Communications Workers of America
Communications Workers of America (CWA) is the largest communications and media labor union in the United States, representing approximately 700,000 members in both the private and public sectors. Based in Washington, DC, CWA operates as a 501(c)(5) labor organization with a parent structure overseeing 733 affiliated local unions and organizations across the country.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$610.4M
-1.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
+15.4% YoY
Grant Count
59
+18.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$34K
-2.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
CWA's primary mission is to organize workers for the economic, moral, and social advancement of their condition and status, and to assist workers by providing economic assistance due to strikes and deaths.
The organization's work encompasses:
- Collective bargaining and member representation
- Organizing workers across communications, media, telecommunications, and public sector industries
- Workforce development and apprenticeship programs
- Economic justice and democracy initiatives
- Civil rights and equity advocacy
- Health and safety protections
- Health care and retirement security
Grantmaking
CWA functions primarily as a labor union rather than a traditional grantmaker, but does provide grants and support to aligned organizations and initiatives.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CWA operates nationally across the United States, with particular activity documented in:
- Washington, DC (headquarters)
- California
- Virginia
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Ohio
- Texas
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $610,388,642
- Total Revenues: $144,073,543
- Total Expenses: $172,941,548
- Number of Employees: 627
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $619,000,000
- Total Revenues: $128,096,234
- Total Expenses: $163,538,010
Grant Distribution:
- Total giving reported: $8,079,012 (2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $610,388,642 | $618,530,740 | $663,349,372 |
| Revenue | $144,073,543 | $128,096,234 | $150,698,127 |
| Expenses | $172,941,548 | $163,538,010 | $147,970,113 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $20,569,878 | $13,095,185 | $30,025,226 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
207 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Ameenah Salaam - Principal Officer
- Melissa Smith-Kupihea - President, CWA Local 2336 (as of 2024)
- Terry Garner - Former President, CWA Local 2336
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLAUDE CUMMINGS JR | PRESIDENT | 40 | $212,639 |
| CHRISTOPHER M SHELTON | PRESIDENT (UNTIL 07/10/23) | 40 | $178,947 |
| AMEENAH SALAAM | SECRETARY - TREASURER | 40 | $198,122 |
| SARA STEFFENS | SECRETARY-TREASURER (UNTIL 07/10/2023) | 40 | $143,345 |
| DENNIS TRAINOR | VICE PRESIDENT - DISTRICT 1 | 40 | $188,428 |
| MICHAEL DAVIS | VICE PRESIDENT - DISTRICT 2-13 | 40 | $169,484 |
| EDWARD F MOONEY | VICE PRESIDENT (UNTIL 07/10/23) | 40 | $127,902 |
| RICHARD HONEYCUTT | VICE PRESIDENT - DISTRICT 3 | 40 | $191,315 |
| LINDA L HINTON | VICE PRESIDENT - DISTRICT 4 | 40 | $189,794 |
| DERRICK OSOBASE | VICE PRESIDENT - DISTRICT 6 | 40 | $153,772 |
| SUSIE MCALLISTER | VICE PRESIDENT - DISTRICT 7 | 40 | $192,712 |
| FRANK ARCE | VICE PRESIDENT - DISTRICT 9 | 40 | $189,123 |
| LISA BOLTON | VICE PRESIDENT - TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGIES | 40 | $183,714 |
| MARGARET COOK | VICE PRESIDENT - PUBLIC HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION | 40 | $192,112 |
| CHARLES BRAICO | VICE PRESIDENT - NABET | 40 | $193,039 |
| JON SCHLEUSS | VICE PRESIDENT - THE NEW GUILD | 40 | $192,480 |
| CARL KENNEBREW | IUE-CWA DIVISION PRES. | 40 | $188,596 |
| SARA NELSON BORER | PRESIDENT - AFA | 40 | $179,133 |
| CARMEL SMYTH | DIR. CWA/SCA CANADA | 1 | — |
| KEITH GIBBS | AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| VERA MIKELL | AT LARGE DIVERSITY | 1 | $3,964 |
| ERIKA WHITE | AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| GLORIA MIDDLETON | AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| JOSEPH BURNS | AFA - CWA GENERAL COUNSEL | 40 | $194,849 |
| SHANE LARSON | ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT | 40 | $181,076 |
| SYLVIA RAMOS | ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT | 40 | $178,756 |
| THOMAS SMITH | SR. DIRECTOR ORGANIZING | 40 | $173,150 |
| ELIZABETH WILKS | TEMP TRANSITIONAL SUPPORT | 40 | $177,691 |
| DANTE HARRIS | AT-LARGE -FORMER -NOW AFA INTL S/T | 1 | $143,195 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**March 2026:**
Mid-Continent Public Library workers across the Kansas City, Missouri system declared support to form a union with CWA Local 6360
CWA public sector workers helped lift a 1948 ban on public sector collective bargaining in Virginia, opening the door to union contracts for approximately 500,000 public sector workers
Communications Workers of America Awarded Federal Grants for Workforce DevelopmentCWA filed a lawsuit against the FCC over media control issues
D.C. nonprofit workers represented by CWA engaged in strike action for their first contract
**Ongoing Initiatives:**
CWA continues organizing efforts across nonprofit, public sector, and private sector workplaces
Active engagement in legislative advocacy and political action
Workforce development partnerships with community colleges for apprenticeship programs
Communications Workers of America Awarded Federal Grants for Workforce DevelopmentRelated Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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