Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation engages in training and educational activities For county citizens. These activities consist of two key components: civic education and civic engagement.
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc gave $456K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $456K), mostly in Florida. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $455,800
- +356.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $455,800
- +356.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $455,800
- Total assets
- $767,060
- +75.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Florida (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Remnant Law ($456K).
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 2 grants of 3 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 397% from 2022 to 2025. 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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $92K (2022) to $456K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $456K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Remnant Law Mulberry, FL | Program Support | $455,800 |
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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 | $767,060 | $5,852,850 | $3,886,816 | $455,800 | 1 | $92 |
| 2024 | $437,451 | $5,499,048 | $5,716,705 | $99,880 | 1 | $70 |
| 2023 | $172,416 | $2,676,897 | $4,074,217 | — | — | — |
| 2022 | $607,778 | $1,616,299 | $1,748,562 | $91,739 | 1 | — |
About Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc
Based on IRS filings
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Mulberry, FL. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $767K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $456K. Net investment income was $92.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc is led by Steve Blackwelder, CEO on every filing since 2023; 8 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Steve Blackwelder
CEO
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
$117K (2025)
Colby Wiltse
Interim CEO
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
$80K (2025)
Steve Maxwell
President & Executive Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
$252K (2024) → $214K (2025)
Luis Cabrera
Tx Faith Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
$107K (2024) → $92K (2025)
Sarah Calamunci
Fl State Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
$101K (2024) → $77K (2025)
Nicole Nolte
Marketing Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
$76K (2025)
Seth Jahn
Director of Security
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
$114K (2025)
Tara Schulte
Tx County Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
$75K (2025)
Keith Rose
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Smith
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Respress
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Bendett
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Durham
Vice President
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Jim McClain (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Holly Kesler (2024) — Ga State Director
- Former: James Bruner (2024) — General Counsel
- Former: Melinda Preston (2024) — Tx County Director
- Former: Jeff Childers (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Jimmy Nelson (2022) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "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 $214K, to Steve Maxwell (President / Exec. Director). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc
How much does Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc give each year?
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc gave $456K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $100K across 1 grant.
How large is Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc?
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc reported $767K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.9M.
What is Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc?
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Mulberry, FL. It holds $767K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc operate?
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc has awarded grants in Florida.
What is Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc's EIN?
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-3949080. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Live grants for the work Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc funds
Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Uprooting Racism Training (URFS) $75 - $150 per individual; $60 - $150 per person for groups (10-30 people, $1,800 - $4,500 suggested group honorarium) · Due November 12, 2026
- Grace Scholars, Mount Mary University 85% of tuition + residential grant for on-campus living · Due November 15, 2026
- Stanley Stone Me'oravut Hevratit (Social Involvement) Award $5,000 · Due November 24, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?