Focus for Democracy Action
Focus for Democracy Action is dedicated to empowering donors to make the most impactful contributions possible to strengthen democracy.
Focus for Democracy Action at a glance
In short: Focus for Democracy Action gave $1.8M across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $260K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,817,489
- -81.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -36.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $259,641
- -70.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $150,000
- Total assets
- $5,909,859
- +32.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (53% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Focus for Democracy Action funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Rapid Resist Action ($668K). Together the top 7 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 5 grants of 18 (28%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.8M (2025) to $9.7M (2024). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Resist Action Chicago, IL | General Support | $667,993 |
| Pac for America's Future Washington, DC | General Support | $460,000 |
| Working America Action Washington, DC | General Support | $346,593 |
| Project Bullhorn Action Fund San Francisco, CA | General Support | $150,000 |
| Working America Washington, DC | General Support | $90,000 |
| Center for Voter Information Washington, DC | General Support | $62,903 |
| Asian American Voices Media Peachtree Corners, GA | General Support | $40,000 |
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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 | $5,909,859 | $3,929,326 | $2,410,012 | $1,817,489 | 7 | $125,964 |
| 2024 | $4,463,492 | $15,898,570 | $12,161,649 | $9,722,503 | 11 | $776 |
| 2023 | $633,749 | $651,088 | $17,339 | — | — | $3,528 |
About Focus for Democracy Action
Based on IRS filings
Focus for Democracy Action is a public charity, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2023 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $1.8M. Net investment income was $126K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Focus for Democracy Action is led by Aaron Frank, President on every filing since 2023; 2 of 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Aaron Frank
President
On filings since 2023
16 hrs/week
$59K (2025)
Jennifer Herrera
Treasurer & Administrative Director
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Treasurer & Administrative Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
16 hrs/week
$3K (2024) → $33K (2025)
Andrew Rogoff
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Madden
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Couric
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eliza Finkelstein
Secretary
Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "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 $59K, to Aaron Frank (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Focus for Democracy Action
How much does Focus for Democracy Action give each year?
Focus for Democracy Action gave $1.8M across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $9.7M across 11 grants.
What is Focus for Democracy Action's typical grant size?
Focus for Democracy Action's median grant in 2025 was $150,000, and its average grant was $259,641, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Focus for Democracy Action give grants?
Focus for Democracy Action gives mostly in District of Columbia: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (37%) and California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does Focus for Democracy Action give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Focus for Democracy Action's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Focus for Democracy Action's largest grantees?
Focus for Democracy Action's largest 2025 grantees include Rapid Resist Action ($667,993), Pac for America's Future ($460,000) and Working America Action ($346,593), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Focus for Democracy Action?
Focus for Democracy Action reported $5.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.9M.
What is Focus for Democracy Action's EIN?
Focus for Democracy Action's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-2097780. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 23, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Other open foundation grants in District of Columbia
District of Columbia Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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