Defend the Vote Action Fund
To sustain and support the prioritization of comprehensive voting rights and democracy reform legislation at all levels of government.
Defend the Vote Action Fund at a glance
In short: Defend the Vote Action Fund gave $438K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $55K), mostly in Oklahoma. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $437,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- Average grant
- $54,688
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $115,250
- +3204.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (52% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Defend the Vote Action Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Blue Horizon Pac ($228K). Together the top 8 received $438K.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 6 grants of 8 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $438K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Horizon Pac Oklahoma City, OK | General Support | $227,500 |
| Latino Victory Fund Washington, DC | General Support | $50,000 |
| Black Economic Alliance Washington, DC | General Support | $35,000 |
| Arizona Native Votes Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $25,000 |
| One Apia Nevada Las Vegas, NV | General Support | $25,000 |
| Mi Familia Vota Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $25,000 |
| Fund the Future Washington, DC | General Support | $25,000 |
| Latino Victory Foundation Washington, DC | General Support | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $115,250 | $926,000 | $814,238 | $437,500 | 8 |
| 2024 | $3,488 | $75,584 | $72,096 | — | — |
About Defend the Vote Action Fund
Based on IRS filings
Defend the Vote Action Fund is a public charity, based in Potomac, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2024 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $115K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $438K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Defend the Vote Action Fund is led by Brian Lemek, Member & Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brian Lemek
Member & Executive Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$45K (2025)
Anthony Manfredi
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Devin Tuohey
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 $45K, to Brian Lemek (Member/Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Defend the Vote Action Fund
How much does Defend the Vote Action Fund give each year?
Defend the Vote Action Fund gave $438K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Defend the Vote Action Fund's typical grant size?
Defend the Vote Action Fund's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $54,688, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Defend the Vote Action Fund give grants?
Defend the Vote Action Fund gives mostly in Oklahoma: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (31%) and Arizona (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants) and Phoenix, AZ (2 grants).
Does Defend the Vote Action Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Defend the Vote Action Fund's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Defend the Vote Action Fund's largest grantees?
Defend the Vote Action Fund's largest 2025 grantees include Blue Horizon Pac ($227,500), Latino Victory Fund ($50,000) and Black Economic Alliance ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Defend the Vote Action Fund?
Defend the Vote Action Fund reported $115K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $926K.
What is Defend the Vote Action Fund's EIN?
Defend the Vote Action Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-2592343. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 25, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2024–2025
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