Defending Rights and Dissent Inc logo

Defending Rights and Dissent Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Washington, DC EIN: 27-0042821 Website

Defending Rights & Dissent strengthens our participatory democracy by protecting the right to political expression

Key facts about Defending Rights and Dissent Inc

In short: Defending Rights and Dissent Inc gave $15K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

EIN
27-0042821
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$15,000
Grants made (2024)
1
Average grant
$15,000
Median grant
$15,000
Total assets
$3,393,878
Primary geography
District of Columbia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$3.4M

+76.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$15K

+0.0% YoY

Grant Count

1

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$15K

+0.0% YoY

How Defending Rights and Dissent Inc gives

  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+0%). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

About Defending Rights and Dissent Inc

Based on IRS filings

Defending Rights and Dissent Inc is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $15K. Net investment income was $77K.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Defending Rights and Dissent Inc?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.

Cities

WashingtonLos AngelesChicagoSan DiegoSan Francis

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10K$20K$30K0 grants2020 2 grants2021 4 grants2022 1 grant2023 1 grant2024

From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2021) to $28K (2022). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $15K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2024

DC Alliance against Racist an: $15KDC Alliance against Racist an$15K

The largest 2024 recipient was DC Alliance against Racist an ($15K).

Grant Size Distribution

8 grants across all recorded years

8<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 8 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
DC Alliance against Racist an Washington, DCpolice accountability in DC$15,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M$4M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$3,393,878$1,919,641$1,959,940
Revenue$2,946,164$1,379,891$1,024,273
Expenses$1,581,739$1,198,452$924,575
Net Investment Income$77,140$30,195$15,637

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 11, 2022)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 10, 2025)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 23, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Defending Rights and Dissent Inc is led by Susan Udry, Executive Director on the 2024 filing; 3 of 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Susan Udry

    Executive Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $124K (2024)

  • Sascha Meinrath

    President

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Darakshan Raja

    Director & Mjf Proj

    Employee → Director & Mjf Proj, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $114K (2023) → $145K (2024)

  • Charles Gibbons

    Policy Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $114K (2024)

  • Shahid Buttar

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Arun Gupta

    Director

    Director Emiritus → Director, 2022

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeffrey Sterling

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Shannon Al-Wakeel

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Emily Berman

    Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Fadi Saba

    Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mike Rufo

    Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jilisa Milton

    Secretary

    Clerk → Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Donald Goldhamer

    Treasurer

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (10)
  • Former: D. Goldhamer (2020–2023) — Treasurer
  • Former: S. Al-Wakeel (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: S. Meinrath (2020–2023) — President
  • Former: Sue Udry (2020–2023) — Executive Director
  • Former: Char Gibbons (2023) — Employee
  • Former: A. Shashahani (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: P. Eddington (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: S. Sazawal (2020–2022) — Clerk
  • Former: Woody Kaplan (2020–2022) — President Emeritus
  • Former: V. Navasky (2021–2022) — Director

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

Darakshan Raja — Director, MJF Proj: $145KDarakshan RajaDirector, MJF Proj$145KSusan Udry — Executive Dir.: $124KSusan UdryExecutive Dir.$124KCharles Gibbons — Policy Director: $114KCharles GibbonsPolicy Director$114K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $145K, to Darakshan Raja (Director, MJF Proj). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Defending Rights and Dissent Inc

How much does Defending Rights and Dissent Inc give each year?

Defending Rights and Dissent Inc gave $15K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $15K across 1 grant.

How large is Defending Rights and Dissent Inc?

Defending Rights and Dissent Inc reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.9M.

What is Defending Rights and Dissent Inc?

Defending Rights and Dissent Inc is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC. It holds $3.4M in total assets as of 2024.

Where does Defending Rights and Dissent Inc operate?

Defending Rights and Dissent Inc has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia, Illinois.

What is Defending Rights and Dissent Inc's EIN?

Defending Rights and Dissent Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0042821. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Defending Rights and Dissent Inc by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Defending Rights and Dissent Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Oneten Coalition Inc

Montclair, NJ

We're driving a skills-first movement to unlock career opportunities for talent without four-year degrees.

Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy

Assets

$77.0M

Grants

1

Total Given

$10K

The Give to Give Foundation

New York, NY

To promote support, scholarships, and research to empower healing andwellness journeys.

Assets

$2.6M

Grants

0

Total Given

$12K

Riverpsykhe Inc

Santa Rosa, CA

The Organization's mission is to promote social welfare by seeking to effect the liberation of consciousness in healthful and fluid relationship to self, other, and the natural world.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$4.4M

Grants

3

Total Given

$105K

Urban Habitat Program

Oakland, CA

Urban Habitat democratizes power and advances equitable policies to create a just and connected Bay Area for low-income communities of color. We confront structural inequities impacting historically disenfranchised communities. Through strategic partnerships, we support increasing the power and capacity in low-income communities of color.

Community Improvement & Capacity Building

Assets

$9.4M

Grants

3

Total Given

$269K

Fuente Sagrada Foundation

Santa Barbara, CA

Assets

$96K

Grants

3

Total Given

$11K

Spanish Speaking Unity Council of Alameda County Inc

Oakland, CA

The unity council's mission is to promote social equity and enhance quality of life by creating vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn and thrive. The unity coucil's programs combat barrier and empower community members with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to achieve self-sufficiency and advance toward their long-term educational, career, housing and financial goals. The unity concil offers a comprehensive range of programs and services designed to support individuals and families across all stages of life, fostering empowerment and community growth through a continuum of services.

Community Improvement & Capacity Building

Assets

$99.7M

Grants

5

Total Given

$654K

Sathaye Family Foundation

Saratoga, CA

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.4M

Grants

7

Total Given

$33K

Robert and Coley Elder California Foundation

Forestville, CA

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

—

Grants

8

Total Given

$2.3M

Philip and Bernice Krupp Foundation

Boston, MA

The foundation supports Jewish cultural and community organizations, including work on human rights, Israeli-Palestinian leadership, and LGBTQ inclusion in Jewish life. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50,000 to $1 million, with a median of $100,000; most funding went to Massachusetts, with grants also made in other states. It accepts applications from charitable organizations and reports no restrictions on awards.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$13.8M

Grants

17

Total Given

$4.9M

National Women's Health Network

Washington, DC

The National Women’s Health Network supported women’s and reproductive health through sponsored projects, advocacy, and public education, with 2023 grants going to sponsored projects in multiple states. Its 19 grants ranged from $5,500 to $46,800, with a median of $14,000; the Network ceased operations on December 31, 2024, and no unsolicited application process is stated.

Health

Assets

$5.9M

Grants

19

Total Given

$346K

Penney Family Fund

Berkeley, CA

The Penney Family Fund supports grassroots organizing, advocacy, civic participation, and movement building focused on racial, economic, and environmental justice, with recent grants concentrated in North Carolina, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Georgia. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $35,000, with a median of $20,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; proposals are by invitation only.

Assets

$7.0M

Grants

23

Total Given

$414K

Detention Watch Network

Washington, DC

Detention Watch Network funds U.S.-based grassroots organizations working to end immigration detention, including campaigns to close facilities, oppose expansion, and support people in detention; applicants must be active DWN members. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $128,872, with a median of $16,000. The program is listed as open, but no application process or policy on unsolicited requests is stated.

Human Services

Assets

$7.0M

Grants

25

Total Given

$574K

More Funders in District of Columbia

Defending Rights and Dissent Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?