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.
Key facts about Movement Strategy Center
- EIN
- 20-1037643
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $16,032,903
- Grants made (2024)
- 110
- Average grant
- $145,754
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $51,406,860
- Primary geography
- California (44% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Movement Strategy Center funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Movement Strategy Center's 110 itemized 2024 grants were California (44%), Georgia (6%) and Michigan (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (8 grants), Chicago, IL (7 grants), Los Angeles, CA (6 grants) and Atlanta, GA (6 grants). None of its 110 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Msc Regrants-grant" (66 grants), "Heal Food Alliance-grant" (10 grants) and "Movement Strategy Center-grant" (9 grants).
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
Share of all 110 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
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
539 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Urban Peace Movement ($3,188,712), Communities for a Better Environment ($470,000), Center for Civic Policy ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| URBAN PEACE MOVEMENT OAKLAND, CA | MOVEMENT STRATEGY CENTER-GRANT | $3,188,712 |
| COMMUNITIES FOR A BETTER ENVIRONMENT HUNTINGTON PARK, CA | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $470,000 |
| CENTER FOR CIVIC POLICY ALBUQUERQUE, NM | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $400,000 |
| CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COALITION GOLDEN, CO | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $400,000 |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR SOUTHERN EQUITY ATLANTA, GA | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $345,000 |
| SCOPE LOS ANGELES, CA | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $340,000 |
| SOULARDARITY HIGHLAND PARK, MI | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $325,000 |
| NATIVE MOVEMENT FAIRBANKS, AK | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $300,000 |
| SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS CALABASAS, CA | MOVEMENT STRATEGY CENTER-GRANT | $300,000 |
| CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE OAKLAND, CA | MSC REGRANTS-GRANT | $285,000 |
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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.