Human Rights Foundation Inc
Human Rights Foundation Inc (HRF) is a New York, New York-based public charity, formed in 2005. It works to promote and protect human rights globally, with a stated focus on closed societies and countries ruled by authoritarian regimes. Its work includes supporting activists and dissidents, global advocacy, education, and grants for projects defending human rights and democracy.
Human Rights Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Human Rights Foundation Inc gave $4.9M across 38 grants in 2024 (avg $128K), top state Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,873,371
- +178.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 38
- +72.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $128,247
- +61.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $96,930,292
- +66.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (34% 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 Human Rights Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
For the Bitcoin Development Fund, submit a brief project description through its online application form. HRF’s filing describes a review and due-diligence process for grant candidates, including review of project need, goals, action plan, and budget.
- Contact
Mailing address: 350 Fifth Avenue 6500, New York, NY 10118
Phone: (212) 246-8486
Website: https://hrf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Human Rights Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Pmart Consultancy Inc ($1.6M). Together the top 10 received $3.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 79 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
HRF describes its work as global, with a focus on closed societies and authoritarian regimes. Its 2024 filing reports grants connected to projects including Venezuela, China, Tibet, Ukraine, and North Korea. By recipient state, the largest shares of 2024 grant dollars went to Florida (35%), Illinois (27%), Massachusetts (9%), New York (9%), and Washington, DC (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Human Rights Foundation Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2021) to $4.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 38 grants totaling $4.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pmart Consultancy Inc Chicago, IL | Venezuela Solidarity Fund | $1,595,800 |
| Alliance for Freedom San Francisco, CA | Venezuela Solidarity Fund | $500,000 |
| Avam Corporation Tahoe City, CA | Long Term Activist Support | $415,839 |
| Bitcoin Policy Institute Nashville, TN | Bitcoin Development Fund | $310,000 |
| Cornell University Ithaca, NY | Bitcoin Development Fund | $250,000 |
| Open Sats Initiative Inc Houston, TX | Bitcoin Development Fund | $250,000 |
| Humano Y Libre Foundation Weston, FL | Venezuela Solidarity Fund | $179,722 |
| Bitshala LLC Austin, TX | Bitcoin Development Fund | $150,005 |
| Coin Center Washington, DC | Financial Freedom | $100,000 |
| Brink Technology LLC Austin, TX | Bitcoin Development Fund | $95,000 |
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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 | $96,930,292 | $38,718,664 | $39,817,874 | $4,873,371 | 38 | $8,536,346 |
| 2023 | $58,286,837 | $17,478,062 | $25,327,045 | $1,750,083 | 22 | $-32,304 |
| 2022 | $34,686,596 | $28,840,839 | $13,296,276 | $233,915 | 8 | $-1,589,556 |
| 2021 | $22,212,219 | $22,408,926 | $8,910,973 | $80,000 | 4 | $1,054,745 |
| 2020 | $8,727,199 | $21,263,159 | $15,403,580 | $846,000 | 7 | $23,664 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
HRF states that its purpose is to unite people across political, cultural, and ideological differences to defend human rights and promote liberal democracy globally, and to ensure freedom is promoted and protected. Its website describes a focus on authoritarian regimes and closed societies.
In 2024, HRF reported impact litigation and submissions to the UN Human Rights Council; country research through its Tyranny Tracker; regional solidarity funds; work on North Korea, China, and kleptocracy; and grants for financial technologies intended to support human rights activism. Its community work included MicroGrants, activist training, fellowships, retreats, and the Oslo Freedom Forum. HRF also reported campaigns and media work to educate audiences about authoritarianism.
HRF says eligible grant candidates are organizations and individuals undertaking projects that promote and defend human rights in closed societies. Examples among its 2024 grantees include Citizen Power Initiatives for China, which describes its mission as promoting and expanding democracy; Ideas Beyond Borders, which says it works to uphold critical thinking, science, and civil rights in the Greater Middle East; and Russian America for Democracy in Russia, which says it seeks to strengthen Russian American communities and support a freer, more just future in Russia. Other 2024 recipients include the Bitcoin Policy Institute, which describes work in Bitcoin research, legal support, and public education, and Beit El Baraka USA, which says it assists Lebanese citizens with food, livelihood, medical services, and education.
Grantmaking
Among the largest awards were $200,000 to PMART Consultancy Inc and $179,722 to Humano y Libre Foundation, both for the Venezuela Solidarity Fund; $55,000 to Citizen Power Initiatives for China for the BTC Development Fund and CCP Disruption Initiative; and $35,000 to Students for a Free Tibet for the Freedom Fellowship and MicroGrant. Other reported awards included $30,000 to Ideas Beyond Borders and $30,000 to Voces de la Memoria, $25,000 each to Bitshala and Libreria de Satoshi, and $20,000 each to CADAL Foundation, Hong Kong Democracy Council, North Bee, and Russian America for Democracy in Russia.
