Institute for Responsive Government Inc
The Institute for Responsive Government Inc. is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2023. It develops solutions to make government more efficient, accessible, and responsive, and its 2024 grantmaking included support for election administration and local election offices.
Institute for Responsive Government Inc at a glance
In short: Institute for Responsive Government Inc gave $10.2M across 244 grants in 2024 (avg $42K), top state Michigan. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,179,944
- +101699.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 244
- +24300.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $41,721
- +317.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $6,370,976
- +218.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Michigan (33% 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 Institute for Responsive Government Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1440 W Taylor Street Ste 950, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (708) 374-8631
Website: https://responsivegov.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Institute for Responsive Government Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Clark County Election Department ($1.4M). Together the top 10 received $6.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
245 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 215 grants of 245 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 election-office grant program covered local jurisdictions in Colorado, Delaware, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. The Institute’s 2024 grant dollars were concentrated in Michigan (33%), Washington, D.C. (27%), Nevada (17%), New Mexico (7%), and California (5%), among other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 244 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2023) to $10.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 244 grants totaling $10.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Clark County Election Department Las Vegas, NV | General Support | $1,350,000 |
| Cities Forward Inc Washington, DC | General Support | $1,300,000 |
| Partnership for Large Election Jurisdict Washington, DC | General Support | $856,000 |
| Informing Democracy Education Fund Washington, DC | General Support | $600,000 |
| Strong Democracy Foundation Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $400,000 |
| Washoe County Reno, NV | General Support | $350,000 |
| City of Detroit Detroit, MI | General Support | $350,000 |
| Bernalillo County Albuquerque, NM | General Support | $350,000 |
| Public Rights Project Oakland, CA | General Support | $250,000 |
| US Digital Response Oakland, CA | General Support | $250,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,370,976 | $17,990,000 | $14,302,915 | $10,179,944 | 244 |
| 2023 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $148,517 | $10,000 | 1 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states that its mission is to develop solutions that make government more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of real human beings. Its website describes an approach that emphasizes effective implementation, practical use of information government already holds, and policies suited to local needs.
In 2024, the Institute made grants to support the smooth administration of the election and provided flexible funding to local election offices for secure, efficient, and accessible election administration. Its filing also describes research and policy-model development to improve government processes and support for organizations building government capacity.
Examples of supported organizations include Cities Forward, which describes its work as helping cities and local governments make participation in the democratic process a priority; Public Rights Project, which says it works with local, state, and tribal governments to equitably enforce laws protecting civil and human rights; and U.S. Digital Response, which describes providing pro bono technical expertise to help governments and other public-serving organizations respond to critical needs. The Center for Civic Design says its work aims to improve government interactions through design and usability principles.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Institute reported 244 grants totaling $10,179,944. Grant amounts ranged from $5,780 to $1,350,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest listed awards included $1,350,000 to Clark County Election Department, $1,300,000 to Cities Forward Inc., $856,000 to Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions, and $600,000 to Informing Democracy Education Fund. Each was listed for general support.
The Institute’s A More Responsive Government 2024 Grant Program was a past program, announced in August 2024. It offered grants to local election offices in Colorado, Delaware, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. The program’s funding was based on the jurisdiction’s 2022 citizen voting-age population, and eligible expenditures included planning and operationalizing election administration. The program materials described support for more than 200 local election offices and over 6 million eligible voters.
The Institute’s filing says grants require approval by its executive director and a written proposal or solicitation from the potential grantee describing the grant’s purpose. The COO drafts an award letter with grant terms and conditions. Board approval is required for investments in an organization that cumulatively exceed $1 million in a fiscal year; the board has delegated approval of grants at or below $1 million to the executive director. Disbursements are made after grant agreements are signed and any other initial milestones are met.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Samuel Gil Oliker Friedland as chief executive officer; Neal Ubriani as chief of policy; Alexander Tischenko as chief counsel and senior policy advisor; Ashish Sinha as deputy chief executive officer; Allison Javery as communications director; and Gabriel Gonzalez as senior advisor for partnerships. It lists Tiana Epps-Johnson as president and director, Irina Vaynerman as treasurer and director, and Charanya Krishnaswami as secretary and director.
Institute for Responsive Government Inc is led by Samuel Gil Oliker Friedland, Chief Executive Officer on the 2024 filing; 6 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Samuel Gil Oliker Friedland
Chief Executive Officer
New on the 2024 filing
26 hrs/week
$182K (2024)
Tiana Epps-Johnson
President & Director
President → President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allison Javery
Communications Director
New on the 2024 filing
26 hrs/week
$131K (2024)
Charanya Krishnaswami
Secretary & Director
Secrftary → Secretary & Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Irina Vaynerman
Treasurer & Director
Treasurer → Treasurer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexander Tischenko
Chief Counsel Senior Policy Advisor
New on the 2024 filing
26 hrs/week
$160K (2024)
Ashish Sinha
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
New on the 2024 filing
26 hrs/week
$158K (2024)
Gabriel Gonzalez
Senior Advisor for Partnerships
New on the 2024 filing
26 hrs/week
$128K (2024)
Neal Ubriani
Chief of Policy
New on the 2024 filing
26 hrs/week
$171K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2024. "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 $182K, to Samuel Gil Oliker Friedland (Chief Executive Officer). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Institute for Responsive Government Inc
How much does Institute for Responsive Government Inc give each year?
Institute for Responsive Government Inc gave $10.2M across 244 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $10K across 1 grant.
What is Institute for Responsive Government Inc's typical grant size?
Institute for Responsive Government Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $41,721, across 244 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Institute for Responsive Government Inc give grants?
Institute for Responsive Government Inc's top state is Michigan, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (27%) and Nevada (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Albion, MI (5 grants), Battle Creek, MI (4 grants), Lapeer, MI (4 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does Institute for Responsive Government Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Institute for Responsive Government Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (244 of 244) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Institute for Responsive Government Inc's largest grantees?
Institute for Responsive Government Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Clark County Election Department ($1,350,000), Cities Forward Inc ($1,300,000) and Partnership for Large Election Jurisdict ($856,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Institute for Responsive Government Inc?
Institute for Responsive Government Inc reported $6.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.0M.
What does Institute for Responsive Government Inc fund?
The organization states that its mission is to develop solutions that make government more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of real human beings. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Institute for Responsive Government Inc?
Institute for Responsive Government Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check responsivegov.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Institute for Responsive Government Inc's EIN?
Institute for Responsive Government Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-2827813. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Institute for Responsive Government Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/institute-for-responsive-government-inc-morg_d5448709390a42dd9922551a3ac26b87
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_932827813_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Institute for Responsive Government Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/institute-for-responsive-government-inc-morg_d5448709390a42dd9922551a3ac26b87},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Institute for Responsive Government 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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