Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc
Citizens Defending Freedom USA empowers and equips American citizens to defend their freedoms and liberties at the local level. By streamlining and simplifying activism, we support and champion American citizens who want to stand up for their independence.
Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc at a glance
- Total assets
- $413,162
- -80.5% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $600,400
- -80.5% vs 2024
- Net investment income (2025)
- $-21,097
- -26.0% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $1,769,353
- -11.2% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 6 (50%).
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $1K (2021) to $195K (2022). In 2023 it made 3 grants totaling $97K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Polk Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc Mulberry, FL | Program Support | $32,499 |
| Nueces County Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc Corpus Cristi, TX | Program Support | $32,499 |
| Miami Dade County Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc Coral Gables, FL | Program Support | $32,499 |
Ready to take the next step with Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $413,162 | $600,400 | $1,769,353 | — | — | $-21,097 |
| 2024 | $2,118,082 | $3,072,399 | $1,993,020 | — | — | $-28,496 |
| 2023 | $1,283,565 | $1,958,069 | $1,937,765 | $97,497 | 3 | — |
| 2022 | $1,002,474 | $3,378,407 | $3,206,048 | $194,994 | 3 | — |
| 2021 | $903,506 | $1,532,758 | $847,276 | $1,200 | Total only | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc
Based on IRS filings
Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc is a public charity, based in Mulberry, FL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $413K in total assets.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc is led by Steve Blackwelder, CEO on every filing since 2023; 7 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Steve Blackwelder
CEO
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$106K (2023) → $35K (2025)
Colby Wiltse
Interim CEO
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$34K (2025)
Steve Maxwell
President & Executive Director
On filings since 2021
33 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Seth Jahn
Director of Security
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$103K (2022) → $42K (2025)
Luis Cabrera
Tx Faith Director
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$35K (2025)
Nicole Nolte
Marketing Director
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$27K (2025)
Sarah Calamunci
Fl State Director
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$28K (2025)
Tara Schulte
Tx County Director
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$28K (2025)
Keith Rose
Director
On filings since 2021
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Respress
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Smith
Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Bendett
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Durham
Vice President
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Jim McClain (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Jonathan Hullihan (2023–2024) — General Counsel & Director
- Former: Jeff Childers (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jimmy Nelson (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Barbara Huchro (2022) — Director of Development
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $42K, to Seth Jahn (Director of Security). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc
How large is Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc?
Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc reported $413K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $600K.
Where does Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc operate?
Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc has awarded grants in Florida, Texas.
What is Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc's EIN?
Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-3962026. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 2022 (received by the IRS November 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 1, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Florida
Publix Super Markets Charities Inc
Lakeland, FL
Publix Super Markets Charities supports nonprofits addressing hunger, homelessness and housing, youth, education, and community needs in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. Its 2024 median grant was $2,500, though awards ranged widely; it accepts online requests from eligible organizations, with application periods varying by program.
Assets
$233.8M
Grants
3,269
Total Given
$52.5M
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida Inc
Jacksonville, FL
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida supports neighborhood strengthening, nonprofit capacity, education, older adults, the arts, and other community needs, primarily in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, while its Program Support grants offer up to $25,000; eligible nonprofits may apply to competitive programs, but donor-advised funds do not accept applications.
Assets
$708.7M
Grants
2,470
Total Given
$78.0M
The Community Foundation of Sarasota CO Inc
Sarasota, FL
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County funds nonprofit programs in areas including education, health care, basic needs, animal welfare, arts, and community capacity building. Its programmatic grants average $10,000–$25,000 and support organizations serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$518.5M
Grants
540
Total Given
$41.2M
Early Learning Coalition of Broward County Inc
Fort Lauderdale, FL
The Early Learning Coalition of Broward funds child care reimbursement and early-learning providers, including programs supporting child care and preschool, primarily in Broward County, Florida. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,127 to $3,994,863, with a median of $158,921. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$15.9M
Grants
636
Total Given
$152.2M
Leslie L Alexander Foundation Inc
Delray Beach, FL
The Leslie L Alexander Foundation supports animal rescue, education, children’s services, and other charitable work. In 2024, grants ranged from $600 to $1 million, with a median of $35,000; giving was concentrated in Florida and Texas, with awards also made elsewhere. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$291.4M
Grants
622
Total Given
$28.4M
Community Foundation of Tampa Bay Inc
Tampa, FL
The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay funds nonprofits through competitive grants and other programs focused on economic opportunity, environmental resilience, health and wellbeing, education, and vibrant communities. Its typical grant is about $25,000, and it serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties. It accepts applications through its competitive grants process and rolling Critical Needs List.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
698
Total Given
$54.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Florida
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc'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.
Citizens Defending Freedom USA Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?