NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc logo

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Baltimore, MD EIN: 13-1084135 Website

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc. is a public charity based in Baltimore, Maryland. Its work includes civil rights advocacy, training and education, and support for programs addressing political, educational, social, and economic equality.

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc at a glance

In short: NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc gave $7.4M across 110 grants in 2024 (avg $67K), top state District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$7,405,496
+2251.0% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
110
+746.2% vs 2023
Average grant
$67,323
+177.8% vs 2023
Median grant
$25,000
Total assets
$89,516,233
-6.6% vs 2023
Primary geography
District of Columbia (21% 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 NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc

Contact

Mailing address: 4805 Mount Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: (410) 580-5777
Website: https://naacp.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Equal Ground Education Fund: $686KEqual Ground Education Fund$686KBeats on the Streets Inc: $635KBeats on the Streets Inc$635KBeats on the Streets Inc DBA We Are Somebody: $500KBeats on the Streets Inc DBAWe Are Somebody$500KBlueprint North Carolina: $486KBlueprint North Carolina$486KBlack Leadership Pennsylvania: $400KBlack Leadership Pennsylvania$400KNeo Philanthropy Inc: $340KNeo Philanthropy Inc$340KGwinnett County NAACP: $300KGwinnett County NAACP$300KFlorida Rising Together: $277KFlorida Rising Together$277K1 Hood Media Academy: $220K1 Hood Media Academy$220KStarkvegas Juneteenth Committee for Unity: $173KStarkvegas JuneteenthCommittee for Unity$173K

The largest 2024 recipient was Equal Ground Education Fund ($686K). Together the top 10 received $4.0M.

Grant Size Distribution

652 grants across all recorded years

581<$50K32$50–100K26$100–250K10$250–500K3$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 581 grants of 652 (89%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The 2024 grant dollars were distributed across recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares were DC (21%), Florida (17%), Pennsylvania (11%), Georgia (9%), and North Carolina (7%).

Grant Distribution by State

42states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 110 itemized grants.

Cities

AtlantaBrooklynWashingtonHoustonNew YorkBostonDetroitChicagoLas VegasOrlandoPhiladelphiaColumbusLos AngelesOaklandBaton RougeBronxDurhamMiamiMinneapolisBaltimore

How NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc gives

  • Giving grew 182% from 2021 to 2024. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$4M$6M$8M0 grants2019 207 grants2020 224 grants2021 98 grants2022 13 grants2023 110 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $315K (2023) to $7.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 110 grants totaling $7.4M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Equal Ground Education Fund Orlando, FLBcvf grant to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation in black communities$686,054
Beats on the Streets Inc Washington, DCBcvf grant to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation in black communities$634,758
Beats on the Streets Inc DBA We Are Somebody Washington, DCBcvf grant to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation in black communities$500,000
Blueprint North Carolina Durham, NCBcvf grant to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation in black communities$486,316
Black Leadership Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PABcvf grant to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation in black communities$400,000
Neo Philanthropy Inc New York, NYBcvf grant to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation in black communities$339,987
Gwinnett County NAACP Lawrenceville, GABcvf grant to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation in black communities$300,000
Florida Rising Together Miami, FLBcvf grant to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation in black communities$276,948
1 Hood Media Academy Pittsburgh, PABcvf grant to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation in black communities$220,341
Starkvegas Juneteenth Committee for Unity Starkville, MSBcvf grant to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation in black communities$172,787
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$89,516,233$60,637,077$77,569,913$7,405,496110$2,381,338
2023$95,795,169$43,560,673$60,261,869$315,00013$2,555,309
2022$106,452,290$51,161,643$62,020,159$6,073,17098$-1,727,559
2021$113,174,751$103,738,054$54,055,532$2,625,206224$2,790,987
2020$60,368,468$85,950,192$39,493,840$2,115,000207$727,308
2019$20,860,680$27,959,305$30,410,953——$371,358

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization’s stated mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all and to dismantle racism and disrupt inequality. Its programs include voter-rights education and advocacy, youth leadership development, health and economic initiatives, criminal-justice work, scholarships, and education and civic-engagement activities.

