MDRC (Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income people through high-quality research and evidence-based policy analysis. Founded in 1974, MDRC is headquartered in New York City at 200 Vesey Street, Floor 23. The organization employs approximately 206-361 staff members and operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$157.2M
-7.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$720K
-51.0% YoY
Grant Count
6
-75.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$120K
+96.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
MDRC is committed to learning what works to improve programs and policies that affect low-income populations. The organization's mission centers on enhancing the effectiveness of social policies and programs through comprehensive research and active dissemination of findings.
MDRC's work focuses on five main policy areas:
K-12 Education: For 25 years, MDRC has evaluated programs and developed evidence-based strategies to raise academic achievement for at-risk young people, collaborating with public school systems, charter organizations, and national nonprofits.
Postsecondary Education: Research and evaluation to improve college graduation rates and educational outcomes.
Family Well-Being and Child Development: Programs supporting families and children.
Youth Development and Successful Transitions to Adulthood: Testing tailored interventions for young people disconnected from school and work, including those at risk of entering the criminal justice system and returning citizens.
Low-Wage Workers and Communities: Supporting economic self-sufficiency and addressing barriers to employment, including work-limiting disabilities.
Welfare and Barriers to Employment: Research on public assistance systems and employment barriers.
Grantmaking
MDRC functions primarily as a research organization rather than a traditional grantmaker. However, the organization does provide limited grantmaking:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MDRC's work spans multiple states and regions, with particular activity in Illinois, New Jersey, and Missouri. Over the years, MDRC has worked in almost every state, all of the nation's largest cities, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The organization operates in five countries including India, Serbia, Oman, and Turkey.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Assets: $157,204,286
- Total Revenue: $89,342,277
- Total Expenses: $93,933,340
- Total Liabilities: $65,200,000
Staffing:
- Approximately 206-361 employees (figures vary by source and year)
Charity Rating: MDRC holds a Four-Star rating from independent charity evaluators, with a 93-96% overall score reflecting strong performance in accountability and finance. The organization maintains a fully independent board with no material diversion of assets and a robust conflict of interest policy.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $157,204,286 | $169,599,344 | $163,594,084 |
| Revenue | $89,342,277 | $83,947,862 | $82,765,389 |
| Expenses | $93,933,340 | $84,999,059 | $85,740,416 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,793,076 | $3,165,607 | $2,305,412 |
| 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 6 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
153 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Virginia Knox serves as President of MDRC.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIDGET TERRY LONG | DIRECTOR/CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT DENHAM | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AOIFINN DEVITT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HILARY HOYNES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAWRENCE KATZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MILTON J LITTLE JR | DIRECTOR AND TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JOSH B MCGEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICHARD J MURNANE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELOY ORTIZ OAKLEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL ROSTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NAOMI GOLDSTEIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUSAN T GOODEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MELISSA S KEARNEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN B KING JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RASHMITA MISTRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CANDICE C JONES | DIRECTOR (BEG 07/24) | 1 | — |
| CYNTHIA OSBORNE | DIRECTOR (BEG 09/24) | 1 | — |
| VIRGINIA W KNOX | PRESIDENT | 40 | $646,301 |
| JESUS M AMADEO | SR. VICE PRESIDENT & CFO | 40 | $497,884 |
| DAN J BLOOM - SR VICE PRES | DIR., POLICY, RESEARCH & E | 40 | $318,947 |
| ROSE KOB | VICE PRESIDENT & GEN COUNSEL | 40 | $265,174 |
| JOHN MARTINEZ | VICE PRESIDENT & DIR. PROG | 40 | $264,564 |
| JAMES A RICCIO | PRINCIPAL RESEARCH FELLOW | 40 | $267,817 |
| CHARLES MICHALOPOULOS | CHIEF ECONOMIST | 40 | $273,830 |
| PATRICIA WEISS | HR DIRECTOR | 40 | $254,320 |
| JOHN HUTCHINS | CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFIC | 40 | $259,495 |
| KATE GUALTIERI | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $251,155 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
MDRC has received multiple recent awards and grant announcements:
MDRC was awarded three grants to continue postsecondary education research in Detroit
MDRC Awarded Three Grants to Continue Postsecondary Education ...MDRC received two federal contracts to support innovation in state welfare programs
MDRC Awarded Two Federal Contracts to Support Innovation in State WelfareMDRC and partners received awards from the U.S. Department of Education
MDRC and Partners Receive Awards from the U.S. Department of Education |MDRC expanded its groundbreaking partnership with Arnold Ventures to support evidence and data in policymaking and practice
MDRC, Arnold Ventures Expand Groundbreaking Partnership that Supports EvidenceThe organization maintains an active research portfolio with 50-plus current projects across its five focus areas.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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