Powerswitch Action
PowerSwitch Action is an Oakland, California-based public charity that operates as a national network of 21 grassroots organizations. It provides assistance to organizations building local power and makes grants to groups working on issues including jobs, housing, worker power, and community policy campaigns.
Powerswitch Action at a glance
In short: Powerswitch Action gave $4.9M across 28 grants in 2024 (avg $175K), top state California. 11% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,903,880
- -5.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 28
- -12.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $175,139
- +7.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $149,000
- Total assets
- $23,927,893
- +3.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (3 of 28, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (47% 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 Powerswitch Action
- Contact
Mailing address: 1305 Franklin St Ste 501, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 201-0081
Website: https://powerswitchaction.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Powerswitch Action funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Labor United ($549K). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
147 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 49 grants of 147 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
PowerSwitch Action describes itself as a national network, with affiliates in cities across the country. In 2024, California accounted for 47% of grant dollars, followed by Massachusetts at 11%, Colorado at 8%, Illinois at 6%, and Tennessee at 5%. The 2024 grants also included recipients in Missouri and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Powerswitch Action open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 28 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $72K; repeat grants $188K. How we count
Medians: $90K first-time, $202K repeat.
- 86% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.7M (2019) to $5.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 28 grants totaling $4.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Labor United Boston, MA | Capacity Building | $549,343 |
| Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance Los Angeles, CA | CA Coalition for Worker Power | $401,537 |
| Working Partnerships USA San Jose, CA | Capacity Building; California; Gig Work | $327,800 |
| East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Econo (Ebase) Oakland, CA | Capacity Building; California | $300,500 |
| United for a New Economy Commerce City, CO | Capacity Building; Housing; Preemption | $297,000 |
| Cause Ventura, CA | Capacity Building; California | $285,000 |
| Stand up Nashville Nashville, TN | Capacity Building; Housing; Preemption | $265,000 |
| Missouri Workers Center St. Louis, MO | Capacity Building; Preemption | $260,000 |
| Laane Los Angeles, CA | Capacity Building; California | $255,000 |
| Warehouse Worker Resource Center Ontario, CA | Capacity Building; California | $245,600 |
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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 | $23,927,893 | $12,575,509 | $11,324,650 | $4,903,880 | 28 | $194,909 |
| 2023 | $23,198,024 | $12,360,812 | $11,319,272 | $5,211,883 | 32 | $160,550 |
| 2022 | $21,812,498 | $12,685,553 | $10,441,388 | $5,774,051 | 34 | $27,482 |
| 2021 | $19,442,233 | $13,398,955 | $8,924,468 | $5,386,508 | 34 | $4,334 |
| 2020 | $11,067,236 | $13,333,839 | $6,456,427 | $3,450,096 | 19 | $3,639 |
| 2019 | $4,161,040 | $6,451,311 | $5,052,824 | $2,733,550 | 18 | $3,197 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
PowerSwitch Action describes its mission as forging collective democracy and economies in cities and states with its grassroots affiliates. Its website says it works toward multiracial feminist democracy and economies, and identifies four interwoven strategies: building authentic democracy, shaping a people’s economy, growing civic organizations, and reining in corporate power.
Its 2024 filing describes programs providing assistance to organizations building local power for good jobs, thriving communities, a healthy environment, and vibrant democracy. It also describes programs focused on research and policy for the common good and democratic control of public goods and services, and on policies that address environmental and social problems while increasing good, clean jobs.
The 2024 grantees include community-labor coalitions, worker organizations, and groups pursuing local or state policy change. Community Labor United describes its work as strategic campaigns with grassroots organizations and labor unions to strengthen working-class families and communities of color in Greater Boston. Working Partnerships USA says it builds workers’ and communities’ capacity to lead and govern through grassroots organizing and public policy. Missouri Workers Center describes its mission as building a multiracial worker-led movement in Missouri.
Grantmaking
In 2024, PowerSwitch Action reported 28 grants totaling $4,903,880. Grants ranged from $12,000 to $549,343, with a median of $149,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $549,343 to Community Labor United for capacity building; $401,537 to Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance for the California Coalition for Worker Power; $327,800 to Working Partnerships USA for capacity building, California, and gig work; and $300,500 to East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy for capacity building in California. Other large grants included $297,000 to United for a New Economy for capacity building, housing, and preemption; $285,000 to CAUSE for capacity building in California; $265,000 to Stand Up Nashville for capacity building, housing, and preemption; and $260,000 to Missouri Workers Center for capacity building and preemption.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lauren Jacobs as executive director; Barbara Finnin as finance and operations director; Donald Cohen as director of In the Public Interest; Lena Afridi as chief of staff; Benjamin Beach as legal director; Shahrzad Habibi as research and policy director; and Sylvia Ruiz as network strength director. It lists Kyra Greene as chair and Sheheryar Kaoosji as secretary/treasurer. Jennifer Rafanan Kennedy is listed as secretary/treasurer, with a notation that she left in July 2024.
