Drug Policy Alliance
Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is a public charity based in New York, New York. It addresses harms from drug use and drug criminalization through policy solutions, organizing, and public education, and advocates for drug policy grounded in evidence, health, equity, and human rights.
Drug Policy Alliance at a glance
In short: Drug Policy Alliance gave $596K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $54K), mostly in Oregon. 73% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $595,750
- +22.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- -21.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $54,159
- +55.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $18,212,624
- -8.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 73% first-time grantees (8 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (55% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Drug Policy Alliance
- Contact
Mailing address: 131 W 33Rd Street 15Th Floor, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 613-8040
Website: https://drugpolicy.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Drug Policy Alliance funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Voices of Community Activists & Leaders (Vocal-NY) Inc ($180K). Together the top 10 received $586K.
Grant Size Distribution
120 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 108 grants of 120 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
DPA is based in New York, New York. Its 2025 grants went to recipients in Oregon, New York, Minnesota, and Texas. The reported shares of 2025 grant dollars by recipient state were Oregon 55%, New York 30%, Minnesota 9%, and Texas 7%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Drug Policy Alliance open to new grantees?
73%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 11 grantees (73%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $44K; repeat grants $80K. How we count
Medians: $23K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $473K (2023) to $988K (2020). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $596K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Voices of Community Activists & Leaders (Vocal-NY) Inc Brooklyn, NY | To Support Campaign Work for Supervised Consumption Sites. | $180,000 |
| Center for Intercultural Organizing (Unite Oregon) Portland, OR | To fund coalition organizer and broader advocacy on Oregon deflection programs. | $150,000 |
| Juntos NW Portland, OR | To support coalition's advocacy on Oregon ballot measure, deflection programs, and nonprofit exploration. | $85,000 |
| Partnership for Safety and Justice Portland, OR | To organize seattle trips for Oregon officials and community to study diversion programs. | $50,000 |
| Ground Game Fund Manchaca, TX | To support c3 work educating and doing community outreach to voters in Texas. | $40,000 |
| Latino Network Portland, OR | To support implementation of deflection programs and advocacy around youth justice. | $25,000 |
| Harm Reduction Sisters Duluth, MN | To support an individual's participation on an external organizations executive committee. | $20,000 |
| Urban League of Portland Inc Portland, OR | To Support Advocacy Around Deflection Programs in Oregon. | $15,000 |
| Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Saint Paul, MN | To support individual's executive committee participation and sponsor 'homeless day on the hill'. | $10,750 |
| Minnesota Justice Research Center Roseville, MN | To support an individual's participation on an external organizations executive committee. | $10,000 |
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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 | $18,212,624 | $11,950,037 | $12,005,399 | $595,750 | 11 | $113,541 |
| 2024 | $19,939,245 | $13,210,070 | $13,112,996 | $487,000 | 14 | $42,212 |
| 2023 | $20,573,986 | $10,609,731 | $10,589,590 | $473,000 | 16 | $20,090 |
| 2022 | $19,876,966 | $12,568,964 | $11,137,238 | $806,500 | 35 | $7,132 |
| 2021 | $19,983,663 | $16,545,395 | $10,883,439 | $907,850 | 44 | $9,548 |
| 2020 | $13,012,787 | $15,593,139 | $13,013,385 | $988,000 | 46 | $13,786 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
DPA’s stated mission is that people deserve to lead their lives with dignity, within whole communities, with compassion and support, without threat or violence, regardless of who they are or whether they use drugs. The organization says the war on drugs stands in the way of that mission.
Its stated issue areas include preventing overdose deaths, reducing harms from fentanyl, increasing access to addiction services, ending criminal penalties, removing barriers to work, care, and supports, regulating drugs for health and safety, marijuana legalization, and centering health in U.S. foreign drug policy. DPA also describes work to advance family safety and economic security and to support community reinvestment, racial equity, and social justice in marijuana regulation.
DPA says its Advocacy Grants Program has supported harm reduction projects, public education, and other advocacy efforts aligned with its agenda. Its 2025 grants included campaign work for supervised consumption sites, advocacy related to Oregon deflection programs, voter education and outreach in Texas, and support for grantee representatives serving on external executive committees.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. Juntos NW says it strengthens behavioral health and recovery support systems for Latino and other underserved communities through culturally specific recovery housing, workforce training, and collaborative programs. Partnership for Safety and Justice says it advances safety, accountability, and healing through approaches that prioritize care over punishment. Ground Game Fund says it promotes democracy and social justice through community organizing and public education in Texas. Latino Network describes work to cultivate Latino community power through education equity, parent engagement, justice-system advocacy, and civic leadership. Harm Reduction Sisters says it uses feminist harm reduction approaches to address gaps for people experiencing substance use and trauma. Other 2025 grantees describe work on equality in education, employment, and economic security; housing advocacy and technical assistance; and chemical dependency treatment and social services.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, DPA gave 11 grants totaling $595,750. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $180,000, with a median of $25,000.
