Institute for Citizens and Scholars
The Institute for Citizens and Scholars is a nonprofit organization based in Princeton, New Jersey, designated as a 501(c)(3) public charity. The organization was founded in 1945 and operates as a national nonprofit preparing leaders and engaging networks of people and organizations to address education challenges and strengthen American democracy. The organization employs 34 individuals.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.3M
+80.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$50K
-90.1% YoY
Grant Count
3
-87.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-24.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Institute for Citizens and Scholars equips young people with the civic skills needed to navigate a divided country and lead effectively. The organization partners with leaders in higher education, business, and philanthropy to design programs that strengthen Generation Z's ability to find and use reliable information, engage in productive conversations, and collaborate across differences to build a stronger America.
The overarching goal is to shape an informed, productively engaged, and hopeful citizenry.
Primary focus areas include:
- Civic Education and Engagement: Developing civic skills and democratic participation among young Americans
- Leadership Development: Preparing a diverse and responsive next generation of college faculty and educators
- Education Excellence: Fostering excellence in education across various career stages in critical fields
- Democracy Strengthening: Networking with civic leaders to ensure a resilient democracy
The organization addresses the challenge that young Americans are increasingly disengaged from democracy, with young Americans lacking critical civic knowledge and being less likely to vote than the general population.
Grantmaking
The Institute for Citizens and Scholars administers multiple fellowship and grant programs:
Ready to take the next step with Institute for Citizens and Scholars?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's grant-making focuses primarily on Pennsylvania and Virginia, though it operates as a national nonprofit with programs reaching students nationwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Revenue: $6.85 million
- Expenses: $10.5 million
- Total Assets: $11.2 million
- Total Liabilities: $3.18 million
Additional Asset Information: According to other sources, the organization has assets of $20.3 million.
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since December 1971 EIN: 21-0703075
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,313,901 | $11,247,713 | $14,617,998 |
| Revenue | $19,581,952 | $6,848,256 | $6,811,596 |
| Expenses | $10,168,632 | $10,546,636 | $11,141,523 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $243,140 | $270,729 | $-872,956 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
15 open opportunities from Institute for Citizens and Scholars
Career Enhancement Fellowship
INSTITUTE FOR CITIZENS AND SCHOLARS
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Carnegie Young Leaders Cohort
INSTITUTE FOR CITIZENS AND SCHOLARS
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness Fellowship Program
INSTITUTE FOR CITIZENS AND SCHOLARS
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President: Rajiv Vinnakota
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAJIV VINNAKOTA | PRESIDENT | 40 | $494,096 |
| BEVERLY SANFORD | EVP, PROGRAM & FELLOWSHIP OFF | 40 | $300,893 |
| STEVEN HADDAD | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $249,030 |
| BERNARD LARYEA | CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER | 40 | $222,789 |
| AUDRA WATSON | CHIEF OF YOUTH CIVIC PROGRAMS | 40 | $213,050 |
| JAMES GENESKE | CHIEF COMM. & ENGAGEMENT OFF. | 40 | $190,027 |
| JANETT CORDOVES | SR. PROGRAM DIR. COLLEGE PRESI | 40 | $180,634 |
| JAMIE BERG WRIGHT | SENIOR FINANCE DIRECTOR | 40 | $155,060 |
| William Murray | Senior Director of Development | 40 | $138,946 |
| Jessica Sutter | Chief of Civic Learning Init. | 40 | $138,918 |
| JANE FORAN | OPERATIONS MANAGER | 40 | $131,623 |
| INDIRA LAR-MOORE | CHIEF OF PEOPLE OFFICER | 40 | $122,550 |
| JERE HOGANS | PROG. OFFICER, WOMEN'S STUDIES | 40 | $119,549 |
| CHRISTINE WINSTON | EXECUTIVE VP, COO | 40 | $79,640 |
| Stefanie Sanford | Chair | 2 | — |
| Jeffrey A Goldstein | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Matt Blumberg | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| Jane Phillips Donaldson | Chair Emerita | 1 | — |
| Peter A Kirsch | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Glen Lewy | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Kent McGuire | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Song Richardson | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Kim Smith | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Caryl M Stern | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Jay P Urwitz | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Mark Walsh | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Rhian Evans Allvin | Trustee Thru 12/31/2024 | 1 | — |
| JOHN KATZMAN | TRUSTEE THRU 3/10/2025 | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM KEATING | TRUSTEE THRU 2/17/2025 | 1 | — |
| CARLOS SANTIAGO | TRUSTEE THRU 8/3/2024 | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Institute announced inaugural Faculty Fellows bringing civic learning and inclusive dialogue to thousands of students nationwide
Institute for Citizens & Scholars Announces Inaugural Faculty Fellows; BringingOutstanding scholars were named as 2025 Career Enhancement Fellows
Institute for Citizens & Scholars Announces Inaugural Faculty Fellows; BringingThe organization launched the "Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness" program
Institute for Citizens & Scholars Launches \u201CCarnegie Young Leaders\The Institute unveiled a three-year strategic plan aimed at engaging 20 million young civic problem-solvers by 2029
Institute for Citizens & Scholars Launches \u201CCarnegie Young Leaders\Contact Information
Address: 104 Carnegie Center, Suite 301, Princeton, NJ 08540-6232
Phone: 609-452-7007
Website: citizensandscholars.org
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Institute for Citizens and Scholars on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities