Equis Institute
Equis Institute is a Washington, DC public charity formed in 2021. Its stated mission centers on understanding and engaging Latinx communities and supporting the growth and long-term sustainability of the sector. Its 2024 filing describes work in research, digital content, cultural mobilization, and Latino voter participation.
Equis Institute at a glance
In short: Equis Institute gave $1.5M across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $119K), top state New Hampshire. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,545,636
- +2991.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- +1200.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $118,895
- +137.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $8,570,720
- -28.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New Hampshire (43% 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 Equis Institute
- Contact
Mailing address: 660 Pennsylvania Avenue Se, Washington, DC 20003
Phone: (214) 727-3746
Website: https://equisinstitute.us
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Equis Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Somos Votantes Education Fund ($670K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 25 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing’s reported grant dollars went to recipients in New Hampshire (43%), Washington, DC (33%), California (10%), New Mexico (9%), and Virginia (3%). The listed grants also include recipients in New York. These figures describe the locations of 2024 grant recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $50K (2023) to $3.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Somos Votantes Education Fund Concord, NH | Gotv Mailers | $670,000 |
| Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas Washington, DC | General operating grant and regranting remaining fiscal sponsor funds | $255,636 |
| Priorities USA Foundation Washington, DC | Selfless Voting Gotv ADS | $250,000 |
| Poderistas Community Fund San Francisco, CA | General Operating Grant | $50,000 |
| Includus Fund McLean, VA | Co-Host Civic Engagement Event | $40,000 |
| Central Valley Workers Center Fresno, CA | Lapiz (Latino Political Innovation Zones) | $35,000 |
| Make the Road PA Brooklyn, NY | Lapiz (Latino Political Innovation Zones) | $35,000 |
| NM Comunidades En Accion Y De Fe Las Cruces, NM | Lapiz (Latino Political Innovation Zones) | $35,000 |
| The Semilla Project Albuquerque, NM | Lapiz (Latino Political Innovation Zones) | $35,000 |
| Valley Voices Hanford, CA | Lapiz (Latino Political Innovation Zones) | $35,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,570,720 | $12,353,631 | $16,129,198 | $1,545,636 | 13 | $72,776 |
| 2023 | $12,051,100 | $15,001,086 | $12,602,132 | $50,000 | 1 | $9,736 |
| 2022 | $8,019,795 | $10,601,316 | $11,104,790 | $3,382,394 | 11 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Equis Institute states that its mission is “to create a better understanding of Latinx communities, invest in innovative approaches to reach and engage them, and convene Latinx leaders for the growth and long-term sustainability of the sector.”
Its 2024 filing describes four program areas. ResearchEQUIS provides Latino-serving groups with research to inform programs and outreach; in 2024, the team conducted 18 polls and surveyed 24,666 people. The YouTube initiative creates culturally relevant content about politics and current events. Cultural Mobilization organizes partnerships and events around shared cultural moments. The Latino Political Innovation Zones (LAPIZ) program tests approaches to increasing Latino voter participation; the filing reports that it engaged 6,200 event attendees, reached 192,000 households by mail, and generated 9.7 million digital and connected-TV voter-education impressions.
The 2024 grants included support for a range of organizations. For example, Priorities USA Foundation says it works to protect and expand ballot access; NM Comunidades en Acción y de Fe says it trains and organizes low- and moderate-income families to shape public policy; and Central Valley Workers Center says it promotes economic justice through support for workers. The Dolores C. Huerta Foundation describes its work as building organized communities pursuing social justice, while Valley Voices says it advances worker rights, equity, and civic participation in the Central San Joaquin Valley.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Equis Institute reported 13 grants totaling $1,545,636. Grant amounts ranged from $35,000 to $670,000, with a median of $35,000. The largest awards included $670,000 to Somos Votantes Education Fund for GOTV mailers, $255,636 to Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas for a general operating grant and regranting remaining fiscal sponsor funds, and $250,000 to Priorities USA Foundation for Selfless Voting GOTV ads.
Other reported 2024 grants included $50,000 to Poderistas Community Fund for general operating support and $40,000 to IncludUS Fund to co-host a civic engagement event. Six organizations received $35,000 each for LAPIZ: Central Valley Workers Center, Make the Road PA, NM Comunidades en Acción y de Fe, The Semilla Project, Valley Voices, and the Dolores C. Huerta Foundation. The filing also lists a $35,000 grant to Nuestra Tierra Conservation.
The filing says the organization monitors U.S. grant spending by obtaining reports supporting budgeted expenditures and periodically reviewing financial reports against written grant agreements.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dan Restrepo as chairperson; Jacqueline Garcel as treasurer; Kenia Morales as secretary; Carlos Odio, Luis Avila, and Cristina Jimenez as board members; and Stephanie Valencia as executive director.
The filing states that Stephanie Valencia and board member Carlos Odio have ownership in Equis Research. It also says the board approved reimbursement to Equis Research for payroll and operational expenses undertaken on Equis Institute’s behalf.
Equis Institute is led by Stephanie Valencia, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2022); 3 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephanie Valencia
Executive Director
President & CEO → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
$162K (2023) → $130K (2024)
Dan Restrepo
Chairperson
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$9K (2022) → $27K (2024)
Carlos Odio
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$150K (2023) → $122K (2024)
Cristina Jimenez
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jacqueline Garcel
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kenia Morales
Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luis Avila
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Tory Gavito (2022–2023) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "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 $130K, to Stephanie Valencia (Executive Director (See Sch. O)). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Equis Institute
How much does Equis Institute give each year?
Equis Institute gave $1.5M across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $50K across 1 grant.
What is Equis Institute's typical grant size?
Equis Institute's median grant in 2024 was $35,000, and its average grant was $118,895, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Equis Institute give grants?
Equis Institute's top state is New Hampshire, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (33%) and California (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Las Cruces, NM (3 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Equis Institute give general operating support?
Yes: 15% of Equis Institute's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 13) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Lapiz (Latino Political Innovation Zones)" (8 grants).
Who are Equis Institute's largest grantees?
Equis Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Somos Votantes Education Fund ($670,000), Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas ($255,636) and Priorities USA Foundation ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Equis Institute?
Equis Institute reported $8.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.4M.
What does Equis Institute fund?
Equis Institute states that its mission is “to create a better understanding of Latinx communities, invest in innovative approaches to reach and engage them, and convene Latinx leaders for the growth and long-term sustainability of the sector.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Equis Institute?
Equis Institute has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check equisinstitute.us for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Equis Institute's EIN?
Equis Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-1337465. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Equis Institute funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/equis-institute-morg_55f33ba059ed4d24a8e847fd1d05a7a3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_871337465_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Equis Institute funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/equis-institute-morg_55f33ba059ed4d24a8e847fd1d05a7a3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Equis 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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