People's Action Institute
People’s Action Institute is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. It is a national community-organizing organization that supports affiliated state and local organizations and campaigns, with a focus on building community power and advancing racial, economic, and gender justice.
People's Action Institute at a glance
In short: People's Action Institute gave $8.4M across 65 grants in 2024 (avg $129K), top state New York. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,391,332
- +106.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 65
- +27.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $129,097
- +62.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $115,000
- Total assets
- $24,907,562
- -12.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (17 of 65, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (13% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to People's Action Institute
- Contact
Mailing address: 1130 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: (312) 243-3035
Website: https://peoplesactioninstitute.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who People's Action Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Citizen Action of Wisconsin Education Fund ($854K). Together the top 10 received $3.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
259 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 94 grants of 259 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest state shares were New York (13%), Pennsylvania (11%), Wisconsin (10%), Illinois (9%), and the District of Columbia (7%). The organization also describes member organizing and campaigns in communities and states across the country.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 65 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is People's Action Institute open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 65 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $121K; repeat grants $132K. How we count
Medians: $60K first-time, $119K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.3M (2020) to $8.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 65 grants totaling $8.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen Action of Wisconsin Education Fund Milwaukee, WI | Affiliate State Programs Support | $853,518 |
| Pennsylvania United Pittsburgh, PA | Affiliate State Programs Support | $700,000 |
| Hoosier Action Resource Center Bloomington, IN | Affiliate State Programs Support | $275,123 |
| Organizing Neighborhoods for Equality Northside Chicago, IL | Affiliate State Programs Support | $271,500 |
| Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Des Moines, IA | Affiliate State Programs Support | $270,000 |
| Voices of Community Activists & Leaders Inc (Vocal-NY) Brooklyn, NY | Affiliate State Programs Support | $230,000 |
| We Are Down Home NC Greensboro, NC | Affiliate State Programs Support | $228,750 |
| Maine People's Resource Center Portland, ME | Affiliate State Programs Support | $228,518 |
| Social Good Fund Richmond, CA | Affiliate State Programs Support | $210,000 |
| Community Voices Heard New York, NY | Affiliate State Programs Support | $191,500 |
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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 | $24,907,562 | $12,816,653 | $18,377,397 | $8,391,332 | 65 | $436,036 |
| 2023 | $28,574,556 | $21,050,317 | $16,245,570 | $4,058,204 | 51 | $277,250 |
| 2022 | $24,656,429 | $14,083,902 | $16,618,629 | $5,243,582 | 41 | $40,871 |
| 2021 | $28,431,062 | $17,413,428 | $13,258,355 | $6,304,440 | 51 | $12,211 |
| 2020 | $22,905,258 | $19,386,651 | $8,827,082 | $3,315,457 | 51 | $11,637 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
People’s Action Institute’s stated mission 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. Its filing describes a primary focus on public education and training, with a more limited focus on public campaigns. It says it invests in the leadership of everyday people to help them educate and organize their communities.
The organization’s stated campaign areas include health care, utility justice, green and healthy schools, housing, and environmental issues. Its website also describes work on rural organizing, deep canvassing, overdose prevention, and leveraging federal funds for community infrastructure.
Grantees listed in its 2024 filing include community-organizing and advocacy organizations. For example, Citizen Action of Wisconsin Education Fund describes itself as a grassroots organization working toward social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. Organizing Neighborhoods for Equality Northside says it builds collective power through community organizing. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement describes work in economic, racial, and environmental justice and grassroots democracy.
Grantmaking
In 2024, People’s Action Institute reported 65 grants totaling $8,391,332. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $853,518, with a median grant of $115,000. The largest listed grants included:
The listed purposes for these grants are “affiliate state programs support.” The organization’s 2024 filing also describes training, public education, and campaigns related to health care, energy and schools, and housing.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Alyssa Aguilera, board member and president; Jordan Estevao, board member and secretary; Will Tanzman, board member and treasurer; and Larry Stafford, board member and vice chair. Other listed board members are Ken Grossinger, Alejandra Gomez, Josie Mooney, George Kohl, Mary Lassen, and Michael Lighty.
People's Action Institute is led by Sulma Arias, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 8 of 21 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sulma Arias
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$150K (2022) → $156K (2024)
Alyssa Aguilera
Board Member & President
Board Member & Vice President → Board Member & President, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sondra Youdelman
Campaigns Director
Campaign Director → Campaigns Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$103K (2020) → $108K (2024)
Adam Kruggel
Training Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$142K (2023) → $102K (2024)
Lilian Burke
Development Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$146K (2023) → $112K (2024)
Andrea Frye
Chief Operations Officer
Operations Director → Chief Operations Officer, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$106K (2021) → $135K (2024)
Warren Corprew
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$40K (2021) → $130K (2024)
Laurel Wales
Chief of Organizing Programs
Chief of Organizing Program → Chief of Organizing Programs, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$155K (2022) → $105K (2024)
Veronica Milton
Controller
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$145K (2023) → $117K (2024)
Alejandra Gomez
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jordan Estevao
Board Member & Secretary
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Josie Mooney
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Grossinger
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Will Tanzman
Board Member & Treasurer
Board Member → Board Member & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Kohl
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Stafford
Board Member & Vice Chair
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Lassen
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Lighty
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Padin Collazo
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jesse Hoyt
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lizeth Chacon
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Mehrdad Azemun (2022–2023) — Director of Strategic Alliances
- Former: Joseph Mpa (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kate Kahan (2023) — Chief of Strategy & Partnership
- Former: Afua Atta-Mensah (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Bree Carlson (2020–2022) — Managing Director
- Former: George Goehl (2020–2022) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Marina Selikhova (2020–2022) — Former Finance Director
- Former: Marvin Randolph (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Rahwa Ghirmatzion (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Kraig (2020–2022) — Board Member & Treasurer
- Former: Derrick Crowe (2021–2022) — Communications & Digital Director
- Former: Marshall Bettina (2022) — Hr & Staff Development Director
- Former: Arturo Clark (2021) — Development Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $156K, to Sulma Arias (Executive Director). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about People's Action Institute
How much does People's Action Institute give each year?
People's Action Institute gave $8.4M across 65 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $4.1M across 51 grants.
What is People's Action Institute's typical grant size?
People's Action Institute's median grant in 2024 was $115,000, and its average grant was $129,097, across 65 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from People's Action Institute that year got $121K on average.
Where does People's Action Institute give grants?
People's Action Institute's top state is New York, with 13% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (11%) and Wisconsin (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (4 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Brooklyn, NY (3 grants) and Pittsburgh, PA (2 grants).
Does People's Action Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 65 grants with a stated purpose on People's Action Institute's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Affiliate State Programs Support" (65 grants).
Who are People's Action Institute's largest grantees?
People's Action Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Citizen Action of Wisconsin Education Fund ($853,518), Pennsylvania United ($700,000) and Hoosier Action Resource Center ($275,123), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is People's Action Institute?
People's Action Institute reported $24.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.8M.
What does People's Action Institute fund?
People’s Action Institute’s stated mission 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. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from People's Action Institute?
People's Action Institute has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check peoplesactioninstitute.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is People's Action Institute's EIN?
People's Action Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2755109. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- 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 17, 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 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). People's Action Institute funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/people-s-action-institute-morg_2b61ca8a83384f979172f716ed3fdd9c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_362755109_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{People's Action Institute funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/people-s-action-institute-morg_2b61ca8a83384f979172f716ed3fdd9c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 People's Action Institute'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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