People's Action Institute
People's Action Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Chicago, Illinois, with headquarters at 1130 North Milwaukee Avenue. The organization functions as a national community organizing network and capacity-building entity. Over five decades, People's Action Institute and its affiliates have worked on reforms that recognize poor and working people's dignity and make material and political improvements to millions of lives. Nine grassroots organizing networks came together in 2016 to form a powerful national organization with more than a million members.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.9M
-12.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.4M
+106.8% YoY
Grant Count
65
+27.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$129K
+62.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission of People's Action Institute is to advance a long-term agenda for racial, economic, and gender justice by investing in powerful state and local organizations and campaigns that win real change in people's lives.
The organization believes that power comes from organizing and action, and therefore invests in:
- Scalable base-building and leadership development
- Digital organizing
- Direct action
- Nonpartisan civic engagement
- Independent grassroots fundraising
- Issue campaigns that move people on their values and self-interest
People's Action Institute's long-term goal is to reverse the trajectory of growing economic inequality by building an economy that expands opportunity for low-income families, with an emphasis on racial and gender equity.
The organization identifies three interconnected crises it seeks to address:
- Authoritarianism: The rise of authoritarian leaders who stoke conflicts and blame minorities and those seeking refuge for social problems
- Climate Crisis: The devastating climate crisis that threatens to displace millions from their homes unless dependence on fossil fuels ends
- Social Isolation: The weakening of civil society as people feel increasingly isolated and lose hope in democracy's power to improve their lives
In response, the organization promotes the "Organizing Revival"—a call to share best practices of relational, power-building community organizing to create a vibrant, multiracial democracy that works for all.
Grantmaking
People's Action Institute distributes grants to grassroots organizations. Based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024), the organization's total giving was $8,491,232.
Grant Range
s**: Typical awards range from $6,000 to $853,518.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
People's Action Institute's grant-making focuses primarily on New York, California, and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $24,907,562
- Total Revenue: $12.8 million
- Total Expenses: $18.4 million
- Total Liabilities: $2.63 million
- Total Giving: $8,491,232
Previous Year Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $28,574,556
- Total Revenue: $21,050,317
- Total Expenses: $16,245,570
Tax-Exempt Status: The organization has been tax-exempt since October 1973 (EIN: 36-2755109).
Rating: People's Action Institute holds a Four-Star rating with a 100% score, earning a "Great" designation based on Accountability & Finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,907,562 | $28,574,556 | $24,656,429 |
| Revenue | $12,816,653 | $21,050,317 | $14,083,902 |
| Expenses | $18,377,397 | $16,245,570 | $16,618,629 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $436,036 | $277,250 | $40,871 |
| 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
241 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
Executive Director: Sulma Arias
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JORDAN ESTEVAO | BOARD MEMBER & SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| WILL TANZMAN | BOARD MEMBER & TREASURER | 1 | — |
| KEN GROSSINGER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ALEJANDRA GOMEZ | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ALYSSA AGUILERA | BOARD MEMBER & PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| JOSIE MOONEY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LARRY STAFFORD | BOARD MEMBER & VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| GEORGE KOHL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARY LASSEN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL LIGHTY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JESSE HOYT | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LIZETH CHACON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DENISE PADIN COLLAZO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SULMA ARIAS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $156,266 |
| ANDREA FRYE | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $134,983 |
| WARREN CORPREW | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $129,636 |
| LAUREL WALES | CHIEF OF ORGANIZING PROGRAMS | 40 | $104,985 |
| SONDRA YOUDELMAN | CAMPAIGNS DIRECTOR | 40 | $108,019 |
| ADAM KRUGGEL | TRAINING DIRECTOR | 40 | $101,711 |
| LILIAN BURKE | DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR | 40 | $112,162 |
| VERONICA MILTON | CONTROLLER | 40 | $116,544 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
People's Action Institute was named an "Action for Women's Health Awardee" to fight for reproductive health and rights.
PAI Named as 'Action for Women's Health Awardee' to Fight for ReproductiveThe organization's affiliate, Workers Defense Project in Texas, helped score a $249.7 million solar grant in Harris County.
Texas: Workers Defense Project Helps Score $249.7m Solar Grant ...People's Action Institute received $16 million in funding as part of a group of 25 organizations selected to build people power and transform public institutions.
25 organizations receive $16M to build people power and transform publicThe organization published a "Blueprint for Affordable Energy" document (February 2026).
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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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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