Democracyfirst
Democracyfirst is a 501(c)4 dedicated to restoring public trust in the electoral system, protecting free and fair elections, and renewing the pro-democracy consensus in American politics.
Democracyfirst at a glance
In short: Democracyfirst gave $1.6M across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $325K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,625,000
- +78.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $325,000
- +78.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Democracyfirst funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Democracyfirst Pac ($1.0M). Together the top 5 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 25 grants of 54 (46%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Democracyfirst gives
- Giving fell 53% from 2022 to 2025. 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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $910K (2024) to $5.8M (2023). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Democracyfirst Pac Washington, DC | Program Support | $1,000,000 |
| Common Sense New York Washington, DC | Program Support | $400,000 |
| Defend the Vote Action Fund Potomac, MD | Program Support | $100,000 |
| WOMEN4US Washington, DC | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Defending Main Street Superpac Washington, DC | Program 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 | — | $9,040,572 | $10,111,758 | $1,625,000 | 5 |
| 2024 | $1,482,253 | $3,775,287 | $3,061,434 | $910,000 | 5 |
| 2023 | $357,333 | $4,410,000 | $6,186,749 | $5,820,000 | 24 |
| 2022 | $2,134,082 | $5,575,000 | $3,440,918 | $3,425,000 | 20 |
About Democracyfirst
Based on IRS filings
Democracyfirst is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2025. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $1.6M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Democracyfirst is led by Jordan Wood, President & Director since 2025 (on filings since 2023); none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jordan Wood
President & Director
President → President & Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$30K (2024) → $0 (2025)
Mark Bailey
Treasurer & Director
Treasurer → Treasurer & Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christine Holt
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Rubin
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Heather Smith (2022) — President
- Former: Mike Yang (2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $30K, to Jordan Wood (President).
Frequently asked questions about Democracyfirst
How much does Democracyfirst give each year?
Democracyfirst gave $1.6M across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $910K across 5 grants.
What is Democracyfirst's typical grant size?
Democracyfirst's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $325,000, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Democracyfirst give grants?
Democracyfirst gives mostly in District of Columbia: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maryland (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does Democracyfirst give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Democracyfirst's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (5 grants).
Who are Democracyfirst's largest grantees?
Democracyfirst's largest 2025 grantees include Democracyfirst Pac ($1,000,000), Common Sense New York ($400,000) and Defend the Vote Action Fund ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 92% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
What is Democracyfirst?
Democracyfirst is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC.
What is Democracyfirst's EIN?
Democracyfirst's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-1027253. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Democracyfirst's focus areas in our free grants database
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