Progress North Carolina Action
Progress North Carolina Action conducts research, sponsors educational activities and events, and disseminates accurate and timely information to promote the general public's understanding of ways to maintain and improve North Carolina's common good, quality of life and social welfare.
Progress North Carolina Action at a glance
In short: Progress North Carolina Action gave $1.5M across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $182K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,455,000
- +29000.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- Average grant
- $181,875
- Median grant
- $70,000
- Total assets
- $898,423
- +6.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Progress North Carolina Action funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was North Carolina Families First ($955K). Together the top 8 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 12 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2023) to $1.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $1.5M.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Families First Raleigh, NC | Funding for Supreme Court Issues | $955,000 |
| North Carolina Citizens for Protecting our Schools Raleigh, NC | Funding for Supreme Court Issues | $255,000 |
| Action NC Charlotte, NC | Funding for Operations | $75,000 |
| Carolina Federation Durham, NC | Funding for Operations | $70,000 |
| NC Voices Raleigh, NC | Funding for Operations | $70,000 |
| NCAAT in Action Raleigh, NC | Funding for Operations | $10,000 |
| Down Home North Carolina Greensboro, NC | Funding for Operations | $10,000 |
| North Carolina Association of Educators Raleigh, NC | Funding for School Board Issues | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $898,423 | $10,511,180 | $10,459,041 | $1,455,000 | 8 |
| 2023 | $844,842 | $1,684,978 | $978,350 | $5,000 | Total only |
| 2022 | $137,296 | $1,648,039 | $1,666,706 | $635,500 | 2 |
| 2021 | $153,292 | $191,272 | $322,536 | — | — |
| 2020 | $284,478 | $1,846,627 | $1,582,633 | $200,000 | 2 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Progress North Carolina Action
Based on IRS filings
Progress North Carolina Action is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Raleigh, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $898K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $1.5M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Progress North Carolina Action is led by Jess Jollett, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jess Jollett
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$67K (2020) → $138K (2024)
Jessica Laurenz
Board Chair
Board Member → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Natalia Diez
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ian Shannon
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Jim Overton (2020–2023) — Chairperson
- Former: Carolyn Smith (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Gerrick Brenner (2020) — Executive 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 $138K, to Jess Jollett (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Progress North Carolina Action
How much does Progress North Carolina Action give each year?
Progress North Carolina Action gave $1.5M across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it reported $5K in grants paid.
What is Progress North Carolina Action's typical grant size?
Progress North Carolina Action's median grant in 2024 was $70,000, and its average grant was $181,875, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Progress North Carolina Action give grants?
Progress North Carolina Action gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (5 grants).
Does Progress North Carolina Action give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Progress North Carolina Action's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Funding for Operations" (5 grants).
Who are Progress North Carolina Action's largest grantees?
Progress North Carolina Action's largest 2024 grantees include North Carolina Families First ($955,000), North Carolina Citizens for Protecting our Schools ($255,000) and Action NC ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Progress North Carolina Action?
Progress North Carolina Action reported $898K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.5M.
What is Progress North Carolina Action?
Progress North Carolina Action is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Raleigh, NC. It holds $898K in total assets as of 2024.
What is Progress North Carolina Action's EIN?
Progress North Carolina Action's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-2862217. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 23, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Progress North Carolina Action's focus areas in our free grants database
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