Center for Media and Democracy Inc
Center for Media and Democracy, inc. (CMD) is an independent, non-partisan organization dedicated to investigating and publicizing the hidden influence of powerful special interests on America's media and democracy, and its impact on public opinion, public policy, law, and elections.
Center for Media and Democracy Inc at a glance
- Total assets
- $2,590,489
- +1.1% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $1,063,259
- +14.4% vs 2024
- Net investment income (2025)
- $99,803
- +7.2% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $1,033,822
- -4.3% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Center for Media and Democracy Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 3 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How Center for Media and Democracy Inc gives
- Giving grew 205% from 2020 to 2023. 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $24K (2021) to $74K (2023). In 2023 it made 1 grant totaling $74K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Family Voices Washington, DC | Populist Economic Project | $73,985 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,590,489 | $1,063,259 | $1,033,822 | — | — | $99,803 |
| 2024 | $2,561,774 | $929,660 | $1,079,913 | — | — | $93,112 |
| 2023 | $2,711,432 | $1,793,730 | $1,073,976 | $73,985 | 1 | $50,940 |
| 2022 | $1,991,473 | $1,140,052 | $819,340 | $39,000 | 1 | $8,289 |
| 2021 | $1,670,070 | $1,898,218 | $680,065 | $24,235 | 1 | $126 |
| 2020 | $495,164 | $829,683 | $667,430 | $24,250 | 1 | $58 |
About Center for Media and Democracy Inc
Based on IRS filings
Center for Media and Democracy Inc is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Madison, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.6M in total assets. Net investment income was $100K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Center for Media and Democracy Inc is led by Arn Pearson, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 4 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Arn Pearson
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$156K (2020) → $189K (2025)
Lisa Graves
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Wittstein
Director of Operations
Director of Operations → Director of Operations & Development, 2021
Director of Operations & Development → Director of Operations, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$172K (2020) → $234K (2025)
David Armiak
Research Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$113K (2024) → $115K (2025)
Bo Yerxa
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cosmo Harrigan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Bey
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Braune
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gordon Lafer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jan Miyasaki
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Maclean
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Don Wiener
Writer & Researcher
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Karen Kimball (2023) — Strategic Outreach Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $234K, to Eric Wittstein (Director of Operations). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Center for Media and Democracy Inc
How large is Center for Media and Democracy Inc?
Center for Media and Democracy Inc reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.1M.
What is Center for Media and Democracy Inc?
Center for Media and Democracy Inc is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Madison, WI. It holds $2.6M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Center for Media and Democracy Inc operate?
Center for Media and Democracy Inc has awarded grants in District of Columbia.
What is Center for Media and Democracy Inc's EIN?
Center for Media and Democracy Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1777402. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 7, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Center for Media and Democracy Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Center for Media and Democracy Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?