NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund
The fund provides legal and financial assistance to selected individuals and organizations defending their right to keep and bear arms. Additionally, the fund sponsors legal research and education on a wide variety of gun-related issues, including the meaning of the second amendment.
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund at a glance
In short: NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund gave $890K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $127K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $890,256
- +16.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $127,179
- +16.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $60,000
- Total assets
- $16,709,172
- +19.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Virginia (57% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was National Rifle Association ($505K). Together the top 7 received $890K.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 20 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund gives
- Giving grew 119% 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
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $114K (2020) to $890K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $890K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Rifle Association Fairfax, VA | Grants to nra are made to support litigation where the litigation is directly related to the preservation of the human, civil, and/or constitutional rights of individuals to keep and bear arms. These grants to nra are to reimburse the legal expenses of cases that have already been funded and paid by nra institute of legislative action. Nra civil rights defense fund's board of trustees subsequently approves the funding/reimbursement of these cases by the nra civil rights defense fund. | $505,000 |
| Silent Majority Foundation Pasco, WA | See Statement | $120,155 |
| Delaware State Sportsmens Association Lincoln, DE | See Statement | $114,159 |
| Liberty Justice Center Austin, TX | See Statement | $60,000 |
| Association of NJ Rifle and Pistol Club Inc N Haledon, NJ | See Statement | $59,242 |
| Sporting Arms Company Lewiston, TX | See Statement | $19,447 |
| Western PA Sportmens Club Murrysville, PA | See Statement | $12,253 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16,709,172 | $3,099,800 | $1,070,120 | $890,256 | 7 | $510,818 |
| 2023 | $13,942,053 | $1,355,031 | $909,462 | $764,484 | 7 | $387,316 |
| 2022 | $12,136,639 | $1,006,563 | $397,181 | $223,081 | 4 | $324,448 |
| 2021 | $13,598,771 | $2,085,993 | $803,959 | $407,072 | 1 | $558,475 |
| 2020 | $11,503,652 | $2,285,394 | $381,120 | $114,104 | 1 | $352,703 |
| 2019 | $9,064,092 | $1,389,783 | $1,085,835 | $652,384 | 1 | $212,655 |
About NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund
Based on IRS filings
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Fairfax, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $16.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $890K. Net investment income was $511K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund is led by James W. Porter II, Chairman & Board Trustee since 2024 (on filings since 2019); none of the 11 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James W. Porter II
Chairman & Board Trustee
Chairman & Board of Trustees Trustee → Chairman, 2023
Chairman → Chairman & Board Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol Frampton
Vice Chair & Board Trustee
Vice Chair & Board of Trustees Trustee → Vice Chairman, 2023
Vice Chairman → Vice Chair & Board Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles L. Cotton
Board Trustee
Board of Trustees → Board Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Curtis S. Jenkins
Board Trustee
Board of Trustees → Board Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Graham Hill
Board Trustee
Board of Trustees → Board Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert E. Sanders
Board Trustee
Board of Trustees → Board Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William H. Satterfield
Board Trustee
Board of Trustees → Board Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David A. Keene
Board Trustee
Board of Trustees → Board Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John C. Sigler
Board Trustee
Board of Trustees → Board Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stefan B. Tahmassebi
Secretary
On filings since 2019
11 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sonya B. Rowling
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Craig B. Spray (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Robert K. Corbin (2019–2022) — Board of Trustees
- Former: Robert Cottrol (2019–2021) — Board of Trustees
- Former: Robert J. Dowlut (2019–2021) — Board of Trustees
- Former: Wilson H. Phillips (2019) — Former Treasurer
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.
Frequently asked questions about NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund
How much does NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund give each year?
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund gave $890K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $764K across 7 grants.
What is NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund's typical grant size?
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund's median grant in 2024 was $60,000, and its average grant was $127,179, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund give grants?
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund gives mostly in Virginia: 57% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Washington (13%) and Delaware (13%).
Does NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "See Statement" (6 grants).
Who are NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund's largest grantees?
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund's largest 2024 grantees include National Rifle Association ($505,000), Silent Majority Foundation ($120,155) and Delaware State Sportsmens Association ($114,159), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund?
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund reported $16.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.1M.
What is NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund?
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Fairfax, VA. It holds $16.7M in total assets as of 2024.
What is NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund's EIN?
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1136665. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS November 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund funds
Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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