Common Cause Education Fund
Common Cause Education Fund is a public charity based in Washington, DC, formed in 2000. It uses research, outreach, educational programming, and coalition building to promote public understanding of democracy, government accountability, and civic engagement.
Common Cause Education Fund at a glance
In short: Common Cause Education Fund gave $2.2M across 89 grants in 2025 (avg $25K), top state North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,242,181
- +137.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 89
- +187.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $25,193
- -17.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $34,104,797
- +9.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (41% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Common Cause Education Fund
- Contact
Mailing address: 805 15Th Street 800, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 833-1200
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Common Cause Education Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Blueprint North Carolina Inc ($282K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $882K.
Grant Size Distribution
120 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 99 grants of 120 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant-dollar distribution was concentrated in North Carolina (41%), California (17%), and Washington, DC (9%), followed by Georgia (6%) and Washington state (4%). The funder also describes working with state organizations, grassroots advocates, and coalition partners across the country.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 89 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Common Cause Education Fund gives
- 7% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). 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 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $945K (2024) to $2.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 89 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Blueprint North Carolina Inc Durham, NC | NC - General | $250,000 |
| Washington Council of the Blind Yakima, WA | Election Protection | $100,000 |
| Arab American Institute Foundation Washington, DC | Election Protection | $75,000 |
| Asian Americans Advancing Justice Inc Washington, DC | Election Protection | $75,000 |
| Florida Rising Together Miami, FL | FL - Election Protection | $65,000 |
| Inland Empire United Education Fund Los Angeles, CA | CA - Voting & Elections | $60,000 |
| League of Women Voters of California Education Fund Sacramento, CA | CA - Voting & Elections | $60,000 |
| We Are Down Home Greensboro, NC | NC - General | $57,500 |
| Migrant Equity Southeast Inc Savannah, GA | Ga - Election Protection | $52,500 |
| Disability Rights North Carolina Raleigh, NC | NC - General | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,104,797 | $26,755,383 | $24,929,252 | $2,242,181 | 89 | $486,450 |
| 2024 | $31,288,949 | $25,064,451 | $17,030,050 | $944,700 | 31 | $399,302 |
| 2023 | $21,785,469 | $13,368,234 | $16,648,806 | — | — | $143,326 |
| 2022 | $24,182,815 | $19,591,561 | $13,313,778 | — | — | $153,487 |
| 2021 | $20,013,234 | $24,219,144 | $17,442,105 | — | — | $38,614 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to increase public understanding of how democracy works, empower citizens to hold government accountable, and promote broad and effective citizen engagement at federal, state, and local levels.
In its program descriptions, the funder reports supporting state and local democracy advocacy, civic participation, public education, and community engagement. It also describes leading nonpartisan voter-protection work, including volunteer poll monitoring and voter assistance; public education related to election misinformation and online information; and research and coalition advocacy concerning political spending, campaign-finance disclosure, ethics, and accountability.
The 2025 grants illustrate support for organizations with varied civic and community missions. For example, Blueprint North Carolina describes itself as a partnership of policy, advocacy, and grassroots-organizing nonprofits working on an integrated communications and civic-engagement strategy. The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund says it conducts voter-service and civic-education activities. Washington Council of the Blind describes its work as promoting opportunity, equality, and independence in the blind community through education, public awareness, and advocacy. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the funder reported 89 grants totaling $2,242,181. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $250,000, with a median of $15,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $250,000 to Blueprint North Carolina for “NC - GENERAL”; $100,000 to Washington Council of the Blind for “ELECTION PROTECTION”; and $75,000 each to Arab American Institute Foundation and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Inc for “ELECTION PROTECTION.” Other large grants included $65,000 to Florida Rising Together for “FL - ELECTION PROTECTION,” and $60,000 each to Inland Empire United Education Fund and League of Women Voters of California Education Fund for “CA - VOTING & ELECTIONS.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Martha Tierney as chair, Olga Kauffman as secretary, Wendy Fields as vice chair, and Shareen Punian as treasurer. Listed board members are Nicole M. Austin-Hillery, Richard Bainter, Braxton Brewington, Rebecca Cokley, Dan Conley, and Gregory Diskant.
Common Cause Education Fund is led by Virginia Kase Solomon, President & CEO on every filing since 2024; 12 of 36 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Virginia Kase Solomon
President & CEO
On filings since 2024
21 hrs/week
$314K (2025)
Jonathan Stein
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$144K (2025)
Jordan Davis Interim
President to, Then Senior Vice President & Pei
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$202K (2025)
Marilyn Carpinteyro Interim
President to, Then Senior Vice President & Programs
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$194K (2025)
Martha Tierney
Chair
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Scally
Director & Communications
New on the 2025 filing
17.5 hrs/week
$140K (2025)
Samuel Vorhees
Director & Foundation Relations
New on the 2025 filing
17.5 hrs/week
$139K (2025)
Elizabeth G. Marchant
Chief Finance Officer
Chief Financial Officer → Chief Finance Officer, 2025
On filings since 2021
17.5 hrs/week
$202K (2021) → $145K (2025)
Pamela Wilmot
Vice President & State Operations
On filings since 2021
17.5 hrs/week
$129K (2021) → $102K (2025)
Reginald Brewington Jr.
