Center for Popular Democracy Inc
The Center for Popular Democracy Inc. (CPD) is a public charity based in Brooklyn, New York. It works with grassroots organizations, organizing alliances, and progressive unions to advance equity, opportunity, and a multiracial democracy, and it makes grants to nonprofit partners for charitable and educational purposes.
Key facts about Center for Popular Democracy Inc
In short: Center for Popular Democracy Inc gave $9.2M across 44 grants in 2024 (avg $209K), top state New York. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 45-3813436
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,215,721
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- Average grant
- $209,448
- Median grant
- $157,350
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (8 of 41, 2024)
- Total assets
- $42,364,579
- Primary geography
- New York (21% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$42.4M
+17.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.2M
+15.4% YoY
Grant Count
44
-2.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$209K
+18.0% YoY
Is Center for Popular Democracy Inc open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 41 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $157K; repeat grants $241K. How we count
Medians: $101K first-time, $165K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+9%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
CPD’s stated mission is to help forge a representative, multiracial government and society where everyone can thrive. Its stated focus includes access to good schools, affordable housing, quality healthcare, equal opportunity for immigrants, criminal justice reform, corporate accountability, a fair economy, and a responsive democracy. Its website also identifies work on civic engagement, climate justice, workers’ rights, voting rights, and organization and capacity-building.
CPD supports a network of organizations through campaigns and direct field capacity, training, and organizational support. Examples of grantees’ stated missions include:
- Arizona Center for Empowerment says it works with low- to moderate-income families, especially Latino and immigrant communities, to address social and economic injustice.
- Step Up Louisiana Organizing Fund says it builds power for education and economic justice through campaigning and community organizing.
- Texas Organizing Project Education Fund says it builds power through community organizing and civic engagement to improve the lives of low- and moderate-income Texas families.
- Working Washington says it organizes workers to improve working conditions and raise and uphold workplace standards.
- Maine People’s Resource Center says it unites people to develop the skills and resources to represent themselves in decision-making and win social justice campaigns.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, CPD reported 44 grants totaling $9,215,721. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $667,000, with a median of $157,350. The largest awards included:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CPD’s reported 2024 grant dollars were distributed across recipients in multiple states. The largest reported state shares were New York (21%), Pennsylvania (10%), Arizona (8%), Nevada (7%), and Maryland (7%). Its own filing describes work with affiliates and partners across the country.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $7.7M (2022) to $9.5M (2020). In 2024 it made 44 grants totaling $9.2M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Make the Road States DBA Make the Road NV ($667K). Together the top 10 received $4.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
258 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 80 grants of 258 (31%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Make the Road States DBA Make the Road NV Las Vegas, NV | Campaigns - (advocacy & mobilization)campaigns - (housing)campaigns - (economic justice)campaigns - (climate justice)civic engagementcampaigns - (healthcare) | $667,000 |
| Arizona Center for Empowerment Phoenix, AZ | Campaigns - (Advocacy & Mobilization) | $578,000 |
| CPD Action Canvass Network LLC Brooklyn, NY | Basebuilding - Canvass for Power | $547,746 |
| Center for Law and Human Value DBA the Action Lab Ridgewood, NY | Special Projects | $478,928 |
| Make the Road States DBA Make the Road PA Reading, PA | Civic Engagement | $460,000 |
| Action Institute North Carolina Durham, NC | Campaigns - (Advocacy & MOBILIZATION)CAMPAIGNS - (Housing) | $447,000 |
| Make the Road States DBA Make the Road NJ Elizabeth, NJ | Basebuilding - (general)campaigns - (advocacy & mobilization)campaigns - (housing)campaigns - (economic justice) | $417,200 |
| CASA De Maryland Hyattsville, MD | Civic engagementbasebuilding - (general)campaigns - (housing)campaigns - (climate justice)campaigns - (advocacy & mobilization) | $390,000 |
| Onepa Activist United Philadelphia, PA | Campaigns - (climate justice) civic engagement campaigns - (housing) basebuilding - (general) campaigns - (advocacy & mobilization) | $380,000 |
| Tides Center Detroit, MI | Civic Engagementcampaigns - (Advocacy & Mobilization) | $330,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $42,364,579 | $40,876,653 | $31,794,284 | $9,215,721 |
| 2023 | $35,939,444 | $28,679,099 | $29,776,393 | $7,986,525 |
| 2021 | $34,539,307 | $29,210,184 | $32,523,509 | $8,458,528 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $42,364,579 | $35,939,444 | $37,051,201 |
| Revenue | $40,876,653 | $28,679,099 | $30,025,213 |
| Expenses | $31,794,284 | $29,776,393 | $25,818,364 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,854,893 | $647,132 | $43,062 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Added 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 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists DaMareo Cooper and Analilia Mejia as co-executive directors. Listed board officers and members are Aaron Dorfman, chair; Brianna Brown, vice chair; Jose Lopez, secretary; Rafael Navar, treasurer; Matt Hollamby; Christina Livingston; Ladon Love; and Kirk Noden.
