Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, inc. (BISC) strengthens democracy by building a national progressive strategy for ballot measures.
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc at a glance
In short: Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc gave $405K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $68K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $405,000
- +15.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +500.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $67,500
- -80.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $3,202,962
- -32.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (49% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Organize Action Inc ($200K). Together the top 6 received $405K.
Grant Size Distribution
15 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 5 grants of 15 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−19%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2020) to $500K (2022). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $405K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Organize Action Inc Cloverdale, CA | 2.5 Project | $200,000 |
| Voter Rights Colorado Denver, CO | To Support Efforts That Strengthen Our Democracy | $50,000 |
| Progress Arizona Phoenix, AZ | To Support Efforts That Strengthen Our Democracy | $50,000 |
| Protect Our Schools Kentucky Frankfort, KY | To Support Efforts That Strengthen Our Democracy | $50,000 |
| Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action St. Louis, MO | General Support Grant | $45,000 |
| Nebraska Votes Lincoln, NE | To Strengthen Communications Focused on Democracy | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,202,962 | $2,556,697 | $3,669,293 | $405,000 | 6 | $9,892 |
| 2023 | $4,742,823 | $4,755,016 | $3,170,325 | $350,000 | 1 | $5,788 |
| 2022 | $3,237,638 | $2,250,670 | $3,320,797 | $500,000 | 4 | $528 |
| 2021 | $3,580,828 | $4,842,440 | $2,392,414 | $500,000 | 4 | — |
| 2020 | $997,744 | $1,960,501 | $1,906,604 | $5,000 | Total only | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc
Based on IRS filings
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc is a public charity, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $405K. Net investment income was $10K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc is led by Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 5 of 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Chris Melody Fields Figueredo
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$108K (2020) → $221K (2024)
Kenny Diggs
Chair
Secretary - → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Avakian
Director of Strategic Communications
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$132K (2023) → $138K (2024)
Elizabeth Schilling
Development Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$131K (2023) → $137K (2024)
Victoria Ward
Director of Operations & Finance
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$139K (2023) → $122K (2024)
Becca Uherbelau
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Boswell
Director
Chair → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Desmond Meade
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Epps-Addison
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nadia Belkin
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dakota Hall
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jake Olson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Steinmetz
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Norman
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$172K (2023) → $175K (2024)
Andrea Marta
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Standiford
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Lara Granich (2020–2023) — Director-
- Former: Al-Ayoubi Laudmila (2023) — Strategic Partnership Director
- Former: Dana Laurent (2023) — Senior Strategic Advisor
- Former: Gail Stoltz (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Suzanne Ruecker (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tomas Robles (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Doug Burnett (2020) — Secretary -
- Former: John Loredo (2020) — Director -
- Former: Rick De La Fuente (2020) — Director -
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 $221K, to Chris Melody Fields Figueredo (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc
How much does Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc give each year?
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc gave $405K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $350K across 1 grant.
What is Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc's typical grant size?
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $67,500, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc give grants?
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc's top state is California, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Colorado (12%) and Arizona (12%).
Does Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 17% of Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "To Support Efforts That Strengthen Our Democracy" (3 grants).
Who are Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc's largest grantees?
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Organize Action Inc ($200,000), Voter Rights Colorado ($50,000) and Progress Arizona ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc?
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.6M.
What is Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc's EIN?
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3411708. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
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 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 24, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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