Project 42
To support building infrastructure in washington state around free markets, personal liberty, and public safety.
Project 42 at a glance
In short: Project 42 gave $2.2M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $362K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,174,050
- +29.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $362,342
- +29.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $175,000
- Total assets
- $383,454
- +563.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (55% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Project 42 funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Franklin News Foundation ($1.2M). Together the top 6 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 7 grants of 23 (30%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Project 42 gives
- Giving grew 341% 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 $225K (2020) to $2.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin News Foundation Chicago, IL | Media Investigative Reporting | $1,206,550 |
| League of Our Own Washington Snohomish, WA | Female Candidate Recruiting and Training | $552,500 |
| Citizens Action Defense Fund Tumwater, WA | Fund Litigation and Court Education Project Purposes | $300,000 |
| Change Washington Snohomish, WA | Support Accountability and Public Safety Issues in Washington | $50,000 |
| Full Court Press San Antonio, TX | General Support | $40,000 |
| Washington Veterans Vote Cheney, WA | General Support | $25,000 |
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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 | $383,454 | $4,328,470 | $4,002,878 | $2,174,050 | 6 | $25 |
| 2023 | $57,764 | $3,265,631 | $3,215,843 | $1,683,359 | 6 | $1,585 |
| 2022 | $7,976 | $1,968,423 | $2,093,120 | $1,095,600 | 5 | $-2,037 |
| 2021 | $132,673 | $953,844 | $822,635 | $492,496 | 3 | — |
| 2020 | $1,464 | $402,688 | $401,224 | $225,000 | 3 | — |
About Project 42
Based on IRS filings
Project 42 is a public charity, based in Pacific, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $383K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $2.2M. Net investment income was $25.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Project 42 is led by Steve Gordon, Chair & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Steve Gordon
Chair & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Heywood
Vice Chair & Secretary
Director → Vice Chair & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Jim Hill (2020–2021) — Director & Secretary
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 Project 42
How much does Project 42 give each year?
Project 42 gave $2.2M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 6 grants.
What is Project 42's typical grant size?
Project 42's median grant in 2024 was $175,000, and its average grant was $362,342, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Project 42 give grants?
Project 42 gives mostly in Illinois: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Washington (43%). The most frequent recipient cities were Snohomish, WA (2 grants).
Does Project 42 give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of Project 42's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Project 42's largest grantees?
Project 42's largest 2024 grantees include Franklin News Foundation ($1,206,550), League of Our Own Washington ($552,500) and Citizens Action Defense Fund ($300,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 95% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Project 42?
Project 42 reported $383K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.3M.
What is Project 42's EIN?
Project 42's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-4888807. 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
(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 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Project 42'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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