Emilys List Action
Emilys List Action seeks to strengthen American democracy by increasing public awareness of the issues impacting women and families.
Emilys List Action at a glance
In short: Emilys List Action gave $220K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $220K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $220,000
- -12.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $220,000
- -12.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $220,000
- Total assets
- $1,461,537
- +1733.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Emilys List Action funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Women Vote ($220K).
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 2 grants of 7 (29%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Emilys List Action gives
- Giving fell 78% 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $220K (2025) to $1.0M (2022). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $220K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Women Vote Washington, DC | General Support | $220,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,461,537 | $1,952,119 | $566,677 | $220,000 | 1 |
| 2024 | $79,716 | $1,057,103 | $1,136,432 | $250,000 | 1 |
| 2023 | $173,068 | $2,150,115 | $2,086,926 | $655,000 | 2 |
| 2022 | $122,158 | $2,180,000 | $2,256,028 | $1,010,000 | 2 |
| 2021 | $188,046 | $300,000 | $906,027 | $375,000 | 1 |
| 2020 | $771,184 | $500,000 | $34,163 | — | — |
About Emilys List Action
Based on IRS filings
Emilys List Action is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $220K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Emilys List Action is led by Melissa Williams, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Melissa Williams
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2021) → $2K (2025)
Jessica Mackler
Director & President
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Speed
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martha McKenna
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Beth Cahill
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Callie Fines
CFO
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$242 (2021) → $1K (2025)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Laphonza Butler (2022–2024) — Director & President
- Former: Ellen Moran (2020–2022) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Stephanie Schriock (2020–2022) — Director & 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $2K, to Melissa Williams (Exec Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Emilys List Action
How much does Emilys List Action give each year?
Emilys List Action gave $220K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $250K across 1 grant.
How large is Emilys List Action?
Emilys List Action reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.0M.
What is Emilys List Action?
Emilys List Action is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Washington, DC. It holds $1.5M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Emilys List Action operate?
Emilys List Action has awarded grants in District of Columbia.
What is Emilys List Action's EIN?
Emilys List Action's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1067490. 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
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 28, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 9, 2026)
Live grants for the work Emilys List Action funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Leveling-Up Award $1,000 · Due October 25, 2026
- Arnold F. Keller, Jr. Grant for New Initiatives/Program Expansion $25,000 · Due October 27, 2026
- Wausau Marathon County Impact Grants (Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin) $1,000 to $100,000 depending on the scope of the project · Due October 27, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Emilys List Action's focus areas in our free grants database
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