People's Action
People's Action is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2008. It builds the power of poor and working people through advocacy, organizing, and electoral work, and its 2024 filing describes a focus on economic, racial, and social equity.
People's Action at a glance
In short: People's Action gave $100K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $100K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $100,000
- -72.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -94.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $100,000
- +420.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $3,226,069
- +10.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% 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 People's Action
- Contact
Mailing address: 1130 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: (312) 243-3035
Website: https://peoplesaction.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who People's Action funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was People's Action Power ($100K).
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 82 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
People’s Action describes its network as spanning 29 states and says its members work in urban, rural, and suburban areas. Its federal-funds work names activity in Pennsylvania, Washington, Arkansas, Indiana, Milwaukee, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and St. Paul, as well as work at the county level nationwide. The 2023 grants listed include recipients based in California, Vermont, Kentucky, New Jersey, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How People's Action gives
- Giving fell 80% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2024) to $2.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $100K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| People's Action Power Dixon, CA | Affiliate State Programs Support | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with People's Action?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,226,069 | $2,147,474 | $2,492,548 | $100,000 | 1 | $40 |
| 2023 | $2,921,763 | $1,033,279 | $1,059,706 | $364,975 | 19 | $46 |
| 2022 | $3,016,832 | $1,319,598 | $1,903,618 | $677,000 | 13 | $26 |
| 2021 | $3,569,698 | $2,030,704 | $1,305,716 | $502,088 | 18 | $35 |
| 2020 | $3,492,601 | $4,920,060 | $4,037,233 | $2,733,498 | 31 | $22 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
People’s Action states that its mission is to promote economic, racial, and social equity through national, regional, and local advocacy campaigns. Its 2024 filing describes public education and advocacy on affordable and accessible health care, clean and affordable energy, and housing affordability and access. It also describes training in deep-listening conversations and support for candidates from member organizations and for co-governance work with decision makers.
The organization’s website describes work in rural organizing, deep canvassing, the overdose crisis, and leveraging federal funds for local infrastructure. It also describes training resources for allies through the Deep Canvass Institute and Movement Politics program.
In 2023, listed grantees included organizations with varied missions. For example, the Rights & Democracy Project says it brings people together to build healthy communities and influence government policy; Faith in the Valley says it develops community leaders and works on community issues; and Ground Game LA says it connects vulnerable communities with resources and organizing know-how. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
People’s Action reported 19 grants totaling $364,975 in 2023, an average of about $19,209 per grant. Examples include $24,526 to Tides Advocacy and $20,000 each to the Rights & Democracy Project, Faith in the Valley, and Root Cause Research Center. It also gave $10,000 each to the New Jersey Organizing Project, Ground Game LA, African Communities Together, and Community Voices Heard Power. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 1 grant totaling $100,000.
The 2024 filing lists a grant count of zero. No application process, materials, restrictions, or deadline are stated in the available information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists these officers and directors: Adrienne Evans, Dreama Caldwell, Elianne Farhat, James Haslam, Juanita Lewis (chair), Larry Stafford, Laura Martin (treasurer), Pamela Twiss, Reginald Brown, and Rosemary Rivera (vice chair).
People's Action is led by Sulma Arias, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; none of the 12 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sulma Arias
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juanita Lewis
Board Member & Chair
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elianne Farhat
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Haslam
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Stafford
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Martin
Board Member & Treasurer
Board Member → Board Member & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reginald Brown
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adrienne Evans
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dreama Caldwell
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Twiss
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rosemary Rivera
Board Member & Vice Chair
Board Member → Board Member & Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Warren Corprew
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2023
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Jesse Graham (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Lizeth Chacon (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Kraig (2020–2023) — Board Member & Treasurer
- Former: Emily Lee (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Tomas Robles (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Brigid Flaherty (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Eugene Barnes (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: George Goehl (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: George Kohl (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Hugh Espey (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Ivette Alfonso (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jennifer Ritter (2020–2021) — Treasurer & Board Member
- Former: Joseph Mpa (2020–2021) — Vice President & Board M
- Former: Michael Lighty (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Justin Vest (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Lupe Lopez (2020) — Managing Director
- Former: Rich Stolz (2020) — Board Member
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.
Frequently asked questions about People's Action
How much does People's Action give each year?
People's Action gave $100K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $365K across 19 grants.
How large is People's Action?
People's Action reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.1M.
What does People's Action fund?
People’s Action states that its mission is to promote economic, racial, and social equity through national, regional, and local advocacy campaigns. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from People's Action?
People's Action has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check peoplesaction.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does People's Action make grants?
People’s Action describes its network as spanning 29 states and says its members work in urban, rural, and suburban areas. Its federal-funds work names activity in Pennsylvania, Washington, Arkansas, Indiana, Milwaukee, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and St. Paul, as well as work at the county level nationwide.
What is People's Action's EIN?
People's Action's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2613701. 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 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 1, 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 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in People's Action's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Center for Community Change Action
Washington, DC
The Center for Community Change Action funds grassroots organizing, voter engagement, leadership development, and policy and advocacy work focused on low-income people, especially people of color, and economic, racial, and immigrant justice. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $250,000, with a median of $100,000, and supported organizations in several states, including Washington, DC, New York, Oregon, California, and Minnesota. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$16.4M
Grants
15
Total Given
$1.6M
Sixteen Thirty Fund
Washington, DC
SIXTEEN THIRTY FUND supports social-change projects focused on areas including racial justice, voting access, health care, climate, and democracy, with work across the United States. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,700 to $27.85 million, with a median of $115,000. It generally requires a written application, but the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$106.5M
Grants
318
Total Given
$236.4M
Tides Advocacy
West Hollywood, CA
Tides Advocacy funds social justice, environmental protection, and democracy work, including advocacy and political activity. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,500 to $3.45 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across the United States, with the largest shares in Delaware, D.C., New York, California, and Michigan. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$39.4M
Grants
192
Total Given
$29.5M
Working Families Organization Inc
Brooklyn, NY
Working Families Organization supports legislative advocacy, public education, creative media, and community organizing to advance the interests of working-class, middle-class, and poor Americans. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,500 to $1.5 million, with a median of $30,000, and the largest shares went to organizations in New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Michigan. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$22.4M
Grants
106
Total Given
$8.1M
Climate Equity Action Fund
Washington, DC
The Climate Equity Action Fund supports community-based 501(c)(4) groups working on climate and clean-energy policy, civic participation, and related advocacy, with partners in 14 states. Its 2024 grants ranged from $20,000 to $285,000, with a median of $90,000. It typically does not accept unsolicited requests; most funding begins with direct invitations.
Assets
$4.3M
Grants
93
Total Given
$9.4M
America Votes
Washington, DC
America Votes’ Education Fund makes grants to expand ballot access, voter education and participation, particularly among young people and communities of color, while its broader work supports democracy and voting rights. In 2025, grants ranged from $10,000 to $13.945 million, with a median of $500,000; its work spans more than 20 states, and grant dollars went mostly to recipients in Washington, DC. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$22.3M
Grants
119
Total Given
$168.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from People's Action'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.
People's Action down — hundreds of funders to go?