Examples of organizations it supported in 2024 illustrate the range of grantees. Equal Ground Education Fund describes its mission as engaging the rising American electorate through equal access to voting education and empowerment. Blueprint North Carolina describes itself as a partnership of public-policy, advocacy, and grassroots-organizing nonprofits working toward a better, fairer, healthier North Carolina through communications and civic engagement. Florida Rising Together says it develops educational programs to empower Florida residents to strengthen their communities. Working America describes its work as bringing together and empowering workers and others without union representation on the job.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the organization reported 110 grants totaling $7,405,496. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $686,054, with a median of $25,000. The largest listed awards included:

The stated purpose for these awards was to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation in Black communities. The organization also reported a $170,000 award to Working America to organize and empower working-class communities, particularly in states like Florida.

The organization says grant applications, agreements, and grantee reports are maintained in its systems. It determines recipient eligibility during the application process and bases selection criteria on programmatic impact aligned with its desired outcomes. Its website lists several grant initiatives for entrepreneurs, including the Powershift Entrepreneur Grant; the website says that program is not currently open. It also describes six $25,000 grants for beauty-industry entrepreneurs, with applications open through April 23, 2026.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Leon Russell as chairman, Karen Boykin-Towns as vice chair, Jesse Turner Jr. as treasurer, Yvonne White as assistant treasurer, and Alphonso Braggs as assistant secretary. Directors listed include Akosua Ali, Dr. Amos Brown, Michael A. Curry Esq., Dr. Hazel Dukes, and Thomas Kalahar.

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc is led by Derrick Johnson, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 12 of 28 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Derrick Johnson

    President & CEO

    President → President An, 2022

    President An → President & CEO, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $331K (2019) → $828K (2024)

  • Leon Russell

    Chairman

    Board Chairman → Chairman, 2020

    On filings since 2019

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Eris Sims

    Chief of Staff

    Chief of Sta → Chief of Staff, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $185K (2019) → $331K (2024)

  • Junko Kobayashi

    Interim CFO

    Interim CFO → Interim, 2023

    Interim → Interim CFO, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $205K (2020) → $255K (2024)

  • Denese Carroll

    COO & CTO

    Chief Techno → Chief Tech & O, 2022

    Chief Tech & O → COO & CTO, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $332K (2021) → $396K (2024)

  • Yumeka Rushing

    Chief Strategy Officer

    Chief Strate → Chief Strategy Officer, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $282K (2021) → $330K (2024)

  • Janette McCarthy-Wallace

    General Counsel

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $307K (2023) → $321K (2024)

  • Aba Blankson

    Chief Marketing Officer

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $331K (2024)

  • Hilary Shelton

    Senior Vice President

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $207K (2024)

  • Jamal Watkins

    Senior Vice President

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $247K (2024)

  • Kyle Bowser

    Senior Vice President

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $311K (2024)

  • P. Bianca Domally

    CFO

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $132K (2024)

  • Patrice Willoughby

    Senior Vice President

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $243K (2024)

  • Akosua Ali

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Alphonso Braggs

    Assistant Secretary

    Board Member → Assistant Se, 2022

    Assistant Se → Assistant Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Amos Brown

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Gloria Sweet-Love

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Hazel N. Dukes

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jesse H. Turner Jr.

    Treasurer

    Board Member → Treasurer, 2020

    On filings since 2019

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Karen Boykin-Towns

    Vice Chair

    Board Member → Vice Chairman, 2020

    Vice Chairman → Vice Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kyra Mitchell

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Madie Robinson

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael A. Curry Esq.

