50CAN INC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. The organization was founded in 2011 and is committed to closing America's achievement gap by building public support for proven models of effective public education. 50CAN works both nationally and locally by training education advocates to approach local problems with "a national view of the education landscape." The organization operates with 84 employees and provides fiscal sponsorship services to partner organizations working within its policy framework.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$36.8M
+85.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$54.9M
-1.6% YoY
Grant Count
197
+3.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$279K
-4.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: 50CAN's mission is to help develop local education leaders by providing them with the research, tools and ideas needed to create learning environments that best meet every child's needs. The organization advocates for a high-quality education for all children, regardless of their address.
Primary Program Areas:
Fiscal Sponsorships: 50CAN offers fiscal sponsorship services to partner organizations that work within the organization's policy framework, supporting new organizations awaiting independent 501(c)(3) status or those seeking to utilize 50CAN's financial and administrative management.
Communications & Mobilization: The organization helps local leaders create a movement of informed citizens through media work, e-advocacy, publications, graphic design, partnerships with civic and community groups, phone banks, petitions, and rallies. 50CAN leaders are frequently featured in television, online, and print media.
Policy Advocacy: 50CAN's expert staff teams up with local advocacy leaders to develop and enact student and family-centered policy change.
Fellowships & Training: The organization offers fellowships for communicators and change makers, and provides support for educational innovators and entrepreneurs.
Grantmaking
50CAN functions as both a grantmaker and grant recipient. The organization has made grants to educational organizations, with recent examples including:
Grant Range
** Typical awards range from approximately $14,630 to $5,363,600.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
50CAN's grantmaking and advocacy work focuses primarily on New York, Tennessee, and Texas. The organization also maintains active programs in New Mexico, Georgia, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Revenue: $97,340,773
- Total Expenses: $82,792,997
- Net Income: $14,547,776
- Total Assets: $36,761,998
- Total Liabilities: $4,210,000
- Net Assets: $32,549,763
Program Expense Ratio: 83.17% of budget allocated to program expenses, indicating strong financial management and commitment to mission-driven work.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $36,761,998 | $19,850,307 | $12,137,182 |
| Revenue | $97,340,773 | $80,614,407 | $37,090,533 |
| Expenses | $82,792,997 | $74,177,633 | $36,341,433 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,094,650 | $199,950 | $1,307 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
159 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from 50can Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Basis San Antonio ($1,209,640), Classical Charter Schools ($838,400), Compass Rose Education ($698,720).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL BRONX, NY | TO SUPPORT SUMMER BOOST | $98,560 |
| ACCESS BRONX CHARTER SCHOOL - THE BRONX CHARTER SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN BRONX, NY | TO SUPPORT SUMMER BOOST | $332,000 |
| AECI CHARTER SCHOOLS NETWORK BRONX, NY | TO SUPPORT SUMMER BOOST | $92,800 |
| AFYA BALTIMORE INC BALTIMORE, MD | TO SUPPORT SUMMER BOOST | $528,000 |
| AMBER CHARTER SCHOOLS NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT SUMMER BOOST | $115,500 |
| AMERICAN DREAM CHARTER SCHOOL OLD BRONX, NY | TO SUPPORT SUMMER BOOST | $206,400 |
| ARROW ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE CHARTER SCHOOL MEMPHIS, TN | TO SUPPORT SUMMER BOOST | $44,800 |
| ASCEND LEARNING INC BROOKLYN, NY | TO SUPPORT SUMMER BOOST | $224,000 |
| AURORA COLLEGIATE ACADEMY INC MEMPHIS, TN | TO SUPPORT SUMMER BOOST | $184,000 |
| AVENTURA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS NASHVILLE, TN | TO SUPPORT SUMMER BOOST | $112,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- CEO & Founder: Marc Porter Magee
- President: Derrell Bradford
The organization maintains a board with 90% independent board members, demonstrating a commitment to governance standards.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARC MAGEE | CEO & TREASURER | 40 | $393,359 |
| MICHAEL PHILLIPS | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ANN BOROWIEC | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CAMPBELL BROWN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATHERINE HALEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROLAND MARTIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LISA GRAHAM KEEGAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDREW SCHWEDEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DERRICK DIGGS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DERRELL BRADFORD | PRESIDENT | 40 | $303,822 |
| JONATHAN NIKKILA | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | 50 | $224,932 |
| KENNA LITTLE | VP OF FINANCE & OPERATION | 50 | $160,423 |
| RESHMA SINGH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PACE | 50 | $287,591 |
| BENJAMIN AUSTIN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ECRN | 50 | $279,640 |
| SEAN ANDERSEN | SENIOR ADVISOR OF PACE | 50 | $248,364 |
| PAULA WHITE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $238,811 |
| KELLI DRAGO BOTTGER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $214,938 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 50can Inc fund?
**Mission:** 50CAN's mission is to help develop local education leaders by providing them with the research, tools and ideas needed to create learning environments that best meet every child's needs. The organization advocates for a high-quality education for all children, regardless of their address. **Primary Program Areas:** • **Fiscal Sponsorships:** 50CAN offers fiscal sponsorship services to partner organizations that work within the organization's policy framework, supporting new organiz…
How do I apply for a grant from 50can Inc?
50CAN functions as both a grantmaker and grant recipient. The organization has made grants to educational organizations, with recent examples including: • **IDEA Public Schools:** $2,266,000 grant to support Summer Boost (2024) **Grant Range:** Typical awards range from approximately $14,630 to $5,363,600. **Total Giving:** $54,990,215 in grants made (based on most recent IRS Form 990 filing). **Active Opportunities:** 50CAN offers the Families Invested in Reforming Education (FIRE) Fellowship.
Where does 50can Inc make grants?
50CAN's grantmaking and advocacy work focuses primarily on New York, Tennessee, and Texas. The organization also maintains active programs in New Mexico, Georgia, and Virginia.
What size grants does 50can Inc award?
In 2024, 50can Inc awarded 197 grants totaling $54.9M — an average of about $279K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in 50can Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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