Democracy Works
Democracy Works is a private foundation focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in Seattle, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $7K in total assets. In 2025, it made $2K in qualifying distributions. Net investment income was $1.
Democracy Works at a glance
- Total assets
- $6,928
- +7.7% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $2,479
- -32.9% vs 2024
- Qualifying distributions (2025)
- $1,700
- -65.1% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $1,981
- -61.5% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Democracy Works funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 17 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How Democracy Works gives
- In 2025 it paid out 517% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $535 (2022) to $11K (2020). In 2022 it made 5 grants totaling $535.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sightline Institute Seattle, WA | justice and sustainability | $200 |
| Valley and Mountain Fellowship Seattle, WA | justice and religious activities | $150 |
| Am for Financial Reform Educa Fund Washington, DC | financial justice | $100 |
| JUUstice Washington Ferndale, WA | justice and educational activities | $50 |
| UU Humanists Association Doyelstown, PA | justice and religious thought | $35 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,928 | $2,479 | $1,981 | — | — | $1,700 | $1 | $329 |
| 2024 | $6,430 | $3,693 | $5,151 | — | — | $4,870 | $5 | $296 |
| 2023 | $7,888 | $1,409 | $545 | — | — | $545 | — | $345 |
| 2022 | $7,024 | $1,732 | $1,576 | $535 | 5 | $1,250 | — | $345 |
| 2021 | $6,868 | $5,041 | $7,638 | $5,210 | 12 | $6,877 | $1 | $325 |
| 2020 | $9,465 | $13,709 | $11,594 | $11,017 | 33 | — | — | $419 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Democracy Works reported a distributable amount of $329 for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Democracy Works is led by Richard H Burkhart, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Richard H Burkhart
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beth Brunton
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patty Borman
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Mona Lee (2020–2021) — Vice President
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.
Frequently asked questions about Democracy Works
How large is Democracy Works?
Democracy Works reported $7K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $329 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Democracy Works?
Democracy Works is a private foundation focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in Seattle, WA. It holds $7K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Democracy Works operate?
Democracy Works has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington.
What is Democracy Works's EIN?
Democracy Works's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0643932. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in Washington
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Democracy Works'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.
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