Powerswitch Action is led by Lauren Jacobs, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 7 of 42 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lauren Jacobs
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$116K (2019) → $154K (2024)
Kyra Greene
Chair
Board Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Beach
Legal Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$111K (2019) → $130K (2024)
Donald Cohen
Director & In the Public in
Director & Itpi → Director & In the Public Interest, 2022
Director & In the Public Interest → Director & In the Public in, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$130K (2019) → $144K (2024)
Barbara Finnin
Finance & Operations Director
Finance & Ops Director → Finance & Operations Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$99K (2020) → $139K (2024)
Shahrzad Habibi
Research & Policy Director
Resrch & Policy Director → Research, Policy Director & Itpi, 2022
Research, Policy Director & Itpi → Research & Policy Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$102K (2020) → $122K (2024)
Sylvia Ruiz
Network Strength Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$120K (2024)
Brendan Walsh
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carmen Medrano
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darlene Lombos
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Scott
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Derecka Mehrens
Director
Vice Chair → Board Vice Chair, 2022
Board Vice Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Ohara
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucas Zucker
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Noel Fernandez
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Brusky
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Odessa Kelly
Director & At Large
Director → Director & At Large, 2023
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roxana Tynan
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Branden Snyder
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dwayne Royster
Director at Large
Director → Director & At Large, 2023
Director & At Large → Director at Large, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ely Flores
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Elena Allain
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Quynh Nguyen
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marisol Ramirez
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Fernandez
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Desiree Westlund
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Callaham-Kapoor
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susanna Bohme
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina Shimizu
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hazel Davalo
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeremy Al-Haj
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucas Shapiro
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Victor Sanchez
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yolanda Pickstock
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Wallach Hanson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Zachmeyer
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Edwards
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Holiday
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theo Moore
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lena Afridi
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$116K (2023) → $142K (2024)
Jennifer Rafanan Kennedy
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary & Treasurer → Board Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
Board Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheheryar Kaoosji
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (26)
- Former: Lee Matsueda (2019–2023) — Board Vice Chair
- Former: Maricela Morales (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Maritza Silva-Farrell (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Nelson Motto (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Fernando Mejia Ledesma (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Amisha Patel (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Elena Perez (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Lindsay McCluskey (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Victor Galvan (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Disla (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Christina Rosales (2022) — Housing & Land Justice Director
- Former: Elly Matsumura (2022) — California Director
- Former: Felicia Griffin (2020–2021) — Deputy Director
- Former: Margarita Valenzuela (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Anne Barnett Till (2021) — Director
- Former: Ben Beach (2021) — Legal Director
- Former: Brandi Fisher Till (2021) — Director
- Former: Ellen Matsumura (2021) — Ca Director
- Former: Esther Handy Till (2021) — Director
- Former: Anne Barnett (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Brandi Fisher (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Esther Handy (2020) — Director
- Former: Gregory Holston (2019) — Director
- Former: Jahmese Myres (2019) — Director
- Former: Nicole Vallestero Keenan-Lai (2019) — Director
- Former: Shakeel Syed (2019) — Director
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $154K, to Lauren Jacobs (Executive Director). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Powerswitch Action
How much does Powerswitch Action give each year?
Powerswitch Action gave $4.9M across 28 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $5.2M across 32 grants.
What is Powerswitch Action's typical grant size?
Powerswitch Action's median grant in 2024 was $149,000, and its average grant was $175,139, across 28 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Powerswitch Action that year got $72K on average.
Where does Powerswitch Action give grants?
Powerswitch Action's top state is California, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Massachusetts (11%) and Colorado (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (3 grants), Oakland, CA (3 grants) and Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does Powerswitch Action give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 28 grants with a stated purpose on Powerswitch Action's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Capacity Building; California" (6 grants), "CA Coalition for Worker Power" (5 grants) and "Capacity Building" (3 grants).
Who are Powerswitch Action's largest grantees?
Powerswitch Action's largest 2024 grantees include Community Labor United ($549,343), Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance ($401,537) and Working Partnerships USA ($327,800), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Powerswitch Action?
Powerswitch Action reported $23.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.6M.
What does Powerswitch Action fund?
PowerSwitch Action describes its mission as forging collective democracy and economies in cities and states with its grassroots affiliates. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Powerswitch Action?
Powerswitch Action has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check powerswitchaction.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Powerswitch Action's EIN?
Powerswitch Action's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 71-0914032. 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
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 9, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 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 October 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Powerswitch Action funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Powerswitch Action's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Powerswitch Action funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/powerswitch-action-morg_acc5b3db44ef409f8f5a848843bf81c0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_710914032_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Powerswitch Action funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/powerswitch-action-morg_acc5b3db44ef409f8f5a848843bf81c0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Powerswitch 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.
Powerswitch Action down — hundreds of funders to go?