3069592. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 9, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in 50CAN Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). 50CAN Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/50can-inc-morg_bfe475c01b02484289e492f21a3e2940
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_273069592_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{50CAN Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/50can-inc-morg_bfe475c01b02484289e492f21a3e2940},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from 50CAN Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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