Notable 2025 grants included:
DPA’s 2023 filing describes a process in which program staff working in specific issue or geographic areas solicit proposals from allied organizations. A full-time staffer manages the process; relevant DPA staff, community leaders, and external drug policy reformers are consulted. After favorable review, a program staffer presents a recommendation to DPA’s executive director for approval. During the funding period, program staff maintain communication with funded partners, which submit final narrative and expenditure reports at the end of the grant period.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists:
- Derek Oscar Hodel — President
- Antonia Walters — Treasurer
- Pamela G Lichty — Secretary
- Mary Bassett — Director
- Juan Cartagena — Director
- Helena Hansen — Director
- Alejandro Madrazo — Director
- Svante Myrick — Director
- Leticia Peguero — Director
- Kemba Smith Pradia — Director
Drug Policy Alliance is led by Derek Oscar Hodel, President on every filing since 2020; 7 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Derek Oscar Hodel
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$6K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Kassandra Frederique
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$260K (2022) → $279K (2025)
Jules Netherland
Managing Director & Drae
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$153K (2022) → $190K (2025)
Brian Pacheco
Managing Director, Comms & Marketing
Managing Director, Comms & Marketing → Managing Director, Comms & Mkting, 2024
Managing Director, Comms & Mkting → Managing Director, Comms & Marketing, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$156K (2023) → $196K (2025)
Lindsay Lasalle
Managing Director & Policy
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$173K (2023) → $193K (2025)
Paul Dana
Managing Director, Development & Pol. Strategy
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$189K (2024) → $228K (2025)
Libero Della Piana
Managing Director, Org & Strategic
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$198K (2025)
Alejandro Madrazo
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josiah Rich MD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kemba Smith Pradia
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Travis Bassett
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Svante Myrick
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Helena Hansen
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alex Soros
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hilda Vega
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juan Cartagena
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leticia Peguero
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Garcia
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$98K (2025)
Pamela G. Lichty
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Antonia Walters
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Angela Pacheco (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Theshia Naidoo (2020–2024) — Managing Director & Us Foreign Policy
- Former: Kimberly Thomas Chief (2021–2024) — Operating Officer
- Former: George Soros (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Joy Fishman (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Antonia Hyman (2022–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Boris Sporer (2022–2023) — Director, It & Knowledge Management
- Former: Kimberly Thomas (2022–2023) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Christine Downton (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Ellen Flenniken Managing (2022) — Director & Development
- Former: Emily Kaltenbach (2022) — Senior Director, Criminal Legal & Policing
- Former: David C. Lewis MD (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Edwin Sanders (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Ellen Flenniken (2020–2021) — Managing Director & Development
- Former: Ilona Szabo De Cavalho (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: James E. Ferguson II (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jason Flom (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Richard Burns Interim (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Emily Kaltenbach Senior (2021) — Director, Criminal Legal & Policing Reform
- Former: Julie Netherland (2021) — Managing Director & Drae
- Former: Kassandra Frederique Md Policy (2021)
- Former: Stefanie Jones Interim (2021) — Managing Director & Comms
- Former: Alice Brown Managing (2020) — Director & Policy
- Former: Ira Glasser President (2020) — Oct Director · Filing note: Until
- Former: Julie Netherland Managing Dir (2020) — Research & Academic Engagement
- Former: Maria McFarland Executive (2020) — Director
- Former: Roseanne Scotti (2020) — State Director - Nj
- Former: Ryan Chavez Managing Dir (2020) — Finance & Administrator
- Former: Susan Kane (2020) — 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 $279K, to Kassandra Frederique (Executive Director). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Drug Policy Alliance
How much does Drug Policy Alliance give each year?
Drug Policy Alliance gave $596K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $487K across 14 grants.
What is Drug Policy Alliance's typical grant size?
Drug Policy Alliance's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $54,159, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Drug Policy Alliance that year got $44K on average.
Where does Drug Policy Alliance give grants?
Drug Policy Alliance gives mostly in Oregon: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (30%) and Minnesota (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (5 grants).
Does Drug Policy Alliance give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Drug Policy Alliance's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Drug Policy Alliance's largest grantees?
Drug Policy Alliance's largest 2025 grantees include Voices of Community Activists & Leaders (Vocal-NY) Inc ($180,000), Center for Intercultural Organizing (Unite Oregon) ($150,000) and Juntos NW ($85,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Drug Policy Alliance?
Drug Policy Alliance reported $18.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.0M.
What does Drug Policy Alliance fund?
DPA’s stated mission is that people deserve to lead their lives with dignity, within whole communities, with compassion and support, without threat or violence, regardless of who they are or whether they use drugs. The organization says the war on drugs stands in the way of that mission. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Drug Policy Alliance?
Drug Policy Alliance has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check drugpolicy.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Drug Policy Alliance's EIN?
Drug Policy Alliance's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1516692. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 11, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Drug Policy Alliance funds
Mental Health & Crisis Intervention Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Drug Policy Alliance's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Drug Policy Alliance funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/drug-policy-alliance-morg_8853d1c55d164cc69c567487f6eee109
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521516692_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Drug Policy Alliance funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/drug-policy-alliance-morg_8853d1c55d164cc69c567487f6eee109},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Drug Policy Alliance'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.
Drug Policy Alliance down — hundreds of funders to go?