Cicero Research
Cicero Research is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization that operates, along with its related and independent 501(c)(4) organization cicero action, as the cicero institute. Cicero Research's mission is to educate the public and support activities that embrace the principles of a free society and highlight the principles of liberty, accountability, and transparency to fix broken public systems and lift up millions of americans.
Cicero Research at a glance
In short: Cicero Research gave $30K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $30K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $30,000
- +90.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $30,000
- +280.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $26,998,787
- +45.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Virginia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Cicero Research funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was State Policy Network ($30K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 5 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How Cicero Research gives
- Giving fell 99% from 2021 to 2024. 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16K (2023) to $6.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $30K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| State Policy Network Arlington, VA | General Purpose | $30,000 |
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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 | $26,998,787 | $13,310,263 | $6,083,280 | $30,000 | 1 | $592,458 |
| 2023 | $18,521,935 | $6,098,747 | $3,550,367 | $15,780 | 2 | $31,699 |
| 2022 | $14,205,432 | $14,849,489 | $9,711,324 | $6,773,008 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | $9,719,742 | $13,029,248 | $3,317,893 | $2,500,000 | 1 | — |
About Cicero Research
Based on IRS filings
Cicero Research is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Austin, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $27.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $30K. Net investment income was $592K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Cicero Research is led by Stephen Garrison, Chief Executive Officer on the 2024 filing; 8 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephen Garrison
Chief Executive Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$420K (2024)
Bryan Sunderland
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
10 hrs/week
$69K (2024)
Joseph Lonsdale
Chairman
Member → President, 2021
President → Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Wolfson
Policy Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$262K (2024)
Michael Brickman
Policy Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$220K (2024)
Stefani Buhajla
Communications Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$165K (2024)
Clay Spence
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tayler Lonsdale
Director
Director → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Webman
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Blake Brickman
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyson Hendricksen
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Meier
Senior Fellow
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$255K (2024)
Ryan Vassar
Secretary & General Counsel
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
$125K (2024)
Chris Jones
Senior Fellow
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$230K (2024)
Whitney Munro
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Devon Kurtz (2023) — Policy Director
- Former: Jakob Dupuis (2023) — Policy Analyst
- Former: Matthew Nolan (2023) — Research Assistant
- Former: Jeff Lonsdale (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 $420K, to Stephen Garrison (Chief Executive Officer). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Cicero Research
How much does Cicero Research give each year?
Cicero Research gave $30K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $16K across 2 grants.
How large is Cicero Research?
Cicero Research reported $27.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $13.3M.
What is Cicero Research?
Cicero Research is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Austin, TX. It holds $27.0M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Cicero Research operate?
Cicero Research has awarded grants in District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Texas, Virginia.
What is Cicero Research's EIN?
Cicero Research's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-1325445. 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
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 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 December 9, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cicero Research down — hundreds of funders to go?