Senior Vice President, Finance & Administrator
Vice President, Finance & Administrator → Senior Vice President, Finance & Administrator, 2025
On filings since 2024
24.5 hrs/week
$29K (2024) → $206K (2025)
Dalton Fuqua
Associate Vice President & Development
New on the 2025 filing
17.5 hrs/week
$149K (2025)
David Vance
National Media Strategist
New on the 2025 filing
17.5 hrs/week
$143K (2025)
Elena Nunez
Senior Vice President & State Ops
New on the 2025 filing
17.5 hrs/week
$175K (2025)
Alan Wiersba
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Archon Fung
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Braxton Brewington
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Conley
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Beaumont Smith
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Diskant
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessie Ulibarri
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lenny Mendonca
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole M. Austin-Hillery
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Olga Kauffman
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Cokley
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Bainter
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shae Harris
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shareen Punian
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Westen
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Fields
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wes Tomer
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William N. Hubbard III
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Melody Fields-Figueredo
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Gremmert
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Reinke
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa Gonzalez
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reverend Mark Thompson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: Bilal Dabir Sekou PhD (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Chang K. Park (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Karen Hobert Flynn (2021–2024) — Former President
- Former: Marilyn Carpinteyro (2021–2024) — Co-President
- Former: Marilyn Melkonian (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Nancy Ratzan (2021–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Olena Berg Lacy (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Jesse Littlewood (2022–2024) — Vice President for Campaigns
- Former: Jordan Davis (2023–2024) — Co-President
- Former: Kathay Feng (2024) — Vice President, Programs & Strategy
- Former: Mark Rev Thompson (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Emmet Bondurant (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Scott Swenson (2021–2023) — Vice President & Communications -
- Former: Tamara Sawyer (2021–2023) — Board Member -
- Former: Steve Spaulding (2023) — Senior Advisor to President & Senior Counsel
- Former: Paul Ryan Vp Legislative (2022) — Affairs -
- Former: Steve Spaulding Sr Advisor (2022) — To President & Senior Counsel
- Former: Lashanda Jackson (2021) — Vice President & Development
- Former: Paul Ryan (2021) — Vice President & Litigation
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 $314K, to Virginia Kase Solomon (President/CEO (As of 2/24)). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Common Cause Education Fund
How much does Common Cause Education Fund give each year?
Common Cause Education Fund gave $2.2M across 89 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $945K across 31 grants.
What is Common Cause Education Fund's typical grant size?
Common Cause Education Fund's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $25,193, across 89 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Common Cause Education Fund give grants?
Common Cause Education Fund's top state is North Carolina, with 41% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (17%) and District of Columbia (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Durham, NC (6 grants), Charlotte, NC (6 grants), Washington, DC (5 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (4 grants).
Does Common Cause Education Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 19% of Common Cause Education Fund's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 89) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "NC - Voting & Elections" (9 grants), "CA - Voting & Elections" (8 grants) and "Pa - Election Protection" (7 grants).
Who are Common Cause Education Fund's largest grantees?
Common Cause Education Fund's largest 2025 grantees include Blueprint North Carolina Inc ($282,000 across 2 grants), Washington Council of the Blind ($100,000) and Arab American Institute Foundation ($75,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Common Cause Education Fund?
Common Cause Education Fund reported $34.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $26.8M.
What does Common Cause Education Fund fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to increase public understanding of how democracy works, empower citizens to hold government accountable, and promote broad and effective citizen engagement at federal, state, and local levels. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Common Cause Education Fund?
Common Cause Education Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Common Cause Education Fund's EIN?
Common Cause Education Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1705370. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Live grants for the work Common Cause Education Fund funds
Public, Societal Benefit Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Common Cause Education Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Blueprint North Carolina
Durham, NC
Blueprint North Carolina funds civic engagement, voter participation, movement-building, and capacity-building work, especially through nonprofit and grassroots organizations. In 2025, its 24 grants ranged from $10,000 to $50,000, with a median of $28,500; most funding went to North Carolina, with some grants in Arizona and Washington, DC. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.9M
Grants
24
Total Given
$773K
State Voices
Washington, DC
State Voices funds public education and nonpartisan civic engagement, supporting state-based organizations and networks—especially their capacity, staffing, data, and technology needs—to strengthen multiracial democracy. Its 2024 grants ranged from $18,160 to $1,198,488, with a median of $181,320, and supported work across multiple states. The profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$15.6M
Grants
25
Total Given
$6.9M
Telescope Fund
Washington, DC
Telescope Fund supports charitable organizations across a wide range of causes, including health, conservation, social justice, poverty alleviation, education, research, disaster recovery, and the arts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $2.2 million, with a median of $150,000, and went to organizations in multiple states, with the largest share in Washington, DC. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$28.2M
Grants
35
Total Given
$10.3M
Way to Rise
Washington, DC
WAY TO RISE funds sustained, nonpartisan civic engagement and powerbuilding, especially by state-based organizations and national groups supporting state partners, with a strategic focus on the South and Southwest. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $550,000, with a median of $100,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$8.1M
Grants
86
Total Given
$10.6M
Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
Winston-Salem, NC
The foundation funds nonprofits serving the South that work to reduce poverty and advance social and economic justice, with an emphasis on civic engagement, community power, and racial equity. Its 2024 grants ranged from $15,000 to $1.25 million, with a median of $202,500, and it favors the southeastern United States. It accepts organizational summaries year-round and may invite selected organizations to submit a full proposal.
Assets
$181.7M
Grants
76
Total Given
$17.7M
Marguerite Casey Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Marguerite Casey Foundation supports community organizations, scholars, and initiatives advancing democracy, economic justice, community organizing, and power for excluded communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $200 to $1.5 million, with a median of $50,000, and went to organizations in multiple states; grants are invitation-only, and it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$876.6M
Grants
208
Total Given
$33.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in District of Columbia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Common Cause Education Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/common-cause-education-fund-morg_27f6f76b76bb49649f053b41aaba7c97
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311705370_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Common Cause Education Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/common-cause-education-fund-morg_27f6f76b76bb49649f053b41aaba7c97},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Common Cause Education Fund'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.
Common Cause Education Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?