Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation
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.
Key facts about Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation
In short: Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation gave $456K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $456K), mostly in Florida. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 86-3949080
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $455,800
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- Average grant
- $455,800
- Median grant
- $455,800
- Total assets
- $767,060
- Primary geography
- Florida (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$767K
+75.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$456K
+356.3% YoY
Grant Count
1
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$456K
+356.3% YoY
How Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation gives
- Giving grew 397% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation 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
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 1 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients 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%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Remnant Law Mulberry, FL | Program Support | $455,800 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $767,060 | $437,451 | $172,416 |
| Revenue | $5,852,850 | $5,499,048 | $2,676,897 |
| Expenses | $3,886,816 | $5,716,705 | $4,074,217 |
| Net Investment Income | $92 | $70 | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation is led by Steve Blackwelder, CEO on every filing since 2024; 8 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Steve Blackwelder
CEO
On filings since 2024
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 2024
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 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Smith
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Respress
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Bendett
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Durham
Vice President
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Holly Kesler (2024) — Ga State Director
- Former: James Bruner (2024) — General Counsel
- Former: Jim McClain (2024) — Director
- Former: Melinda Preston (2024) — Tx County Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "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
How much does Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation give each year?
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation 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?
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation reported $767K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.9M.
What is Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation?
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation 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 operate?
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation has awarded grants in Florida.
What is Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation's EIN?
Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation'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.
Here's the math on researching Citizens Defending Freedom Foundation by hand.
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