Center for Popular Democracy Inc is led by Analilia Mejia, Co-Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 12 of 22 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Analilia Mejia
Co-Executive Director
On filings since 2022
34.8 hrs/week
$199K (2022) → $195K (2024)
Damareo Cooper
Co-Executive Director
On filings since 2022
34.4 hrs/week
$206K (2022) → $197K (2024)
Aaron Dorfman
Board Chair
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claire Davis
Director of Finance
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$147K (2023) → $152K (2024)
Steven Dooley
Director of Organizing
New on the 2024 filing
39.3 hrs/week
$153K (2024)
Jennifer Freedman
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2020
37.8 hrs/week
$140K (2020) → $170K (2024)
Steven Kest
Senior Advisor
Senior Advisor → Chief of Innovations, 2021
Chief of Innovations → Senior Advisor, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$145K (2020) → $168K (2024)
Jennifer Alice Flynn Walker
Co-Chief of Campaigns
On filings since 2022
39 hrs/week
$143K (2022) → $148K (2024)
Julio Lopez Varona
Co-Chief of Campaigns
On filings since 2022
39.8 hrs/week
$155K (2022) → $167K (2024)
Oona Chatterjee
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2022
37.9 hrs/week
$180K (2022) → $196K (2024)
Stephanie Yazgi
Chief of Network Engagement
Deputy Chief of Staff → Chief of Network Engagement, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$143K (2022) → $152K (2024)
Alisha Brooks
Chief of Equity, People & Culture
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$148K (2023) → $153K (2024)
Elizabeth Alex
Chief of Basebuilding
Co-Chief of Basebuilding → Chief of Basebuilding, 2024
On filings since 2023
36 hrs/week
$167K (2023) → $154K (2024)
Alicia Russell
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christina Livingston
Board Member
Board Member → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jose Lopez
Board Secretary
Board Member → Board Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Hollamby
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ramon Ramirez
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brianna Brown
Board Vice Chair
Board Member → Board Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kirk Noden
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ladon Love
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rafael Navar
Board Treasurer
Board Member → Board Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Jonathan Green (2023) — Chief of Politics & Civic Engagement
- Former: Ana Maria Archila (2020–2022) — Transition Advisor
- Former: Andrew Friedman (2020–2022) — Former Co-Exec. Director
- Former: Aaron Dorfman Chair (2022) — Interim Chair · Filing note: As of
- Former: Angelique Green (2022) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Anusuya Chatterjee (2020–2021) — Chief of Basebuilding
- Former: Brian Kettenring (2020–2021) — Co-Executive Director
- Former: Deborah Axt (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Elissa Berger (2020–2021) — Senior Advisor
- Former: Javier Valdes (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Peter Markowitz (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Jennifer Epps Addison (2021) — Co-Executive Director
- Former: Ohad Barkan (2021) — Be A Hero Founder & Director
- Former: Christine Habib (2020) — Managing Director
- Former: Jennifer Epps-Addison (2020) — Co-Executive 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 $197K, to Damareo Cooper (Co-Executive Director). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 449 Troutman Street A, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Phone: (347) 985-2220
Website: https://populardemocracy.org
Frequently asked questions about Center for Popular Democracy Inc
How much does Center for Popular Democracy Inc give each year?
Center for Popular Democracy Inc gave $9.2M across 44 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $8.0M across 45 grants.
What is Center for Popular Democracy Inc's typical grant size?
Center for Popular Democracy Inc's median grant in 2024 was $157,350, and its average grant was $209,448, across 44 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Center for Popular Democracy Inc that year got $157K on average.
Where does Center for Popular Democracy Inc give grants?
Center for Popular Democracy Inc's top state is New York, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (10%) and Arizona (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Brooklyn, NY (7 grants), Phoenix, AZ (2 grants), Baltimore, MD (2 grants) and Burlington, VT (2 grants).
Does Center for Popular Democracy Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 25% of Center for Popular Democracy Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 44) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Campaigns - (Advocacy & Mobilization)" (4 grants).
Who are Center for Popular Democracy Inc's largest grantees?
Center for Popular Democracy Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Make the Road States DBA Make the Road NV ($667,000), Arizona Center for Empowerment ($578,000) and CPD Action Canvass Network LLC ($547,746), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Center for Popular Democracy Inc?
Center for Popular Democracy Inc reported $42.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $40.9M.
What does Center for Popular Democracy Inc fund?
CPD’s stated mission is to help forge a representative, multiracial government and society where everyone can thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Center for Popular Democracy Inc?
Center for Popular Democracy Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check populardemocracy.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Center for Popular Democracy Inc's EIN?
Center for Popular Democracy Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3813436. 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.
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