Defending Democracy Together
To further the common good and general welfare of the citizens of the united states of America by protecting and defending American democratic norms and institutions.
Defending Democracy Together at a glance
In short: Defending Democracy Together gave $3.7M across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $925K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,700,000
- +26.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $925,000
- +26.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $300,000
- Total assets
- $14,173,125
- +61.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Defending Democracy Together funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Republican Accountability Pac Inc ($3.0M). Together the top 4 received $3.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 6 grants of 22 (27%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Defending Democracy Together gives
- Giving grew 137% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $350K (2022) to $14.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Republican Accountability Pac Inc Washington, DC | To Support the Organization's General Mission. | $3,000,000 |
| Principles First for America Ltd Washington, DC | To Support the Organization's General Mission. | $300,000 |
| C & B Group Washington, DC | To Support the Organization's General Mission. | $300,000 |
| The Liberal Patriot Inc Washington, DC | To Support the Organization's General Mission. | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14,173,125 | $18,799,464 | $13,879,736 | $3,700,000 | 4 | $595,420 |
| 2023 | $8,780,416 | $4,479,565 | $7,987,825 | $2,925,000 | 4 | $144,850 |
| 2022 | $12,045,107 | $9,042,397 | $10,340,990 | $350,000 | 2 | $1,362 |
| 2021 | $13,361,499 | $13,667,105 | $7,094,748 | $1,561,598 | 5 | $987 |
| 2020 | $7,048,372 | $37,764,313 | $38,117,693 | $14,378,762 | 7 | $1,022 |
About Defending Democracy Together
Based on IRS filings
Defending Democracy Together is a public charity, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $14.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $3.7M. Net investment income was $595K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Defending Democracy Together is led by Sarah Longwell, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; all 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sarah Longwell
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2024)
William Kristol
Director & President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$1K (2021) → $500 (2024)
Linda Chavez
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2021) → $500 (2024)
Mona Charen
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2021) → $500 (2024)
Tim Miller
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2021) → $500 (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $12K, to Sarah Longwell (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Defending Democracy Together
How much does Defending Democracy Together give each year?
Defending Democracy Together gave $3.7M across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.9M across 4 grants.
What is Defending Democracy Together's typical grant size?
Defending Democracy Together's median grant in 2024 was $300,000, and its average grant was $925,000, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Defending Democracy Together give grants?
Defending Democracy Together gives mostly in District of Columbia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does Defending Democracy Together give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Defending Democracy Together's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
How large is Defending Democracy Together?
Defending Democracy Together reported $14.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.8M.
What is Defending Democracy Together's EIN?
Defending Democracy Together's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3877328. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Defending Democracy Together's focus areas in our free grants database
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