Movement Strategy Center
Movement Strategy Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Oakland, California. Incorporated in 2001 and tax-exempt since May 2004, the organization operates as a values-aligned intermediary providing customized services and infrastructure support to movement leaders and communities. Rather than functioning as a singular organization, Movement Strategy Center operates as a collective ecosystem that incubates and accelerates the work of partner projects, reflecting its values of radical interdependence and love.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$51.4M
-9.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.0M
+25.0% YoY
Grant Count
110
-24.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$146K
+64.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: Movement Strategy Center works to increase the capacity of individuals, organizations, alliances, and sectors to be more strategic, collaborative, and sustainable. The organization provides values-aligned, holistic intermediary services enabling access to crucial infrastructure and thought partnership for BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA movement leaders, activists, and communities challenging intersectional issues of systemic racism, rampant environmental destruction, and crippling economic exploitation.
Primary Program Areas:
- Equitable fiscal sponsorship
- Movement Strategy Network supporting transformative movement building through BIPOC leadership development, community-driven planning, and cultural strategy
- Philanthropic advising services for foundations, corporations, and pooled funds
- Foundation regranting
- Special interest and community-advised funds
- Donor-advised fund (DAF) program
- Capacity building and strategic thought partnership
- Storytelling and communications support
- Movement Infrastructure and Innovation Center (MIIC)
The organization rejects a one-size-fits-all approach to service delivery.
Grantmaking
Movement Strategy Center functions as a grantmaking intermediary with total giving of $13,191,652 according to its most recent IRS Form 990 filing. The organization's grant-making focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services, with typical awards ranging from $5,000 to $450,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Movement Strategy Center's grantmaking priorities are primarily concentrated in California, New York, and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (Fiscal Year 2024):
- Total Assets: $51,406,860
- Total Revenues: $29,557,560
- Total Expenses: $39,672,317
- Number of Employees: 237
Previous Fiscal Year (2023):
- Total Assets: $56,901,252
- Total Giving: $13,191,652
The organization maintains strong financial accountability, with a 98% overall score reflecting strong commitment to financial management and governance.
Internal Controls: An independent audit for the fiscal year ending June 2024 identified a material weakness in internal controls and a significant deficiency in internal controls related to the organization's ability to track and report financial data reliably.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $51,406,860 | $56,901,252 | $59,284,919 |
| Revenue | $29,557,560 | $32,262,236 | $57,326,783 |
| Expenses | $39,672,317 | $32,029,664 | $18,888,444 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $375,991 | $149,035 | $6,682 |
| 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 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Communities for a Better Environment ($470,000), Center for Civic Policy ($400,000), Continental Divide Trail Coalition ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MILLION MADLY MOTIVATED MOMS LAS VEGAS, NV | MOVEMENT STRATEGY CENTER-GRANT | $22,747 |
| ALLIANCE FOR AFFORDABLE ENERGY NEW ORLEANS, LA | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $175,000 |
| ALLIANCE OF RESIDENT THEATRESNEW YORK INC NEW YORK, NY | THE EQUITABLE INTERMEDIARIES FUND-GRANT | $25,000 |
| ALLIED MEDIA PROJECTS DETROIT, MI | MOVEMENT STRATEGY CENTER-GRANT | $85,000 |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC WASHINGTON, DC | MOVEMENT STRATEGY CENTER-GRANT | $50,000 |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC WASHINGTON, DC | ADASINA SOCIAL CAPITAL-GRANT | $30,000 |
| ASIAN PACIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK OAKLAND, CA | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $175,000 |
| BRANDWORKERS LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | HEAL FOOD ALLIANCE-GRANT | $6,000 |
| CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE OAKLAND, CA | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $285,000 |
| CALIFORNIA HOUSING PARTNERSHIP SAN FRANCISCO, CA | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $160,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Carla Dartis
The organization's staff and board members bring diverse lived experiences and frontline knowledge, with a commitment to ensuring that work remains deeply aligned with the communities served.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TAJ JAMES | PROJ. DIR/VICE CHAIR, CO-FOUNDER | 39 | $140,254 |
| ANASA TROUTMAN | BOARD CHAIR | 1 | $40,000 |
| SIHLE DINANI | BOARD TREASURER | 1 | — |
| SANDRA BASS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TOMAS GARDUNO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JUDITH LEBLANC | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JACQUELINE PATTERSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CARLA DARTIS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $181,099 |
| DORIS DUPUY | ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCE ASSISTANT | 40 | $121,950 |
| AIMEE THOMPSON | MEV NETWORK CO-LEADER | 40 | $123,231 |
| NICOLE R LEE | UPM PROJECT DIRECTOR | 40 | $154,269 |
| ALEXIS FLANAGAN | LEARNING AND PRACTICE DIRECTOR | 40 | $126,150 |
| MOHINI TADIKONDA | CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER | 40 | $157,883 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Movement Strategy Center continues to support transformative movements through its comprehensive intermediary services. The organization prioritizes the leadership and wisdom of community leaders, with staff and board members bringing diverse lived experiences and frontline knowledge to ensure alignment with served communities.
Moving Money Where it Matters - Movement Strategy CenterThe organization maintains an extensive network of fiscally sponsored projects including Alliance for Felix Cove, Big We Foundation, Brown Boi Project, Democracy at Home, HEAL Food Alliance, New Moon Collaborations, and numerous others focused on racial equity, environmental justice, LGBTQIA+ support, and community healing.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Movement Strategy Center fund?
**Mission Statement:** Movement Strategy Center works to increase the capacity of individuals, organizations, alliances, and sectors to be more strategic, collaborative, and sustainable. The organization provides values-aligned, holistic intermediary services enabling access to crucial infrastructure and thought partnership for BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA movement leaders, activists, and communities challenging intersectional issues of systemic racism, rampant environmental destruction, and cripp…
How do I apply for a grant from Movement Strategy Center?
Movement Strategy Center functions as a grantmaking intermediary with total giving of $13,191,652 according to its most recent IRS Form 990 filing. The organization's grant-making focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services, with typical awards ranging from $5,000 to $450,000. The organization operates multiple grantmaking mechanisms including foundation regranting programs, collaborative funds, and community-advised funds. It also maintains a donor-advised…
Where does Movement Strategy Center make grants?
Movement Strategy Center's grantmaking priorities are primarily concentrated in California, New York, and Illinois.
What size grants does Movement Strategy Center award?
In 2024, Movement Strategy Center awarded 110 grants totaling $16.0M — an average of about $146K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Movement Strategy Center's EIN?
Movement Strategy Center's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1037643. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Movement Strategy Center's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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