HRF says its legal team reviews grant submissions from its program and policy teams and its dissident community, conducts due diligence, and assesses applications describing the project’s need, goals, plan of action, and budget. The Legal and Policy Department reviews applications and submits a written recommendation to the HRF executive body responsible for approving or denying grants. For the Bitcoin Development Fund, HRF’s website describes a proposal process: applicants submit a brief project description through an online form; applications are accepted year-round; the team reviews proposals for alignment with its mission; successful applicants are notified and funded; and HRF says it provides support during projects and announces new grantees quarterly.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Thor Halvorssen as chief executive officer, Celine Boustani as president, and Javier El-Hage as chief legal and policy officer. It lists Dan Grossman as treasurer; Alexander Lloyd, Yeonmi Park, Cameron Colby Thomson, and Konstantina Yaneva as directors; Garry Kasparov as chairman through May 2024; and Ronald M. Jacobs as secretary through May 2024.
Human Rights Foundation Inc is led by Thor Halvorssen, Chief Executive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 12 of 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Thor Halvorssen
Chief Executive Officer
President → CEO, 2021
CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$171K (2020) → $313K (2024)
Celine Assaf Boustani
President
Chief Program Officer → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$139K (2020) → $330K (2024)
Garry Kasparov
Chairman
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elisha Maldonado
Communications Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$148K (2023) → $146K (2024)
Malaak Jamal
Director of Policy & Research
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $119K (2024)
Michelle Gulino
Director of Legal & Program
Director of Legal & Programs → Director of Legal & Program, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$107K (2023) → $119K (2024)
Casey Michel
Communications Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$110K (2024)
Christian Keroles
Director of Financial Freedom
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$178K (2024)
Alexander Lloyd
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cameron Colby Thomson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Konstantina Yaneva
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yeonmi Park
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexander Gladstein
Chief Strategy Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$148K (2020) → $268K (2024)
Javier El-Hage
Chief Legal & Policy Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$134K (2020) → $250K (2024)
Sandra Germaine
Chief Talent Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$118K (2020) → $222K (2024)
Roberto Gonzalez
Chief Advocacy Officer
Chief Legal & Policy Officer → Chief Advocacy Officer, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$123K (2021) → $237K (2024)
Omar Al-Fotihi Head Of
Video & Multimedia Production
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$116K (2024)
Ronald M. Jacobs
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Grossman
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: W. Bradford Stephens (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Gustav Deutsch (2022–2023) — Vice President Events
- Former: Alvaro Piaggio Gandarillas (2023) — Senior Policy Officer
- Former: Jhanisse Vaca Daza (2023) — Senior Program Officer & Freedom Fellowhip Director
- Former: Mariana Bernardez Sarria (2023) — Creative Director
- Former: Mohamed Hassim Keita (2023) — Senior Policy Advisor - Africa
- Former: Robert Sirico (2020) — Director
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 $330K, to Celine Boustani (President). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Human Rights Foundation Inc
How much does Human Rights Foundation Inc give each year?
Human Rights Foundation Inc gave $4.9M across 38 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.8M across 22 grants.
What is Human Rights Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Human Rights Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $128,247, across 38 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Human Rights Foundation Inc give grants?
Human Rights Foundation Inc's top state is Illinois, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (20%) and Texas (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Austin, TX (4 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Nashville, TN (2 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Human Rights Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of Human Rights Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 38) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Bitcoin Development Fund" (17 grants) and "Venezuela Solidarity Fund" (4 grants).
Who are Human Rights Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Human Rights Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Pmart Consultancy Inc ($1,595,800), Alliance for Freedom ($500,000) and Avam Corporation ($415,839), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Human Rights Foundation Inc?
Human Rights Foundation Inc reported $96.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $38.7M.
What does Human Rights Foundation Inc fund?
HRF states that its purpose is to unite people across political, cultural, and ideological differences to defend human rights and promote liberal democracy globally, and to ensure freedom is promoted and protected. Its website describes a focus on authoritarian regimes and closed societies. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Human Rights Foundation Inc?
For the Bitcoin Development Fund, submit a brief project description through its online application form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Human Rights Foundation Inc's EIN?
Human Rights Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2669700. 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Human Rights Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/human-rights-foundation-inc-morg_4fef092bdc1f413b89bfef10bfecf09f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_202669700_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Human Rights Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/human-rights-foundation-inc-morg_4fef092bdc1f413b89bfef10bfecf09f},
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 Human Rights Foundation Inc'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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