Drum Major Institute
Drum Major Institute is a public charity based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1999, it says it carries Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of radical nonviolence into the 21st century and works to address poverty, racism, and violence through advocacy, empowerment, and education. Its 2024 filing reports grants to organizations working on issues including democracy, racial and economic justice, and voting rights.
Drum Major Institute at a glance
In short: Drum Major Institute gave $335K across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $21K), top state Tennessee. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $335,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- Average grant
- $20,938
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $268,585
- -62.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (15% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Drum Major Institute
- Contact
Mailing address: 752 W Wesley Rd Nw, Atlanta, GA 30327
Phone: (212) 909-9600
Website: https://drummajorinst.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Drum Major Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Human Trafficking Legal Center ($25K). Together the top 10 received $215K.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 17 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to organizations in multiple states. The largest reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Tennessee (15%), and Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina (12% each). The Institute’s 2024 announcement also named organizations in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, and Wisconsin, among other locations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Drum Major Institute gives
- Giving grew 235% from 2021 to 2024. 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2021) to $335K (2024). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $335K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Human Trafficking Legal Center Washington, DC | General Support | $25,000 |
| Unmanageable Nashville, TN | General Support | $25,000 |
| Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund Nashville, TN | General Support | $25,000 |
| Abolitionist Law Center Pittsburgh, PA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Texas Freedom Network Education Fund Austin, TX | General Support | $20,000 |
| Mi Familia Vota Education Fund Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $20,000 |
| Voces De La Frontera Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $20,000 |
| Mijente Support Committee Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $20,000 |
| Power Interfaith Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Orlando, FL | General Support | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $268,585 | $806,260 | $1,265,544 | $335,000 | 16 |
| 2023 | $709,146 | $1,100,854 | $529,911 | — | — |
| 2022 | $190,793 | $343,800 | $354,497 | — | — |
| 2021 | $143,782 | $325,500 | $306,074 | $100,000 | 1 |
| 2020 | $166,492 | $316,973 | $240,946 | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission, as stated in its 2024 filing, is to work to eradicate poverty, racism, and militarism or violence through advocacy, empowerment, and education, and to help create a community-based society focused on social justice, peace, and enriching lives. Its website also emphasizes collaboration, justice, equity, and building the Beloved Community.
The Institute’s 2024 grants included general support for organizations whose own missions span several areas. For example, Voces de la Frontera describes itself as a membership-based grassroots organization led by low-wage workers, immigrants, and youth that works for long-term societal change through organizing and empowerment. The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition says it works to end disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions and improve reentry. Forward Justice describes itself as a nonpartisan law, policy, and strategy center advancing racial, social, and economic justice. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Institute’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Institute reported 16 grants totaling $335,000. Grants ranged from $20,000 to $25,000, with a median of $20,000. The listed grants were for general support. Notable awards included $25,000 each to the Human Trafficking Legal Center, Unmanageable, and Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund, and $20,000 each to the Abolitionist Law Center, Texas Freedom Network Education Fund, Mi Familia Vota Education Fund, Voces de la Frontera, Mijente Support Committee, Power Interfaith, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Mississippi Votes, and Black Male Voter Project Education.
The Institute announced in April 2024 that 16 organizations focused on preserving democracy would receive funding. Its announcement describes grantees working on issues including racial, economic, and criminal justice, voting rights, and building political power in Black and Brown communities. No application process or unsolicited-request policy is stated in the available information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists William B. Wechtel as treasurer; Martin Luther King III as chairman; Arndrea Waters King as president; and Verna Jennings Cleveland as secretary. It lists Jeh C. Johnson, Scott Rechler, Norman Omstein, Dan Roberti, Eric N. Gioia, and Frederick Davie as members.
Drum Major Institute is led by Arndrea Waters King, President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Arndrea Waters King
President
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$88K (2022) → $175K (2024)
Martin Luther King III
Chairman
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$175K (2023) → $160K (2024)
Dan Roberti
Member
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric N. Gioia
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frederick Davie
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeh C. Johnson
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Gioia
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Norman Omstein
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Rechler
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Verna Jennings Cleveland
Secretary
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William B. Wechtel
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Gene Duffy (2021–2022) — Member
- Former: Kate Moulene (2021–2022) — Member
- Former: Andrew Young (2020) — Member
- Former: Chang K. Park (2020) — Member
- Former: H. Carl McCall (2020) — Member
- Former: James A. Forbes Jr. (2020) — Member
- Former: John Marino (2020) — Member
- Former: Julian Schriebman (2020) — Member
- Former: Leo Hindery Jr. (2020) — Member
- Former: Peter S. Knight (2020) — Member
- Former: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (2020) — Member
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $175K, to Arndrea Waters King (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Drum Major Institute
How much does Drum Major Institute give each year?
Drum Major Institute gave $335K across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990.
What is Drum Major Institute's typical grant size?
Drum Major Institute's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $20,938, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Drum Major Institute give grants?
Drum Major Institute's top state is Tennessee, with 15% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (12%) and Arizona (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (2 grants), Phoenix, AZ (2 grants) and Atlanta, GA (2 grants).
Does Drum Major Institute give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Drum Major Institute's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Drum Major Institute's largest grantees?
Drum Major Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Human Trafficking Legal Center ($25,000), Unmanageable ($25,000) and Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Drum Major Institute?
Drum Major Institute reported $269K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $806K.
What does Drum Major Institute fund?
The organization’s mission, as stated in its 2024 filing, is to work to eradicate poverty, racism, and militarism or violence through advocacy, empowerment, and education, and to help create a community-based society focused on social justice, peace, and enriching lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Drum Major Institute?
Drum Major Institute has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check drummajorinst.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Drum Major Institute's EIN?
Drum Major Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4080421. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Drum Major Institute funds
Public, Societal Benefit Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Drum Major Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Drum Major Institute funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/drum-major-institute-morg_8f48847f0e7046549fb08171a42bfa05
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_134080421_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Drum Major Institute funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/drum-major-institute-morg_8f48847f0e7046549fb08171a42bfa05},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Drum Major Institute'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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