Action Now Inc is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization based in Houston, Texas, designated as a civic league and local association created to promote community welfare. The organization operates as a non-partisan advocacy network supporting evidence-based policy reform at the state and federal levels. Donations to this organization are not tax-deductible.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.3M
+2.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.9M
+209.1% YoY
Grant Count
42
+121.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$259K
+39.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Action Now Inc's philanthropic work tackles pressing problems in the United States by focusing on correcting systemic failures through evidence-based solutions. The organization invests in sustainable change built from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence to drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy.
Primary focus areas include:
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Health Care Reform
- Transparency and Accountability in Higher Education
- Community & Civic Engagement
- Community Health
- Local Government Grants
The organization seeks to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice through its advocacy and grantmaking activities.
Grantmaking
Action Now Inc functions as a grantmaking foundation with total giving of $3,519,330 based on the most recent filing. Typical grant awards range from $16,000 to $3,000,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary grantmaking regions include:
- District of Columbia
- Montana
- Maryland
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 Financial Data:
- Total Revenue: $3,577,720
- Total Expenses: $3,738,775
- Net Income: -$161,055
- Total Assets: $3,237,181
- Total Liabilities: $0
2022 Financial Data:
- Total Revenue: $13,562,786
- Total Expenses: $10,414,516
- Total Assets: $3,398,236
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,303,803 | $3,237,181 | $3,398,236 |
| Revenue | $11,013,735 | $3,577,720 | $13,562,786 |
| Expenses | $10,947,113 | $3,738,775 | $10,414,516 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $63,735 | $77,720 | $22,786 |
| 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
96 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Welcoming Neighbors Network ($2,519,000), Families Usa Action ($700,000), Committee to Protect Health Care ($656,250).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 603 FORWARD CONCORD, NH | TO SUPPORT GRANTEE'S PRO-HOUSING ADVOCACY EFFORTS. | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN POLICY VENTURES ACTION INC WASHINGTON, DC | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. | $100,000 |
| BE A HERO ACTION FUND WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT GRANTEE'S EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OVERPAYMENTS. | $220,000 |
| BEHAVIORAL INSIGHTS (US) INC BROOKLYN, NY | TO SUPPORT THE DESIGN BY THE GRANTEE OF A COMMUNICATIONS-BASED INTERVENTION FOCUSED ON ASSISTING VICTIMS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE THROUGHOUT COURT PROCEEDINGS. | $99,850 |
| BETTER LEADERS STRONGER FUTURE INC AUSTIN, TX | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. | $17,500 |
| BIPARTISAN CLIMATE ACTION WASHINGTON, DC | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. | $250,000 |
| BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER ACTION INC WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT GRANTEE'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE FEDERAL PERMITTING IN THE U.S. | $150,000 |
| BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER ACTION INC WASHINGTON, DC | TO CONDUCT ISSUE EDUCATION, INCLUDING ON THE HISTORY OF THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT; POLICY DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSIONS, AND CONGRESSIONAL AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT. | $63,961 |
| BOLDLY FORWARD COLORADO DENVER, CO | TO SUPPORT GRANTEE'S EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY ON HOUSING POLICY ISSUES IN COLORADO. | $80,000 |
| CITIZEN ACTION OF NEW JERSEY NEWARK, NJ | TO SUPPORT GRANTEE'S ADVOCACY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY COUNCIL. | $150,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
CEO/Principal Officer: Kelli Rhee
Founders: John Arnold and Laura Arnold
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KELLI RHEE | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH BANKS | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JOHN ARNOLD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAURA ARNOLD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROXANNE ALMARAZ | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Action Now Inc has expanded its commitment to protecting historically Black churches, announcing $13.5 million in new grants through the Action Fund for this initiative.
Action Fund Expands Commitment to Protect Historically Black Churches withSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Action Now Inc fund?
Action Now Inc's philanthropic work tackles pressing problems in the United States by focusing on correcting systemic failures through evidence-based solutions. The organization invests in sustainable change built from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence to drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy. Primary focus areas include: • Criminal Justice Reform • Health Care Reform • Transparency and Accoun…
How do I apply for a grant from Action Now Inc?
Action Now Inc functions as a grantmaking foundation with total giving of $3,519,330 based on the most recent filing. Typical grant awards range from $16,000 to $3,000,000. The organization's grant-making focuses on Human Services, Health Care, and Community Improvement & Capacity Building, with primary geographic emphasis on the District of Columbia, Montana, and Maryland.
Where does Action Now Inc make grants?
Primary grantmaking regions include: • District of Columbia • Montana • Maryland
What size grants does Action Now Inc award?
In 2024, Action Now Inc awarded 42 grants totaling $10.9M — an average of about $259K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Action Now Inc's EIN?
Action Now Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4083809. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Action Now 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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