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Steven Ricard

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Thomas Kalahar

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Yvonne White

    Assistant Treasurer

    Assistant Treasurer → Board Member, 2020

    Board Member → Assistant Treasurer, 2021

    On filings since 2019

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dwayne Proctor

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Turner

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (67)
  • Former: Honorable Fred Banks Jr. (2019–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Leonard James III (2019–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Janette Louard (2019–2022) — General Counsel
  • Former: Shevann Steuben (2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Carolyn Coleman (2019–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Dejoiry McKenzie-Simmons (2019–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Traelon Rodgers (2019–2021) — Assistant Secretary
  • Former: Adora Obi Nweze (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Alan B. Lazowski (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Alfred Rucks (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Alice Huffman (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Benard Simelton (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Bishop Dennis V. Proctor (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Bishop Marvin F. Thomas Sr. (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: David Walker (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Dedric Doolin (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Erika Cain (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Gary Bledsoe (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: George Gresham (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Gina Stewart (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Helen Myers (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Howard Jefferson (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: James Gallman (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: John Gaskin III (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Juan M. Cofield (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Katherine Egland (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Morandon Henry (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Ophelia Averitt (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Peter Rose (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Rabbi Johah Pesner (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Raoul Cunningham (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Ray Curry (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Richard Smith (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Robin Williams (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Ron Hasson (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Roslyn M. Brock (2019–2020) — Chairman Emeritus
  • Former: Scot X. Esdaile (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Theresa A. Dear (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Tyler McBride (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Wendell Anthony (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Wendell J. Harris Sr. (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: William Lucy (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Ashiley Williams Wandra (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Barbara Bolling-Williams (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Bradford Berry (2020) — General Counsel
  • Former: Brianna Reaves (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Carmen Taylor (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Demar Roberts (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: James C. Perkins (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Michael McClanahan (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Minister Edward Dubose (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Mitchell Kyra (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Ra 'vynn Waters (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Rick Callender (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Tori O'Neal-McElrath (2020) — Chief Extern
  • Former: Aubrey Cooper (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Barbara Bolling Williams (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Caroll Sanid (2019) — Chief Operat
  • Former: Charnell Ferguson (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Debra Brown (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Elder Edward Dubose (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Gwen Moore (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Ra'vynn Waters (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Ref Dr James C. Perkins (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Tori O'Neal -McElrath (2019) — Chief Extern
  • Former: Wandra Ashley-Williams (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: William Barber II (2019) — Board Member

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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

Derrick Johnson — President and CEO: $828KDerrick JohnsonPresident and CEO$828KDenese Carroll — COO/CTO: $396KDenese CarrollCOO/CTO$396KEris Sims — Chief of Staff: $331KEris SimsChief of Staff$331KABA Blankson — Chief Marketing Officer: $331KABA BlanksonChief Marketing Officer$331KYumeka Rushing — Chief Strategy Officer: $330KYumeka RushingChief Strategy Officer$330KJanette McCarthy-Wallace — General Counsel: $321KJanette McCarthy-WallaceGeneral Counsel$321KKyle Bowser — Senior Vice President: $311KKyle BowserSenior Vice President$311KJunko Kobayashi — Interim CFO (Thru 07/2024): $255KJunko KobayashiInterim CFO (Thru 07/2024)$255KJamal Watkins — Senior Vice President: $247KJamal WatkinsSenior Vice President$247KPatrice Willoughby — Senior Vice President: $243KPatrice WilloughbySenior Vice President$243KHilary Shelton — Senior Vice President: $207KHilary SheltonSenior Vice President$207KP Bianca Domally — CFO (As of 07/2024): $132KP Bianca DomallyCFO (As of 07/2024)$132K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $828K, to Derrick Johnson (President and CEO). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc

How much does NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc give each year?

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc gave $7.4M across 110 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $315K across 13 grants.

What is NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc's typical grant size?

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $67,323, across 110 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Where does NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc give grants?

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc's top state is District of Columbia, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Florida (17%) and Pennsylvania (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (8 grants), Boston, MA (7 grants), Atlanta, GA (4 grants) and Detroit, MI (4 grants).

Does NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 18% of NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (20 of 110) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Hurricane Disaster Assistance" (3 grants).

Who are NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc's largest grantees?

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Equal Ground Education Fund ($686,054), Beats on the Streets Inc ($634,758) and Beats on the Streets Inc DBA We Are Somebody ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc?

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc reported $89.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $60.6M.

What does NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc fund?

The organization’s stated mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all and to dismantle racism and disrupt inequality. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc?

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check naacp.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc's EIN?

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1084135. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 16, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 6, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 23, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/naacp-empowerment-programs-inc-morg_dd25a72693054143a6d8b0b51af7913a

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_131084135_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/naacp-empowerment-programs-inc-morg_dd25a72693054143a6d8b0b51af7913a},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 NAACP Empowerment Programs 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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