Democracy Forward Foundation
To protect the rights and institutions that make our nation's democracy strong by working through the legal system and administrative processes to preserve the rule of law and hold government accountable, and to educate the public about those efforts.
Democracy Forward Foundation at a glance
In short: Democracy Forward Foundation gave $50K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $50K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $50,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- Average grant
- $50,000
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $60,851,543
- +317.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Democracy Forward Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Edward Charles Foundation ($50K).
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 4 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $50K (2025) to $70K (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $50K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Edward Charles Foundation Beverly Hills, CA | For "We Hold These Truths" Program Activities | $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 | $60,851,543 | $65,735,912 | $29,049,635 | $50,000 | 1 | $73,435 |
| 2024 | $14,572,644 | $17,752,341 | $13,028,095 | — | — | $65,872 |
| 2023 | $9,837,999 | $12,350,896 | $8,525,354 | $70,000 | 3 | $-15,379 |
| 2022 | $5,129,179 | $6,175,849 | $5,154,441 | — | — | $-3,322 |
| 2021 | $4,068,777 | $5,297,085 | $3,741,069 | — | — | $-7,915 |
| 2020 | $2,533,754 | $4,764,100 | $4,251,116 | — | — | — |
About Democracy Forward Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Democracy Forward Foundation is a public charity focused on Crime & Legal Related, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $60.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $50K. Net investment income was $73K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Democracy Forward Foundation is led by Skye L. Perryman, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 10 of 16 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Skye L. Perryman
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
55 hrs/week
$210K (2022) → $591K (2025)
Marc E. Elias
Chair
Director & Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Javier Guzman
Director
Legal Director → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$250K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Megan J. Uzzell
Strategic Initiatives & External Affairs Director
External Affairs → Strategic Initiatives & Ext Aff Director, 2024
Strategic Initiatives & Ext Aff Director → Strategic Initiatives & External Affairs Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$143K (2020) → $209K (2025)
Robin F. Thurston
Legal Director
Senior Counsel → Managing Senior Counsel, 2021
Managing Senior Counsel → Legal Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$193K (2020) → $237K (2025)
Victoria Nugent
Director for State Litigation & Emerging Issues
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$233K (2025)
Ron Klain
Director
Director & Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tania Faransso
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sam Oliker-Friedman
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brooke Menschel
Senior Counsel
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$162K (2023) → $201K (2025)
Armond Baboomian
Chief of Staff, Operations & Deputy General Counsel
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$160K (2025)
Carrie Flaxman
Senior Legal Advisor
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$218K (2025)
Cecilia Jacobsen
Chief People, Culture & Strategy
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$173K (2025)
Sunu P. Chandy
Senior Advisor
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$222K (2025)
William Loman
General Council
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$177K (2025)
Mindy Myers
Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2022
Director & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Aman T. George (2020–2024) — Senior Counsel
- Former: Andrianna Dunbar (2021–2024) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Sean A. Lev (2021–2024) — Legal Director
- Former: Jeffery Dubner (2023–2024) — Legal Director
- Former: Jessica A. Morton (2023–2024) — Senior Counsel
- Former: William Bardwell (2023–2024) — Senior Counsel
- Former: Joseph Gaeta (2024) — Director of Oversight & Engagement
- Former: Madeline Gitomer (2024) — Senior Counsel
- Former: Samara Spence (2022–2023) — Senior Counsel
- Former: Jeffrey Dubner (2020–2022) — Managing Senior Counsel
- Former: John Podesta (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Matt Miller (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Scott Nathan (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Michael Martinez (2021–2022) — Managing Senior Counsel
- Former: Adam Jentleson (2020–2021) — Public Affairs Director
- Former: Anne Harkavy (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: John Lewis (2020–2021) — Senior Counsel
- Former: Karianne Jones (2020–2021) — Senior Counsel
- Former: Travis Annatoyn (2020–2021) — Managing Senior Counsel
- Former: Nitin Shah (2020) — Senior Counsel
- Former: Samuel Ritzman (2020) — Research & Investigations Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $591K, to Skye L Perryman (President and CEO). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Democracy Forward Foundation
How much does Democracy Forward Foundation give each year?
Democracy Forward Foundation gave $50K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
How large is Democracy Forward Foundation?
Democracy Forward Foundation reported $60.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $65.7M.
What is Democracy Forward Foundation?
Democracy Forward Foundation is a public charity focused on Crime & Legal Related, based in Washington, DC. It holds $60.9M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Democracy Forward Foundation operate?
Democracy Forward Foundation has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia.
What is Democracy Forward Foundation's EIN?
Democracy Forward Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-1007988. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from Democracy Forward Foundation'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.
Democracy Forward Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?