Center for Responsible Lending
The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) is a Durham, North Carolina–based public charity that works to promote financial fairness and economic opportunity. Founded in 2002, it is a nonpartisan nonprofit research and policy advocacy organization affiliated with Self-Help, a nonprofit community development financial institution.
Center for Responsible Lending at a glance
In short: Center for Responsible Lending gave $145K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), top state California. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $145,000
- -9.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- -8.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,182
- -1.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $11,459,787
- +38.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (3 of 11, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (34% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Center for Responsible Lending
- Contact
Mailing address: 302 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701-3227
Phone: (919) 956-4400
Website: https://responsiblelending.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Center for Responsible Lending funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was SaverLife ($50K). Together the top 10 received $140K.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 70 grants of 71 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CRL is based in Durham, North Carolina. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest reported state shares were California (34%), Maryland (14%), Virginia (8%), Alaska (7%), and New Jersey (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Center for Responsible Lending open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 11 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $145K (2024) to $197K (2020). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $145K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SaverLife San Francisco, CA | Combat predatory lending | $50,000 |
| Center for Public Justice Alexandria, VA | Combat predatory lending | $12,000 |
| National Association of Real Estate Lanham, MD | Combat predatory lending | $10,000 |
| Alaska Public Interest Research Gro Anchorage, AK | Combat predatory lending | $10,000 |
| New Jersey Citizen Action Education Highland Park, NJ | Combat predatory lending | $10,000 |
| CommEconomic Develop Asso Michigan Lansing, MI | Combat predatory lending | $10,000 |
| CASH Campaign of Maryland Baltimore, MD | Combat predatory lending | $10,000 |
| Economic Progress Institute Providence, RI | Combat predatory lending | $10,000 |
| Center for Economic Integrity Tucson, AZ | Combat predatory lending | $10,000 |
| Maine Equal Justice Partners Inc Augusta, ME | Combat predatory lending | $7,500 |
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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 | $11,459,787 | $9,670,335 | $5,870,496 | $145,000 | 11 | $208,455 |
| 2023 | $8,305,439 | $6,262,546 | $7,090,753 | $160,000 | 12 | $242,009 |
| 2022 | $9,921,887 | $4,782,304 | $6,985,522 | $190,000 | 15 | $71,764 |
| 2021 | $10,481,758 | $6,504,480 | $6,811,943 | $185,413 | 16 | $4,789 |
| 2020 | $10,773,995 | $9,048,874 | $7,054,696 | $197,000 | 17 | $33,208 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CRL states its mission as promoting financial fairness and economic opportunity for all and ending abusive lending practices. Its work covers consumer finance, debt collection and settlement, mortgage lending, overdraft fees, payday and other small-dollar loans, small business, student loans, and equitable access to clean-energy grants and incentives.
In its 2024 filing, CRL describes providing legal and market analysis, conducting research on consumer financial products and lending, and preparing policy analysis and outreach materials. Its grants show support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the National Association of Real Estate describes its work as supporting fair and affordable housing through legal challenges and legislative initiatives. The CASH Campaign of Maryland says it promotes economic advancement for low- to moderate-income individuals and families through direct services, capacity building, and policy advocacy. Maine Equal Justice describes itself as a legal aid and economic justice organization working to increase economic security, opportunity, and equity in Maine.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, CRL reported 11 grants totaling $145,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,500 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. The stated purpose for each listed grant was to combat predatory lending.
The largest award was $50,000 to SaverLife. Other grants included $12,000 to the Center for Public Justice and $10,000 each to the National Association of Real Estate, Alaska Public Interest Research Group, New Jersey Citizen Action Education, Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, CASH Campaign of Maryland, Economic Progress Institute, and Center for Economic Integrity. Maine Equal Justice Partners received $7,500, and Georgia Watch received $5,500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael Calhoun as President; Martin Eakes as CEO, Director, and Secretary; and Marcus Bowen as Treasurer. It also lists Ellen Harnick as CRL EVP, Mitria Spotser as Director of Federal Policy, Elizabeth J. Laderman and Peter Smith as Senior Researchers, Andrew Kushner as Senior Policy Counsel, and Wade Henderson and Mark Goldhaber as directors.
Center for Responsible Lending is led by Martin Eakes, Ceodirectorsecretary on every filing since 2020; 8 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Martin Eakes
Ceodirectorsecretary
On filings since 2020
$84K (2020) → $101K (2024)
Michael Calhoun
President
On filings since 2020
$114K (2020) → $141K (2024)
Mitria Spotser
Director Federal Policy
On filings since 2023
$132K (2023) → $144K (2024)
Lisa Rice
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Goldhaber
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicolas Retsina
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Ludwig
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wade Henderson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Domini
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Arce
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
LaShawn Warren
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Ellen Harnick
Crl Executive Vice President
Senior Policy Counsel → Crl Executive Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
$115K (2020) → $137K (2024)
Peter Smith
Senior Researcher
On filings since 2021
$142K (2023) → $148K (2024)
Marcus Bowen
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
$100K (2023) → $106K (2024)
Elizabeth J Laderman
Senior Researcher
On filings since 2023
$141K (2023) → $143K (2024)
Andrew Kushner
Senior Policy Counsel
New on the 2024 filing
$151K (2024)
Ira Rheingold
Directorchair
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Nadine B Chabrier (2022–2023) — Senior Policy Counsel
- Former: Randy Chambers (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Eric J White (2022) — Digital Communications Manager
- Former: Aracely Panameno (2020–2021) — Director Latino Affairs
- Former: Edna Kane-Williams (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Graciela Aponte Diaz (2020–2021) — Federal Campaigns Director
- Former: Marisabel Torres (2021) — Ca Policy Director
- Former: Don Kidd (2020) — Director
- Former: Melissa Stegman (2020) — Senior Policy Counsel
- Former: Noel Poyo (2020) — Director
- Former: Ricardo Quinto (2020) — Director of Communications
- Former: Robin Talbert (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 $151K, to Andrew Kushner (Senior Policy Counsel). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Center for Responsible Lending
How much does Center for Responsible Lending give each year?
Center for Responsible Lending gave $145K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $160K across 12 grants.
What is Center for Responsible Lending's typical grant size?
Center for Responsible Lending's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,182, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Center for Responsible Lending that year got $9K on average.
Where does Center for Responsible Lending give grants?
Center for Responsible Lending's top state is California, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Maryland (14%) and Virginia (8%).
Does Center for Responsible Lending give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Center for Responsible Lending's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Combat predatory lending" (11 grants).
Who are Center for Responsible Lending's largest grantees?
Center for Responsible Lending's largest 2024 grantees include SaverLife ($50,000), Center for Public Justice ($12,000) and National Association of Real Estate ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Center for Responsible Lending?
Center for Responsible Lending reported $11.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.7M.
What does Center for Responsible Lending fund?
CRL states its mission as promoting financial fairness and economic opportunity for all and ending abusive lending practices. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Center for Responsible Lending?
Center for Responsible Lending has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check responsiblelending.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Center for Responsible Lending's EIN?
Center for Responsible Lending's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-3043913. 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.
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 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Center for Responsible Lending's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Center for Responsible Lending funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/center-for-responsible-lending-morg_97f7de3013aa422b97e5143a4ac960f8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_743043913_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Center for Responsible Lending funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/center-for-responsible-lending-morg_97f7de3013aa422b97e5143a4ac960f8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Center for Responsible Lending's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Center for Responsible Lending down — hundreds of funders to go?